Measuring Tapes

If you want to build something that isn't shit, you need to know how to use a measuring tape properly.

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Most measuring tapes will have 16ths of an inch. If you are building a part or device or car, get a measuring tape that only uses 1 unit. The type with both metric and standard can work against you when you snake the tape through parts and have the wrong units where you need to measure. This type is good for building surveys though, where the precision doesn't matter.

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When making precise measurements, try to pick one side of the tick mark and take all of your measurements from that side.

You should get in the practice of "burning an inch" or however many are needed to make the measurement comfortable. This means instead of using the end of the tape with the floppy hook, place the 1 inch mark at the start of your measurement, then when you take the reading at the other end of the tape, subtract 1 inch. This makes your measurement better.

If you do want to use the hook end, keep in mind it has play in it for a reason. 

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The play should be equal to the thickness of the hook. So you can push it in so the start of the measurement is on the outside of the hook. Or you can hook the tape onto something so the start of the measurement is at the inside of the hook. When taking measurements this way, I read the to the middle of the tick mark for the measurement but I'm not 100% sure this is correct.

When you measure vertical distances, place the hook end of the tape on the ground, and push the coiled part of the tape above you.

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Finally, the measuring tape itself is suppose to be a standard 3". So if you are measuring inside a tight space like a door way, you can place the tape against the inside of the doorway and add 3" to your reading.

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