Tape measure question

woodeneye · #1 21st Dec 2009, 10:34 PM

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?
100_6746.jpg

exotiic · #2 21st Dec 2009, 11:26 PM

I await such reply also, but also ask why in the world does a Stanley tape easure cost over $50 for the fat max?

acmegridley · #3 21st Dec 2009, 11:45 PM

Stud centres/rafter centres?

woodeneye · #4 21st Dec 2009, 11:55 PM

That's a good thought, thanks. I'll try looking into that...

snapman007 · #5 22nd Dec 2009, 12:04 AM

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.

joe greiner · #6 22nd Dec 2009, 01:43 AM

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,
Joe

artme · #7 22nd Dec 2009, 01:55 AM

Get onto Stanley and ask them.

woodeneye · #8 22nd Dec 2009, 08:22 AM

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

joe greiner · #9 23rd Dec 2009, 04:48 AM

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,
Joe

VEK TOOLS · #10 23rd Dec 2009, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exotiic

I await such reply also, but also ask why in the world does a Stanley tape easure cost over $50 for the fat max?

.
Speaking to a stanley representative the other day the stanley range is going to be having a price repositioning..... Apparently the Fat Max tapes will be coming right down in early 2010

woodeneye · #11 23rd Dec 2009, 09:24 AM

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!