How To
By
Heather Orr, eHow Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
-
blue prints or building plans, scale ruler
Using a Scale Ruler
Step1
Determine the scale of your plans. It will be labeled on the plans and should be found in the bottom corner.
Step2
Turn the ruler to the corresponding scale factor. For instance, if the plans read ¼ inch equals one foot, you will use the ¼ inch scale on the ruler.
Step3
Measure the desired line starting from zero on the correct scale. In this case, you would need to use the ¼ inch scale.
Step4
The measurement you calculate equals how many feet the line actually is at full scale dimensions.
Step5
Try it out several times until you get the hang of it. This will increase your understanding of the scale ruler so you can use it with ease.
Comments
Zorra said
on 1/7/2009 Hello! I could probably provide better assistance if you tell me your original paper size and scale factor. 1/16th divided into one inch is 1/16th. If your paper size is not truly half of your original drawing size, then your scale factor will be distorted. For instance, a 22 x 34 drawing will be 11 x 17 at half size. This is a valid paper size. On the other hand, a 24 x 36 drawing will be 12 x 18 at half size, and this is not a valid paper size.
Hope this helps. Good luck to you.
FallGuy said
on 1/5/2009 Let’s say my scale is 1/8 and the drawing is half size.
Therefore my scale is 1/16.
When using 1/8 scale I take the measure amount and multiple it by two
This is correct.
However when I use a 1/16 scale the answer is incorrect and that is because it is not 1/16 scale. It is one inch divided into 1/16th. Why is that?
What is going on here?