How to Use a Tape Measure

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You ’ve no doubt heard the woodworking proverb “ Measure twice , abridge once ” and may even have made it a mantra for your own undertaking . But unless you know how to use a tape measure and right say its markings , your best efforts can be slightly off — and , regrettably , any amount of “ off ” just wo n’t do . What ’s more , this on the face of it one - note cock can really be used for tasks besides simply measuring the duration between point A and point B. This guidebook explains how to use a tape criterion right , include how to appraise the privileged width of a bookshelf to how to draw a perfect circle .

Reading a Tape Measure

good deal of DIYers ( and even some experient professional carpenters ) may not be cognizant of all of the data contained on a retractable metal tape measure . Discover the share and measure increase you ’ll find on atape metre .

Locate the housing, tang, lock, and blade.

Read a tape measure’s incremental marks for the imperial system.

In the United States , the imperial measurement system of rules is normally used on a tape measuring , though some models may have both the imperial and the metrical system . A tape measuring stick with both inches and centimeters usually has the purple measuring in red on the top of the vane , while the metrical measurements are in black on the bottom of the steel .

Read a tape measure’s incremental marks for the metric system.

Understand these important additional measurements.

Using a Tape Measure

To use a magnetic tape criterion , deplumate the tang out from the living accommodations and hook it on the edge of the target to be mensurate . Stretch the blade across the object , press the lock , and then mention where the steel meets the conclusion of the object . The near line on the blade to the end of the object is the final measurement . Once you have noted it , unhook the tang , hold the vane with your hand so that its recoil wo n’t cause combat injury , then push the whorl to release the blade . Slowly allow the vane to return to the caparison .

The true zero hook feature will keep measurements accurate.

The first in on a tape measure is really little by 1/16 inch , because the metal on the tang is precisely 1/16 of an inch . So for measurements taken from the privileged edge of an object , such as measuring the length of a wall from corner to box , the tang slide back against the blade and the metal of the tang is added to calculate for the “ missing ” 1/16 of an inch .

However , this would leave you 1/16 inch short for objects that are measured from the outside edge , such as a deck board . To answer for for this , the tang slide out 1/16 inch when it is hooked onto an object , allow for the true measuring to be taken . Always assure that the tang is fully extended when hooked onto an boundary .

Round up to err on the side of larger.

When read a tape measure , the edge of the object may come down between two line on the blade . To avoid reduce too short , always assault up to the tumid measurement . At worst , you will need to measure and cut again , but that is far better than wasting a piece of cloth that ’s 1/16 of an inch too short for your pauperization .

Use the housing for inside measurements instead of bending the tape.

It ’s a common error when taking privileged mensuration ( such as the privileged width of a bookshelf ) to pull the blade out further than necessary and then turn away it to meet against one side of the object while the tang is pushed against the other side . deform the tape can lead to an estimate instead of an exact measurement . Instead , sit down the base of the tape measure against one side of the target to be measure . overstretch the tang out and hold it to the other side of the bookshelf . Take the reading from the tape and contribute it to the distance of the lodging ( observe on its base ) to get an accurate reading . This praxis also prevents the tape from being bent repeatedly , which stimulate harm and previous wear .

The curve of the blade improves tape rigidity.

Tape measure blades are slightly concave to increase the blade ’s rigidity when in use . This curvature allow the vane be perpetrate out further without losing stiffness , helping take longer measurements with more truth .

Use the serrated scribing tool at the end of the blade when a pencil is not at hand.

The softened serrate boundary on the end of the tang can also be used as a marker . If you do n’t have a pencil or marking cock handy , hightail it the serrated edge back and forth across the material being measured to mark the spot .

Don’t mistake the nail and screw grab for a simple hole in the tang.

The tang also has a little hole in the end , just above the serrated bound , specifically designed to be overcharge onto a nail or screw , which is very helpful when measuring a two-dimensional surface and work without a partner . but insert a nail or screw to the side of the surface , grab the drumhead of the fixing with the hole of the tang , and draw out the blade to take a agile , accurate measuring .

Use a tape measure to draw a perfect circle.

The maw in the tang can also be used to make consummate circles , large if you ’re craft a lazy Susan , or round tabletop :

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Person wearing brown jacket holding a pencil uses a tape measure to measure a board.