10 things you didn't know

10 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT MEASURING TAPE

Do you know how to get the most out of your tape measure? That may seem like a ridiculous question. After all, a measuring tape is a simple tool with a simple purpose: to measure things.

THE CURVE

THE CURVEHave you ever wondered why the tape measure’s blade is curved? It’s there, so if you extend it over a long distance, it will keep its shape, and if you snap or bend the tape’s blade, it will snap back into position and remain firm.

BLACK 1FT MARKING

BLACK 1FT MARKINGA color change or graphic identity may occur at every 12 or 24-inch interval. These measurements will let you set studs every 24 inches if your construction code allows it.

RED 16IN MARKING

RED 16IN MARKINGEvery 16 inches, many tape measures add red digits or some other graphical standout. This is the standard stud spacing in framing a home. In an 8-foot span, this space provides for six supports. This gap also allows for the addition of an eight-foot sheet of plywood without having to cut it.

BLACK DIAMOND

BLACK DIAMONDThe black diamonds that appear every 19 and 3/16 on a tape measure are for spacing I beams, commonly known as timbers. I beams or timbers are available from several wood product producers as an alternative to solid lumber floor joists. The diamond marks on the tape measure blade provide space between engineered floor joists and their new dimensional lumber equivalents, which have distinct spacing requirements.

NAIL GRAB

NAIL GRABMost measuring tapes include a small slit at the end of the hook to hold onto the end of a nail or screw, which is where the nail grab comes in. Then all you need is a hammer and a nail or screw if you’re measuring a flat surface without anyone to hold the other end of the tape.

THE TOP OF THE HOOK

THE TOP OF THE HOOKThe odd-shaped hook gives additional options to hook onto different surfaces or angles at the end of the tape measure, which may be used in any direction.

THE SCRIBING TOOL

THE SCRIBING TOOLHave you ever noticed that your measuring tape has a serrated edge at the bottom or end? The serrated or sharp edge may always be used to make measurements if you don’t have a marketing tool handy, such as a pencil or a pen. There’s a good reason for it.

THE ADJUSTABLE END

THE ADJUSTABLE ENDThe adjustable end is there for a reason; it’s often called true zero. See, the metal tip at the end of your measuring tape is a little bit loose for a reason. The first inch of the tape measure is off by 1/16 of an inch. This isn’t an error; it’s meant to provide you with an accurate reading whether you’re measuring inside or outside of a surface. This is known as the “true zero” metal tip, which is exactly 1/16 of an inch thick.

If you’re measuring the outside of a surface and hook your metal end on the edge, that metal piece will shift out and create a gap so that you aren’t counting it in your measurement. If you need to measure the inside of a surface like a window frame, you want to include the thickness of the metal piece in your calculations. As a result, the metal piece will shift back in to fill the gap, so always push and pull and pull your tape to take advantage of the true zero feature.

 THE MAGNETIC END

THE MAGNETIC ENDA rare magnet at the end of the tape measure is useful for many situations, like picking up a screwdriver or wrench. It also helps hold the tape measure in place to provide accurate readings.

TAPE HOUSING

TAPE HOUSINGThe width of your tape measure housing is printed on the back, and there’s a purpose for it. Very few people recognize this. When measuring the interior of a window or an area where you may be confined, this is really useful.The width may be added to the measurement number, and you’ll get a precise measurement with half as much effort!