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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
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    Default 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

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Rossmore Sydney
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    Default

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

  4. #3
    acmegridley Guest

    Default

    Stud centres/rafter centres?

  5. #4
    Join Date
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  6. #5
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    Default

    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.

  7. #6
    Join Date
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    Tallahassee FL USA
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    Default

    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
    Of course truth is stranger than fiction.
    Fiction has to make sense. - Mark Twain

  8. #7
    Join Date
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    Arrow

    Get onto Stanley and ask them.

  9. #8
    Join Date
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  10. #9
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    Default

    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
    Of course truth is stranger than fiction.
    Fiction has to make sense. - Mark Twain

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Smithfield,NSW
    Posts
    365

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by exotiic View Post
    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
    Cheers,Team VEK TOOLS
    Smithfield | Narellan | McGraths Hill | Prestons
    www.vektools.com.au

  12. #11
    Join Date
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    Default

    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!

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