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 Post subject: Elaborate on the
PostPosted: Fri Oct 14, 2016 9:02 pm 
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age old (well at least from the middle ages) "rule of thumb" myths, legends, hardcore old school and todays general usage.


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 Post subject: Re: Elaborate on the
PostPosted: Fri Oct 14, 2016 9:17 pm 
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Hey Newtooth,

At Colonial Williamsburg living museum, they tell you that the "rule of thumb" meant that a man could beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb. :shock:

Cheers,
Tom

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 Post subject: Re: Elaborate on the
PostPosted: Sat Oct 15, 2016 5:18 pm 
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Yep, Tom beat me to it.


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 Post subject: Re: Elaborate on the
PostPosted: Tue Oct 18, 2016 9:45 am 
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the width of your thumb was equal to 1"


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 Post subject: Re: Elaborate on the
PostPosted: Fri Oct 21, 2016 8:37 pm 
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The rule of thumb, wow, where to begin. TMS relates that which I think is the most popular definition. Although no written law can be cited, a judge in England is alleged to have ruled that in common law, it was permissible for a man to beat his wife if the rod was no larger than the diameter of his thumb. A contemporary cartoon depicted a robed, wigged and powdered judge carrying bundles of rods which meet that criteria with a cartoon figure of a man switch raised on high chasing a woman. Times have changed and that could and should get you in a lot of trouble and have very serious consequences.

It appears to me that ED D makes a point with his observation that the width of your thumb equals one. One of what was determined about where the thumb was and what was being measured. The rule of thumb can be referenced in many cultures around the world. Nordic, European, Asian and African sources all have references to a rule of thumb. Many very old school measurements were based on the human anatomy ie the distance from the tip of the thumb to the first knuckle, the length of a forearm, the span of a hand, the ratio of the diameter of the thumb to the wrist to the neck the waist etc.

Typically a rule of thumb is a very loose guideline of approach to almost any situation in which some direction is needed. Today, as a rule of thumb, this forum does not welcome posts on politics, religion and desires to avoid bluntly confrontational posts. As rules of thumb, SWMBO still rules, and, if mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy are a couple of examples :roll: .

If you have any other favorite rules of thumb please post them. Many are wierd many are very specific to a particular set of circumstances some are downright wacky and some show really basic wisdom about life.


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 Post subject: Re: Elaborate on the
PostPosted: Fri Oct 21, 2016 8:46 pm 
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Hey Newtooth,

My most important rule of thumb is to make sure that both thumbs are clear of the bandsaw blade when pushing a piece through the saw. Although the band saw is considered one of the safest machines in the shop, it is responsible for the largest number of thumb amputations. This usually happens when the workpiece splits ahead of the cut and the woodworkers thumb is driven into the blade.

Not what you were expecting I'm sure, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

Cheers,
Tom

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 Post subject: Re: Elaborate on the
PostPosted: Fri Oct 21, 2016 8:57 pm 
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TMS: Exactly what a rule of thumb should be! Outstanding! anyone else?

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 Post subject: Re: Elaborate on the
PostPosted: Sun Oct 23, 2016 10:09 am 
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Not so much another rule but a riddle:

What well known ruler has three feet?


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 Post subject: Re: Elaborate on the
PostPosted: Sun Oct 23, 2016 4:56 pm 
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A yard stick.


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