Still, this tape measure has a lot to recommend it. Most tape measures just have small lines to indicate fractions of an inch, but that can be tough to read. If you need very precise measurements without the bother of squinting at tiny lines, you'll appreciate this tape measure as much as we do. Unlike most other options, this one has a fractional scale—that means it actually has the fractions printed right onto the nylon blade—so you can see clearly indicated 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2-inch numerals, plus small lines to indicate 1/16ths of an inch.

While dual scale tapes showing both inches and centimetres are sold, these are mainly imported low-cost items (since it would be a restriction of trade to not allow their importation). Aside from a hammer and screwdriver, a tape measure is probably the most reached-for item in your toolkit. Michael DiMartino, Senior Vice President of Installations at Power Home Remodeling, says “I use tape measures all the time and store them in multiple locations throughout my home. You’d be amazed at how much you have to measure—especially now that we’re all relying more heavily on online shopping. Think about it; when you’re physically at a store and you’re looking at a piece of furniture, you can easily gauge with your eye whether or not it’s going to fit in your space or if it’ll even fit through your doorframe. But you can’t determine that as easily online." Tapes are used in surveying for measuring horizontal, vertical or slope distances. Tapes are issued in various lengths and widths and graduated in a variety of ways. [23] Most commonly, tape measures have numerals for inches and feet, and small lines to indicate fractions of inches. There are some, however, including the Milwaukee Compact Tape Measure, that actually indicate the fractions with numerals rather than lines, which can be much easier to read. Optimal Colors to Improve Readability for People with Dyslexia - Text Customization for Readability Online Symposium". w3.org . Retrieved 14 September 2017.Accuracy and standardisation [ edit ] Red EC classification symbols printed on a Class II measure, calibrated at 20°C. Aird, Forbes (1999). Mechanic's guide to precision measuring tools. Osceola, WI: MBI Pub. Co. p.18. ISBN 9780760305454. [ dead link] Tape measures are often designed for specific uses or trades. Tapes may have different scales, be made of different materials, and be of different lengths depending on the intended use. Tape measures can wind into a relatively small containers. Most open reel tape measures feature an integral handle allowing them to be carried and wound out with more ease than a closed reel tape. Sewing tape measures are flexible tapes that don’t have a case. These are very useful tools for sewing and similar projects but are also handy for taking body measurements, measuring items with curved surfaces, or general measuring tasks around the home. The most common length for a sewing tape measure is 5 feet, but there are some as long as 12 feet.

The sale of dual Metric/US Customary scale measuring tapes is slowly becoming common in the United States. For example, in some Walmarts there are Hyper Tough brand tapes available in both US customary units and Metric units. Unlike US rulers, of which an overwhelming majority contain both centimeter and inch scales, tape measures are longer and thus traditionally have had scales in both inches and feet & inches. So, the inclusion of a metric scale requires the measuring device either to contain 3 scales of measurement or the elimination of one of the US Customary scales. This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Laser tape measure: Laser-equipped tape measures are your best bet for measuring up large interior spaces. Laser measures emit a pulse of light and calculate distances by timing how long it takes for the light to return after reflecting off of an object. With ranges that outclass even the longest of tapes, they’re ideal for calculating the square footage of a property or estimating wall and floor areas for painting or flooring. They’ll work indoors or outdoors, but you do need an appropriate surface to bounce the laser off of.Short tapes are very versatile and can be used in the home for DIY and in the construction and engineering industries amongst others. Linen or Cloth Tape is made of linen cloth with brass handle at zero end whose length is included in the tape length. It is very light and handy, but cannot withstand much wear and tear. So it cannot be used for accurate work. It is little used in surveying except for taking subsidiary measurements like offsets. A long flexible ruler. It consists of a ribbon of cloth, plastic, fiber glass, or metal strip with linear-measurement markings. Solution:The vase end is at the second marking after the 7-inch mark. So, the length of the vase is 7.2 inches.

Public Buildings Service (September 1995). "Metric Design Guide (PBS-PQ260)" (PDF). U.S. General Services Administration. The fibreglass blade is extremely resistant to damage from stretching, ripping, excessive heat or water.Tape measures sold in Canada often have dual scales for metric and imperial units. All tapes in imperial units have markings every 16in (40.6cm), but not at every 19.2in (48.8cm). A measuring tape is a flexible tool used for measuring length. It is made up of materials like fiberglass, cloth, plastic, metal ribbon or strip. So, it is a kind of flexible ruler also known as a tape measure. It is marked in centimeters and inches. The logic of using the millimetre in this context was that the metric system had been so designed that there would exist a multiple or submultiple for every use. Decimal fractions would not have to be used. Since the tolerances on building components and building practice would rarely be less than one millimetre, the millimetre became the sub-unit most appropriate to this industry. Rare Vintage Deans Made in England Fortune Telling Tape - Etsy". www.etsy.com . Retrieved 29 June 2022. These tapes commonly have blades made of steel. When steel is extended over long distances has a tendency to stretch, bend or even tear if it snags. This disadvantage can be reduced if the blade is made from a higher quality of steel.

The standout of a cased tape measure is the distance the unsupported blade can extend before it bends or sags. As a general rule, a tape measure’s standout should be at least 7 or 8 feet, although many go further. Our testers then evaluated every tape measure for standout, which is the distance the unsupported, extended blade of the tool can remain rigid before bending towards the floor. Each tape measure was extended to its full length while the tester held it at various angles and noted the point at which the tape measure could no longer remain straight. Find sources: "Tape measure"– news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR ( May 2008) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message) Surveyor tape measure: If your measuring needs exceed the ranges afforded by standard measures, then a surveyor tape is the way to go. With lengths of 30m and beyond, these flexible tapes excel at measuring long distances, especially outdoors, where you may struggle to bounce a laser measure. Long tapes' are exactly as described , tape measures which are usually 15-20m or more in length. Such tapes come in a variety of shapes and sizes for different trades and applications. Only you, the customer, can know exactly which one is right for you.

Plastic tape measure (cm) Manually reeled tape measure Self-retracting metal tape measure (US customary) Measuring tape capable of measuring down to 1⁄ 32in (0.794mm) Diagram showing fractions of an inch on a standard sixteenth measuring tape Some tape measures have a magnetic hook, which is useful when measuring steel or other magnetic metal items but can potentially be a nuisance, as the magnet can attach itself to various nearby metal items other than what you want to measure. The DEWALT Tough Series has a removable magnetic tip, so you can take it off when not needed. A second tape measure design is what is called the long tape. These are cased tape measures with tapes of up to 200 m in length. It is designed for engineers and builders. Long tapes, instead of being returned by a spring, are usually returned by hand crank. Because surveying was usually done in rods, surveyors used long tapes of 2 rods (1.01 m, 33 feet), and 4 rods (2.01 m, 66 feet). Surveyors also used 49 + 1⁄ 2 feet of a 50-foot tape for 3 rods and 99 feet of a 100-foot tape measure for 6 rods With a rubbery outermolding, this tape measure is easy to grip and resistant to damage if dropped, although it might be a bit large for those with small hands. We tested both the 16-foot and 25-foot models and found this tape measure to be very easy to read, with big, bold markings on both sides of the blade. Measurements are indicated down to 1/16ths of an inch, with additional markings to show stud and joist spacings. The entire length of the 1-1/4-inch-wide blade is coated for sturdiness, but the first 6 inches have an additional rip-shield coating to ward off kinks or damage. The standout of the 16-foot version was around 12 feet and the 25-foot model was only slightly longer at around 13 feet in our tests.