I learned a trick in the early 70’s from an old carpenter I was fortunate enough
to work under for over a year - Joe Shingle, born in 1900

He had a way of opening his 6 foot zig zag where he just spread his arms and it
was fully open in 1/2 a second.  I learned it and still use it.  When you get
good at it, you can open the rule 1/2 way or 1/4 the way almost instantly.  Wish
I knew how to take a movie.

Ed Minch