Tape Measure Question

[Raymond Fries]

Ok Ladies and Gents - Help me out here...

...After all the years I have been a woodworker, it is finally time to get an answer to my question:

Why does the hook on the end of a tape measure move instead of being stationary? There must be a good reason as all of them are like this.

[Dan Hintz]

It moves the thickness of the hook. When you measure inside of a length, it measure the same amount as if the hook was on the outside...

EDIT: To make it a bit more clear... this distance from the outside of the hook (when pushed in) to the 1" mark is the same as the distance from the inside of the hook (when pulled out) to the 1" mark... 1".

[Jim Rimmer]

It moves the thickness of the hook. When you measure inside of a length, it measure the same amount as if the hook was on the outside...

+1 That's what I've read many places.

[Raymond Fries]

... to simple and it makes perfect sense.

Thanks

[Peter Quinn]

I have a flexible panel tape that sits flat on sheet goods but does not take inside measurements. Its hook is fixed. 1++ on hook moves to keep inside measurements "Accurate".

[Will Overton]

I have a flexible panel tape that sits flat on sheet goods but does not take inside measurements. Its hook is fixed. 1++ on hook moves to keep inside measurements "Accurate".

And less accurate over time as the hole elongates. One reason to always use the same tape throughout a project. It's often ok for a measurement to be off, as long as it is consistent.

[Raymond Fries]

...even if it meant two seperate measures.

I have a nice 12" hook steel rule that is always my first pick.

Maybe I should look into some thing like what you have Peter as I was not aware of the product.

[Lance Norris]

And less accurate over time as the hole elongates.

Thats why you never, ever, let the tape snap back into the case.

[Michael Weber]

Several years (well many years) ago a newly graduated engineer went to work where I do. He was given a new tape measure along with other things needed to do his job. Assuming something was wrong with the end of his tape, he took it to the model shop to have someone tighten up the little rivet that the hook slides on. The news spread like wildfire Even though he is an Engineering Manager now he still has to deal with that and I know when he retires, someone will bring that up at his retirement party.

[Jay Allen]

Maybe I should look into some thing like what you have Peter as I was not aware of the product.

FastCap makes a tape like that. They call it "Flat back". There is no curve to the tape itself to keep it stiff, so it is "limp" like a piece of string. It works well to measure curved surfaces, but it is not ridgid enough to measure inside dimensions and would be a pain on anything that was fairly long.

[John Coloccia]

FastCap makes a tape like that. They call it "Flat back". There is no curve to the tape itself to keep it stiff, so it is "limp" like a piece of string. It works well to measure curved surfaces, but it is not ridgid enough to measure inside dimensions and would be a pain on anything that was fairly long.

I've got one of those. It's SOOOO much better for taking flat measurements than a standard tape. FastCap really nailed it with their tape measures.

[Will Overton]

I had a couple of FastCap tapes. While they were flat, very nice, the markings did not extend to the edge. In order to use them accurately I had to use a square in conjunction with the rule. They went in the trash.

[David Prince]

Tip of the day: If you are working with someone else it is always good to check your tapes against each other. Different brands or semi-worn vs. new can have different measurements. (If your partner is giving you measurements and you are marking them off you can be off because of the differences) And you should always use the same tape from beginning to end of a project to keep your measurements consistent or at least make sure your tapes are consistent.

[John Coloccia]

I had a couple of FastCap tapes. While they were flat, very nice, the markings did not extend to the edge. In order to use them accurately I had to use a square in conjunction with the rule. They went in the trash.

Mine go right to the edge. They just don't go to the edge on both sides of the tape.

[bill mullin]

They don't have to be old or worn to be off, either.
I have a brand new tape that is about 1/32 off. And the hook moves freely.
I usually check them in the store, this one I did not.