Low-budget trick for measuring long boards during rough framing

I spend a lot of time working on projects without a helper. I found it very difficult to measure the required length of long 2x4's or similar during various construction projects and found an excellent solution for spans between 8' and 14'. Rather than trying to measure the distance with a tape measure or sonic/laser device, I use a telescopic pool cleaning pole. You just extend it out between the gap you're trying to measure and lock it in. Then transfer the length to the board and cut. It is amazingly accurate and works great up on a ladder. They are available ot home improvement stores for under $20.

I looked at the laser measure tools and to get good accuracy, the price is pretty high. Sonic devices, IMHO, have too low an accuracy for my projects, but I'm pretty picky. Even with on electronic device, you still need a tape measure to mark the board and hope you didn't make a mistake. The pole method basically throws the "measure twice-cut once" saying right out the window for me.

Certainly, this method can be used for a number of things besides framing. Hope it helps some of you out there.

shopnut said:

.... Rather than trying to measure the distance with a tape measure or sonic/laser device, I use a telescopic pool cleaning pole. You just extend it out between the gap you're trying to measure and lock it in. Then transfer the length to the board and cut......

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Thanks for this great tip. I've used this basic technique with a 6' folding ruler for lot of smaller stuff. But I never thought to use a pool cleaner pole for longer stuff. Even better I already have a pool cleaner pole hanging on the wall

Funf Dreisig

Hey, good idea. It would work great in windy conditions where a regular tape measure would blow around. I also agree about the sonic devices. They may be ok for getting a rough measurment, say for figuring the square foot of a room but they are not acurrate at all for precise stuff. I gave mine away after using it once. The real laser devices (not the sonic ones that use a laser to aim) work great IF you get a good one. I tried the Stanley Fat Max laser (about $100) with very mixed results. I'm a carpenter working with commercial windows and I use a Hilti PD-4 laser all day. I think it runs about $200 and is way better then the Stanley. No error messages with the Hilti where the Stanley you get those every other measurment. Or sometimes it don't work at all.
Hilti PD-4