Tape measure markings demystified – Sun, 23 Nov 2014 PST

DEAR TIM: Im just starting to get into building and remodeling as a do-it-yourselfer. Now that Im using a tape measure, Im having some difficulty. Perhaps I should have paid more attention in math class. Can you tell me about the markings on tape measures, what they mean and about all the special markings? Also, every tape measure I have and see in the store seems to be defective. The hook on the end is loose on all the tapes. What other tips do you have about using tape measures? Craig S.,Billings

DEAR CRAIG: Ive

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DEAR TIM: Im just starting to get into building and remodeling as a do-it-yourselfer. Now that Im using a tape measure, Im having some difficulty. Perhaps I should have paid more attention in math class. Can you tell me about the markings on tape measures, what they mean and about all the special markings? Also, every tape measure I have and see in the store seems to be defective. The hook on the end is loose on all the tapes. What other tips do you have about using tape measures? Craig S.,Billings

DEAR CRAIG: Ive got some sobering news for you. As you delve deeper into building and remodeling, youre going to really regret not paying more attention in all your math classes, especially geometry. But if you have the passion to build and remodel, youll get up on the math learning curve veryfast.

In the past few years, Ive seen more improvements in tape measures than Id seen in the previous 35! Its hard to believe you could improve a tape measure, but a few companies have really done an amazingjob.

Most tape measures have black lines perpendicular to the edge of the tape measure in between each of the inch markings. These lines are different lengths to help you differentiate betweenthem.

The longest of these black lines indicates the half-inchmark.

The next-longest lines on the edge are the quarter-inch markings. The longer half-inch mark overlaps one of these three markings between each of the primary inch marks. If you count the quarter-inch markings, including the half-inch mark, youll count four between each inch mark. Thus, these markings divide 1 inch of length into four equal parts, each one-quarter inchlong.

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Tape measure markings demystified - Sun, 23 Nov 2014 PST