Table of Contents
What is the 8 foot rule on a tape measure?
For every 8-foot section of your wall, there should be six studs placed 16 inches apart. That’s why there are red numbers highlighted every 16 inches. If you use the tape measure, you can note exactly where the studs are by using the red numbers and marking the studs using a pencil.
What is M on a measuring tape?
On many tapes (but by no means all) you will find a small red rectangle with the letter M printed inside followed by a number. The number simply denotes the year that the blade was stamped as conforming to the Measuring Instruments Directive. On the whole this will also be the year in which that tape was manufactured.
What is the thing on the end of a tape measure called?
It is usually plastic or metal and about 3 inches in length. The hook is a bent piece of metal that hooks over the edge of a board or counter. It aids in extending the tape from the case and holding the tape in place for measuring. The hook slot is the hole at the end of the tape.
Why is the number 16 red on a tape measure?
The red indicates 16-inch-on-center spacing. This is a common framing spacing for wall studs, floor joists and common roof rafters. If you decide to space framing at 24-inch centers, the red marks will be at every other foot marking on the tape measure.
What does a black diamond mean on a tape measure?
The black diamonds which appear every 19 3/16” on metal tape measures are for spacing I-beam “timbers.” Several wood-product manufacturers offer I-beam “timbers” as a substitute for solid lumber floor joists. The diamond marks on tape rule blades are for spacing these engineered floor joists in new construction.
Why are measuring tapes yellow?
Tape measures often have black and red measurements on a yellow background as this is the optimal color combination for readability.
What is the red dot on a tape measure?
The red is for 16-inch-on-center spacing. The common framing spacing is for wall studs, floor joists and roof rafters. There will be red marks on the tape measure if you decide to space frame at 24 inch centers.
Why does my tape measure start at 2?
The tape starts at 2 inches so that the measurement includes the portion of the case that is snug against the body when using the tape. As a result, the measurement you read on the tape automatically subtracts this 2 inches, and the number you read on the tape is exactly accurate!.
How many 16th are in an inch?
In this case, there are 16 units of smaller quantity (1/16 inch) in one unit of the larger quantity. Multiply the larger-quantity amount by the number of smaller units per unit of the larger quantity. Multiplying 16 by 0.5 gives you 8, so 8/16 equals 0.5 inches.
What metal is a tape measure made of?
Blade material: The three materials most commonly used for tape measure blades are steel, stainless steel and fiberglass. Steel blades are durable, practical and economical.
What is the metal tab on a tape measure called How does it work?
The Hooked Tab At the end of every tape measure is a metal hooked tab that performs the important function of preventing the tape from disappearing inside the housing, but that isn’t all it does. When you need to make an outside measurement, you can hook the tab over an edge so you can stretch the tape.
What is the distance between the little black diamonds?
The black diamond marker on a tape measure falls between the 16-inch and 24-inch spacing. This marker is commonly used in building a concrete block chimney. But, it has other uses too. Marked at 19.2 inches apart, using this type of placement also allows for more weight loads with fewer pieces of wood.
Does Iphone have tape measure?
The Measure app uses augmented reality (AR) technology to turn your device into a tape measure. You can gauge the size of objects, automatically detect the dimensions of rectangular objects, and save a photo of the measurement.
What does 19.2 mean on a tape measure?
Support. The black diamond marks every 19.2″ on our tape rule blades. This is for spacing of engineered joists common on job sites. The 19.2 inches allows for a break at 8 foot to accommodate full sheets of plywood.
What are the arrows on a tape measure?
Every 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.
What is the maximum length of a long line tape?
They are available in fractional/decimal formats and lengths ranging from 50 ft to 200 ft making them ideal for many long distance measuring jobs.
Can a tape measure cut you?
A tape measure can’t cut off a finger like a table saw or puncture your body like a nail gun, but it comes with some safety considerations you need to observe. Tape measures can cause injuries when used improperly, and they can damage breakable items in your home.
Who invented the tape measure?
On July 14, 1868, a Connecticut man named Alvin J. Fellows patented the spring-click tape measure.
