The markers of quality behind a STABILA rule

Franz and Anton Ullrich refined their invention for 30 years before registering a patent for their folding rule with spring-loaded joints in 1886. Three years later Gustav Ullrich, nephew of the inventor, founded the STABILA company. We've been manufacturing rules ever since. Today STABILA rules remain genuine originals – even though we have naturally honed and developed the technology in the intervening time.

STABILA rule with PEFC seal

Rules that increase sustainability

Is sustainability important to you when choosing your tools? Then a STABILA rule is the perfect choice. As a manufacturer of quality rules, the responsible use of wood, a natural resource, is very important to us. This is why we had our production site certified in accordance with strict PEFC criteria and have supplied folding rules with a PEFC seal since 2019. This seal guarantees that the wood we use comes from sustainably managed forests, which are preserved for future generations.

Wooden folding rules – from natural wood to finished product

PEFC natural wood
high-quality beech wood

Rules in high-quality beech wood

For wooden folding rules, the most important factor for optimum break resistance is to use carefully selected, well-matured, highly elastic woods as the primary material. STABILA only uses wood from European sources.

base colour

Base cover colour

The base colour is important for obtaining optimal printing results. It protects the wood and also provides an adhesion base for the subsequent printing layers and protective varnish. We use only environmentally friendly colours and varnishes. The base colour of STABILA wooden rules is white as standard, or alternatively yellow.

coating and easy to read scale

Overprinting and clear protective varnish

The coating for wooden folding rules must be able to withstand all conditions. Protection against moisture, sunlight and mechanical abrasion is required. This is the only way to ensure that the scale is easy to read. We use only water-soluble UV varnishes in order to achieve maximum abrasion resistance. The environmentally friendly varnish, made to our own formula, offers outstanding weather and abrasion resistance.

Scale and angle markings

STABILA offers all the standard scales used for measurements on the construction site. The 400 and 700 series also come with angle markings to transfer or read off frequently used angles.

(1) Scale in cm
(2) Scale in cm / inch
(3) Geo-scale for transferring and reading heights in outdoor conditions
(4) Integrated angle markings (15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 90°, 105° and 120°)

Scale and angle markings

Types of joints

STABILA predominantly uses joints made from high-strength spring steel, which ensures exact locking and a durable spring action. Catches and end cams provide a strong hold and ensure accuracy. The special construction makes the joints smooth and durable. Some models use joints reinforced with fibreglass, offering extra durability.

Series 600: External jointing plates in high-strength spring steel

Series 600: External jointing plates in high-strength spring steel

Galvanised, corrosion-protected jointing plates in high-strength sheet steel with inlaid hardened steel spring and concealed rivet. The concealed rivet and hardened steel springs ensure durability, smoothness and exact locking.

Illustration on right: open jointing plate.

Series 400: Internal jointing plates in high-strength spring steel

Series 400: Internal jointing plates in high-strength spring steel

Embedded, hardened, sheet steel joints with integrated steel spring provide durability and exact locking.

Illustration on right: open jointing plate.

Series 700: Jointing plates in reinforced plastic

Series 700: Jointing plates in reinforced plastic

Maintenance-free, polyamide joints reinforced with fibreglass. Plastic parts in same colour as rule.

Illustration on right: open jointing plate.

folding ruler in action

Printing of sections

Printing of sections

You can recognise a quality folding rule from the printing on the initial slat. A double millimetre scale (on the upper and lower edges) increases the practical value of the folding rule. The following important information should be noted:

(1) Nominal length
The rule can be unfolded to a length of 2 m.

(2) Accuracy class
Accuracy class of the rule, stated in Roman numerals. Rules meet the requirements of accuracy class III.

(3) Brand
The name of the manufacturer, i.e. the brand, which confirms the place of manufacture and the construction. STABILA guarantees quality.

(4) CE conformity indicator
Contains information on CE conformity, the time of manufacture and the examining body.

(5) Measuring scale
Clear printed impression with clear distinction between tens and units.

Series 1100 fibreglass-reinforced ABS

Series 1100: Rules in hard-wearing plastic

The source material for our plastic folding rules is a fibreglass-reinforced ABS. This material offers high strength. The deeply imprinted scale provides excellent abrasion and wear resistance. With plastic folding rules, we achieve high levels of stability using plastic with processed fibreglass reinforcement.

(1) Moisture-resistant
Rule made of plastic reinforced with fibreglass – especially suitable for working in damp environments.

(2) Marking function
The sections provide a continuous straight edge when opened out.

(3) Smooth-action, durable joints
Recessed, durable joints with steel springs can be locked in a right angle.

(4) Shatterproof thanks to elasticity
The rule is very flexible when fully folded out.

(5) Long-life visibility
Deeply-imprinted, abrasion-resistant scale with clear printing.

plastic folding rules