Some pocket tape measures feature a case with a known length (e.g. The line will end near to one of the marks on the tape. Not only does this keep the blade in place whilst measuring, it also guarantees an accurate measurement by compensating for the thickness of the metal hook in the measurement. That will give you a number in whole inches. Copyright © 2014 Kootoo Ltd. All rights reserved. Instead of bending the tape into an inside corner and guessing at the measurement…. I’ve always wondered what those little black diamonds were for. 7cm) and some more innovative ones even take the length of the tape into account by compensating for the case length on the blade or by using a viewing window. 99 This simple trick eliminates any complicated math. New in. In other words it moves in and out ever so slightly. In response to our customers, therefore, we’ve put together this simple guide that explains just that! I am terrible at measuring so it would be nice if I could have a tool that told me the exact number. 7cm) and some more innovative ones even take the length of the tape into account by compensating for the case length on the blade or by using a viewing window. In this next example, we see the arrow is at the little /16 line.That is our bottom number. The next small mark in line would be 42mm, the next would be 43mm and so on. Few things finish a room as well as a lovely set of curtains. November 1, 2015, 12:28am #1. Whilst the ability to return the blade quickly into the case can seem like a useful function, it can be very dangerous with a number of people each year being injured by wildly flailing hooks. 39. SketchUp. They may not feel sharp at first but it can be a very different story when travelling at speed. That way when you take an inside measurement (wall to wall for example), the hook slides in the exact amount of the thickness of the hook. If you want thirds, simply angle your tape across the board until you arrive at a number that is easily divided by 3. It just happens to be the perfect size to catch on the head of a nail or screw. Even smaller marks then denote 1/8ths and 1/16ths (marked in red) of an inch. Wickes . The quarter inch marks are a little shorter than the half inch marks. Tape measure bases always have their width printed on the back. Between those numbers are a series of shorter marks which represent fractions of an inch. Now, assuming you only pulled the tape out a few inches or so…disengage the lock and let go. The last thing you want to do is pick a size thi... What will you need? The hook or 'tang' of the tape measure is the small, usually metallic component at the end of the blade. Order line 0330 123 4123; Project list; Customer services; Log in or register; Search. When taking external measurements, however, the hook can be placed around/behind the object and pulled gently towards the measurer. Tape measures are commonly used in construction, architecture, building, home projects, crafts, and woodworking. Whilst Britain now officially operates a metric system of measurement, our nation still sees a curious mix of both metric and imperial measurements being used on a day to day basis. Some pocket tape measures feature a case with a known length (e.g. This is the more common printing found on most tapes without the fractions. Be sure to use the hook properly when using your tape measure! What am I doing wrong. The half-inch hash marks are the next longest line between the full inch marks. When referring to the diagram above you'll see a series of large numbers marked 1, 2, 3, and 4. Who knows. Then get in touch! Many people often fail to plan ahead when it comes to incorporating blinds into their home. When looking at the image above, the 1st small mark after the 4cm point denotes a measurement of 41mm. The humble tape measure is the world’s most commonly used measuring tool, accompanying millions of tradesmen and contractors to work every single day. Hold the tape measure against the edge of the material with your index finger in between the tape case and the material. These numbers sit next to long vertical marks which represent whole inches. Set the base flat and push it all the way to the corner. Steve Wright is a general contractor who over the last 30 plus years has built hundreds of new homes, ranging from first time affordable homes to multi-million dollar custom homes and everything in between.