Hey All:
I don't know how many of you are like me, but I hate all of the tape
measures on the market today. I don't want metric on one edge with SAE on
the other. I want SAE on both edges of the tape. I don't think or measure
in metric increments, so I don't want that taking up valuable space on my
tape. I hate it if I have to move my tape to mark a measurement, just
because there is some irrelevant markings along the edge I happened to drag
for marking.
Likewise - i can read a tape measure. I don't want and I don't like the
clutter of the new generation of idiot proof tapes that actually label 1/8,
1/4, 1/2, etc. for those that don't know how to read the simple marks on a
tape.
So... having stopped by the local Ace Hardware to pick up a tape for a
friend, wasn't I surprised to find a basic tape (25' Ace brand) - just 1/16"
ticks on both edges of the tape. No idiot stuff, no metric stuff. Fits
your hand nice, has a really nice positive lock that locks and unlocks
easily holds the tape firmly. The best part - only 7 bucks and change!
Hell - I wasn't going to spend a lot of money on a give away tape...
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
I am surprised no one had brought this up. When starting in the
trades, I learned to use a tape upside down. So did everyone else.
It wasn't an option, unless you were left handed. Think about it; if
the majority of your dexterity lies in your right hand, this will make
perfect sense.
Hold the tape in your left hand, hook the blade (you may have to slide
it out many, many feet when framing a roof or other tasks) after
carefully guiding the hook to the end of the board. You extend the
tape and mark with your right hand, the hand you write with and
perform other detailed tasks. Slip the hook up on the tape, and while
it is retracting in your left hand, put your pencil behind your ear,
then get your speed square with your right hand. It's all one big
motion. You never locked the tape; it was held in your left hand just
long enough to make your mark.
((At this same time, you learn to cut with the shoe of the saw on the
board, not the motor side. This allows you to see EXACTLY the point
of contact and the accuracy of the cut. Plus, you don't have to
change sides from where you measured.))
It was not taught to measure left to right. To do that, you had to
hook the tape, extend it where you need it (so far, so good) but then
there was monkey motion in getting the tape locked with your right
hand, retrieving the pencil with the right hand after locking the
tape, balancing the tape on the material to be cut, marking, then
unlocking the tape (which you would do with your right hand, which
should be putting the pencil behind your ear and reaching for the
square) and then finally get to the speed square for your saw line.
Too much activity for a cut, and imagine all that over the course of
cutting all day. Not to mention all the times the tape will fall over
(which it never does when you are holding it in your left hand) or you
lose your hook if you bump your material or the tape slips when
locked. Then you have to start over with your measuring.
If you could mark perfectly every single time with your left hand
(mine is an untrained idiot), you were allowed to measure left to
right. But if you were slow, clumsy, or needed more practice in your
cutting motion, you went back to being a mule.
I decided to learn as I was taught. Being the "saw man" was a step up
in job site status, plus when I was cutting the headers, rafters,
joists, bucks, etc., was sure a lot easier than having to haul them
all day as a laborer.
With almost 40 years of that in mind, I read my tapes upside down, and
can't easily decipher any tape that has too much stuff on it. I was
confounded years ago when the fractionalized tapes came out as the
clutter confused my dull mind. And I think it was soon discovered
that in the industry that "2 little sticks" was the common description
of 1/8" for some, and I even had helpers tell me that the fractions
they saw on a tape were "for something else". What, they didn't
know. Maybe something scientific. Baking, perhaps?
I was glad when that trend subsided. But the advent of combo metric
tape measures a few years ago muddied the water for me again. Now
most tapes I see are covered with unneeded and unwanted information
and if I don't have my glasses, sometimes I am up against it with
smaller tapes.
I don't want much. Sometimes I just want a long, retracting ruler
with one scale on it. I have them and can find them, but I just
wouldn't think it would be a challenge to do so.
Robert
On Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:04:27 -0500, "Mike Marlow"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>[email protected] wrote:
>
>>>
>>> But what is 0.525mm easier than 3/8" ?
>> It's not. But when DESIGNING in metric, everything is done in tens or
>> tenths, hunreds or hundredths. So 1MM is .01CM, none of the silly 12
>> inches to a foot, 3 feet to a yard, 36 inches to a yard etc, and none
>> of the .125 inches to the 1/8 inch. You design to the .1meter or
>> .01meter, or 12.5mm or whatever and never need to convert by anything
>> more complicated than moving decimal points to convert from one unit
>> to another.
>
>Ha! - you make it sound so easy...
He did, and he blatantly overlooked the metric RCH.
Ptooie, how many thou was that?
--
Fear not those who argue but those who dodge.
-- Marie Ebner von Eschenbach
On Feb 13, 12:19=A0pm, Stuart <[email protected]> wrote:
> In article <[email protected]>,
> =A0 =A0Mike Marlow <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > Hey All:
> > I want SAE on both edges of the tape.
>
> SAE?
>
> Society of automotive engineers, what kind of measurement is that?
>
> > So... having stopped by the local Ace Hardware to pick up a tape for a
> > friend, wasn't I surprised to find a basic tape (25' Ace brand) - just
> > 1/16"
>
> Oh! You're talking about feet and inches. You mean /imperial/ units!
>
> --
> Stuart Winsor
>
> Only plain text for emailshttp://www.asciiribbon.org
Mine reads in Planck Units.
On Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:31:57 -0600, Richard <[email protected]>
wrote:
>On 2/13/2012 9:06 PM, Larry Jaques wrote:
>> On Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:04:32 -0500, "busbus"<[email protected]>
>> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> "Stuart"<[email protected]> wrote in message
>>> news:[email protected]...
>>>>> I want SAE on both edges of the tape.
>>>>
>>>> SAE?
>>>>
>>>> Society of automotive engineers, what kind of measurement is that?
>>>>
>>>>> So... having stopped by the local Ace Hardware to pick up a tape for a
>>>>> friend, wasn't I surprised to find a basic tape (25' Ace brand) - just
>>>>> 1/16"
>>>>
>>>> Oh! You're talking about feet and inches. You mean /imperial/ units!
>>>>
>>>
>>> Then you have something called "BobsRule" which is in units called "bobs"
>>> (whatever they are):
>>>
>>> http://www.whitechapel-ltd.com/hardware/bobsrule/bobsrule.shtml
>>
>> LoREENA Bobbit made up her own rule.
>>
>> I've been known to use both sides of the tape while measuring. This
>> board's 61-5/8", that one is 123mm.
>>
>>
>
>I'm getting there.
>
>But what is 0.525mm easier than 3/8" ?
It's not. But when DESIGNING in metric, everything is done in tens or
tenths, hunreds or hundredths. So 1MM is .01CM, none of the silly 12
inches to a foot, 3 feet to a yard, 36 inches to a yard etc, and none
of the .125 inches to the 1/8 inch. You design to the .1meter or
.01meter, or 12.5mm or whatever and never need to convert by anything
more complicated than moving decimal points to convert from one unit
to another.
On Feb 13, 8:07=A0pm, Larry Jaques <[email protected]>
wrote:
> On Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:23:04 -0800 (PST), Robatoy
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> <[email protected]> wrote:
> >On Feb 13, 12:19=A0pm, Stuart <[email protected]> wrote:
> >> In article <[email protected]>,
> >> =A0 =A0Mike Marlow <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >> > Hey All:
> >> > I want SAE on both edges of the tape.
>
> >> SAE?
>
> >> Society of automotive engineers, what kind of measurement is that?
>
> >> > So... having stopped by the local Ace Hardware to pick up a tape for=
a
> >> > friend, wasn't I surprised to find a basic tape (25' Ace brand) - ju=
st
> >> > 1/16"
>
> >> Oh! You're talking about feet and inches. You mean /imperial/ units!
>
> >> --
> >> Stuart Winsor
>
> >> Only plain text for emailshttp://www.asciiribbon.org
>
> >Mine reads in Planck Units.
>
> How is old Max, anyway? =A0What'd you pay for the quantum tape unit?
>
> --
> To use fear as the friend it is, we must retrain and reprogram ourselves.=
..
> We must persistently and convincingly tell ourselves that the fear is
> here--with its gift of energy and heightened awareness--so we can do our
> best and learn the most in the new situation.
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Peter McWilliams, Life 101
Finally somebody's awake...
On Feb 13, 12:19=A0pm, Stuart <[email protected]> wrote:
> In article <[email protected]>,
> =A0 =A0Mike Marlow <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > Hey All:
> > I want SAE on both edges of the tape.
>
> SAE?
>
> Society of automotive engineers, what kind of measurement is that?
>
> > So... having stopped by the local Ace Hardware to pick up a tape for a
> > friend, wasn't I surprised to find a basic tape (25' Ace brand) - just
> > 1/16"
>
> Oh! You're talking about feet and inches. You mean /imperial/ units!
If they're good enough for Darth Vader, they're good
enough for me.
Larry Jaques <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
>
> He did, and he blatantly overlooked the metric RCH.
> Ptooie, how many thou was that?
>
Don't worry, we'll just use nanometers, micrometers, or maybe picometers.
If we wanted to really confuse things, we could apply the SI prefixes to
inches.
Puckdropper
--
Make it to fit, don't make it fit.
Han <[email protected]> wrote in news:Xns9FF94F2E85281ikkezelf@
216.151.153.189:
>
> On the other hand, lumber being very anal retentive in nomenclature,
> width x length in mm of sheets of plywood, wallboard, or whatever is
> really interesting 122x244cm
>
With metric measurements, exact size should be easy, right? Do the
manufacturers still try to sell 18mm plywood that's only 17.2mm?
Puckdropper
--
Make it to fit, don't make it fit.
In article <[email protected]>,
Mike Marlow <[email protected]> wrote:
> Hey All:
> I want SAE on both edges of the tape.
SAE?
Society of automotive engineers, what kind of measurement is that?
> So... having stopped by the local Ace Hardware to pick up a tape for a
> friend, wasn't I surprised to find a basic tape (25' Ace brand) - just
> 1/16"
Oh! You're talking about feet and inches. You mean /imperial/ units!
--
Stuart Winsor
Only plain text for emails
http://www.asciiribbon.org
In article <[email protected]>,
Larry Jaques <[email protected]> wrote:
> >Mine reads in Planck Units.
> How is old Max, anyway? What'd you pay for the quantum tape unit?
I thing the divisions might be a bit close together for my old eyes
--
Stuart Winsor
Only plain text for emails
http://www.asciiribbon.org
In article <[email protected]>,
Larry Jaques <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:02:56 -0500, "Mike Marlow"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
> >Larry Jaques wrote:
> >
> >>
> >> I've been known to use both sides of the tape while measuring. This
> >> board's 61-5/8", that one is 123mm.
> >
> >Oh... that would seriously mess with my brain...
> It only happens when I'm matching board lengths and I measure the
> first board. If it lines up precisely with the metric side of the tape
> and is in between ticks on the imperial, I use the metric scale.
> Not a prob.
Same here.
--
Stuart Winsor
Only plain text for emails
http://www.asciiribbon.org
On Feb 13, 5:12=A0pm, "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
wrote:
> I am surprised no one had brought this up. =A0When starting in the
> trades, I learned to use a tape upside down. =A0So did everyone else.
> It wasn't an option, unless you were left handed. =A0Think about it; if
> the majority of your dexterity lies in your right hand, this will make
> perfect sense.
>
> Hold the tape in your left hand, hook the blade (you may have to slide
> it out many, many feet when framing a roof or other tasks) after
> carefully guiding the hook to the end of the board. =A0You extend the
> tape and mark with your right hand, the hand you write with and
> perform other detailed tasks. =A0Slip the hook up on the tape, and while
> it is retracting in your left hand, put your pencil behind your ear,
> then get your speed square with your right hand. =A0It's all one big
> motion. =A0You never locked the tape; it was held in your left hand just
> long enough to make your mark.
>
> ((At this same time, you learn to cut with the shoe of the saw on the
> board, not the motor side. =A0This allows you to see EXACTLY the point
> of contact and the accuracy of the cut. =A0Plus, you don't have to
> change sides from where you measured.))
>
> It was not taught to measure left to right. =A0To do that, you had to
> hook the tape, extend it where you need it (so far, so good) but then
> there was monkey motion in getting the tape locked with your right
> hand, retrieving the pencil with the right hand after locking the
> tape, balancing the tape on the material to be cut, marking, then
> unlocking the tape (which you would do with your right hand, which
> should be putting the pencil behind your ear and reaching for the
> square) and then finally get to the speed square for your saw line.
>
> Too much activity for a cut, and imagine all that over the course of
> cutting all day. =A0Not to mention all the times the tape will fall over
> (which it never does when you are holding it in your left hand) or you
> lose your hook if you bump your material or the tape slips when
> locked. =A0Then you have to start over with your measuring.
>
> If you could mark perfectly every single time with your left hand
> (mine is an untrained idiot), you were allowed to measure left to
> right. =A0But if you were slow, clumsy, or needed more practice in your
> cutting motion, you went back to being a mule.
>
> I decided to learn as I was taught. =A0Being the "saw man" was a step up
> in job site status, plus when I was cutting the headers, rafters,
> joists, bucks, etc., was sure a lot easier than having to haul them
> all day as a laborer.
>
> With almost 40 years of that in mind, I read my tapes upside down, and
> can't easily decipher any tape that has too much stuff on it. =A0I was
> confounded years ago when the fractionalized tapes came out as the
> clutter confused my dull mind. =A0And I think it was soon discovered
> that in the industry that "2 little sticks" was the common description
> of 1/8" for some, and I even had helpers tell me that the fractions
> they saw on a tape were "for something else". =A0What, they didn't
> know. =A0Maybe something scientific. =A0Baking, perhaps?
>
> I was glad when that trend subsided. =A0But the advent of combo metric
> tape measures a few years ago muddied the water for me again. =A0Now
> most tapes I see are covered with unneeded and unwanted information
> and if I don't have my glasses, sometimes I am up against it with
> smaller tapes.
>
> I don't want much. =A0Sometimes I just want a long, retracting ruler
> with one scale on it. =A0 I have them and can find them, but I just
> wouldn't think it would be a challenge to do so.
>
> Robert
I guess that's what I do (did). Just never stopped to figure out why I
did it that way. Seriously, I never even noticed the tape was upside
down. (Maybe because I learned to read upside down in French
literature in highschool.. HAD to cheat to get through that course.)
On 2/13/2012 9:56 PM, [email protected] wrote:
> On Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:31:57 -0600, Richard<[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>> On 2/13/2012 9:06 PM, Larry Jaques wrote:
>>> On Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:04:32 -0500, "busbus"<[email protected]>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Stuart"<[email protected]> wrote in message
>>>> news:[email protected]...
>>>>>> I want SAE on both edges of the tape.
>>>>>
>>>>> SAE?
>>>>>
>>>>> Society of automotive engineers, what kind of measurement is that?
>>>>>
>>>>>> So... having stopped by the local Ace Hardware to pick up a tape for a
>>>>>> friend, wasn't I surprised to find a basic tape (25' Ace brand) - just
>>>>>> 1/16"
>>>>>
>>>>> Oh! You're talking about feet and inches. You mean /imperial/ units!
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Then you have something called "BobsRule" which is in units called "bobs"
>>>> (whatever they are):
>>>>
>>>> http://www.whitechapel-ltd.com/hardware/bobsrule/bobsrule.shtml
>>>
>>> LoREENA Bobbit made up her own rule.
>>>
>>> I've been known to use both sides of the tape while measuring. This
>>> board's 61-5/8", that one is 123mm.
>>>
>>>
>>
>> I'm getting there.
>>
>> But what is 0.525mm easier than 3/8" ?
> It's not. But when DESIGNING in metric, everything is done in tens or
> tenths, hunreds or hundredths. So 1MM is .01CM, none of the silly 12
> inches to a foot, 3 feet to a yard, 36 inches to a yard etc, and none
> of the .125 inches to the 1/8 inch. You design to the .1meter or
> .01meter, or 12.5mm or whatever and never need to convert by anything
> more complicated than moving decimal points to convert from one unit
> to another.
Ok, but why would I WANT TO do that???
It's damned difficult to eyeball 2 mm vs 3,
But dividing spaces into successive halves is easy.
I can reliably estimate 3/23" Half way between 1/16 and 1/8.
Call them silly if you want, but I'm not buying it as long as Greenwich
runs on base 60/60/24/30,31,29or maybe 29.
Although I have to admit getting away from
pounds/shillings/pence/ha'pennies was a good idea. Shame it's not
working so well.
On 2/13/2012 11:05 PM, Richard wrote:
> On 2/13/2012 9:56 PM, [email protected] wrote:
>> On Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:31:57 -0600, Richard<[email protected]>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> On 2/13/2012 9:06 PM, Larry Jaques wrote:
>>>> On Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:04:32 -0500, "busbus"<[email protected]>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> "Stuart"<[email protected]> wrote in message
>>>>> news:[email protected]...
>>>>>>> I want SAE on both edges of the tape.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> SAE?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Society of automotive engineers, what kind of measurement is that?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> So... having stopped by the local Ace Hardware to pick up a tape
>>>>>>> for a
>>>>>>> friend, wasn't I surprised to find a basic tape (25' Ace brand) -
>>>>>>> just
>>>>>>> 1/16"
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Oh! You're talking about feet and inches. You mean /imperial/ units!
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Then you have something called "BobsRule" which is in units called
>>>>> "bobs"
>>>>> (whatever they are):
>>>>>
>>>>> http://www.whitechapel-ltd.com/hardware/bobsrule/bobsrule.shtml
>>>>
>>>> LoREENA Bobbit made up her own rule.
>>>>
>>>> I've been known to use both sides of the tape while measuring. This
>>>> board's 61-5/8", that one is 123mm.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> I'm getting there.
>>>
>>> But what is 0.525mm easier than 3/8" ?
>> It's not. But when DESIGNING in metric, everything is done in tens or
>> tenths, hunreds or hundredths. So 1MM is .01CM, none of the silly 12
>> inches to a foot, 3 feet to a yard, 36 inches to a yard etc, and none
>> of the .125 inches to the 1/8 inch. You design to the .1meter or
>> .01meter, or 12.5mm or whatever and never need to convert by anything
>> more complicated than moving decimal points to convert from one unit
>> to another.
>
>
> Ok, but why would I WANT TO do that???
> It's damned difficult to eyeball 2 mm vs 3,
> But dividing spaces into successive halves is easy.
> I can reliably estimate 3/23" Half way between 1/16 and 1/8.
>
> Call them silly if you want, but I'm not buying it as long as Greenwich
> runs on base 60/60/24/30,31,29or maybe 29.
>
> Although I have to admit getting away from
> pounds/shillings/pence/ha'pennies was a good idea. Shame it's not
> working so well.
>
>
>
>
AND! Even the type is so obvious anybody would catch it.
That's not so obvious in mm.
On 2/13/2012 10:47 PM, Larry Jaques wrote:
> On Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:02:56 -0500, "Mike Marlow"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Larry Jaques wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> I've been known to use both sides of the tape while measuring. This
>>> board's 61-5/8", that one is 123mm.
>>
>> Oh... that would seriously mess with my brain...
>
> It only happens when I'm matching board lengths and I measure the
> first board. If it lines up precisely with the metric side of the tape
> and is in between ticks on the imperial, I use the metric scale.
> Not a prob.
>
> --
> Fear not those who argue but those who dodge.
> -- Marie Ebner von Eschenbach
I do that one too.
But I wasn't going to admit it first...
On Feb 12, 6:41=A0pm, DanG <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> I agree totally about the idiot tapes. =A0I bought one for one of my
> "always counting little marks" fellas. =A0It didn't help him all that muc=
h
> and I can't stand to use it. =A0I also don't like all the strange ways of
> locking the tape. =A0I prefer and will only buy the old original (well,
> not metal cased anymore-sadly) Stanley PowerLoc.
When were they other than chrome-plated plastic? As for
the tape markings, Stanley hit it right decades ago. Simple
1" and 1/16" ticks and bold numbers can't be improved upon.
Extra metric or otherwise scales on the opposite edge just
increase your chances of error.
Larry Jaques wrote:
>
> I've been known to use both sides of the tape while measuring. This
> board's 61-5/8", that one is 123mm.
Oh... that would seriously mess with my brain...
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
On Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:04:27 -0500, "Mike Marlow"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>[email protected] wrote:
>
>>>
>>> But what is 0.525mm easier than 3/8" ?
>> It's not. But when DESIGNING in metric, everything is done in tens or
>> tenths, hunreds or hundredths. So 1MM is .01CM, none of the silly 12
>> inches to a foot, 3 feet to a yard, 36 inches to a yard etc, and none
>> of the .125 inches to the 1/8 inch. You design to the .1meter or
>> .01meter, or 12.5mm or whatever and never need to convert by anything
>> more complicated than moving decimal points to convert from one unit
>> to another.
>
>Ha! - you make it sound so easy...
It is. Working with wood and present dimensional material is not, but
designing a new machined part is a snap. If you start with rough
lumber, you can plane it to 19mm easy enough but with a 2 x 4 you'd be
off .1 from a round number. 38.1 x 88.9
Designing a new part and new machined tool, metric is a snap with very
few less than full mm dimensions.
[email protected] wrote:
>>
>> But what is 0.525mm easier than 3/8" ?
> It's not. But when DESIGNING in metric, everything is done in tens or
> tenths, hunreds or hundredths. So 1MM is .01CM, none of the silly 12
> inches to a foot, 3 feet to a yard, 36 inches to a yard etc, and none
> of the .125 inches to the 1/8 inch. You design to the .1meter or
> .01meter, or 12.5mm or whatever and never need to convert by anything
> more complicated than moving decimal points to convert from one unit
> to another.
Ha! - you make it sound so easy...
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
CW wrote:
> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
>
> On Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:04:27 -0500, "Mike Marlow"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>
>> Ha! - you make it sound so easy...
> It is. You just need to re-boot your brain and forget everything you
> knew about measurement units except TEN. How many mm in a Km?
> 1000000. just 1000 in a meter and 1000 meters in a Km.
> Try that with inches in a mile.
Oh - I know how the metric system works. I was trying to express a light
hearted thought.
> Actually, fractions are only used by the construction trades and
> others who don't require great accuracy. The engineering disciplines
> use either metric or decimal inch. The scientific community has been
> using metric as standard for many years. Yes, the metric system is a
> far better system but many resist it because they are used to the
> imperial system.
You hit it on the head - that's why I had said in an earlier post that you
can't teach an old dog new tricks... or better said, you can't teach an old
dog what he does not want to mess with because he's too comfortable with
what he grew up with. That just doesn't have the same ring to it...
>
> Which is simplest???????
The one I don't have to think about.
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
Keith Nuttle wrote:
>>
> It is not as much of a problem when you loose a cheap tape as when you
> loose and expensive one.
>
> I am getting old and found that by buying a bunch of cheap tapes and
> having them all around the shop and house I can always find one. There was
> a point when I was spending more time looking for the
> expensive tape than I was doing projects that required a tape.
And - isn't it just rediculous that the same tape with a Stanley nameplate
will cost over twice as much as that Ace brand tape! So... the value is...
where? Of course if it were a Festool...
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
On 2/13/2012 11:19 AM, Stuart wrote:
> In article<[email protected]>,
> Mike Marlow<[email protected]> wrote:
>> Hey All:
>> I want SAE on both edges of the tape.
>
> SAE?
>
> Society of automotive engineers, what kind of measurement is that?
>
>> So... having stopped by the local Ace Hardware to pick up a tape for a
>> friend, wasn't I surprised to find a basic tape (25' Ace brand) - just
>> 1/16"
>
> Oh! You're talking about feet and inches. You mean /imperial/ units!
>
I believe he was referring to SAE as opposed to Metric. As in INCHES.
and fractions thereof. Like the wrenches. SAE or metric. hello?
--
Steve Barker
remove the "not" from my address to email
On Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:23:04 -0800 (PST), Robatoy
<[email protected]> wrote:
>On Feb 13, 12:19 pm, Stuart <[email protected]> wrote:
>> In article <[email protected]>,
>> Mike Marlow <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>> > Hey All:
>> > I want SAE on both edges of the tape.
>>
>> SAE?
>>
>> Society of automotive engineers, what kind of measurement is that?
>>
>> > So... having stopped by the local Ace Hardware to pick up a tape for a
>> > friend, wasn't I surprised to find a basic tape (25' Ace brand) - just
>> > 1/16"
>>
>> Oh! You're talking about feet and inches. You mean /imperial/ units!
>>
>> --
>> Stuart Winsor
>>
>> Only plain text for emailshttp://www.asciiribbon.org
>
>Mine reads in Planck Units.
How is old Max, anyway? What'd you pay for the quantum tape unit?
--
To use fear as the friend it is, we must retrain and reprogram ourselves...
We must persistently and convincingly tell ourselves that the fear is
here--with its gift of energy and heightened awareness--so we can do our
best and learn the most in the new situation.
Peter McWilliams, Life 101
On 2/13/2012 11:19 AM, Stuart wrote:
> In article<[email protected]>,
> Mike Marlow<[email protected]> wrote:
>> Hey All:
>> I want SAE on both edges of the tape.
>
> SAE?
>
> Society of automotive engineers, what kind of measurement is that?
That depends upon your scientific discipline of study over here ... if
you were a geologist the standard would be "API". :)
--
www.eWoodShop.com
Last update: 4/15/2010
KarlCaillouet@ (the obvious)
http://gplus.to/eWoodShop
wrote in message news:[email protected]...
On Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:04:27 -0500, "Mike Marlow"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>[email protected] wrote:
>
>>>
>>> But what is 0.525mm easier than 3/8" ?
>> It's not. But when DESIGNING in metric, everything is done in tens or
>> tenths, hunreds or hundredths. So 1MM is .01CM, none of the silly 12
>> inches to a foot, 3 feet to a yard, 36 inches to a yard etc, and none
>> of the .125 inches to the 1/8 inch. You design to the .1meter or
>> .01meter, or 12.5mm or whatever and never need to convert by anything
>> more complicated than moving decimal points to convert from one unit
>> to another.
>
>Ha! - you make it sound so easy...
It is. You just need to re-boot your brain and forget everything you
knew about measurement units except TEN. How many mm in a Km?
1000000. just 1000 in a meter and 1000 meters in a Km.
Try that with inches in a mile.
How many conversion factors do you need to know?
12 inches in a foot, and 5280 feet in a mile, for 63360 inches per
mile. Now, how many Cm in a Km? move the decimal point and you have
100000.
How many yard in a mile? 1760.
How many meters in a Km? Move the decimal point - 1000.
How many rods in a mile? or chains? or furlongs?
Then you go to area.
How many square meters in a Hectare? 1000000 (1000 X 1000 = 1 sq Km)
How many square yards in a square mile? (section) (1760X1760=) 3097600
How many square yards in an acre? 4840
How many acres in a section? 640
Then you go to weight.
How many grams in a tonne? A tonne is 1000 Kg - so 1000 X 1000 again.
Grams in a Kg? - 1000.
Oz in a pound? 16
lbs in a ton? 2000
Oz in a ton? 2000X16 = 32000
Unless you are talking precious metals or pharmaceuticals.
Liquid measure?
How many ml in a liter? 1000
Compared to how many oz in a quart (which one?) or cup, or pint. And
how many cupc in a pint, or quart, or gallon???
Yes, the metric system IS simple.
And easier to be more accurate. 1mm is just less than .039"
.5mm is like .017, more or less, and .1mm is .0039, so .01mm os .0004,
rounded up. - and you Americans measure in fractions instead of
decimals.
====================================================================
Actually, fractions are only used by the construction trades and others who
don't require great accuracy. The engineering disciplines use either metric
or decimal inch. The scientific community has been using metric as standard
for many years. Yes, the metric system is a far better system but many
resist it because they are used to the imperial system. As an engineer, I
really didn't want to see the change either for that reason. At some point
though, people are going to have to suffer a little and change over. Not
only is it easier to use and to teach, our mechanical products would be
much more attractive to foreign buyers. Right now, if one was to buy a piece
of American machinery, they have to factor in the cost of tools that may not
have any other use. I'm retired, go ahead and switch. :)
The smallest common measurement is the 64th of an inch -
about .016" - or .4mm
Multiply that by 5, for 5/64 - or multiply .4mm by 5 and get 2mm.
Which is simplest???????
"Mike Marlow" <[email protected]> wrote in news:88d71$4f39de92
[email protected]:
> [email protected] wrote:
>
>>>
>>> But what is 0.525mm easier than 3/8" ?
>> It's not. But when DESIGNING in metric, everything is done in tens or
>> tenths, hunreds or hundredths. So 1MM is .01CM, none of the silly 12
>> inches to a foot, 3 feet to a yard, 36 inches to a yard etc, and none
>> of the .125 inches to the 1/8 inch. You design to the .1meter or
>> .01meter, or 12.5mm or whatever and never need to convert by anything
>> more complicated than moving decimal points to convert from one unit
>> to another.
>
> Ha! - you make it sound so easy...
Unfortunately, it is also wrong, or at least inaccurate.
1 mm=0.1 cm, not 0.01 cm.
For woodworking, 0.525 mm is the same as 0.5 mm, or 0.0206692913 inch, or
however many in fractional inches. 0.525 mm is orders of magnitude
different from 3/8".
--
Best regards
Han
email address is invalid
Puckdropper <puckdropper(at)yahoo(dot)com> wrote in news:4f39ef8e$0$5486
[email protected]:
> If we wanted to really confuse things, we could apply the SI prefixes to
> inches.
That would then be Silly Itsy SAE ...
--
Best regards
Han
email address is invalid
Ed Pawlowski <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> On Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:04:27 -0500, "Mike Marlow"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>[email protected] wrote:
>>
>>>>
>>>> But what is 0.525mm easier than 3/8" ?
>>> It's not. But when DESIGNING in metric, everything is done in tens or
>>> tenths, hunreds or hundredths. So 1MM is .01CM, none of the silly 12
>>> inches to a foot, 3 feet to a yard, 36 inches to a yard etc, and none
>>> of the .125 inches to the 1/8 inch. You design to the .1meter or
>>> .01meter, or 12.5mm or whatever and never need to convert by anything
>>> more complicated than moving decimal points to convert from one unit
>>> to another.
>>
>>Ha! - you make it sound so easy...
>
> It is. Working with wood and present dimensional material is not, but
> designing a new machined part is a snap. If you start with rough
> lumber, you can plane it to 19mm easy enough but with a 2 x 4 you'd be
> off .1 from a round number. 38.1 x 88.9
>
> Designing a new part and new machined tool, metric is a snap with very
> few less than full mm dimensions.
On the other hand, lumber being very anal retentive in nomenclature,
width x length in mm of sheets of plywood, wallboard, or whatever is
really interesting 122x244cm
--
Best regards
Han
email address is invalid
Puckdropper <puckdropper(at)yahoo(dot)com> wrote in news:4f3a6558$0$2328
[email protected]:
> With metric measurements, exact size should be easy, right? Do the
> manufacturers still try to sell 18mm plywood that's only 17.2mm?
>
Do they still sell 1 lb coffeecans with 12 oz of loosely ground coffee?
--
Best regards
Han
email address is invalid
DanG wrote:
> I agree totally about the idiot tapes. I bought one for one of my
> "always counting little marks" fellas. It didn't help him all that
> much and I can't stand to use it. I also don't like all the strange
> ways of locking the tape. I prefer and will only buy the old
> original (well, not metal cased anymore-sadly) Stanley PowerLoc.
I used to like the Stanley Lever Loc because I liked that squeeze the bottom
feature, to retract the tape. The one I have now is not that old and the
damned thing will not hold the tape in position if laid on the table. As
much as I like them, this one is going to the realm of "use by others", and
I'm going to buy a couple more of those Ace tapes for myself.
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
On 2/13/2012 9:06 PM, Larry Jaques wrote:
> On Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:04:32 -0500, "busbus"<[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>>
>> "Stuart"<[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>>> I want SAE on both edges of the tape.
>>>
>>> SAE?
>>>
>>> Society of automotive engineers, what kind of measurement is that?
>>>
>>>> So... having stopped by the local Ace Hardware to pick up a tape for a
>>>> friend, wasn't I surprised to find a basic tape (25' Ace brand) - just
>>>> 1/16"
>>>
>>> Oh! You're talking about feet and inches. You mean /imperial/ units!
>>>
>>
>> Then you have something called "BobsRule" which is in units called "bobs"
>> (whatever they are):
>>
>> http://www.whitechapel-ltd.com/hardware/bobsrule/bobsrule.shtml
>
> LoREENA Bobbit made up her own rule.
>
> I've been known to use both sides of the tape while measuring. This
> board's 61-5/8", that one is 123mm.
>
>
I'm getting there.
But what is 0.525mm easier than 3/8" ?
On Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:02:56 -0500, "Mike Marlow"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Larry Jaques wrote:
>
>>
>> I've been known to use both sides of the tape while measuring. This
>> board's 61-5/8", that one is 123mm.
>
>Oh... that would seriously mess with my brain...
It only happens when I'm matching board lengths and I measure the
first board. If it lines up precisely with the metric side of the tape
and is in between ticks on the imperial, I use the metric scale.
Not a prob.
--
Fear not those who argue but those who dodge.
-- Marie Ebner von Eschenbach
Stuart wrote:
> In article <[email protected]>,
> Mike Marlow <[email protected]> wrote:
>> Hey All:
>> I want SAE on both edges of the tape.
>
> SAE?
>
> Society of automotive engineers, what kind of measurement is that?
>
>> So... having stopped by the local Ace Hardware to pick up a tape for
>> a friend, wasn't I surprised to find a basic tape (25' Ace brand) -
>> just 1/16"
>
> Oh! You're talking about feet and inches. You mean /imperial/ units!
Yeah...
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
On 2/12/2012 4:51 PM, Mike Marlow wrote:
> Hey All:
>
> I don't know how many of you are like me, but I hate all of the tape
> measures on the market today. I don't want metric on one edge with SAE on
> the other. I want SAE on both edges of the tape. I don't think or measure
> in metric increments, so I don't want that taking up valuable space on my
> tape. I hate it if I have to move my tape to mark a measurement, just
> because there is some irrelevant markings along the edge I happened to drag
> for marking.
>
> Likewise - i can read a tape measure. I don't want and I don't like the
> clutter of the new generation of idiot proof tapes that actually label 1/8,
> 1/4, 1/2, etc. for those that don't know how to read the simple marks on a
> tape.
>
> So... having stopped by the local Ace Hardware to pick up a tape for a
> friend, wasn't I surprised to find a basic tape (25' Ace brand) - just 1/16"
> ticks on both edges of the tape. No idiot stuff, no metric stuff. Fits
> your hand nice, has a really nice positive lock that locks and unlocks
> easily holds the tape firmly. The best part - only 7 bucks and change!
> Hell - I wasn't going to spend a lot of money on a give away tape...
>
Now if only it comes in a 12' version.
FastCap makes what you would want too.
Robatoy wrote:
> On Feb 13, 12:19 pm, Stuart <[email protected]> wrote:
>> In article <[email protected]>,
>> Mike Marlow <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>> Hey All:
>>> I want SAE on both edges of the tape.
>>
>> SAE?
>>
>> Society of automotive engineers, what kind of measurement is that?
>>
>>> So... having stopped by the local Ace Hardware to pick up a tape
>>> for a friend, wasn't I surprised to find a basic tape (25' Ace
>>> brand) - just 1/16"
>>
>> Oh! You're talking about feet and inches. You mean /imperial/ units!
>>
>> --
>> Stuart Winsor
>>
>> Only plain text for emailshttp://www.asciiribbon.org
>
> Mine reads in Planck Units.
Naturally...
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
m II wrote:
> Nothing like being tied up in a knot with a tape measure, balancing
> off the side of a ladder, and only one hand to operate the tape
> measure extended past it's normal holding strength only to find the
> metric on the side you need to get that 1/32" accuracy for that crown
> moulding cut.
>
> Double measurement tapes should be banned as they are so hard too hide
> in the garbage can after the wrapping paper is ripped off the gift
> from a well meaning friend. You keep it around and sooner or later
> you will pick it up with many regrets.
>
You hit it right on the head! If I worked in both metric and SAE, that
would be one thing, but I don't so it really annoys me to stretch a tape -
especially in an awkward setting, only to find that the edge I need to read
is not what I need. I'm too old to teach new tricks to, so I stick with
what I'm familiar with in matters like this. If I did work in metric, I
would probably have a metric tape around for those times when I needed it,
and not deal with the hassle of not being able to read one edge for the
measuring system I'm using.
FWIW, I saw some tapes at Harbor Freight the other day that looked like they
would be worth purchasing. Fit the hand well, good positive lock (that's a
big one for me...), $3.00 - a great price, and felt pretty sturdy. Pulled
out the tape on just about every model they had on the rack, and all of them
were either dual scale, or worse... the idiot versions with the fractional
markings on them. My eye just can't warm to those after all these years of
recognizing ticks. The older ya get, the easier it is to confuse the
eyes...
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
On 14 Feb 2012 12:40:41 GMT, Han <[email protected]> wrote:
>"Mike Marlow" <[email protected]> wrote in news:88d71$4f39de92
>[email protected]:
>
>> [email protected] wrote:
>>
>>>>
>>>> But what is 0.525mm easier than 3/8" ?
>>> It's not. But when DESIGNING in metric, everything is done in tens or
>>> tenths, hunreds or hundredths. So 1MM is .01CM, none of the silly 12
>>> inches to a foot, 3 feet to a yard, 36 inches to a yard etc, and none
>>> of the .125 inches to the 1/8 inch. You design to the .1meter or
>>> .01meter, or 12.5mm or whatever and never need to convert by anything
>>> more complicated than moving decimal points to convert from one unit
>>> to another.
>>
>> Ha! - you make it sound so easy...
>
>Unfortunately, it is also wrong, or at least inaccurate.
>1 mm=0.1 cm, not 0.01 cm.
>For woodworking, 0.525 mm is the same as 0.5 mm, or 0.0206692913 inch, or
>however many in fractional inches. 0.525 mm is orders of magnitude
>different from 3/8".
You got me Han. Moved the decimal point one too far.
MM to CM is 1 point. (factor of 10) CM to M is 2 points (factor of
100) M to Km is 3 point (factor of 1000)
On Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:04:32 -0500, "busbus" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>
>"Stuart" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>>> I want SAE on both edges of the tape.
>>
>> SAE?
>>
>> Society of automotive engineers, what kind of measurement is that?
>>
>>> So... having stopped by the local Ace Hardware to pick up a tape for a
>>> friend, wasn't I surprised to find a basic tape (25' Ace brand) - just
>>> 1/16"
>>
>> Oh! You're talking about feet and inches. You mean /imperial/ units!
>>
>
>Then you have something called "BobsRule" which is in units called "bobs"
>(whatever they are):
>
>http://www.whitechapel-ltd.com/hardware/bobsrule/bobsrule.shtml
LoREENA Bobbit made up her own rule.
I've been known to use both sides of the tape while measuring. This
board's 61-5/8", that one is 123mm.
--
Fear not those who argue but those who dodge.
-- Marie Ebner von Eschenbach
On 2/12/2012 4:51 PM, Mike Marlow wrote:
> Hey All:
>
> I don't know how many of you are like me, but I hate all of the tape
> measures on the market today. I don't want metric on one edge with SAE on
> the other. I want SAE on both edges of the tape. I don't think or measure
> in metric increments, so I don't want that taking up valuable space on my
> tape. I hate it if I have to move my tape to mark a measurement, just
> because there is some irrelevant markings along the edge I happened to drag
> for marking.
>
> Likewise - i can read a tape measure. I don't want and I don't like the
> clutter of the new generation of idiot proof tapes that actually label 1/8,
> 1/4, 1/2, etc. for those that don't know how to read the simple marks on a
> tape.
>
> So... having stopped by the local Ace Hardware to pick up a tape for a
> friend, wasn't I surprised to find a basic tape (25' Ace brand) - just 1/16"
> ticks on both edges of the tape. No idiot stuff, no metric stuff. Fits
> your hand nice, has a really nice positive lock that locks and unlocks
> easily holds the tape firmly. The best part - only 7 bucks and change!
> Hell - I wasn't going to spend a lot of money on a give away tape...
>
I agree totally about the idiot tapes. I bought one for one of my
"always counting little marks" fellas. It didn't help him all that much
and I can't stand to use it. I also don't like all the strange ways of
locking the tape. I prefer and will only buy the old original (well,
not metal cased anymore-sadly) Stanley PowerLoc.
--
___________________________________
Keep the whole world singing . . .
Dan G
remove the seven
On 2/12/2012 5:51 PM, Mike Marlow wrote:
> Hey All:
>
> I don't know how many of you are like me, but I hate all of the tape
> measures on the market today. I don't want metric on one edge with SAE on
> the other. I want SAE on both edges of the tape. I don't think or measure
> in metric increments, so I don't want that taking up valuable space on my
> tape. I hate it if I have to move my tape to mark a measurement, just
> because there is some irrelevant markings along the edge I happened to drag
> for marking.
>
> Likewise - i can read a tape measure. I don't want and I don't like the
> clutter of the new generation of idiot proof tapes that actually label 1/8,
> 1/4, 1/2, etc. for those that don't know how to read the simple marks on a
> tape.
>
> So... having stopped by the local Ace Hardware to pick up a tape for a
> friend, wasn't I surprised to find a basic tape (25' Ace brand) - just 1/16"
> ticks on both edges of the tape. No idiot stuff, no metric stuff. Fits
> your hand nice, has a really nice positive lock that locks and unlocks
> easily holds the tape firmly. The best part - only 7 bucks and change!
> Hell - I wasn't going to spend a lot of money on a give away tape...
>
It is not as much of a problem when you loose a cheap tape as when you
loose and expensive one.
I am getting old and found that by buying a bunch of cheap tapes and
having them all around the shop and house I can always find one. There
was a point when I was spending more time looking for the expensive tape
than I was doing projects that required a tape.
On 2/13/2012 7:00 AM, Leon wrote:
> On 2/12/2012 4:51 PM, Mike Marlow wrote:
>> Hey All:
>> I don't know how many of you are like me, but I hate all of the tape
>> measures on the market today.
>> So... having stopped by the local Ace Hardware to pick up a tape for a
>> friend, wasn't I surprised to find a basic tape (25' Ace brand) - just
>> 1/16" ticks on both edges of the tape. No idiot stuff, no metric stuff. Fits
>> your hand nice, has a really nice positive lock that locks and unlocks
>> easily holds the tape firmly. The best part - only 7 bucks and change!
>> Hell - I wasn't going to spend a lot of money on a give away tape...
Yes, that is what I want in a tape. My favorite is a Stanley 33-312, a
12 footer. Before that I had a 10 footer that I lost or broke. My only
complaint about the Stanley is it has 1/32 marks on the first 12 inches
on one side. I don't need no stinking 1/32 markings on either side.
> Now if only it comes in a 12' version.
> FastCap makes what you would want too.
Recently, I bought a FastCap ProCarpenter 16' Old Standby on a
recommendation from some on this rec. Nope, don't like it. First, it
is 16', the smallest they had, and it's a bit too big for my cabinet
work, I like 12' or less. The return spring is a bit too powerful for
my tastes, the Stanley's have better feel, imo. I have cheap tapes from
the $1 barrel bin that have better feeling spring than the Fastcap.
The main issue though is the markings. The damned thing has 1/32
markings on BOTH sides of the tape for the first 12". I HATE 1/32"
markings, don't use them, don't need them, don't want them. At least my
Stanely has those only on *one* side of the first 12". If the Fastcap
had *only* 1/16" markings, and a slightly weaker spring, and was 12',
I'd say it was good tape for my shop.
I guess I should say what I like about the Fastcap, I like the rubber
shell. The pencil sharpener would be good out of my shop, the duel locks
is nice, the robust, 4 rivet front tab is excellent, and over all, it
feels durable. I would like it for carpentry work outside. In my
cabinet shop, where I don't need 16", nor 1/32" markings, not so much.
--
Jack
Add Life to your Days not Days to your Life.
http://jbstein.com
"Stuart" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>> I want SAE on both edges of the tape.
>
> SAE?
>
> Society of automotive engineers, what kind of measurement is that?
>
>> So... having stopped by the local Ace Hardware to pick up a tape for a
>> friend, wasn't I surprised to find a basic tape (25' Ace brand) - just
>> 1/16"
>
> Oh! You're talking about feet and inches. You mean /imperial/ units!
>
Then you have something called "BobsRule" which is in units called "bobs"
(whatever they are):
http://www.whitechapel-ltd.com/hardware/bobsrule/bobsrule.shtml
On 2/13/2012 6:48 PM, Father Haskell wrote:
> On Feb 12, 6:41 pm, DanG<[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>> I agree totally about the idiot tapes. I bought one for one of my
>> "always counting little marks" fellas. It didn't help him all that much
>> and I can't stand to use it. I also don't like all the strange ways of
>> locking the tape. I prefer and will only buy the old original (well,
>> not metal cased anymore-sadly) Stanley PowerLoc.
>
> When were they other than chrome-plated plastic? As for
> the tape markings, Stanley hit it right decades ago. Simple
> 1" and 1/16" ticks and bold numbers can't be improved upon.
> Extra metric or otherwise scales on the opposite edge just
> increase your chances of error.
>
>
When the longest one they made was 16' and it was still good economics
to replace the tape blades. Once they went plastic, it was easier to
buy the whole guts (spring and tape in a cartridge), now I just toss
them. I do keep the tape if it is pristine to replace one that somebody
steps on or nicks with a blade or snips.
--
___________________________________
Keep the whole world singing . . .
Dan G
remove the seven
On 14 Feb 2012 05:22:22 GMT, Puckdropper
<puckdropper(at)yahoo(dot)com> wrote:
>Larry Jaques <[email protected]> wrote in
>news:[email protected]:
>
>>
>> He did, and he blatantly overlooked the metric RCH.
>> Ptooie, how many thou was that?
>>
>
>Don't worry, we'll just use nanometers, micrometers, or maybe picometers.
Yabbut, the term "RCH" has such a wonderful je ne sais quoi about it.
>If we wanted to really confuse things, we could apply the SI prefixes to
>inches.
How about using "portions of a parsec"?
--
Fear not those who argue but those who dodge.
-- Marie Ebner von Eschenbach
On Tue, 14 Feb 2012 08:13:26 -0600, Steve Barker
<[email protected]> wrote:
>On 2/13/2012 6:48 PM, Father Haskell wrote:
>> On Feb 12, 6:41 pm, DanG<[email protected]> wrote:
>>>
>>> I agree totally about the idiot tapes. I bought one for one of my
>>> "always counting little marks" fellas. It didn't help him all that much
>>> and I can't stand to use it. I also don't like all the strange ways of
>>> locking the tape. I prefer and will only buy the old original (well,
>>> not metal cased anymore-sadly) Stanley PowerLoc.
>>
>> When were they other than chrome-plated plastic? As for
>> the tape markings, Stanley hit it right decades ago. Simple
>> 1" and 1/16" ticks and bold numbers can't be improved upon.
>> Extra metric or otherwise scales on the opposite edge just
>> increase your chances of error.
>>
>>
>
>the two 12 footers that my dad had my whole growing up were metal cased.
> I remember him buying replacement tapes for them several times. I'll
>bet he still has them somewhere in his array of stuff.
I still have at least 2. Somewhere.
On Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:04:27 -0500, "Mike Marlow"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>[email protected] wrote:
>
>>>
>>> But what is 0.525mm easier than 3/8" ?
>> It's not. But when DESIGNING in metric, everything is done in tens or
>> tenths, hunreds or hundredths. So 1MM is .01CM, none of the silly 12
>> inches to a foot, 3 feet to a yard, 36 inches to a yard etc, and none
>> of the .125 inches to the 1/8 inch. You design to the .1meter or
>> .01meter, or 12.5mm or whatever and never need to convert by anything
>> more complicated than moving decimal points to convert from one unit
>> to another.
>
>Ha! - you make it sound so easy...
It is. You just need to re-boot your brain and forget everything you
knew about measurement units except TEN. How many mm in a Km?
1000000. just 1000 in a meter and 1000 meters in a Km.
Try that with inches in a mile.
How many conversion factors do you need to know?
12 inches in a foot, and 5280 feet in a mile, for 63360 inches per
mile. Now, how many Cm in a Km? move the decimal point and you have
100000.
How many yard in a mile? 1760.
How many meters in a Km? Move the decimal point - 1000.
How many rods in a mile? or chains? or furlongs?
Then you go to area.
How many square meters in a Hectare? 1000000 (1000 X 1000 = 1 sq Km)
How many square yards in a square mile? (section) (1760X1760=) 3097600
How many square yards in an acre? 4840
How many acres in a section? 640
Then you go to weight.
How many grams in a tonne? A tonne is 1000 Kg - so 1000 X 1000 again.
Grams in a Kg? - 1000.
Oz in a pound? 16
lbs in a ton? 2000
Oz in a ton? 2000X16 = 32000
Unless you are talking precious metals or pharmaceuticals.
Liquid measure?
How many ml in a liter? 1000
Compared to how many oz in a quart (which one?) or cup, or pint. And
how many cupc in a pint, or quart, or gallon???
Yes, the metric system IS simple.
And easier to be more accurate. 1mm is just less than .039"
.5mm is like .017, more or less, and .1mm is .0039, so .01mm os .0004,
rounded up. - and you Americans measure in fractions instead of
decimals. The smallest common measurement is the 64th of an inch -
about .016" - or .4mm
Multiply that by 5, for 5/64 - or multiply .4mm by 5 and get 2mm.
Which is simplest???????
On 14 Feb 2012 12:41:41 GMT, Han <[email protected]> wrote:
>Puckdropper <puckdropper(at)yahoo(dot)com> wrote in news:4f39ef8e$0$5486
>[email protected]:
>
>> If we wanted to really confuse things, we could apply the SI prefixes to
>> inches.
>
>That would then be Silly Itsy SAE ...
I've seen it - nano-inch. Definitely not an officiam measurement - 1
billionth of an inch (10 to the -9) but coloquially about a 10th of an
RCH, give or take a 10th!
On Sun, 12 Feb 2012 17:51:53 -0500, "Mike Marlow"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Hey All:
>
>I don't know how many of you are like me, but I hate all of the tape
>measures on the market today. I don't want metric on one edge with SAE on
>the other. I want SAE on both edges of the tape. I don't think or measure
>in metric increments, so I don't want that taking up valuable space on my
>tape. I hate it if I have to move my tape to mark a measurement, just
>because there is some irrelevant markings along the edge I happened to drag
>for marking.
>
>Likewise - i can read a tape measure. I don't want and I don't like the
>clutter of the new generation of idiot proof tapes that actually label 1/8,
>1/4, 1/2, etc. for those that don't know how to read the simple marks on a
>tape.
>
>So... having stopped by the local Ace Hardware to pick up a tape for a
>friend, wasn't I surprised to find a basic tape (25' Ace brand) - just 1/16"
>ticks on both edges of the tape. No idiot stuff, no metric stuff. Fits
>your hand nice, has a really nice positive lock that locks and unlocks
>easily holds the tape firmly. The best part - only 7 bucks and change!
>Hell - I wasn't going to spend a lot of money on a give away tape...
I was always of the same thought though most of my tapes are Klein as
that's what the electrical supply houses usually stocked. But I've
found with some of the Festool tools its handy to have a tape with
both inches and metric. Actually bought some of the same tapes
Swingman mentioned from Amazon. Don't have to do the math that way.
Mike M
On 2/13/2012 6:48 PM, Father Haskell wrote:
> On Feb 12, 6:41 pm, DanG<[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>> I agree totally about the idiot tapes. I bought one for one of my
>> "always counting little marks" fellas. It didn't help him all that much
>> and I can't stand to use it. I also don't like all the strange ways of
>> locking the tape. I prefer and will only buy the old original (well,
>> not metal cased anymore-sadly) Stanley PowerLoc.
>
> When were they other than chrome-plated plastic? As for
> the tape markings, Stanley hit it right decades ago. Simple
> 1" and 1/16" ticks and bold numbers can't be improved upon.
> Extra metric or otherwise scales on the opposite edge just
> increase your chances of error.
>
>
the two 12 footers that my dad had my whole growing up were metal cased.
I remember him buying replacement tapes for them several times. I'll
bet he still has them somewhere in his array of stuff.
--
Steve Barker
remove the "not" from my address to email
On 2/13/2012 4:12 PM, [email protected] wrote:
Snip
>
> With almost 40 years of that in mind, I read my tapes upside down, and
> can't easily decipher any tape that has too much stuff on it. I was
> confounded years ago when the fractionalized tapes came out as the
> clutter confused my dull mind. And I think it was soon discovered
> that in the industry that "2 little sticks" was the common description
> of 1/8" for some, and I even had helpers tell me that the fractions
> they saw on a tape were "for something else". What, they didn't
> know. Maybe something scientific. Baking, perhaps?
And on some tapes, 2 little sticks is 1/5". That played hell on a buddy
and me when He was calling the measurement, from his new 1/10" scale
tape to me, so that I could cut the exterior window trim for him to
attach on the second story. Still Too LONG!
Nothing like being tied up in a knot with a tape measure, balancing off
the side of a ladder, and only one hand to operate the tape measure
extended past it's normal holding strength only to find the metric on
the side you need to get that 1/32" accuracy for that crown moulding
cut.
Double measurement tapes should be banned as they are so hard too hide
in the garbage can after the wrapping paper is ripped off the gift from
a well meaning friend. You keep it around and sooner or later you will
pick it up with many regrets.
---------------
"Mike Marlow" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
Hey All:
I don't know how many of you are like me, but I hate all of the tape
measures on the market today. I don't want metric on one edge with SAE
on
the other. I want SAE on both edges of the tape. I don't think or
measure
in metric increments, so I don't want that taking up valuable space on
my
tape. I hate it if I have to move my tape to mark a measurement, just
because there is some irrelevant markings along the edge I happened to
drag
for marking.
Likewise - i can read a tape measure. I don't want and I don't like
the
clutter of the new generation of idiot proof tapes that actually label
1/8,
1/4, 1/2, etc. for those that don't know how to read the simple marks
on a
tape.
So... having stopped by the local Ace Hardware to pick up a tape for a
friend, wasn't I surprised to find a basic tape (25' Ace brand) - just
1/16"
ticks on both edges of the tape. No idiot stuff, no metric stuff.
Fits
your hand nice, has a really nice positive lock that locks and unlocks
easily holds the tape firmly. The best part - only 7 bucks and change!
Hell - I wasn't going to spend a lot of money on a give away tape...
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
On 2/13/2012 11:32 AM, Swingman wrote:
> On 2/13/2012 11:19 AM, Stuart wrote:
>> In article<[email protected]>,
>> Mike Marlow<[email protected]> wrote:
>>> Hey All:
>>> I want SAE on both edges of the tape.
>>
>> SAE?
>>
>> Society of automotive engineers, what kind of measurement is that?
>
> That depends upon your scientific discipline of study over here ... if
> you were a geologist the standard would be "API". :)
>
Oh! API would be automotive too.. LOL
http://www.experts123.com/q/what-does-sae-and-api-mean.html
On 2/13/2012 10:25 AM, Jack wrote:
> On 2/13/2012 7:00 AM, Leon wrote:
>> On 2/12/2012 4:51 PM, Mike Marlow wrote:
>>> Hey All:
>
>>> I don't know how many of you are like me, but I hate all of the tape
>>> measures on the market today.
>
>>> So... having stopped by the local Ace Hardware to pick up a tape for a
>>> friend, wasn't I surprised to find a basic tape (25' Ace brand) - just
>>> 1/16" ticks on both edges of the tape. No idiot stuff, no metric
>>> stuff. Fits
>>> your hand nice, has a really nice positive lock that locks and unlocks
>>> easily holds the tape firmly. The best part - only 7 bucks and change!
>>> Hell - I wasn't going to spend a lot of money on a give away tape...
>
> Yes, that is what I want in a tape. My favorite is a Stanley 33-312, a
> 12 footer. Before that I had a 10 footer that I lost or broke. My only
> complaint about the Stanley is it has 1/32 marks on the first 12 inches
> on one side. I don't need no stinking 1/32 markings on either side.
>
> > Now if only it comes in a 12' version.
> > FastCap makes what you would want too.
>
> Recently, I bought a FastCap ProCarpenter 16' Old Standby on a
> recommendation from some on this rec. Nope, don't like it. First, it is
> 16', the smallest they had, and it's a bit too big for my cabinet work,
> I like 12' or less. The return spring is a bit too powerful for my
> tastes, the Stanley's have better feel, imo. I have cheap tapes from the
> $1 barrel bin that have better feeling spring than the Fastcap.
>
> The main issue though is the markings. The damned thing has 1/32
> markings on BOTH sides of the tape for the first 12". I HATE 1/32"
> markings, don't use them, don't need them, don't want them. At least my
> Stanely has those only on *one* side of the first 12". If the Fastcap
> had *only* 1/16" markings, and a slightly weaker spring, and was 12',
> I'd say it was good tape for my shop.
>
> I guess I should say what I like about the Fastcap, I like the rubber
> shell. The pencil sharpener would be good out of my shop, the duel locks
> is nice, the robust, 4 rivet front tab is excellent, and over all, it
> feels durable. I would like it for carpentry work outside. In my cabinet
> shop, where I don't need 16", nor 1/32" markings, not so much.
>
After working with non retractable measures for the past 6 weeks, almost
exclusively except for when I needed to measure more than 48" I have
almost given up on tape measures. Too inconsistent and finicky.
I probably have 5 FastCap measures. IMHO they are as good asthe next
measure. I too would like to see a smaller tape measure, 12' would be
nice. I tried a
http://www.komelonusa.com/products.asp?dvn=1&cat=1&sct=2&product_id=111,
but it failed the accuracy measure test before I used it. It was out
1/32" within 37" I still need to exchange or return it to Rockler.
I Fast Cap I prefer the green lefty/righty / measure in imperial.