Comments on: The best tape measure I’ve ever used http://www.dans-hobbies.com/2010/05/31/the-best-tape-measure-ive-ever-used/ The things i do for fun. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:50:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jim http://www.dans-hobbies.com/2010/05/31/the-best-tape-measure-ive-ever-used/comment-page-1/#comment-1911 Jim Fri, 04 Feb 2011 05:50:24 +0000 http://www.dans-hobbies.com/?p=1086#comment-1911 Brian's right in general. But the tape shown above is called a flatback tape and is made by Fastcap. The flatback tape has a blade that is flat. So, in use, it is only pulled to make a measurement. Trying to push it would be like trying to push a string. So it isn't useful when you want to measure from a wall six feet away to a window in from of you. It won't remain straight. But it is still my favorite tape measure even with that limitation. It has a pencil sharpener built in, two ways to lock the tape measure when it's extended and there is blank space on the flat blade so you can write notes to yourself as you tape measurements. Fascap makes other tapes as well and they do have the ability to extend several feet without support. Brian’s right in general. But the tape shown above is called a flatback tape and is made by Fastcap. The flatback tape has a blade that is flat. So, in use, it is only pulled to make a measurement. Trying to push it would be like trying to push a string. So it isn’t useful when you want to measure from a wall six feet away to a window in from of you. It won’t remain straight. But it is still my favorite tape measure even with that limitation. It has a pencil sharpener built in, two ways to lock the tape measure when it’s extended and there is blank space on the flat blade so you can write notes to yourself as you tape measurements. Fascap makes other tapes as well and they do have the ability to extend several feet without support.

]]> By: Dan http://www.dans-hobbies.com/2010/05/31/the-best-tape-measure-ive-ever-used/comment-page-1/#comment-569 Dan Wed, 09 Jun 2010 03:14:57 +0000 http://www.dans-hobbies.com/?p=1086#comment-569 Wow, I never thought about the wiggle being useful for inside measurements. I always considered it a sign of poor craftsmanship, little did I know it's supposed to jiggle. I'll have to keep my old Stanley's around after all. Wow, I never thought about the wiggle being useful for inside measurements. I always considered it a sign of poor craftsmanship, little did I know it’s supposed to jiggle. I’ll have to keep my old Stanley’s around after all.

]]> By: Brian http://www.dans-hobbies.com/2010/05/31/the-best-tape-measure-ive-ever-used/comment-page-1/#comment-567 Brian Tue, 08 Jun 2010 15:20:53 +0000 http://www.dans-hobbies.com/?p=1086#comment-567 The "hook jiggle" is actually an important part of accuracy. Try this: Take a cut board about 12" long, measure it and record your reading. Say it's 11-5/16" for the sake of this example. Now, push the end of the board upto you table saw fence (could be any flat surface). Remeasure the board again by pushing the end of the no wiggle tape against the fence and I'd bet it's off by about 1/16" The wiggle in the hook accoutns for that differance. The hook moves back anf forth to account for it's thickness. If the hook doesn't move 1/2 of your measurments will be wrong. The “hook jiggle” is actually an important part of accuracy.

Try this: Take a cut board about 12″ long, measure it and record your reading. Say it’s 11-5/16″ for the sake of this example.

Now, push the end of the board upto you table saw fence (could be any flat surface). Remeasure the board again by pushing the end of the no wiggle tape against the fence and I’d bet it’s off by about 1/16″

The wiggle in the hook accoutns for that differance. The hook moves back anf forth to account for it’s thickness. If the hook doesn’t move 1/2 of your measurments will be wrong.

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