målebara

Målebara is a term used in Scandinavian languages to denote a measuring bar, a rigid straight edge used as a reference surface and for determining dimensions in woodworking, metalworking, construction, and related trades. These bars are typically made from metal such as steel or aluminum, but simpler versions may be wooden or plastic. They come in a range of lengths from a few hundred millimeters to several meters, depending on the application.

A målebara may include a calibrated scale along its length, usually in millimeters and centimeters, enabling direct reading of distances when laid against a workpiece. Some versions are plain straight edges without scales and serve primarily as reference surfaces to verify straightness, squareness, and planarity, while others combine the straight edge with graduated rulers or sliding sections for more versatile measurement tasks.

Common uses include laying out and marking work in carpentry and cabinetmaking, checking the squareness of components, aligning machinery, and verifying surface flatness. In metal fabrication, a målebara can act as a datum for setup and inspection checks, providing a stable reference against which measurements and tolerances are defined.

Compared with other measuring tools, a målebara offers a persistent reference surface and is valued for its straightness and flatness. It is distinct from a måttband (tape measure), which is flexible, and from calipers or micrometers, which measure smaller dimensions with higher precision. Etymology and regional usage vary, but the concept remains a common workshop staple for quick, direct layout and inspection tasks.