Tape Measure

Discover how tape measures are divided into different fractions. Color coding is also used to help with spacing things 16 inches on center. This http://www.AsktheBuilder.com video explains how to read a tape measure. Sign up NOW for Tim's FREE weekly newsletter at: http://go.askthebuilder.com/NewsletterSignup

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• tools
• building
• remodeling
• Ask
• the
• Builder
• tape
• measure

[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.

[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.

[AsktheBuilder]

Spacing for 5 studs per 8 feet.

[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.

[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.

[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]

@Techozek No it's not

[Techozek]

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

[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.

[ArtisanTony]

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

[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?!

[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