Tape Measure

[SinghKd81]

This is so ridiculous...wake up... GO METRIC.... Metric units are so easy... No fractions nothing..... you do it all in millimters or centimeters.

I just moved here to Canada and I am trying to learn the imperial fraction system. I hate the guy who invented the fraction ! bizarre !

[hdaustonmoving]

My wife needs to watch this video Thanks!

[thybigballs]

Even after cutting a board multiple times today, it was always too short for what I needed. Wtf?

[AsktheBuilder]

@thybigballs I'll betcha I know why. One of two things. You either cut on the wrong side of the line, and/or the hook end of your tape measure is bent making it LESS than a 90-degree angle.

[Techozek]

Meh, metric is more accurate than imperial. Enough said.

[thybigballs]

@Techozek No it's not

[alfredklek]

I use a "cheater" tape. It has the 1/8th's and 1/16th's marked (the 16th's marked with a single numeral ie. 3/16 is 3). It saves me quite a lot of time.

[omega4chimp]

what i dont get is why their are two 1/4 in a inch if sombody smart can tell me i would be happy?!

[ArtisanTony]

@omega4chimp the first one is 1/4 and the second one is 3/4 silly

[zool201975]

oh man the empirical measurement system must be a real nightmare.

its madness not even to try to slowly introduce the metric system based on a decimal then this medieval type of measuring.

still even with metrics a video telling how it works for newbies isn't a bad idea.

seen enough ppl all surprised when told the stripes are the exact location of the distance instead of the yellow part between them , I even met two men were discussing if it was the yellow in front of the stripe or behind

[sam20237]

nice vid

keep um coming



[samreece1]

Good job, quick and to the point.

[louie7721]

thank you very much its a big help

[777SEER]

Thanks for being so hellpful, Tim

I'm measuring the width of the prong on my microwave plate and that 1/8 tripped me up, Gina

[AsktheBuilder]

No worries Gina! The best way to get comfortable is to go around and measure anything in your home and say out loud the fraction. Do that say 20 or 30 times and you'll be as good as any carpenter.

[theemrod]

Next week:  Tim shows us all how to blink.

[rosemontag]

When using your mearsuring tape, do you have to use imperial mearsurements all the time. Can I use metric instead, I find metric alot easy to read.

[GR8racingfool]

Daddy taught me well, measure twice, cut once was his motto as well. True statement.

[AsktheBuilder]

Spacing for 5 studs per 8 feet.

[kprincehitman]

what does the diamond stand for?

[xceebeex]

thank you, this was helpful

[grupogisma]

pasaos al sistema metrico decimal solo hay que saber la tabla del 10

[Ratboy8888]

Tape measures will never be the same!

[ronfake1]

If the Western world would wake up and use SI units, there would be no such thing as a tape measure instruction video.

[AsktheBuilder]

Someone would undoubtedly make a video on how to understand SI units. I would probably do it just to get a rise out of certain people.

[Flielow]

@ronfake1 The Western world is doing just fine without your help or input Ron. You just let us Westerners do our thing and you go about doing yours.

[ralphy3]

im in a carpentry clas and i am having a hard time reading the tape corectly

[beersForAllz]

Metrix is for the losers in France stick with inches, feet, yards.

[AsktheBuilder]

There is no need to be rude.

[mikbonr1]

Obviously, you're someone who has never confused an 8/0 door with an 80" door or needs to do regular fractional inch arithmetic. Metric solves a lot of problems because of its simplicity.

[ronfake1]

Imagine if America did use metric exclusively. No imagine somebody trying to sell you the idea that the imperial system is superior.

"Well, its a system based on King Henry's thumb and when you take a measurement you write down four totally different systems of units: Yards, Feet, inches and fractions of inches, which are base 10, base 3, base 12 and base 2 respectively."

Oh yeah... that makes perfect sense.

[totoni2000]

inches, feet, yard, mile dont make sense. Yes GO metric.

[arodsandiego]

thx mr. carter!

[6079smythw]

go metric

[MrWildBob]

Why are all tape measures setup for left handed people? Sounds wierd huh? Well, if you are right handed, which most people are, and measure with your left hand, all the numbers will be upside down. This is if you measure from right to left. Are there any "right" handed measures?

[AsktheBuilder]

I think this question is best directed to the brand manager for Stanley tapes......

[emutiny]

The numbers can only go one way and its not hard to read a tape upside down. On the jobsite your going to need to measure both ways.

[byhammerandhand]

Some go AC/DC See Lee Valley or Rockler

SI and inch both have advantages and disadvantages. QUick, what's a third of a 19mm board?

[hohohyhy]

@byhammerandhand 6.33 cm

[MrWildBob]

I have a tape measure that shows all the fractions in 1/16ths. I have been getting drawings to build things that are referenced in decimal. Here is an example. It says to cut this piece of metal at 14.6 inches. My tape measure only shows in 1/16ths. How can I easily convert on the fly to 1/10ths with out having to have a chart or calculator handy?

[AsktheBuilder]

Memorize the decimal equivilants. That would be the easiet way. For example, 1/8 inch is .125. 5/8 inch is .625. 1/16 inch is .0625

[byhammerandhand]

If fractions flummox you, fraction-callout tape measure are available. Mine is a LS Starrett. I got this when I had to remake a bunch of picture frames because the artist could not read a tape measure :-( I think this is what Hammerofharpel referred to.

[byhammerandhand]

Many people think their tape measure is not right if the hook at 0" wiggles back and forth. It is supposed to work that way so that inside measurements and outside measurements read correctly.

Another puzzle is the little diamonds at just over 19" increments. These are for spacing studs 5 per 8' -- a fairly uncommon spacing (usually it's 16 or 24")

[ThisNamesNowTaken]

I have a question. How do you measure, lets say for example, the side of a small bathroom window? Say I want to buy a window screen and need the window measurements. The tape does not bend 90 degrees, it curves, so how would I measure the corners so that I dont give out too big or too small measurements? I'm sure theres a proper way to make these sorts of measurements, now could the answer to my question also be applied to lets say measuring a big livingroom window or door?

[AsktheBuilder]

Two ways. You make the bend of the tape go into the corner and estimate the remaining distance. Frequently it is 1/8" or so. You can also get a stick ruler that has a sliding bar inside the first section of the rule.

[byhammerandhand]

... or get a block of known measure say, 4" or 12" or whatever. Lay down the block on one edge, measure from the opposite edge to the edge of the bar and add the length of the block. Make your block an accurate and easy-to-remember size.

[emutiny]

Practice. Or just angle the tape so you can get a true measurement.

[malanga13]

At least for me the easiest is the most logical steps. Assuming all 4 corners are @ 90 degrees, measure width + height, draw your lines crossing each other, and measure the inside measurements for the screen. That is what I did when I made screens for my boat windows once and for my house and it worked perfectly with no gap at all, perfect fit all of them except at the boat where some adjustment was necessary due to the frame being a little warped.

[7seveng7]

I'm always surprised how many people can't read a tape measure at my work.

[hammerofharpel]

I have a tape measure that clearly shows up to the 16ths. this way I don't guess. Building furniture is tough enough without fussing with a tape measure.

[mbpearce76]

Measure twice cut once, the best advice spot on.