13 DIY Ruler Hacks That You Can't Live Without

The best rulers are the ones that make life easier, and we've got 13 DIY ruler hacks to help you out. From measuring your food to building a box, these creative ideas will come in handy for all sorts of projects.

Whether you're an avid crafter or someone who likes to tinker with wood on the weekends, there's something here for you!

1. Using a Ruler to Make Straight Lines on Paper

Using a ruler to make straight lines on paper is a great way to create evenly spaced designs for cards, posters, or any other type of paper project.

All you need is a ruler, a pencil and some patience! First, draw your desired design onto the paper; then use the ruler to help draw faint guidelines that will act as a blueprint for your project. Finally, use a pencil to trace over the guidelines, making them darker and more visible. You'll be surprised at how easy it is to get perfectly straight lines with this method!

2. Making an Easy Cutting Board from Plywood and Two Rulers

Making an easy cutting board from plywood and two rulers is a great way to keep your countertops free of messy accidents. All that's needed for this simple project is a ruler, pencil, saw, and drill. Draw lines onto plywood where you want to place the ruler guides; then take them outside and spray paint them with primer before bringing them back inside and attaching them to the plywood using screws. Finally, draw out the size of your desired cutting board on top of the plywood before drilling holes directly into its surface. You can even go ahead and label each line so beginners have no trouble keeping everything together while still having fun!

3. Draw Perfect Arcs by Using the Radius Measurement on Your Ruler!

Rulers come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, but one of the most versatile is the standard 12-inch ruler. This is because its radius measurement (measuring from the centre to either edge) is perfect for drawing arcs or circles! Simply place your ruler so its radius measurement falls where you want the arc's centre to be, then use a pencil to draw a dot on either end. Connect these two dots by drawing a curved line in between, and voila--you've just created a beautiful arc without any fuss!

4. How to Cut Large Pieces of Wood With a Ruler and Circular Saw

Before you buy multiple tools to cut down big pieces of timber, try using a ruler first! Large pieces of wood can be difficult to accurately cut with a handsaw because it's easy to lose your place if the line is too far away. A better option is by using a circular saw because its blade makes it easier for you to see where the line ends up after every plunge. Simply measure out the desired distance you want between each saw mark; then start cutting. If you make any mistakes, simply wipe them out with an eraser before continuing.

5. Making a Jig for Drilling Holes With a Ruler and Pencil

Drilling holes can be a frustrating process because it's hard to ensure that they turn out perfectly straight. Rather than allowing yourself to become flustered, try using a ruler as a makeshift jig! Simply place the ruler along whatever you're trying to drill; then hold it in place with one hand while you line up your drill bit with the other. Once everything is lined up, drill your hole.

6. How to Measure Paint in Narrow Spots by Scoring it With a Ruler

The perfect solution for when you need to measure out a small amount of paint and don't have your measuring cup handy, try using an old-school ruler instead! Simply score the desired line on it with something sharp then pour in as much colour until satisfied.

7. A Second Ruler Can Be Used as a Guide for Sewing a Straight Line!

It can be difficult to sew a straight line without some sort of guide, but luckily this helpful trick will take care of that for you! Place your fabric over the top of your ruler so that the edge is lined up with where you want the seam to go; then use another ruler or even a piece of cardboard as a makeshift guide for your needle. Make sure to hold everything in place as you stitch away--you'll be done before you know it!

8. Cutting Small Pieces of Wood Easily With a Ruler and Safety Glasses

Cutting wood with a ruler can make it easier to keep your lines straight and get the job done. Simply mark where you want, put on some safety glasses for protection from flying shavings; then use an electric circular saw!

9. Using a Ruler as a Guide When Hanging Wall Art, Shelves, or Photo

When hanging something on the wall, it's important to make sure it's level. One way to ensure this is by using a ruler as a guide! Simply measure out where the centre of your desired item should go, then use a level to make sure it's straight. If everything looks good, go ahead and hammer in some nails!

10. Make Rulers from Dowel Rods, Washers, and Outer Tubing

If you need a new ruler and don't have any on hand, no problem! You can easily make your own using some common materials. For example, take a dowel rod and cut it into different sizes (make sure to use a saw). Then, place a washer over the end and hammer it in until it's flush. Finally, use some outer tubing (the kind used for curtain rods) to create a nice grip. There you have it--a brand new ruler!

11. Use Two Rulers to Keep Fabrics Straight When Sewing

One of the most frustrating things that can happen when sewing is when your fabric starts to bunch up or warp. This can easily be avoided by using a simple trick - two rulers! Just place them on either side of the fabric you're working with and make sure that they remain in line as you sew. If they do start to shift at all, it will be very obvious and easy to fix.

12. Cut Open Boxes Easily by Scoring Them With a Ruler

Use a ruler to score your boxes before cutting into them- this will create a guide for the scissors and make everything go much more smoothly. Just make sure to use a sharp object like a pen or pencil so that the lines are clean and even.

13. Make a Ruler Spray Paint Holder by Attaching a Bottle of Touch up Paint

One of the most annoying things about touch-up paint bottles is their tendency to tip over at random, spilling paint everywhere and making a huge mess. To solve this you can make a spray paint holder.

All you have to do is attach a bottle of touch-up paint to one end of your old ruler by cutting a hole in the middle and then screwing it on tightly. Now set both items against something sturdy, grab some paintbrushes, and start painting away.

Conclusion

The options are endless when it comes to using rulers in your everyday life! If you need a ruler for any reason, make sure you have one handy by keeping them at home, work, or school. You never know what opportunity might present itself, and having the right tool ready could be all that is needed.

We hope this blog post has helped you get started on incorporating some of these ideas into your daily routine. If you have any questions or concerns then feel free to message us and we will be more than happy to answer them.