Tool for marking sheet metal and method of use

1. A tool for marking sheet metal prior to bending in a bending brake, the sheet metal having an edge, the tool comprising:

a scale having a first end, an opposite second end, a longitudinal axis, and four faces, each of said four faces including a plurality of marking stations;

a cross member rotatably connected to said first end of said scale, said cross member having a surface which is disposed perpendicular to said longitudinal axis;

a screw which rotatably connects said cross member to said first end of said scale, said screw oriented along said longitudinal axis of said scale; and

a nut inserted into said first end of said scale, said nut engaging said screw;

wherein the cross member rotates about the screw.

2. The tool according to claim 1 further including:

said surface including a first surface and a second surface spaced apart from said first surface;

a flange outwardly projecting parallel to said longitudinal axis from said surface; and,

said second surface disposed between said scale and said flange.

3. The tool according to claim 1 further including:

said flange having a centrally disposed notch.

4. The tool according to claim 1 further including:

said plurality of marking stations being V-shaped notches.

5. The tool according to claim 1 further including:

said marking stations including a set of three marking stations, one marking station being a cut, another marking station being a first bend, and another marking station being a second bend.

6. The tool according to claim 5 further including:

at least one face of said four faces including two said sets of three marking stations.

7. The tool according to claim 5 further including:

said marking stations including one said marking station set for use with a 2″ by 4″ wooden member, one said marking station set for use with a 2″ by 2″ wooden member, two marking station sets for use with a 3″ by 3″ wooden member, and two marking station set for use with a 4″ by 4″ wooden member.

8. The tool according to claim 1 further including:

one of said four faces including a set of exactly two marking stations, one marking station being a first bend, and another marking station being a second bend.

9. The tool according to claim 1 further including:

said surface including a first surface and a second surface spaced apart from said first surface;

a flange outwardly projecting parallel to said longitudinal axis from said surface;

said second surface disposed between said scale and said flange;

said flange having a centrally disposed notch;

a screw which rotatably connects said cross member to said first end of said scale, said screw oriented along said longitudinal axis of said scale;

a nut inset into said first end of said scale, said nut engaging said screw;

said plurality of marking stations being V-shaped notches;

said marking stations including a set of three marking stations, one marking station being a cut, another marking station being a first bend, and another marking station being a second bend;

at least one face of said four faces including two said sets of three marking stations;

said marking stations including one said marking station set for use with a 2″ by 4″ wooden member, one said marking station set for use with a 2″ by 2″ wooden member, two marking station sets for use with a 3″ by 3″ wooden member, and two marking station set for use with a 4″ by 4″ wooden member; and,

one of said four faces including a set of exactly two marking stations, one marking station being a first bend, and another marking station being a second bend.

10. A method for marking sheet metal comprising:

(a) providing a sheet of metal having an edge;

(b) providing a marking implement;

(c) providing a tool for marking said sheet of metal, said tool including;

a scale having a first end, an opposite second end, a longitudinal axis, and four faces;

at least one of said four faces including a cut marking station, a first bend marking station, and a second bend marking station;

a cross member rotatably connected to said first end of said scale, said cross member having a surface which is disposed perpendicular to said longitudinal axis;

(d) rotating said scale so that a desired face is disposed perpendicular to said sheet of metal;

(e) at a first location on said sheet of metal, positioning said surface of said cross member into abutting contact with said edge of said sheet of metal;

(f) using said marking implement to make a cut mark, a first bend mark, and a second bend mark on said sheet of metal;

(g) at a second location on said sheet of metal, positioning said surface into abutting contact with said edge of said sheet of metal; and,

(h) using said marking implement to make a cut mark, a first bend mark, and a second bend mark on said sheet metal.

11. The method of claim 10 further including:

in (c), said flange having a centrally disposed notch.

12. The method of claim 10 further including:

in (c), a screw which rotatably connects said cross member to said first end of said scale, said screw oriented along said longitudinal axis of said scale; and,

in (c), a nut inset into said first end of said scale, said nut engaging said screw.

13. The method of claim 10 further including:

in (c), said four faces including a set of three marking stations, one marking station being a cut, another marking station being a first bend, and another marking station being a second bend.

14. The method of claim 13 further including:

in (c) at least one face of said four faces including two said sets of three marking stations.

15. The method of claim 13 further including:

in (c), said marking stations including one said marking station set for use with a 2″ by 4″ wooden member, one said marking station set for use with a 2″ by 2″ wooden member, two marking station sets for use with a 3″ by 3″ wooden member, and two marking station set for use with a 4″ by 4″ wooden member.

16. The method of claim 10 further including:

in (c), one of said four faces including a set of exactly two marking stations, one marking station being a first bend, and another marking station being a second bend.

17. A method for marking sheet metal comprising:

(a) providing a sheet of metal having an edge;

(b) providing a marking implement;

(c) providing a tool for marking said sheet of metal, said tool including;

a scale having a first end, an opposite second end, a longitudinal axis, and four faces;

at least one of said four faces including a cut marking station, a first bend marking station, and a second bend marking station;

a cross member rotatably connected to said first end of said scale, said cross member having a surface which is disposed perpendicular to said longitudinal axis;

(d) rotating said scale so that a desired face is disposed perpendicular to said sheet of metal;

(e) at a first location on said sheet of metal, positioning said surface of said cross member into abutting contact with said edge of said sheet of metal;

(f) using said marking implement to make a first bend mark, and a second bend mark on said sheet of metal;

(g) at a second location on said sheet of metal, positioning said surface into abutting contact with said edge of said sheet of metal; and,

(h) using said marking implement to make a a first bend mark, and a second bend mark on said sheet metal.