Outer Housing
First, let us explain the types of housing. The housing is the spool onto which the measure is wound. There are two types of housings: open and closed. The open case makes it ideal for outdoor use. Even if debris gets caught in the tape, it is easy to clean, and most open cassettes can be washed with soap and water. Some open models have a rubber spatula-type handle for a comfortable and sturdy grip.
The enclosed housing measure is ideal for indoor use. Its compact size eliminates the need to worry about debris. The sealed housing protects the tape when not in use. Most have a belt clip and lock so there is no worry about the blade retracting during use.
The Blade
The next thing to consider is the "blade". This is the tape that actually fills in the dimensions. There are two common types of tape materials: steel and fiberglass. Both options have advantages and disadvantages. Most pocket measures use metal blades. More durable and longer-lasting than fiberglass. Metal tapes do not stretch, but are susceptible to extreme heat. Many are coated with nylon or lacquer to protect the tape from rust and abrasion. The more frequent the coating, the longer the tape will last.
Fiberglass measuring tape is inexpensive and does not rust. It will stretch if too much tension is applied. Tapes with a high number of glass fibers are stronger and return to their original size when force is applied.
A Few More Things to Consider when Selecting a Measuring Tape
-Metal blades conduct electricity, so if you are working in an area where electricity is present, you may want to choose a fiberglass blade.
-When working in windy areas. The longer the blade extends, the more susceptible it is to wind. Alternatively, thinner blades are lighter and less susceptible to wind.
- "Protrusion" is how far the tape can be extended before it "breaks" or bends on its own.
Units of measurement
-Imperial (English) = feet and inches, usually 1/8 or 1/16. the official unit of measurement in the United States.
-Engineer's (tenths) = feet, tenths and 100ths. Most commonly used for engineers, in this unit of measurement, feet are divided into 10'ths and 100th.
-Metric system (SI) = meters, decimeters, centimeters and millimeters. The official unit of measurement for every country except Liberia, Myanmar and the United States.
If you need more than one unit, don't worry about conversion. Some tapes have two different units on each side.
The Tape End
The measure has a choice of "ends" depending on how it is used. Hooks can be hung on the corners or edges of the board. Most hooks have a small notch to hook onto a fingernail. On some straps, the hooks can be slid to adjust the width. Loop ends are another good option. They can be installed on poles, stakes, or nails. They are also less likely to entangle debris.
Some measuring tapes do not start at the zero point of the cutting edge. Sometimes they start one foot behind the other. This is called an offset zero or "dead foot" (because the first foot of the blade is not marked). This is useful when the end of the tape cannot be placed directly at the starting point. Simply drive a stake one foot away from the starting point and align the zero point with the starting point of the measurement.
Fiberglass measuring tape is inexpensive and does not rust. It will stretch if too much tension is applied. Tapes with a high number of glass fibers are stronger and return to their original size when force is applied.
A Few More Things to Consider when Selecting a Measuring Tape
-Metal blades conduct electricity, so if you are working in an area where electricity is present, you may want to choose a fiberglass blade.
-When working in windy areas. The longer the blade extends, the more susceptible it is to wind. Alternatively, thinner blades are lighter and less susceptible to wind.
- "Protrusion" is how far the tape can be extended before it "breaks" or bends on its own.
Units of measurement
-Imperial (English) = feet and inches, usually 1/8 or 1/16. the official unit of measurement in the United States.
-Engineer's (tenths) = feet, tenths and 100ths. Most commonly used for engineers, in this unit of measurement, feet are divided into 10'ths and 100th.
-Metric system (SI) = meters, decimeters, centimeters and millimeters. The official unit of measurement for every country except Liberia, Myanmar and the United States.
If you need more than one unit, don't worry about conversion. Some tapes have two different units on each side.
The Tape End
The measure has a choice of "ends" depending on how it is used. Hooks can be hung on the corners or edges of the board. Most hooks have a small notch to hook onto a fingernail. On some straps, the hooks can be slid to adjust the width. Loop ends are another good option. They can be installed on poles, stakes, or nails. They are also less likely to entangle debris.
Some measuring tapes do not start at the zero point of the cutting edge. Sometimes they start one foot behind the other. This is called an offset zero or "dead foot" (because the first foot of the blade is not marked). This is useful when the end of the tape cannot be placed directly at the starting point. Simply drive a stake one foot away from the starting point and align the zero point with the starting point of the measurement.
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