Accurate Tape Measure???

[Luckydevil]

I am sick and tired of sloppy inaccurate tape measures. I have 3 tape measures and every single one of them has as much as an 1/8-1/4" of play on the end piece. I've gone to Home Depot and Lowe's to look at new ones. Every single one of the new ones had at least 1/16" of play.

I know tape measures aren't typically thought of as accurate measuring tools, but it would be nice to have one that was somewhat precise.

Does anyone know of any good quality accurate tape measures?

 

[79rallysport]

The best quality ones that I know ar Lufkin, another cooper tools product. I have about half a dozen or so. All of them have a little play in the tang but it is minimal compared to any other brand.

 

[Elroy]

The hook is suppost to slide back and forth. It slides the same as the thickness of the hook. One way for inside measurements the other way for outside. Buy a Lufkin.

 

[Luckydevil]

I learn something new everyday here. You're right Elroy. I also found this on the Lowe's website:

"The tip of the tape is riveted in place and slides slightly; the length of the slide is the same as the thickness of the tip, to allow the user to make accurate measurements. With a sliding tip you get the same measurement hooking the end of the tape over a piece of lumber or butting the tip into a corner."

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo&p=Build/TapeMeasure.html

 

[JohnHenrys48]

Well, that throws out my original hypothesis...

 

[l_bilyk]

It's SUPPOSED to have as much play as the thickness of the end piece! If it bother you that much, buy a steel yard stick of builder's square

 

[Da Bull]

Where I work we are issued Mitutoyo tapes because of our ISO standards. They tried them all and this is one they picked.

 

[Luckydevil]

l_bilyk- I have a builder's square, but it is only 23". Anything over that and it is a pain to have to double up my measurements.

I'd love to get my hands on a tape measure with zero play on the end piece. Someone has to make them...

 

[Elroy]

You're right Elroy.

Another one

 

[REFLEXX]

well I'll be a sum-beech, I've always had the same complaint! Glad I never asked anyone.

ohwa-tafoo-lie-am!

The odd thing is, at work I hold +/-.001 with not too much trouble. But building the shop, I've missed by 1/4" of more on my measurements!!!


REFLEXX

 

[Firefyter-Emt]

well I'll be a sum-beech, I've always had the same complaint! Glad I never asked anyone.

ohwa-tafoo-lie-am!

The odd thing is, at work I hold +/-.001 with not too much trouble. But building the shop, I've missed by 1/4" of more on my measurements!!!


REFLEXX

Just curious.. How many of you use the Metric system to measure?? I picked up the trait in the Auto Body industry and frame measurements, now I use it all the time for wood working and what not. I find it sooo much eaiser setting up tools and finding centers.. (Hmmmm the center line of 8 7/16" or the center line of 28cm... in your head without thinking.)

PS, I never knew that about the end tip either! I like 3' steel rulers when I can, but do have a favorite chrome metric Stanley when needed.

 

[JohnHenrys48]

I'd love to get my hands on a tape measure with zero play on the end piece. Someone has to make them...

Just peen the little rivets to tighten up the end.

 

[REFLEXX]

METRIC VS. SAE

NO WAY!!!

I'd loose bragging rights about knowing the decimal equivalent to all those damn fractions!!!

you know 3/16th = .1875

and I like having three boxes of drills labled "NUMBERS" "LETTERS" and "FRACTIONS." Having one box that says 1mm to 1000mm would be too easy.

I mean it makes perfect sense to use a #7 drill to make a .209" diameter hole for a 1/4-20 cap screw! See!


But in my work, we dont really use fractions, just decimal. So half of 10.750" is easy. And yes, we use metric whenever necessary, and yes, it is a MUCH better system.

Now where's that .6255" reamer?


REFLEXX

 

[nova65ss]

You could always use the fold out wood tapes. Not very long or practical, but my brick guy still uses one and he opens and closes it in just a few seconds.

Jimmy

 

[eschoendorff]

METRIC VS. SAE

NO WAY!!!

I'd loose bragging rights about knowing the decimal equivalent to all those damn fractions!!!

you know 3/16th = .1875

and I like having three boxes of drills labled "NUMBERS" "LETTERS" and "FRACTIONS." Having one box that says 1mm to 1000mm would be too easy.

I mean it makes perfect sense to use a #7 drill to make a .209" diameter hole for a 1/4-20 cap screw! See!


But in my work, we dont really use fractions, just decimal. So half of 10.750" is easy. And yes, we use metric whenever necessary, and yes, it is a MUCH better system.

Now where's that .6255" reamer?


REFLEXX

That was good!!!!! My brother is in the chemistry field and I hear all the time how the metric system is better: more accurate, easier to compute, cures male pattern baldness, etc...

 

[XR7G428]

Hmm..

Tape measures are for woodworking. Seems like they are acurate enough in most cases for that type of use.

For so many things the english sytem of feet and inches is superior to the metric system. There are two main reasons for this. First, base 12 numbers are easier to work with on a fractional basis. Twelve can be divided by 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12. Ten can only be divided by 1, 2, 5 and 10. Division by thirds and quarters is very common when you are building things. Second, the units are sized better. Eight feet is a very useful dimension when you are building things for humans. The meter is too course a unit. Two meters is too short, and three is too tall.

Fractional equivalents can cause the same pain. It is easy to get 5/8th right. Who can work to .001 levels of tolerence in wood? That is what it takes to get .625 in the right place. Round it off to the nearest 10th, at .6 and you are far enough off for things to start to stack up wrong.

For metal working, or on a CNC it doesn't matter, but in the shop with a good piece of oak, I want to use feet and inches and fractions everytime.

 

[Fast Orange]

Tape measures are not just for woodworking-they are an accepted method of measurement in virtually any trade or craft that requires designation and duplication of lenghth in standard units.
As with any measuring tool,the accuracy of the tool can be no better than it's finest markings-and the proper reading of those markings.While there are some tapes of low quality whose markings are placed with large tolerances in regard to distance from the tip,most tapes made by quality manufacturers( Lufkin, Stanley ,Starrett and others ) are quite accurate.
Most accuracy problems with tapes stem from the effect of parralax-reading the tapes markings from other than a 90 degree angle from the plane that the tape is laying in.
Another cause of innaccuracy is the use of a tape with worn tip rivets/slots.
Purchase of a good quality tape,reading it from the correct angle and replacing a worn tape are the keys to accuracy when using a tape measure.And remember,the tape can only be as accurate as it's finest markings-usually 1/16".

George

 

[Elroy]

remember,the tape can only be as accurate as it's finest markings-usually 1/16".

It is also acceptable practice to interpolate a half mark. So a scale that is graduated in 32nd can be read to a 1/64.

Tape measures can be rather accurate and precise. As the orange man said: a quality manufacturer is the first step and then having it qualified against a know know standard.