How to Read a Tape Measure Tape Measure Marks. You may have noticed that there are little black diamonds every so often down the length of your tape measure. Both work for nicely fitting 4 … 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. 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. But, this method had its limitations and challenges. ), most countries have moved onto the metric system. October 25, 2019 If you understand how to read a tape, you're already a leg up on most people. 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 “. It is a flexible measuring ruler that is used to measure distance. These markings are used to get measurements in an oil rig. 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. Tape measures come in all different sizes! Always wanted to know how to take that particularly awkward measurement or how to take care of your tool? For anyone looking to buy a tape measure the first question to consider is: what tape measure markings you’re comfortable reading? Unclassified tapes will not feature any marking on their blade. The tape is not encased and therefore is easy to handle. These marks run between the upper and lower scales and are the longest marks on the tape measure, which identifies them as inch marks. That number is usually in bold, black type, easy to read and refers to the longest of the markings along the edge. If the tape measure has imperial markings, that is feet and inches, reading it shouldn’t be too difficult. Egypt and the Egyptians are well documented in history for their construction exploits in building the ancient Egyptian dynasty. Read on for the latest trade insights, national news stories and product updates that affect our customers. To do so they would unfold the ruler to measure, and then fold it back for storage. As such, it is correct to assume that ancient Egyptians must have had some form of measuring units. Feb 19, 2020 - Explore cesar rodriguez's board "Tape Measure Markings" on Pinterest. Eliminate tape entirely by dry-fitting, or holding the piece in place and marking where it needs to be cut with a pencil. 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. Note the reading and be sure that the tape measure is not sagging when you are taking the measurement. The practice of using measuring tapes dates as far back to the days of the Roman Empire. These are typically marked by long, thin lines and fairly large numbers. It's ideal for such tasks as it is very flexible but more importantly it has plenty of length. In order to comply with these regulations it became a legal requirement for manufacturers (with a few exceptions) to include a number of markings along the length of their blades. , that is feet and inches, reading it shouldn’t be too difficult. Whilst not featuring on all tapes, stud marks frequently appear at 16” intervals and joist marks at 19.2” intervals. Lee Valley (5) Festool (1) Activity. It is a flexible measuring ruler that is used to measure distance. For the longest time, architects and construction workers would use a tool called the folding ruler, which would help them measure long lengths. 0126 is the designation for the National Weights & Measures Laboratory in Middlesex. Any Joe can measure something, but it takes a true professional to use a tape measure to its fullest potential. The tape measure markings are usually in the form of meters, centimeters and decimeters. We supply the full 2020 Leica DISTO ™ range! Per Page: Sort by: Skip filters. Whilst some countries such as the USA still focus primarily on Imperial or ‘English’... Roman Numerals for Accuracy. There are four generally accepted levels of tape measure accuracy. When used properly Class II tapes are more than accurate enough for the vast majority of users. Whilst some countries such as the USA still focus primarily on Imperial or ‘English’ markings (feet, inches, yards etc. A tape measure is an indispensable tool to any profession that involves taking measurement ranging from fashion, architecture and construction workers to land surveyors. The tape measure markings are usually in the form of meters, centimeters and decimeters. The four digit number (generally 0126 for tape measures) relates to the agency responsible for issuing the certification. Reading the markings is easier than you think! A good number ofpocket tape measures typically have a small hook where they begin. Similar to reading rulers, the large numbers on a standard tape measure are the inch marks. 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. As the name suggests, this measuring tape is most popular with tailors and fashion designers in the fashion industry. See more ideas about woodworking tips, woodworking, woodworking projects. Why? We deal in fractions every day and are forever measuring quarters and eighths and sixteenths and whatnot. Reading inches can be a bit tricky and may take some getting used to. By ‘unclassified’ we mean that they have not been tested and guaranteed to conform to a particular level of accuracy. It … Not all tape measures are marked the same. A number of other symbols can be printed in the first 20cm of the blade depending upon the individual manufacturer. Clear markings make it easier to read a tape measure in the rain/dark etc. EC levels of accuracy (Class 1 or Class 2) state that a tape’s blade is accurate to that particular standard at a temperature of 20°C at a pulling force of 50N (Newtons). If you’re unfamiliar with tape measure markings, or just want to ensure that you fully understand those on your Stanley tape measure, it’s a pretty simple system. If you want to learn more about tape measures and, in particular, how to read them properly, why not check out some of our other articles? Class 2 (denoted by ‘II’) the second most accurate with Class 3 (III) logically being the third. typically come in 8ft lengths. Other Articles. Going further into the smaller markings beyond half an inch. FIG. Someone needed help figuring out what all those tiny marks are on a standard tape measure. Once it’s dipped in gasoline, fuel or crude petroleum or oil product it is protected. Whilst this may seem to be a pretty odd measurement, many American building materials (such as boarding etc.) 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). 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. With 24 inch spacing you get two spans in 4 feet. The length must be printed on each scale – one for metric and one for imperial. For instance, on some (especially in the UK), there are Roman numerals on them. 19.2” divides perfectly (5 times) into 8ft. 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 black diamonds, as they’re commonly called (sometimes shown as black circles instead), are actually stud or joist marks. You can learn more about the difference between Class 1 and Class 2 tape measures by reading our article – The Advantages of a Class 1 Tape Measure. It is usually made of plastic, very portable and is a vital tool for taking measurements of the waist, height, bust and so forth. So, now that we’ve learned the truth behind these mysterious black diamonds, it’s time to discover some other measuring tape markings that may be new to you. This was in the 5th dynasty and the choice of the measuring tool used was the Palermo stone. Whereas the 16-inch markings provide the spacing for seven studs in an 8-foot … Plus, it was too bulky. Double duty oil gauge tape measures can be used for measuring both dark and light liquids. Depending on the application of the tape measure there are several options to choose from. Price. Learn trade secrets, how to take awkward or difficult measurements, care for your tools and more! That system is based on tens so that a meter will comprise of 10 decimeters. 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. Most standard tape measures in the U.S. have markings that measure down to 1/16 of an inch. … Some marks are... Hook End Movement. This system of measuring heavily borrowed from the Egyptian civilization - this is where the story of the measuring tape begins. The primary markings used by people using the sewing tape are the centimeter markings. typically have a small hook where they begin. Among the earliest inventions of the tape measure is a steel tape measure invented by a flat wire maker known asJames Chesterman in the year 1829. The tape markings on the tape are fairly easy to read. The large numbers represent centimeters and where the large numbers appear in red, they denote the number of decimeters. Once you’ve determined that, the next question should be what task it’s intended for. Ultimately, this will mean a choice between an imperial tape measure and a metric tape measure. Here are 5 secret features you didn’t know about how to use a tape measure. Still in need of a tape measure check out the Defiance Tools Tape Measure and other nifty gadgets C Larboard has to offer! STANDARD TAPE MEASURE A standard tape measure will have all the same markings as an easy read measuring tape, but will only have labels for the large 1″ marks. Departments Woodworking Hand & Power Tools Hand Tools Measuring & Marking Tools Tape Measures. Reading 1/2-inch measurements is the same principle as reading one inch: simply locate the second-longest mark between the longer inch marks. Even if you’re not good at fractions, we’ll help you get started. By far the most common question asked by our customers is “what do the little black diamonds mean?” Even though they’re not commonly used in the UK, these marks are still worth explaining. Do you know what the odd selection of markings refer to that are usually found within the first 20cm of a tape’s length? The stud marks appear at every 16 inch interval while joint marks appear at every 19.2 inch intervals. What is a tape measure? On a standard tape measure, the biggest marking is the inch mark (which generally has the... As the increments decrease, so does the length of the mark. In 1868, an American inventor known as Alvin. Now Here Are The Less Known Tape Measure Markings Black Diamonds. 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. In fact, new curtains can give an old room a new lease of life. Today that translates to about 10ft and 6.7 inches or approximately 3.217m. On the whole this will also be the year in which that tape was manufactured. 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. Many tape measures feature the marks ‘20°C’ and ‘50N’ near to the tip of the blade. Information on how to do this can be found on Wikipedia by searching for ‘tape correction’. Meet the Lufkin Black Widow Tape Measure. Three times 16 is 48 -- so you get an even three spans every 4 feet. This tape measure is ideal for those who work outdoors and need to measure large distances. There are lots of marks on a tape measure. Then get in touch! The diamond marks on tape rule blades are for spacing these engineered floor joists in new construction. 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. 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. For instance, the folding ruler was often made from wood making it impossible to measure circumference and corners. The number simply denotes the year that the blade was stamped as conforming to the Measuring Instruments Directive. Taking lengthy measurements alone can be a drag. Often you find 1/16” markings along one edge and 1/32” markings on the other. But these black diamonds are important as they are truss, or black truss, indicators. The main middle marking inside the inch represent 1/2 inch ( Half inch) The next small markings represent 1/4 of an inch ( Quarter inch) & 3/4 of an inch ( three fourth inch) Every 12 inches, there will often (but not always) be a foot marking. Tape Measure Markings – What Do They Mean? Please note that the lack of a CE mark in no way indicates a tape measure of poor quality. Class 1 tapes are becoming more and more popular, especially amongst those who demand absolute precision in their work. A word of caution: the tape can have sharp edges that may cause injury when it retracts. It is indicated by a 1m. This doesn’t mean that it was manufactured in the EU but is, to a certain extent, an indicator of quality. Rear elevational view being identical on Wikipedia by searching for ‘ tape correction ’ the latest trade insights National... Building materials ( such as the joint or stud marks frequently appear at 16 ” intervals and marks! 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