How to Use a Tape Measure
What is a tape measure?
A measuring tape, or tape measure, is a type of hand tool that is usually used to measure distance or size. It looks like a flexible ruler that is much longer and has a case, a thumb lock, a blade or tape, a hook, and sometimes a belt clip.
A tape measure can read in either standard or metric units, or both. They are a popular way to measure things in both the workplace and around the house.
We’ll tell you everything you need to know about the tape measure in this Safatco guide. If you want a new tape, you can choose from a wide selection.
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Parts of a Measuring Tape
As was said above, a tape measure has a lot of different parts, and each one is important. We’ve written about them and what they do below.
Case
The tape or blade is kept in the case. This is often a good way to tell how long the tape will last as a whole. Some tape measure houses are made of metal, others are made of plastic, and still others are made of strong rubber that has been drop-tested to make sure it can handle the job site.
Case Length
The case length is written on the back of the measuring tape. It’s almost as long as the case, but it’s a great addition to your tape. When you need to measure round sides, it comes in handy. Instead of bending the tape to measure inside, use the case.
Thumb Lock
The thumb lock is made to hold the tape in place at the length you want. It keeps your measuring tape from going back into its case on its own when you are taking measurements. To put the tape measure back in its case, just let go of the thumb lock.
Blade/Tape
The blade (or metallic ribbon), which is the most important part of your tape measure, is what gives you correct measurements. Most of the time, the imperial units are on the top row and the metric units are on the bottom. More to come on the tape itself…
Hook
When measuring hard objects like tables, the hook at the end of the tape comes in handy. You might notice that the hook is loose. This is done on purpose to make sure that the target is hit. If the hook has a hole in it, it is so that it can grab onto nuts.
Belt Clip
Is exactly what it says it is. The belt clip just lets you hook the measuring tape to your belt so that you always have it with you.
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How to Read a Tape Measure
Follow our tips and tricks to make sure your jobs are done right. “Measure twice, cut once” is a good rule of thumb.
On a measuring tape, millimetres, centimetres, and metres are used to show metric measurements, while feet, inches, and fractions of inches are used to show imperial measures. Most people in the UK use metric measurements, but this is just a matter of personal choice. Most of the time, the imperial measurements are written in red at the top of the blade, and the metric measurements are written in black at the bottom.
Imperial
- The inch mark is the largest mark on a standard tape measure. It looks like a big number on the left side of the queue. So 1=1″.
- The foot measurement is marked as 1F on the 12th inch.
- The second-biggest line is 1/2″.
- The third longest or shortest line is 1/4″.
- The second shortest line is 1/8″.
- The smallest line on the imperial measurement is “1/16,” which means one sixteenth of an inch.
Metric
- The 100th centimetre is where the 1 metre mark is, and 1m is written next to it.
- On the metric side of the blade, the centimetre is the longest line and is shown by a big number. It can be found every 10 millimetres. 1=1cm
- The millimetre is the smallest metric measurement on the blade. Instead of a number or fraction, it is shown by the smallest line. Every fifth millimetre line is a little bit longer to show where the centimetres are halfway between.
What is the Black Diamond?
You might have seen that the tape has black stars. These are marks for the studs and joists. Even though not all tape measures have them, they are a great addition to the ones that do. The bolt marks are every 16 inches, and the joist marks are every 19 3/16 inches.
The black, diamond-shaped joist marks are used to set the distance between I-beam beams.
You might see a double sign or a red number every 16 inches. Once you find the first stud, you don’t have to use a stud finder to find the rest.
Did you know that a tape measure is off by 1/16 of an inch on the first inch? So, the end hook is loose because it needs to be exactly 1/16 of an inch to get accurate results.
How to Use a Tape Measure
Once you learn how to read a tape measure, it’s pretty easy to use one.
- You can catch the hook or press it into one side of the thing you want to measure.
- Stretch the tape over your project until you get the length or amount you want. When doing so, try to keep the tape as straight as possible.
- Use the thumb lock to keep the tape from rolling back up.
- You can either underline or write down what you read.
When using the blade to measure, the edge of the item may fall between two lines. Always round up to the bigger number so you don’t cut too short.
The lock feature on a measuring tape is a great way to quickly see if something will fit through a certain hole or to keep the reading you just got so you can use it again and again.
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How to Choose a Measuring Tape
There are so many different kinds of tape measures on the market today, so how do you know which one to use?
In the end, all measuring tapes do the same thing. The thing they do is measure. What it really comes down to is how you plan to use it.
A tape measure with a plastic case will work for easy measurements around the house, like measuring furniture.
It has both metric and imperial measurements on a strong 19 mm-wide tape, and it can reach a standout of 1.8 metres.
This is not the best choice for the job, though. The plastic case could break if it was dropped from a high place, which happens often on the job site. In this case, you might want to choose a metal case or one with a rubberized body that can absorb shocks.
This is the most comfortable and durable FatMax tape measure ever made. It has a huge standout of 3.35 metres and a covering called Blade Armour that makes the blade last up to 10 times longer than a standard Stanley tape measure.
In our exclusive Stanley tape measure movie, you can see our top picks, what makes each one different, and which one is best for each use.
When looking for a tape measure for professional use, look for features like a longer standout (the length of the tape before it bends), a protected coating on the blade, and a strong housing. With a protective layer, your blade will last longer, even if you use it a lot. For bigger jobs, you need tape that is longer.
That’s all we had to say about tape measures. You should now know what the main parts of a tape measure are, how to use and read one properly, and how to choose the best one for your needs. If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to contact us!
You can also buy
Stanley Powerlock Measuring Tape Silver-yellow 5m/e X 19mm Stht33158-8
