I made a mistake and didn’t catch it in editing. 8ft is 96 inches, not 144. Sorry about that.

@dwcheshire

3 жыл бұрын

Not your first mistake, your first mistake was saying that using feet and inches is because you don't know how to read a tape measure. Many trades used to use feet and inches and doors and windows are still commonly referred to this way.

@TightWadDIY

3 жыл бұрын

@@dwcheshire I’m confused. I didn’t say you shouldn’t use feet and inches. I use them on everything I build. Maybe you misunderstood or I wasn’t clear. Sorry about that.

@helenabasquette7222

3 жыл бұрын

corner to corner for square

@martinphilip8998

2 жыл бұрын

The quaint non metric system is actually duodecimal which has great fractional advantages.

@martinphilip8998

2 жыл бұрын

@@odysseus9672 a dozen dozen dozen is called a great gross

My husband was a carpenter, he knew all of this, and he taught me because he said if anything should happen to him, I'd at least know some carpentry skills, he passed away in 2002 and I'm glad he taught me, and I taught the kids. He always used Stanley tools

@leesire

2 жыл бұрын

Sorry for your loss

@RealMelodyBlue

2 жыл бұрын

@@leesire thank you

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

Sorry for your loss. He sounds like a great man. Everyone should learn the basics.

@RealMelodyBlue

2 жыл бұрын

@@TightWadDIY thank you, he was a good man,

@scotts1356

2 жыл бұрын

I'm very sorry for your loss. But God bless your husband for showing you.

22 years welding and I just learned 3 awesome things that I'll now never forget! Thanks!

@TightWadDIY

24 күн бұрын

That’s great to hear! I could learn something from you as well. I really wish I knew how to weld.

I'm a retired construction trades journeyman who made a living with my tape measure for decades, and you just taught me a thing or two I didn't know. Thanks.

@TightWadDIY

Жыл бұрын

Thanks great! Thank you for you years of service!

This has to be one of the best KZread videos ever. I’m 44 and have been using tape measures whenever necessary and didn’t know all of these tips and tricks. Thank you!!

@patricklandis3910

2 ай бұрын

That’s time to buy tapes is around Christmas time. They always have them for two packs same price as one basically

Old dog, new tricks? I’m a 73 y/o amateur wood worker and I learned three things from this video. Thank you!!!

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

That’s great! I’m always happy to hear when someone learns something new.

@SolasChristusMinistry

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah. I’ve been a contractor for 30 years and went to trade school for machining/metalworking. I will still always watch as many as these basic videos because they either remind me of forgotten techniques or teach me something new. My Grandfather, God rest his soul, always taught me to not be too smart for my own good.

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

@@SolasChristusMinistry I like the way you think. Try to learn something new every day.

@mikerew9132

2 жыл бұрын

Don't fold your tape to find the midpoint of an odd measurement. There is a very easy method to figure it. Say you want half of 23 3/4: Subtract 1 from 23 (22) and divide by half (11) Add the top & bottom of the fraction 3+4 (7) Put that sum over the next smaller fraction (8ths) Center (half) of 23 3/4 = 11 7/8 Practice it a few times & it becomes very easy.

@superspecialty5169

2 жыл бұрын

Yup, every little bit helps. We’re never too old to learn.

I'm 70 years old and I learned a boat load of tape stuff that I never knew! So useful is that info! I didn't know that they sold a tape with all the markings of the fraction of an inch on it.I need to find one of them to teach my grandyoungins how to read a tape, and they range from 9 to 23. Thanks so much for sharing this important information! Take care! And stay well. Oh yeah, you said your dad had a hardware store, I can tell you when I was a kid, I used to love to go into those old hardware stores, and if you think about it they would have to be old when I was going to them as a kid. But my point was, they had a certain unexplainable smell about them and I mean a good smell, ya just don't have good old hardware stores like that anymore! So sorry about the rambling on.

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

Check the Dewalt tapes. That’s the brand I’ve found with the fractions. Yes! They definitely have distinct smell. I walked in a hardware store on St Simons Island and was immediately flooded with memories from our store. It smelled the exact same way!

@stevemitz4740

2 жыл бұрын

Did you know before tapes, 6' folding rules were used , then came 6' tapes & then length war was on!

@lutherhgrindstonemtn3456

2 жыл бұрын

@@stevemitz4740 you are sure right about that and I bet when you was young, you probably tried to make letters out of those old 6' folding rules!

@stevemitz4740

2 жыл бұрын

@@lutherhgrindstonemtn3456 No but I made protractors out of those old 6' folding rules!

@lazertroll702

2 жыл бұрын

You may also be interested to know that some tapes include additional decimal measure, labeled opposite to the fractions.

I'm a vet trying to learn some carpentry skills, very raw actually. I learned something new with your video. Thanks a lot!

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

I love that you are trying to learn new things!

@TightWadDIY

Жыл бұрын

@@stefmod9273 Thank you for providing your opinion. It’s very valuable here.

@surfernorm6360

Жыл бұрын

heres a tip all woodworkers and metal workers need to know You will understand as a veteran, when you are moving around the job remove your finger from the trigger till you need the tool. Also if you want to learn the trade find out where the local Union hall is and see if you can join their training program. Unions are very good and they also act as employment agentseven though they want the dues they really are your friend. They are working men not billionare developers.

In a similar fashion to drawing the straight line, you can also use a nail for the tip and draw an arc or radius.

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

Yes! Great trick.

@bobburnitt5389

Жыл бұрын

Yes, that was what I was told it is for.

@lee9971

Жыл бұрын

That was the one he missed. the slot is great for those.

@RolandsDad

Жыл бұрын

Did this at work recently and it blew my coworker's mind. Hooked a screw in the middle of the board and locked the tape, bingo.

Aaaahhh. I’ve spent years cursing poor manufacturing for the loose ends of a tape and you’ve just explained why they do it. Thanks.

@peterrivney552

2 жыл бұрын

And I just hammered the rivets tighter I thought it was a manufacture defect looks like I got to go out a buy another new tape measure again...knowing myself I'll forget and hammer the rivets tight again.. I wondered why all my cabinets were leaning off to one side...

@drtrance

2 жыл бұрын

That makes us... a lot!

@Ketoswammy

2 жыл бұрын

LOL

@berberberber7136

2 жыл бұрын

I'm a journeyman electrician, and I've always talked shit about the loose lil ends.. 😲 lol

@dogwalker666

2 жыл бұрын

You have got to be joking.

You can hook on the right size nail head and draw a fairly accurate radius/circumference on something also👍

@TightWadDIY

3 жыл бұрын

I learned that one after the video. Maybe I need to make a follow up!

@richardscaggs5936

2 жыл бұрын

Don't tell me you circle back .

Another tip -- to find mid point of a board, use two tapes from opposite side. The mid point is where same marking from two tape meet!

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

That’s a quick trick with no math needed!

@erichansen9369

2 жыл бұрын

Great tip thanks

@vonSchwartzwolfe

2 жыл бұрын

To do it with one tape pick a easy to find center measurement longer then the width of a board set the tape at an angle at the measurment you picked and mark the center.😎🤔

@Idhrennielful

2 жыл бұрын

Or don't, because that's stupid.

@thefelper.7181

2 жыл бұрын

It is amazing how complicated are simple tasks when you use imperial sistem instead of decimal!! Incredible, I didn't know you had to suffer with halves, quarters and so on! God bless you.

I never knew that the black diamonds were for floor joist. We always ran them at 24” centers because then it didn’t matter which way you ran your decking. I have been a carpenter for over 50 years, let that one sink in. I can’t wait for you to teach about the framing square and the speed square. There is a whole world of information on those two, ie. To find pitch, angles, framing stairs etc. Thanks again for teaching an old dog new tricks.

@TightWadDIY

Жыл бұрын

To clarify: 19.2 isn’t for all joists. It’s for engineered ibeams. Not very common. I’m glad you found the video helpful though.

@phickleprickprospecting

Жыл бұрын

Rofl, had me rethinking some projects. Hope those floors didn't give 8P

@smiffythecat3751

Жыл бұрын

@@phickleprickprospecting Yep, I agree. Had me rolling when I read your comment! Glad the older gentleman mentioned 24" center on floor joists 'cause I was definately doing some rethinking!

@aaronlovette9876

Жыл бұрын

There only used on TGI floor joist. The reason,, the top and, bottom of rim joist are usually 2 1/4 in. Wide. According to length of support. Thay could be from 9 1/4 depth , to 24in. 1 3/4 wide at top and bottom. To 2 1/2 in. Wide. T/B. These joist are the only ones I will see a architect use for support.

@soopahjj11

Жыл бұрын

I am a carpenter in New England. About 25 years experience. I’ll teach you what all the things are for. Framing hammer: so you can reach the middle of your back when scratching it. Speed square: for scraping ice off the lumber in the winter time. Chalk line: contains your Smurf cocaine so you can offer it to them when you find them at parties. You can also pretend you are fishing with the container. Just let me know if you need some more tips. I got bunches.

I just learned something?? Angle tape across to find centre at an easy divide number?? Would never have thought of that! 👍

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

I’m glad you found it helpful!

@vikingcove

2 жыл бұрын

The sides must be parallel.

@garlandstyle5797

2 жыл бұрын

I agree. That blew me away! :)

It's always nice to find someone showing us something interesting and simple without making us feel like total morons for not knowing this 😆. Great video, thanks for sharing.

@audiotron1003

2 жыл бұрын

Before this video I WAS that moron, now, however I'm ready to calculate algebra, build houses and solve the problems of tape measure fishing issues. Such as how far can my tape go out in order to catch fish. 🐠😊😉

@velvet1945

Жыл бұрын

Need more people like him

@osaealile6110

Жыл бұрын

Thank you YOU cannot believe the humiliation and prejudice l just suffered for this same reason

@jamesglavich1426

Жыл бұрын

If you want to feel a little helpless, pick up an Engineers tape and try reading it. Among other things its marked in 10ths and 100ths, and the feet don't line up.

@LK-bz9sk

Жыл бұрын

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

With thirty years experience, I'm considered a pro by many but I still learned something watching this. Cap off to you sir on a well done demonstration without the usual yap no tap on other channels.

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I’m glad you found it helpful.

@stevemitz4740

Жыл бұрын

My plumber dad taught me at age 8 how to brake a stuck pipe union, hitting one side whale bucking up the other side, during 5th grade recess I taught a crusty old plumber that hack, annoyed at my advice, he did hit it with a hammer, I interrupted him, saying Ya gotta back it up with that 14" wrench, [he said no I need a bigger wrench!] Now he's pissed & ran me off, (He finely did it the right way, and ran his knuckles into the stucco, You should have seen the look in his eyes, at me laughing at him, If looks could kill, I wouldn't be here! I learned, no body like advise, But they might just maybe take it when all else fails! It's an, "I'll do it, my way" form of "logic."

I like the go a bit diagonally to get centre accurately... Going to do this at work and show the others. Genius move !! 👍

@eddie054

2 жыл бұрын

Goes to show how you can learn something new every day. Neat trick.

@willrector9716

2 жыл бұрын

Diving by two is pretty easy this seems retarded

@tonythemadbrit9479

2 жыл бұрын

We used the same method when drawing engineering designs pre CAD software. Great for drawing a grid with "non standard" distances between lines. Just use a ruler at an angle and set it so that the major divisions (for example 1cm or 1/4 inch) give you the spacing you need. Hope that made sense!

@WillBravoNotEvil

2 жыл бұрын

@@tonythemadbrit9479 Indeed! I learned that in my drafting class during the Ford administration. 😄 If, say, you want to rip a board into 7 strips just open the tape to a number dividable by 7, ie 14, 21, 28 & put your tick mark at those points. This may be obsolete when everyone has a calculator in their pocket but it's fast & simple for layout.

My Fat Max Stanley 25' reaches out to 12' before breaking over. Had this tape for 8 yrs or so. Still works great.

Mad respect sir I’ve learned so much from this video thank you.

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the kind comment.

@danielestrada3624

Жыл бұрын

Great tutorial

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I was never really good at Math in my younger years & NOW that I'm older I can finally grasp it!!! Thank you so much for not making me feel stupid 🙂 💯

@TightWadDIY

Жыл бұрын

You’re welcome! You are NEVER stupid for wanting to learn something new.

Now, I though 20+ minutes to explain a tape measure would have been overkill, but you taught me a lot. Thank you for the teaching and follow through with examples.

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

I’m glad to hear you found it helpful!

@robertrocheville7769

2 жыл бұрын

I'm right there with ya.

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

@@robertrocheville7769 Thanks! I almost broke the video into multiple parts but I’m glad I didn’t.

@phillhuddleston9445

2 жыл бұрын

It's only 12 minutes and four seconds, you must have paused it a lot.

You made the hard stuff I hated about tape measures really easy. I’m going to be practicing most of these tips to get the hang of them. Thank you 👍🏽🇻🇮

Another tip: some tapes are marked on the bottom for the length of the tape "housing", for lack of better terms. This is useful for measuring between two permanent items without bending your tape in the corner and guessing. The tape reading and the quick addition of your housing length is your total distance.

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

Yea! Another great tip!

@lewistanner1997yahoo

2 жыл бұрын

@@TightWadDIY so humble, good man

@thefelper.7181

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. Nice to know.

@robertrinehuls9099

Жыл бұрын

Some are marked but some aren't, in which case I write it on the case with a permanent marker.

@russellm7530

Жыл бұрын

@@robertrinehuls9099 Good idea.

A very interesting video. As I grew up in the UK in the 50s and 60s, I started with feet and inches before we switched to metric. Our tapes for DIY ers still have inches on one edge and metric on the other but all industrial and professional tapes are pure metric because that's all they use. I still find myself using inches occasionally but if there is any calculation needed, metric is way easier to do. Many people still use the old units for measurements of themselves, such as height and weight and our road speeds are still MPH. But going back to the tape, it's interesting to see the features that are common to all.

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

That’s really cool. I need to look for a tape with both systems.

@firstlast7052

2 жыл бұрын

I am not convinced that just because we have 10 digits on our hands base 10 (decimal) is the best. Base 16 (hexadecimal) is far better for calculations for use with digital computers because they work in base 2. For measurement base 12 has the advantage of 3/12 (1/4), 4/12 (1/3). Decimal because of rounding errors does not handle thirds well and there are a lot of other fractions and computations handled far better by bases 16 and 12.

@hdj81Vlimited

2 жыл бұрын

@@firstlast7052 millimeters is much better. Alway's plus 1. 10 mm is 1cm, 10 cm is 0.1Meter, 100cm is 1 meter........ easy.

@caseyjones94

2 жыл бұрын

Ditto on your comment Crusty, although I grew up 60s 70s in the UK. I can use both comfortably but for ease of use, metric is obviously easier... I actually thought that the dual measuring units on tapes was the standard round the world...I believe there are only 3 countries that still don't officially use metric..... United States, Liberia, and Myanmar??

@thefelper.7181

2 жыл бұрын

Today I learned how complicated is imperial sistem even for simply measuring a straight line...then there "issues " even for finding the half of a measurement! What I'd you had to find a third of a length! Then you need to calculate f(x)= log %$#@!. dx/dy

You can also divide your material into equal parts by angling the tape until a whole number lines up with the edge... i.e. A piece of timber sheet is 9 inches long and you want to divide it into 5 equal spaces. Hook the tape on one edge and pull it to the other edge diagonally until 10 inches lines up with that edge. Now mark at 2 inch intervals.

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

Nice idea!

@montgomeryfortenberry

Жыл бұрын

Thats genius

As a European, I was expecting plenty of imperial-only stuff, but there were some gems in your vid that everyone can use. This is the reason why I watch US carpentry videos.

@studioctana

2 жыл бұрын

Imperial or French is more Accurate and easy to read compare the fragions

@mrzebe3624

2 жыл бұрын

@@studioctana i'm curious how it is more accurate? while i can give you leeway on being used to things more or less accurate is not true imo.

@marcelw6827

2 жыл бұрын

@@mrzebe3624 . The smallest increments of you imperial measuring tape is 1/16 of an inch. The smallest increments of a metric measuring tape is 1 millimeter (mm). 1/16 of an inch is 1.58 mm. We even have rulers with 0.5 mm increments. We will never use fraction like 1/4 or 1/8 etc. We only use the decimals. A metric measurement of 8.675 meter is 8675 millimeter, this is 24 foot 5.535 inches. 24 foot and 5 inches is easy but how much is 0.535 inch is in the fraction of 16? Between 8/16 and 9/16. Or must I say just between 1/2 and 5/8 on you imperial tape. Not very easy. But Americans are very clever people they can handle it.

@marcelw6827

2 жыл бұрын

@@studioctana imperial or French are two different things. Imperial is foot and inches. French is metric.

@mrzebe3624

2 жыл бұрын

@@marcelw6827 we have a misunderstanding i think, the impression i got from studioctana was that he stated "inches is more accurate then centimeters" (yes i exagerate but its to explain my impression) . at best you can get the same accuracy from either system, also for real small measurements you'd use a caliper. where SI shines vs imperial in my opinion is in conversions , you basicly move the decimal and thats it. 3/4 ( or 0.75) of a kilometer is 750 meters is 75000 centimeters. 3/4 of a mile is erm... 6 furlongs , so 6x 220 = 1320 yards , 1320x 3 = 3960 feet , 3960x 12= 47520 inch . that right there is why i do not like imperial.

I've been in construction for 44 years and a builder for 30 years. We've always framed floor joists at 16" on Center, until they came out with engineered floor trusses which are sometimes 19.2" O. C., hence the black diamonds. Most traditional framed floors and walls are still framed at 16" on Center.

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

You nailed it! Thanks.

@redwater4778

Жыл бұрын

Code once allowed for a 18 inch stud to stud span . Things changed with the introduction of plywood.

@corb765

Жыл бұрын

@@redwater4778 NO, it was the r value of insulation not plywood that change the code LOL

@redwater4778

Жыл бұрын

@@corb765 Insulation code changed the stud dimension from 2x4 inch to 2x6inch

@corb765

Жыл бұрын

@@redwater4778 when they went to 2x6 it went to 24 on center from 16

I didn't know most of those tips and tricks - and I've been using a tape measure for around the house jobs for 30 plus years. Thanks for sharing!

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

I’m glad you found the video! My pleasure.

Grew up in a custom duct shop, still there 40years layer. All the old school guys used s tape rule. Did radius and strait fittings, beautiful stuff. Well setup. Best demo I’ve seen using a tape as a slide rule. 👍

Don't know why the algorithm threw this up but I'm glad it did. Thanks for this video!

Thank you France for the wonderful metric system! No 9 and 3/16ths!

My deceased spouse was a carpenter. He taught me quite a lot of skills and hands on working with him. He gave me a Dewalt tape for easier measurement readings. However he never explained the additional markings on the tape. What they were used for or meant. And many of your usage tips I never knew either. Thank you very much. I’ve always enjoyed carpentry and welcome being taught new things too improve my own abilities and knowledge. Thank you.

@TightWadDIY

Жыл бұрын

I’m glad you found it helpful. Everyone should know how to take measurements.

I taught my son fractions with a tape measure after my wife threw her hands up and said(I give up). He got an A+ in fractions at school.

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

Yes! Great dad move.

@wickedcoolname399

2 жыл бұрын

Five quarters of kids these days don't understand fractions.

@troycrain4626

2 жыл бұрын

@@wickedcoolname399 So five quarters is the equivalent of ten eighths right? LOL, thanks for the reply😂

@cab3910

2 жыл бұрын

@@TightWadDIY why divide 96 by (5) to get the 19.2 inches, why the number 5 ??

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

@@cab3910 So you have 5 evenly spaced iBeams for every 8ft.

Great info, especially for people like me who enjoy small-project woodworking. This video was full of neat little hacks that will save time and brain cells. Thanks a bunch.

Another good reason for marking a position with a 'V' instead of just a line, is that when you draw the line on wood, your pencil easily gets caught up in a line of the grain and wiggles about. But if you make a V, then it doesn't matter if the lines of the V are wiggly, as long as the point of the V is in the right place :-)

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

Yes! Great point.

@Normal1855

2 жыл бұрын

That is something I didn't know. I was always trying to figure out which end of the line I needed. Causing me to Remeasure many times.

@shonalford3419

2 жыл бұрын

It's also referred to as a crows foot instead of a "V"

@gunfisher4661

Жыл бұрын

That`s the reason we were taught 50 yrs ago, plus the act you can come back and see your mark quicker and easier.

@codeblue2532

7 ай бұрын

@@TightWadDIY:: is it prudent to slow the retracting tape down before the return spring mechanism ‘nests’ it ?

I learned a lot about tapes I didn't know. Thanks.

@TightWadDIY

8 ай бұрын

My pleasure!

I’m almost 77 and after years of tape work, I learnt a few tips here. Well presented.

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

That’s great! I’m glad you found it helpful!

The floor joist black diamond was new info for me, thanks!

@leesire

2 жыл бұрын

Me too

@Yonder27

2 жыл бұрын

Me three👍🏼

@kwilliamson1096

2 жыл бұрын

Me four. Been in the trade for 40 years. This is the first time I've heard about laying out floor joists with the black diamond. I was told in Apprenticeship school that the Black diamond was used to lay out studs back in the early days of home construction when plaster was used for the walls. This would allow the carpenter to use one less stud every 8-ft. As standard measures came out they converted to using 16" on center so it worked out with the drywall and sheetrock.

@lowellmiller6663

2 жыл бұрын

Me five.

@robertlawrence3306

2 жыл бұрын

@@lowellmiller6663 me six

A very good video, thanks. The "V" you mention for marking a measure, in my part of the country, we would call that a Crow's foot 😀

You're a legend! My grandfather taught me a lot of this when I was too young to retain the information. Thank you for making this video 💚🙏

@TightWadDIY

7 ай бұрын

My pleasure!

Thanks for the upload. 66 years young wrinkly coffin dodger pensioner, started my electrical apprenticeship aged 16 using a folding wooden 3ft measure. Know a few tweaks with tapes but didn't know half what you taught me. Have subscribed and will look for more videos. 5 stars not enough......thank you kind sir from sunny Ireland 🤓

now I love the metric system even more.

@simoninthout6337

2 жыл бұрын

The video about the metric one will be about 2 minutes 😂

@Yahoo886

Жыл бұрын

Great comment….I’m american and always use my metric tape measure…much easier to deal with

I learnt more in watching this video, in the 12 minutes it took that I had at any point and total on in my life. Thank you. This was a lot of fun for me to learn.

I'm a retired handyman. I knew almost all of this but still have to comment on how nicely made the video is. Direct to the point, all good facts, well and cleanly explained without any wasteful history lesson. Thank you excellent video.

@TightWadDIY

Жыл бұрын

Thank you sir. I appreciate the kind comment.

Fascinating video on very mundane subject, well done. Also a bit of a history lesson, being from the UK. I learned metric when in infants school 65 years ago. They also taught feet and inches so we could communicate with our grand parents.

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

That’s cool. We are taught mostly imperial with a little bit of metric.

@richardscaggs5936

2 жыл бұрын

So are there any " Metrics Tape measure ment ? Here is the Arkansas or Missouri In America ? I learned about Metrics When Demoncratic Party President Carter Jimmy Peanut Farmers Carter forcefully made us learn about Metrics in 1976 to 1980s schools.

@rogermccaslin5963

2 жыл бұрын

@@richardscaggs5936 Oh no, you had to learn something the rest of the world uses. The horror of it all. Have you recovered yet? 😁 And to answer your question, yes, there are metric tape measures. You can even get them showing both metric and imperial measurements if you like.

@captainchaos3053

2 жыл бұрын

Engineers still use both systems. I was taught both a fair bit less that 65 years ago.

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

@@captainchaos3053 Both are still taught in American schools.

Of all the years I've used a tape I thought I knew or thought of everything until the split tape add or subtract idea to get the measurement. JUST BRILLIANT! Thankyou for sharing! And yep...I subscribed .

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

I love learning new things too! Thanks foe the sub.

Fantastic! This is something that should be taught in elementary school math classes.

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed!

IMMEASURABLE value, great Tips to avoid frustration. Always MEASURE twice CUT once. Thanks.

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

So true!

I’m British and a lot of this doesn’t apply over here but......I found this very, very interesting!

@peterrivney552

2 жыл бұрын

In Canada we use both tape measures metric and imperial myself I grew up with imperial then the change over was hard to get used to but lumber is still measured in imperial 2x4 board Or. 4x8 sheet. And 1/4 or. 1/2 or. 3/4 inch thickness as well as lumber going between Canada and the United States The United States stayed with imperial measurement.. when it first started it was a pain in the rear for cars you get used to what wrench you needed then it started going half and half always getting the wrong wrench now mostly all metric go Canadian cars ... If you ask me should just stay with bubble gum...

@captainchaos3053

2 жыл бұрын

@@peterrivney552 in Europe timber is sold in horrible french numbers (metric) which catches a lot of the older fellas off guard.

Thank you so much! I was never good with math or fractions in school. I'm 60 now. Could never read a tape measure till my mom bought me a readable one . Love these tricks you just showed! Will be using them👍

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

I’m glad you are still learning new things!

@shonalford3419

2 жыл бұрын

I been a carpenter sum 37 yrs. Started my apprenticeship in 8/8/88 finished in 1993. I still like to watch these clips to learn little tricks along the way. So here's one for u .....take a #4 or #6 hand drive finish nail and b4 u drive it into to the end of a board hoping u DNT split the end of board, invert that #4 finish nail place the head of the nail where u wld hav to nail the board and give it a firm tap w ur hammer leaving a impression in the wood then flip nail on it's rite position and drive that bad boy where the head impression u just left and u will never split the end of a board again my friend. See for urself and try it out.

@lewistanner1997yahoo

2 жыл бұрын

@@shonalford3419 that's correct only because you flattened the point of the nail, but indentation of the wood makes no difference. When the nail isn't as pointy it doesn't split the wood as much but compresses it instead

In the early 80's the Field Engineer on our job asked the Carpenters to bring our tape rules out for calibration. He had his 'chain' pulled out along a beam explaining that at this temperature it was at zero- being metal it grew longer when hotter and shorter when colder, and he showed us the chart he used to apply a correction percentage for the temperature so that his measurements would always match regardless of conditions. Then we pulled our tapes alongside the 'chain'. All manner of tape rules were involved in the testing, but only Stanley and Lufkin tapes consistently matched the 'chain' at 20 ft distance. I had a Craftsman and it was 1/8" shorter at 20ft. One cheap tape was 3/8" off. That was an eye-opener and since then I've only used Stanley tape rules.

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

Always measure with the same tape for taking the measurement and transferring to the board!

@MGZig

2 жыл бұрын

My contribution for measuring tapes is my dad told me to always have one on you while at work. So if you happen to not be doing anything or just standing and bs-ing and the boss drives up... just start measuring something, anything ;)

@graemebrumfitt6668

2 жыл бұрын

@@MGZig Bit like walking around with a clip board, love it TFS, GB :)

@larrywelch9738

Жыл бұрын

@@MGZig When I was in college I worked in the summer at an aluminum extrusion factory. I was on the maintenance crew. I found that I could waste a lot of time walking around wiping my hands on a red shop towel, as if I just finished working on something.

@angellas.1314

11 ай бұрын

@@MGZig 😂😂😂😂

WOW, Thank You !!!! So many hidden markings and things I never even wondered about . NOW I know.

@TightWadDIY

Жыл бұрын

My pleasure

That folded ruler trick to do math is pretty cool. In the 60s they used the same thing, slide rules, and built SR-71 black bird with them.

@williamwingo8952

Жыл бұрын

I have my old K&E framed over the desk with a sticker that says "In case of power failure--break glass."

@mikekelly5869

Жыл бұрын

I still use one, it's quicker than a calculator if you're used to it. Mind you it's a bit more involved than a measuring tape...

Always good to learn something new, Thank You.

Once again, I'm never to old to learn something...👍👍

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

I’m glad you found the video helpful!

I carried many tape measures for 40 yrs as an insurance adjuster. I learned a lot here that I wish I knew then!! Thanks!!

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I’m glad you found the video now at least!

@MarkSmith-js2pu

2 жыл бұрын

@@TightWadDIY yeah, I pulled out all my tapes and checked them out. I wish I knew that stuff when I was a trainer.👍👍

Came to see if you talked about the black diamonds. Glad you did. Thanks!

@gamalat122

2 жыл бұрын

😅

A tape measurer can be used as radio antenna! The length of the antenna can be trimmed to match the length of the frequency, half-length, etc.

@leehaelters6182

2 жыл бұрын

Good one!

@usernamemykel

2 жыл бұрын

Have a happy Yagi!

Angling the tape across the wood to mark the halfway mark, simple, but brilliant

@TightWadDIY

Жыл бұрын

Yes! It worked so well!

Thank you so much. I’ve been wondering for the last 60 years what some of those things were

@TightWadDIY

Жыл бұрын

Haha. The more you know!

Who knew there was so much to learn about a measuring tape. Thank you for the information.

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

You’re welcome.

One thing I learned about tape measure.. You can never find one when you need it, like a pencil.

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

So true. You definitely can’t find your favorite one…ever.

@mk8530

2 жыл бұрын

Thats why I buy a few dozen at a time.

@jimdavis1566

2 жыл бұрын

I lose my tape measure all the time when I'm using it. I can never remember where I sat it down. My wife tells me "if only they'd put a clip on it you could use to attach it to your belt." She thinks she's so funny.

@AJHyland63

2 жыл бұрын

I’ve even been on a job where my main tape and two spares disappeared. Found them at the end of the day in the apprentice’s tool pouch. He forgot that he put one in there and so grabbed mine.

@nickh5081

2 жыл бұрын

That's why I always prefer to wear my old carpenters pouch even when I'm working in a shop. Without it, I never have a pencil, a tape or anything else I need!

Thanks a lot for your great info. I've been cutting wood and measuring for a long time and I didn't know some of these things. Never too old to learn.

@TightWadDIY

Жыл бұрын

Great! Im glad you enjoyed it!

Thank you for such a great video! One interesting fact I learned that I could share is that on the back of a tape measure there is a marking that states (for example) + 3in/76mm..The 3 inches is actually the length of the tape measure itself. So instead of breaking the tape at the surface of whatever you're measuring, place whole tape measure up against it and add the 3 inches (or whatever your tape measure says....Ex: 3in; 4in, etc.) to the measurement. I hope this makes sense!

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@rondumontier1187

2 жыл бұрын

What tape is this?

@usernamemykel

2 жыл бұрын

Each of my tapes have a 3" base.

@surfernorm6360

Жыл бұрын

Lisa well done it makes perfect sense. and since you already brought it up the 76mm is the equivalent of 3 inches so you add 76 mn to your distance and you have the amount in meters too. Oh finally the tape box is the case

@thenash4822

Жыл бұрын

Unfortunately you need a microscope to read the numbers, and it's buried under the clip, at least on my Stanley tapes. Would also be nice if they used whole numbers, instead of 2-3/8" on my 12' Stanley (at that's what I think it says!)

Caution: This video contains information on how to divide fractions! Stay calm, you'll get through it. -- great video. Thanks.

@ArtStoneUS

2 жыл бұрын

I was expecting to see a slide rule show up

@iainmacdonald7034

2 жыл бұрын

As a child I had numerous tear-stained weekends as my mother tried to get me to do maths with fractions. I did crack it eventually but the metric system is SO-O-O-O much easier, and more precise: 1mm is 1/25”. Life in UK definitely got better as we adopted European measures. Worth a try.

@mikeoglen6848

2 жыл бұрын

@@iainmacdonald7034 Let's hope the Imperial system in weights and measures can be reintroduced now we have Brexit.

Wow, been using tape measuring every day for 44 years and never thought about folding my tape for half dimensioning. Thanks

@TightWadDIY

8 ай бұрын

You are so welcome!

I did not know how read a tape measure as well, my husband was also a carpenter and he taught me as well, thank goodness! I greatly appreciate your video, because it refreshed my memory

@TightWadDIY

2 ай бұрын

You are so welcome!

Excellent your information. Key to understanding and optimizing the use of this valuable tool. Unbelievably his focus is on the building system in the US, mostly stud-based and 16-inch spread. In the Latin American approach it is a bit different, based on the decimal metric system. Very thankful. I learned a lot.

@markmaddison5312

2 жыл бұрын

Buy a metric tape same principles apply or buy one with both on

Finding the centre is a great tip! Never ever thought of that! In the UK our tapes are both metric and imperial. When describing something I will say something like that's 8ft or 2ft 6 cos it feels right. But when working I use metric, so much easier with the maths :)

Thanks for this informative and useful information. I certainly didn’t know all of this.

@TightWadDIY

Жыл бұрын

I’m glad you found it helpful.

That first tip blew my mind all over the wall. Thanks!

@TightWadDIY

Жыл бұрын

My pleasure!

Even as a fairly experienced DIYer and family/friend handyman, a few new tape measure tricks! Thanks. Fun.

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

I’m glad you learned something new! That is my goal with every video.

@mikelachney3589

2 жыл бұрын

@@TightWadDIY what are you talking about

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

@@mikelachney3589 I thought it was pretty clear. 🤷🏻‍♂️

I didn't know what the black diamond was for . . . Thank you.

@davidherdman9798

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, what he said! I could not figure out what the measure was for the floor joists in the house I bought. Now that you show the black diamond the weird measure makes sense. Sort of. No insulation is made that size though...

@robertn2813

2 жыл бұрын

@@davidherdman9798 that's because most floors aren't insulated

Who would have thought a video on tape measures would keep me glued to the whole video!? Great job, man! Always wondered ‘bout them there diamonds!😉

@TightWadDIY

Жыл бұрын

😂😂I’m glad you enjoyed it.

Thank you for taking the time for the tips very much appreciated

@TightWadDIY

7 ай бұрын

My pleasure!

Thank You so much I work at Home Depot Hardware Dept and this video will definitely help me at work!!

@TightWadDIY

3 жыл бұрын

Great! I love the HD.

As a licenced carpenter I knew most of these tips but not the one about angling the tape to find the halfway point in an irregular length board. Another quick trick: when measuring between two flat 90° surfaces, i.e the height of a doorway from floor to top of opening, you need to fold your tape at the top or bottom to get a reading. A simple more accurate way to get this measurement is to measure down exactly 10" from the top of the door opening, mark it, and then measure up from the floor to the 10" mark. Let's say that measurement was 68 and 3/4". Now add the 10" to it and get a final and exact measurement of 78 and 3/4 inches. Hope that helps 👍

@TightWadDIY

Жыл бұрын

Nice tip. Thanks!

@stevemitz4740

Жыл бұрын

I taught myself that one! And yes it works!

@ingiford175

Жыл бұрын

The angling was known and is one of the propositions in Euclid's Book called Elements (from 300 bce) and as some people above noted, you can do it for more then just half, for example, if you want to get 1/5' markings, you can angle it at 10/15/20 etc and mark at 2/3/4 etc

Very good video. I used a tape for the last 60 years and you teach me some stuff I did not know. Thank you for taking the time to do this usefull video. I'm glad I learn something while watching your video.

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for taking the time to leave a kind comment.

You never stop learning!!! Thanks a lot.

@TightWadDIY

Жыл бұрын

My pleasure!

#8:20 Using a tape measure as a slide rule… crafty!

@keithfrost1190

2 жыл бұрын

Only those of us old enough (pre electronic calculator age) to have used a slide rule noticed that. I've still got mine btw.

@cindyknudson2715

2 жыл бұрын

When my son was taking his SAT test a number of years ago, a graphing calculator that one could store formulas in was allowed for use during the test but using a slide rule was banned. 🤷

@invisibilitycriterion6782

2 жыл бұрын

@@cindyknudson2715 Interesting… I’d be surprised if mathematics teachers today even know what a slide rule is, never mind use one. I suspect the said examination rules either had been plagiarised or simply a carry on unadorned from the 70s.

@invisibilitycriterion6782

2 жыл бұрын

@@keithfrost1190 I’ve an old Thornton model complete with tough plastic slide case which I still use. Although I did upgrade to a Casio fx-140 in 1978. The fx-140 with the turquoise vacuum fluorescent display is one seriously sexed up calculator. Loaded with hydride AA cells, the adder can still be recharged on a bench power supply some forty-three years hence.

@keithfrost1190

2 жыл бұрын

@@invisibilitycriterion6782 Mine's a "UNIQUE" Universal II. It is made of wood with a thin plastic face. The wooden back has expanded whilst the plastic front has not and therefore, it's beginning to bow. It is still usable however.

I was one of the first framing business to use the manufactured I-beam joists in Washington in the 90’s and the supplers came out to explain these things and give us the special layout plan. They actually supplied us with a couple Stanley tapes with the diamonds in case we couldn’t find them.

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

That’s really cool.

A really good video. I will need to watch it several times with a tape measure to remember fully.

@TightWadDIY

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Great video. I was looking for something like this to pass on to my grandkids. I think you hit on all the high points! I learned some things too! Thank you much!

@TightWadDIY

Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I’m glad you want them to learn this type of stuff!

I had never thought to double the tape back on itself to find half of a measurement. Or to use it that way to subtract. Also finding the center of a board was a great tip thanks!

@grahameburnip5880

2 жыл бұрын

You can use the same process to divide the board up into any number of equal parts

Thank you for the very practical presentation. Loved it. The matematics part is just awsome. :)

@TightWadDIY

3 жыл бұрын

You are welcome. I’m glad you found it helpful.

Hmmm you never stop learning... wonderful video thanks a million

Great tips! I learned 2 new things and was reminded of a third I could have used dozens of times last week. My current favorite tape is a Milwaukee 25' that has stadia rod markings on the back. Really handy when working with a laser level or doing landscaping work.

@TightWadDIY

11 ай бұрын

Nice! I’ll have to check that one out.

The method you used to draw a line down the length of a board can also be used to draw a circle. You attach a mail to the board and then hook the end of the tape to the nail. Measure out the radius (1/2 of the diameter) of the circle you want by placing your pencil at the mark and then make a circle or arc if you just want a radius.

@TightWadDIY

Жыл бұрын

Yes! Another great tip.

I'm left-handed and realized the other day that I've somehow subconsciously adapted to reading all the tape measure numbers upside down. My natural preference would be to hold the tape measure in my left hand and pull from right to left or toward me to the left side. On reflection, I realized that there might be a reverse grip left-handed solution to pull left to right. I'm sure I'm not the only lefty navigating a world of right-handed tools. At least a tape measure is unlikely to cut off any body parts on accident...

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

I’m actually a lefty too! They do sell left handed tapes but like you, I’ve adapted.

@James_Knott

Жыл бұрын

I seem to recall seeing a tape measure that could be read either way. That was years ago though.

@andrewmartin4258

Жыл бұрын

Interesting. I prefer to hold the tape in my right hand so I get a better mark with my left hand.

@TightWadDIY

Жыл бұрын

@@andrewmartin4258 same.

@TightWadDIY

Жыл бұрын

@@James_Knott That’s not a bad idea!

I already knew most of these tricks, but this is going to consolidate them into a great teaching project outline for my 10 year old grandson. Thanks!

@TightWadDIY

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! I’m glad you found it helpful.

Great video, I did learn a couple of TM things that I just never bothered to use before, even after 20 years of basement finishing;). Thank you Dave - Chicago

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Dave. I’m glad you enjoyed it.

Really fascinating. Never thought I would say that about a tape-measure instructional video. LOL!

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

Haha! I never thought it would be so popular!

Not a carpenter but have been using a tape measure for 40+ years and I never paid any attention to some of the features on the tape. Also some very good tips for the math challenged in subtracting with fractions and finding the halfway point. Good information for everyone.

@TightWadDIY

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for taking the time to comment! I’m glad you enjoyed the video.

Thank you so much for your video. I've learnt so much about understanding how to use tape measures and using them for maths! Absolutely brilliant.

@TightWadDIY

Жыл бұрын

My pleasure. I’m glad you enjoyed it.

I usually get Stanley 25's but had to settle on the milwaukee 2 pack at home depot. Really impressed by the milwaukee since they read on both sides of the tape. Helpful when on a roof by yourself and the blade tips when hooking.

@TightWadDIY

2 жыл бұрын

I’ll have to check out the double sided tape!

HOW COULD YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN?! -to mention that the case will also have an edge-to-edge dimension on it... enabling one to conveniently do internal measurements. Fantastic video! As an old, retired Union carpenter I watched to see what I might learn [new]. Darned if there weren't a coupla tricks I'd not run across before.

What a good video! I’m from the UK and can’t wrap my head around using inches even though I spent my childhood with imperial measurements. The tips, of course, transfer to metric and there are some here which I haven’t thought of. Thanks.

@TightWadDIY

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your kind comment.

@smiffythecat3751

Жыл бұрын

Years ago it was easy to find a tape measure with both imperial and metric measurements, at least in southern US. I'm not a professional carpenter, but thoroughly enjoyed building houses when I was younger and building my own projects now. I haven't looked for a while for one of those double system tapes and I still have trouble with picturing metric. My son wonders why anyone would ever "want" to use imperial.

I'm a vet and fortunate enough to have some time on my hands. Taking up wood working/carpentry for some extra money. Definitely picked up a couple of short cuts here. Thanks for the video and you picked up another subscriber!

@TightWadDIY

Жыл бұрын

That’s great! I’m a teacher who also does woodworking on the side for extra money!

Thanks for this information. It can be a great help to others, ‘cuz it was a refresher course to me. I had left the healthcare line of work, & went to work in a factory a few years back. I’m now retired, & have used my learned skills so many times, & was so happy to have retained what I learned. Chances are you’ll never forget either. Since being @ home more, I’m now more of a daily seamstress, & will take the time to teach my grandchildren all they my need to know. So, Thank You, for any helpful hints that I can pass on to them…all 5 are boys, & girls 😉💕🇺🇸

@TightWadDIY

Жыл бұрын

My pleasure.

This is so enlightening. Simple but very effective tips. This is my first time watching your videos but I will watch them all as a new subscriber. Can’t wait to see what else I can learn!!

@TightWadDIY

Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I’m happy to have you as a subscriber!