Measure twice, cut once. That is the standard adage by which all contractors, do-it-yourselfers, and hobbyists abide. This seemingly simple task, if done incorrectly, can send your project into a state of confusion, misalignment, and an ugly end if not taken seriously. Measuring tapes take the guesswork, “eyeballing”, and judgment calls out of all your projects.
Measuring tapes come in all shapes, sizes and lengths. Different materials for the tape itself are often used depending on the requirements of the job. A cloth tape may be used for sewing or to measure diameters around body parts. Fiberglass tapes are typically used in home construction and pulled from long spools. Rolling, or wheel, tapes are used by highway engineers and police forces to measure traffic distances. The most common, however, and the one we will focus on here, is the typical metal, rolled measuring tape used in most household applications and construction projects. Compact, portable, and easy to use, these measuring tapes are found on tool belts around the world.
Metal measuring tapes are typically spring loaded into small spools with the measurements printed on the concave side of the tape. The tape is curved to give it stability, unsupported, over a distance. A quality standard tape can be stretched to at least seven feet before it reaches its “break point”, or the point at which the tape can no longer support its own weight on its extended end. This is the first feature of most tapes that allow for unassisted measuring.
Another such feature is a self-locking mechanism. With this feature, the tape can be stretched to a determined length and then temporarily “locked” into position while measurements are made. This is usually accomplished by sliding the lock into place with the thumb, thus forcing tension on the tape. The user is then free to place the measuring tape on the ground, along boards, etc. and mark off distances without assistance.
Most measuring tapes are segmented into simple units often used in construction. The standard unit is the inch. The inch is further broken down into half-inches, eighth inches, and sixteenths of an inch. Other standards are often marked in red on the tape. Marks at every sixteen inches are helpful for placing studs (one every sixteen inches). Also often marked in red is a recount of every inch at the start of each new foot. This makes it easy to determine feet and inches with one simple measurement and one simple look.
When buying a measuring tape, keep in mind the types of projects you are going to attempt. A good quality measuring tape of at least twenty-five feet is standard and should be considered a good baseline. Like all other tools, you get what you pay for. A cheap tape may save money, but its “break point” and measurement units may just leave you wanting more. It is better to buy a quality measuring tape from the start than to need to upgrade later.
Measuring tapes make all types of jobs easier and more precise. This staple of the toolbox will fit any task. Make its use part of your home improvement routine.
