Letter Gauge for Large Letters

Hi ๐Ÿ™‚ I hope this isn't too silly a question...but does anyone have any tips on making a 2cm letter gauge to test large letters? I pretty much have zero craft experience so I'm not sure what would be the best way to go about it. How would I cut through thick corrugated cardboard? Buy a special craft knife and cut along a ruler?

 

Any help would be appreciated ๐Ÿ™‚ I've heard some people have managed to get one from their POs. Do you have to know the staff well to get one? I asked at my LPO and they told me to come in if I ever needed to test anything and that they didn't give them out ๐Ÿ˜•

 

Thanks in advance!

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Re: Letter Gauge for Large Letters

Better still get them free from the post office and then sell them
Message 11 of 29
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Re: Letter Gauge for Large Letters

Balsa wood, that's a good idea! At least there's no risk of it stretching out of shape into a bigger hole, which could happen if the cardboard was a bit thin.

 

I asked my PO for one and they said they don't keep spares, they only have one for each counter. If one breaks, they share one between them until a new one arrives. That's why I made my own.

 

I find it really useful when I'm creating new listings. I send large letter items as 'free' post and charge postage for parcel items. If something looks like it's boarderline, I stick it in a padded bag and drop it through the slot and then insert the postage cost if needed (or not). Saves that OMG feeling after someone buys it and you realise that you've advertised with free postage and find it's too thick and has to go parcel rate.....which costs more than the buyer paid for the item!

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Re: Letter Gauge for Large Letters

The post office gave me one for free.

I love it. it has saved me a few dollars too. I can slide through the finished item, if it doesn't fit, i rewrap it until it does.

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Re: Letter Gauge for Large Letters

perhaps I'm too lazy - but i always just measure its not thicker than 2cm....(and within the 26 x 36 cm)... (have about 5 tape measures on my comp. desk)

 

agreed - my po looked at my blankly when I asked nicely for one...

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Re: Letter Gauge for Large Letters

Might try another PO when I pass by if I haven't made my own before then ๐Ÿ™‚ I had an experience similar to onekiwi0 the first time I asked...the staff just looked at me blankly.

It would nice if Australia Post did have some to sell as well. Though if you're getting them for free, good for you ๐Ÿ˜›
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Re: Letter Gauge for Large Letters

Apart from dragging up a 4 year old thread, you are NOT allowed to advertise you own goods here.

______________________________________________________

"Start me up I'll never stop......"
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Re: Letter Gauge for Large Letters

lyndal1838
Honored Contributor

You are not allowed to advertise on the boards.

 

I am sure after 4 years most of the posters here would have solved the problem.

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Re: Letter Gauge for Large Letters

I also suspect that some of those dimensions are incorrect as well lyndal

 

https://www.publishpartner.com.au/envelope-size-guide/

 

https://auspost.com.au/business/shipping/check-sending-guidelines/size-weight-guidelines

______________________________________________________

"Start me up I'll never stop......"
Message 18 of 29
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Re: Letter Gauge for Large Letters

I know this is a very old thread but now that it's been resurrected ...

 

The simplest way to check letter gauge is to buy a cheapo plastic vernier caliper from Bunnings or similar.

 

They only cost a couple of dollars and will accurately measure the thickness of your item.

 

The envelope only adds half a millimetre to that figure.

 

This tool is also useful around the house for measuring thicknesses, lengths and internal widths of holes etc

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Re: Letter Gauge for Large Letters

No you cannot.    I  have asked at every PO I've been to and they all say they don't give them out and you can't buy them.   I can't undertand it since there are so many businesses selling on-line with lots of mail to post and they don't want to keep going to the PO to make sure it fits through there damn slot.

 

I find that it is very arbitrary and some will make it go through the slot if its a bit thick and others won't even try if it don't go through straight away they make you pay extra or call it a parcel and not a letter.    Its a rort if you ask me.

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