Thanks: 0
Likes: 0
Needs Pictures: 0
Picture(s) thanks: 0
Results 1 to 11 of 11
Thread: Tape measure question
-
21st December 2009, 09:34 PM #1
Tape measure question
My new tape measure has incremental diamond shaped markers all along the tape. The first marker is at approx 490mm, the second at approx 980mm etc. I've not seen this before.
Anyone know what these marks are for?
Attachment 124766
-
21st December 2009 09:34 PM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
- Join Date
- Always
- Location
- Advertising world
- Age
- 2010
- Posts
- Many
-
21st December 2009, 10:26 PM #2Intermediate Member
- Join Date
- Dec 2007
- Location
- Rossmore Sydney
- Posts
- 25
I await such reply also, but also ask why in the world does a Stanley tape easure cost over $50 for the fat max?
-
21st December 2009, 10:45 PM #3acmegridley Guest
Stud centres/rafter centres?
-
21st December 2009, 10:55 PM #4
That's a good thought, thanks. I'll try looking into that...
-
21st December 2009, 11:04 PM #5
Gidday all,
Don't know about the stud / rafter / joist spacings.
stud centres are usually 450 & 600.
rafter centres are usually 600, 900 & 1200.
in residential buildings anyway, although I've been out of the game for a bit over a year.
Just had another look at the pic & the mark is at about 488mm. 450+38 thick joist/rafter.
But I still think it may be for something else.
-
22nd December 2009, 12:43 AM #6
That's a strange one. It seems to be 19 3/16", and I have Starrett DTB34-16 which exhibits the same marks. The last one is at exactly 16 ft, and works out to 10 parts, or 1.6 ft (19.2") each. That model is no longer produced, so info is hard to find. My dictionary defines the cubit as 17"-22", so maybe it's for building arks.
Most of my other tapes are marked at 16" (common stud spacing here), and a combination Stanley has metric marks at 400mm increments.
In a computer magazine I once subscribed to, the editor remarked, "The nice thing about standards is that there are so many to choose from."
What brand is yours?
I'll place my bet on the cubit. Really.
Cheers,
JoeOf course truth is stranger than fiction.
Fiction has to make sense. - Mark Twain
-
22nd December 2009, 12:55 AM #7Skwair2rownd
- Join Date
- Nov 2007
- Location
- Dundowran Beach
- Age
- 76
- Posts
- 19,922
Get onto Stanley and ask them.
-
22nd December 2009, 07:22 AM #8
Aah, Google was my friend. This is what I found, so we can all sleep at night now
Secrets of Using a Tape Measure | Charles & Hudson
WikiAnswers - What are the black diamond markings on a tape measure
Trivia - Numericana
Using and Maintaining a Tape Measure
Black Diamonds on Tape Measure - Triangles on Tape Measure - Truss Layouts - asktooltalk.com
-
23rd December 2009, 03:48 AM #9
Uncanny that 1.62 is so close to the "golden ratio" of 1.618, and it all could be a chicken or egg question. IIRC, sqrt(5) is part of that computation. I'll try to remember this when I next visit my attic.
Cheers,
JoeOf course truth is stranger than fiction.
Fiction has to make sense. - Mark Twain
-
23rd December 2009, 07:00 AM #10the tool specialists
- Join Date
- Jul 2007
- Location
- Smithfield,NSW
- Posts
- 365
-
23rd December 2009, 08:24 AM #11
It's no wonder the GMC 7.5M powered tape didn't sell well at $89, but I managed to pick up a bunch of them for $14 ea. Now that was a bargain as all the handymen in the family now have no reason to borrow mine!
Similar Threads
-
Table Saw - Tape Measure
By Arry in forum WOODWORK - GENERALReplies: 3Last Post: 27th October 2009, 08:27 AM -
Festool Tape Measure
By mat in forum FESTOOL FORUMReplies: 18Last Post: 15th July 2009, 08:12 AM -
Tape measure clip
By bpj1968 in forum HINTS & TIPSReplies: 1Last Post: 12th September 2008, 03:26 PM -
Tape Measure
By Howdya do that in forum WOODWORK - GENERALReplies: 15Last Post: 1st February 2007, 10:27 PM -
tape measure accuracy
By ryanarcher in forum HAND TOOLS - POWEREDReplies: 35Last Post: 30th April 2005, 03:12 PM