Easy Ways to Measure With a Measuring Tape

Most of us have used a measuring tape. Whether it was measuring that tight spot in your dorm room in college, before buying that nice desk, or measuring for the new counter top, the measuring tape was there to help avoid a costly mistake. Although measuring tapes are easy to use, there are a few tricks to making them work even better.

Sliding Tip

A good measuring tape will have a sliding tip on it. Make sure to buy one that has this. When measuring a piece of wood, or a counter top, you can hook the tip of the measuring tape to the end of the measuring surface. The sliding tip allots for the short distance of the overhang, and the sliding end makes up for this, so you get a more accurate measurement.

Curvature of the Blade

On most high quality measuring tapes, the measuring blade is slightly curved. This is to prevent the blade from breaking. To maintain the most accurate measurement, and to mark your board right against the blade to ensure no mistake in distance, roll the blade gently back and forth to get the curvature right against the measuring surface.

Measuring Tape Maintenance

A good measuring tape can be costly, but wil last for a long time if you take care of it. Make sure if you are using the measuring tape in a sandy or wet area, to wipe down the measuring tape with a clean towel before retracting the blade. Small particles can get stuck inside the casing of the measuring tape, scratching or sticking the tape inside the body. Apply a light wax on the measuring tape occasionally in addition to regular cleaning. This prevents rust and scratching.

References

• Fine Home Building
• How to read a tape measure