You use it all the time, but you probably don’t know much about how your tape measure is made. After all, you use it to make other things. Why would you bother learning the fine details? It’s time to give the tape measure its due! Let’s dive into the anatomy, the names of each piece, and some of the secret
features you may have never heard about. The tape measure is made of a bunch of different pieces. These parts can be metal or plastic and include: The case is like the house for the tape where it lives all nice and cozy. The most durable models are made from metal, while plastic is more affordable. Many tape measures come with the case’s length printed on the back. This number comes in handy when you’re measuring around corners as you simply add it to your straight across
dimensions. You can stop your tape measure from automatically retracting by pressing the thumb lock down. Push it back up when it’s time to put that
tape measure away. The tape, also known as the blade, is what you use to get your measurement. Most tapes feature imperial units (inches) on the top
row and metric units (centimeters) on the bottom. If you’ve ever measured a table or other hard surface, you’ve likely used the hook at the end of the tape. This metal piece
is loose on purpose since the first inch is 1/16th of an inch short, meaning it needs to be pulled taut to ensure accuracy. A donut hole may be there for
decoration, but that’s not the case with the hook slot. It’s actually designed to hook onto a nail or screw, which can come in handy during construction projects. Your tape measure won’t fit on your tool belt or pants pocket without the belt clip. It’s the only way to look stylish and official! A tape measure wouldn’t quite work the same if any of these pieces were missing. Each part is designed to bring you accuracy and functionality! The Science Channel has more to say about how your tape measure works!
How Do You Read a Tape Measure?In order to read a tape measure properly, you need to know the difference between metric and imperial. It also helps to try and remember that math lesson from third grade. First things first, let’s talk about what all of those symbols and lines mean!
Now that you know what each line represents, and you’re more familiar with the math of it all, you should be able to get a full idea of what you just measured. Be sure to include every dash in your final total and don’t forget to double check your work! You already know that your tape measure is good for figuring out length, width, and height. It turns out, though, there are some other hidden tricks that may come in handy during your next project! Most tape measures have a serrated edge. You can use this to scratch a mark into a surface if you don’t have a pencil handy. You’ll see a black diamond on some measuring tapes. These are spaced a little more than 19 inches apart and are meant for construction workers as they mark the standard spacing
of trusses when building a roof. You will sometimes see Roman numerals on a tape measure. These refer to different classes, with I
indicating a more accurate measurement and III being the least. Most tape measures are designed as Class 1 or 2. In some cases, it might be
more practical to measure from above instead. That’s the beauty of the flipped hook on the end of most tape measures! Go
ahead and ignore that M number at the bottom of your tape. It’s simply listing the year that particular tape measure was manufactured. Arrows or StudEvery 16 inches, you may see a double arrow, a number marked in red, or the word “STUD.” This helps you locate every stud that may run across a wall once you’ve located the first one. CE MarkDoes your tape measure feature a “CE” mark? That means it conforms to European Union regulations. It’s not really an indicator of quality, but more so of the measurements set forth at a national level in Europe. Testing BodyThis four digit number, which is usually 0126, relates to the agency responsible for certifying the tape measure – the National Weights & Measures Laboratory in Middlesex. Why is Measuring Important?Imagine buying a floor rug for your living room that doesn’t quite fit under the coffee table or a new bed for your apartment that you can’t get through the door frame. It’s in moments like these that a good tape measure is a lifesaver! Of course, those are only minor mishaps in the grand scheme of things. There have been far worse measuring blunders throughout history!
 NASA lost a $125 million satellite to Mars because one scientist used metric units while the other used imperial. The spacecraft managed to stay in orbit for ten months until it was officially lost in the cosmos forever.
Employees at the Los Angeles Zoo fumbled on the size of a 95-year-old Galapagos tortoise named Clarence. As a result, he ended up being much too big for his enclosure, destroyed everything inside, and escaped until he was discovered on campus at Moorpark College.
Christopher Columbus, the famous seafarer, miscalculated the circumference of the Earth when he sailed the ocean blue in 1492. This led him to unexpectedly end up in the Bahamas, although he assumed he was in Asia.
A railway in France discovered that about 2,000 new trains were too wide for their station platforms. This was an expensive error that ended up costing the railway about $68.4 million.
Athletes at the Sochi Winter Olympics didn’t exactly “go the distance.” Since the loop for the biathlon track was about 130 feet shorter than it needed to be, the track had to be repaired hours before the grand opening. Are you a professional contractor or do you work for a construction company? Tape measures make excellent personalized business products, whether they’re on your team’s toolbelts or are used as free giveaways at trade shows. You get the peace of mind knowing everything will always measure up for your company! The Bottom LineNow you know a little bit more about how that tape measure works and why it matters. This tool is often overlooked, but just as important as that hammer and drill. Give it a little bit of appreciation during your next project! References ToolGuyd. (2017, October 12). When Did You Learn How to Use a Tape Measure? Retrieved May 6, 2019, from Garage Tool Advisor. (2018, November 2). Parts of a Tape Measure (with Diagram). Retrieved May 6, 2019, from Harris, A. (2019, April 4). Parts of a Tape Measure (Explained with a Diagram). Retrieved May 6, 2019, from Howcast. (2010, July 14). How to Read a Tape Measure. Retrieved May 8, 2019, from Sawyer, A. (2016, July 20). 7 Hidden Features of Measuring Tapes. Retrieved May 8, 2019, from Poskin, A. (2019). How to Use a Tape Measure the Right Way. Retrieved May 8, 2019, from The Tape Store. (2015, June 23). Tape Measure Markings – What Do They Mean? Retrieved May 8, 2019, from Pro Tool Reviews. (2019). Tape Measure Markings: What Are They For? Retrieved May 8, 2019, from WikiHow. (2019, March 29). How to Read a Measuring Tape. Retrieved May 10, 2019, from CNN. (1999, September 30). NASA’s Metric Confusion Caused Mars Orbiter Loss. Retrieved May 10, 2019, from Chawkins, S. (2001, February 9). Mismeasure for Measure. Retrieved May 10, 2019, from Harish, A. (2019, March 21). When NASA Lost a Spacecraft Due to a Metric Math Mistake. Retrieved May 10, 2019, from BBC News. (2014, May 22). Great Miscalculations: The French Railway Error and 10 Others. Retrieved May 10, 2019, from BBC News. (2014, May 21). French Red Faces Over Trains that are “Too Wide.” Retrieved May 10, 2019, from Quality Logo Products®are experts on all things printed and promotional. Let our team of awesome, incredibly good looking, and fun promo nerds help you select awesome promotional swag today! Which side is CM on a body measuring tape?Most tapes feature imperial units (inches) on the top row and metric units (centimeters) on the bottom.
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Measuring tape for body how to read
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