Check the hook end of the tape measure before working to ensure it’s at a 90-degree angle to the actual metal tape. When retracting a tape measure slow it down so the hook doesn’t come to an abrupt stop. The top tips for tape measures are simple. If the hook doesn’t move, you’ll discover your cut piece will always be too short. When you get the measurement pushing the tape hard in between the objects and then take the tape and pull it across the board, the movement of the hook will produce the correct measurement. This is done so you get an accurate measurement when you’re trying to determine the exact measurement in between two fixed objects. The amount of movement should equal the thickness of the hook end of the tape measure. The hook end of your tape measure is supposed to wiggle a little bit. Some carpenters like to have five framing members per every 8 feet so the sheathing over the framing is less spongy and stiffer. If you space things at 24-inch centers, you’ll have four framing members for each 8 feet. If you decide to use 16-inch-on center spacing, you’ll end up with six framing members for every 8 feet. These are handy markings if you want to achieve equal spacing for five framing members per every 8 feet. Many people wonder about the mystical small black diamond markings or black triangles found at 19 3/8 intervals on the tape measure. If you decide to space framing at 24-inch centers, the red marks will be at every other foot marking on the tape measure. This is a common framing spacing for wall studs, floor joists and common roof rafters. The red indicates 16-inch-on-center spacing. Most tapes that have this only do it for the first few inches on the tool.Īs you extend the tape measure, you’ll probably see the numbers 16, 32, 48, 64, 80, 96 and so forth in red. You’ll discover the markings are so fine and close together that it’s tough to determine where you are. Some tape measures have markings that divide each inch into thirty-seconds of an inch. Thus, these markings divide 1 inch of length into four equal parts, each one-quarter inch long. If you start at the 1-inch mark and count the quarter-inch markings, including the half-inch mark, you’ll discover you get to four when you finally get to the 2-inch mark. Since the half-inch mark is longer than these, it overlaps one of these three markings in between each of the primary inch marks. The next longest lines on the edge are the quarter-inch markings. So if you want to cut a board 3 1/2 inches wide, you’d make a crisp pencil mark on the board at the longest line in between the 3- and 4-inch markings on the tape measure. The longest of these black lines indicates the halfway point between each inch. These lines are different lengths to help you differentiate between them and to help you understand what they mean. Most tape measures I use in carpentry and building have black lines perpendicular to the edge of the tape measure in between each of the inch markings. In the past few years, I’ve seen more improvements in tape measures than I’d seen in the previous 35! It’s hard to believe you could improve a tape measure, but a few companies have really done an amazing job.įirst, let’s discuss the common markings on a tape measure. I’ve been using tape measures for so many years that I’ve had the great fortune to see some that are worthless and others that are marvelous tools. If you have the passion to build and remodel, you’ll get up on the math learning curve very fast. Fortunately, it’s never too late to master mathematics. As you delve deeper into building and remodeling, you’re going to really regret not paying more attention in all your math classes, especially geometry. What other tips do you have about using tape measures?Ī. The hook on the end is loose on all the tapes. Can you tell me about the markings, what they mean and about all the special markings? Also, every tape measure I have and see in the store seems to be defective. Now that I’m using a tape measure, I’m having some difficulty. I’m just starting to get into building and remodeling as a do-it-yourselfer.
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