This article should help you understand what they are and how they should affect which tape measure you choose to buy. They used body parts as measuring units and also used standardized ancient measuring such as rope, strands and cubit rods. For anyone looking to buy a tape measure the first question to consider is: what tape measure markings you’re comfortable reading? Reading inches can be a bit tricky and may take some getting used to. Buy on Home Depot. A sagging measuring tape will lead to an inaccurate measurement. When measuring longer lengths, the tape measure can tend to twist. The tape markings on the tape are fairly easy to read. Flat wire in that era was a booming business as women had fallen head over heels with layered hoop skirts so it was used in both industry and in fashion. When used properly Class II tapes are more than accurate enough for the vast majority of users. See more ideas about woodworking tips, woodworking, woodworking projects. Because 19.2” divides perfectly (5 times) into 8ft - and many American building materials come in 8ft lengths. We deal in fractions every day and are forever measuring quarters and eighths and sixteenths and whatnot. Many people often fail to plan ahead when it comes to incorporating blinds into their home. The UK Government’s Measuring Instruments (Material Measures of Length) Regulations implemented the European Measuring Instruments Directive (MID) in 2006. M09 generally signifies a tape measure that came off the production line in 2009 whilst M13 (as seen in the picture below) shows a tape most likely manufactured in 2013. These strips of leather would function the same way a ruler does. Most people can get as far as reading an inch, but going further into fractions can throw you off. 20°C being the temperature of the laboratory where the accuracy of the blade is tested. These are the whole numbers or inches… The line that crosses the complete width of the tape at the whole number is the inch mark. Every 12 inches, there will often (but not always) be a foot marking. 19.2” divides perfectly (5 times) into 8ft. Typical tape measures are … Gifts, Gadgets & General Store...To Your Door. Tape Measures. Starting from the hook of your tape measure, you will have whole numbers printed in black on your tape (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and so on). Best Extra-Long: DeWalt 300-Foot Measuring Tape. It's ideal for such tasks as it is very flexible but more importantly it has plenty of length. What is a tape measure? Similar to reading rulers, the large numbers on a standard tape measure are the inch marks. Using this hook to latch on to the beginning of the object you are measuring will allow you to pull the rest of the tape measure with you to span the length being measured. The practice of using measuring tapes dates as far back to the days of the Roman Empire. That said, most everyday and professional tape measures on the market today (including everything from Stanley, Irwin, Draper, Bahco and more) are EC Class II accurate. Each large tick represents one inch (1″), and the ticks between represent the following fractions: 1 ⁄ 16 “, 1 ⁄ 8 “, 3 ⁄ 16 “, 1 ⁄ 4 “, 5 ⁄ 16 “, 3 ⁄ 8 “, 7 ⁄ 16 “, 1 ⁄ 2 “, 9 ⁄ 16 “, 5 ⁄ 8 “, 11 ⁄ 16 “, 3 ⁄ 4 “, 13 ⁄ 16 “, 7 ⁄ 8 “, and 15 ⁄ 16 “. The CE mark indicates that the tape measure conforms to all European Union regulations that apply to it. FIG. Meet the Lufkin Black Widow Tape Measure. When measuring longer lengths, the tape measure can tend to twist, try to keep the blade of the tape measure flat and reasonably tight for an accurate reading. The tape is not encased and therefore is easy to handle. For example, ½" has a bigger mark than ¼" which has a bigger... Read 1 inch. Special markings are for different on … Reading 1/2-inch measurements is the same principle as reading one inch: simply locate the second-longest mark between the longer inch marks. As the name suggests, this measuring tape is most popular with tailors and fashion designers in the fashion industry. If the tape measure has imperial markings, that is feet and inches, reading it shouldn’t be too difficult. On many tapes (but by no means all) you will find a small red rectangle with the letter M printed inside followed by a number. That is because of the markings on the tape measure that allow one to measure a piece of wood or board or any other thing with the precision of a millimeter. But these black diamonds are important as they are truss, or black truss, indicators. By ‘unclassified’ we mean that they have not been tested and guaranteed to conform to a particular level of accuracy. One decimeter comprises of 10 centimeters while 10 millimeters will make up one centimeter. This type of tape measure has the whole inch numbers labeled, as well as the eighths and quarters of an inch labeled, like 1/8, 1/4, 3/8, etc, which makes reading a tape measure much easier. The tape markings on the tape are fairly easy to read. Some tape measures will include the calibration number provided by UK Weights and Measures and some will feature a batch number to further help the manufacturer identify a product’s build date. … If you need accurate measurements such as for production or pattern design, it’s best to have the help of another person who can hold one end for you. With incredible quality, features and accuracy, what are you waiting for? The UK, however, still uses a combination of the two – the mandatory metric system as enforced by the European Union and the more traditional Imperial system still in use by many trades. A tape measure is a length of tape (usually a bendable metal) with markings (or ticker marks or lines) on it at certain intervals that you use to measure. By this definition, the ancient Romans were on the right track towards the invention of the tape measure and its markings. Here are some types of tape measures used in everyday work. The large numbers represent centimeters and where the large numbers appear in red, they denote the number of decimeters. What's interesting is that although the tape measure has experienced many changes in shape, style and utility, it seems to have remained constant in the tape markings. That number is usually in bold, black type, easy to read and refers to the longest of the markings along the edge. Incidentally, our own Adam Spafford covered the mysteries of tape measure markings in an article from earlier this year, so for the sake of avoiding redundancy, I’ll leave that subject alone. Both work for nicely fitting 4 … On some tapes, quarter inch marks are the same size as eighth-inch marks. Among the earliest inventions of the tape measure is a steel tape measure invented by a flat wire maker known as. Whilst many of you will think you know how to use a tape measure, do you actually know how to use all of it? What is a tape measure? On a tape measure labeled with imperial units, the most prominent marks are usually the one-inch marks. Depending on the application of the tape measure there are several options to choose from. Tape Measure Markings – What Do They Mean? Whereas the 16-inch markings provide the spacing for seven studs in an 8-foot … ), most countries have moved onto the metric system. typically come in 8ft lengths. The half inch mark sits in the middle of two inch marks. typically have a small hook where they begin. Here are 5 secret features you didn’t know about how to use a tape measure. Need tools and gadgets, see whatC Larboard has to offer! Then read on... Got a tip to share? If the tape measure is being used in temperatures other than 20°C or at a pulling force of more/less than 50 Newtons then the accuracy of that tape cannot be guaranteed. FIG. For the longest time, architects and construction workers would use a tool called the folding ruler, which would help them measure long lengths. Stanley Tape Measure Markings. But, sometimes your measurement ends up falling on one of those little lines with no number markings. Learn trade secrets, how to take awkward or difficult measurements, care for your tools and more! Clear markings make it easier to read a tape measure in the rain/dark etc. There are other mysterious markings on many tape measures. This doesn’t mean that it was manufactured in the EU but is, to a certain extent, an indicator of quality. Once you’ve determined that, the next question should be what task it’s intended for. Measure to Mark. Copyright © 2014 Kootoo Ltd. All rights reserved. Company No: 7593069, The Tape Store - The UK's Measurement Specialist, Protimeter Psyclone Thermo Hygrometer BLD7800, Protimeter Hygromaster 2 Thermo Hygrometer with Hygrostick BLD7750, Trumeter 5505E Measuremeter (Metric/Imperial), Rotosure RCP Classique Professional (Metric), Tape Measure Tips - Getting The Most Out of Your Tape. Class 2 (denoted by ‘II’) the second most accurate with Class 3 (III) logically being the third. A good number ofpocket tape measures typically have a small hook where they begin. Information on how to do this can be found on Wikipedia by searching for ‘tape correction’. Take for instance a record of measuring the depth of the Nile during the reign of the early DynasticPharaoh Djer. Three times 16 is 48 -- so you get an even three spans every 4 feet. This was in the 5th dynasty and the choice of the measuring tool used was the Palermo stone. A tape measure or measuring tape is a flexible ruler used to measure size or distance. Marks on a tape measure are the straight lines that run perpendicular to the tape. Using this hook to latch on to the beginning of the object you are measuring will allow you to pull the rest of the tape measure with you to span the length being measured. Whilst some countries such as the USA still focus primarily on Imperial or ‘English’... Roman Numerals for Accuracy. , that is feet and inches, reading it shouldn’t be too difficult. The black diamonds which appear every 19 3/16” on metal tape measures are for spacing I-beam “timbers.” Several wood-product manufacturers offer I-beam “timbers” as a substitute for solid lumber floor joists. Watch Tom Hintz’s video below to receive a crash course on the merits of measuring via the seldom-used “bottom scale,” as well as an in-depth tutorial on how to use the 16-inch red box symbol to properly measure stud placement. Stories and product updates that affect our customers quarters and eighths and and... 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