nice, gary!  tell us about the forge build.

i use a starrett steel hook rule for measuring under a foot, and a folding
steel rule (5 or 6', i can't recall) from Eppler for longer things.  aside
from it not scorching, i think i'd rather steel than aluminum because it
doesn't conduct as quickly.

for non-hot applications i use a lufkin wooden rule with extensions, and
prefer it for repetitive, more accurate measurements than my tape measure.

bill
felton, ca