The best measuring tape tutorial I've ever seen

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[StumpyNubs]

▼ *IMPORTANT DETAILS ABOUT VIDEO:* ▼
★THIS VIDEO WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY★



*Please help support us by using the link above for a quick look around!*
(If you use one of these affiliate links, we may receive a small commission)


*Some other useful links:*

★SOME OF MY FAVORITE CHEAP TOOLS★

★SOME OF MY FAVORITE HAND TOOLS★

★SOME OF MY FAVORITE POWER TOOLS★

★SOME OF MY FAVORITE OTHER TOOLS★

(If you use one of the affiliate links above, we may receive a small commission)

[johnnyb]

I know how to read a tape and still watched this video to the end. I really appreciate you helping all of us do better work, and work better. Thank you!

[silvermediastudio]

Still the best woodworking a shop-related channel on the internet. No flash, no camera tricks, no fancy production needed. Just quality content and world class presentation.

[markwkenny]

With the finish trade people that I work with as a general contractor, anyone calling out a “strong” measurement — or a “light” — wasn’t referring to 16ths, they typically are talking about 32nds or 64ths as it can make a difference in things like trim and tile setting. For trades like drywall where 1/8” is close enough, they’d use shorthand like 52 and 5 for 52-5/8” or 35 and 2 for 35-1/4”.

[elgoogsucks]

Your crack at the French was uncalled for. Thank you for that

[chrismullin]

I think it’s hilarious that as a professional of 30 years. I am watching and appreciating this whole video!

[bobg]

Like many other elementary and middle school teachers who saw this, I can only smile and wish that I had a nickel for every time a student asked "When am I ever going to use this?" I've seen way too many woodworking videos that apologize for involving math. That's like a writer apologizing for all those pesky words. Don't blame the tool because you didn't find value or pay attention while you were supposed to be learning fractions.

[LennartAangeenbrug]

As a metric user i found this video very helpful. Always eager to learn, no shame in that. Clever way to read quick.

[russriley]

I recently had a carpenter show up on the job that was having trouble reading a tape. this guy sold pot on the side. so I bought an ounce from him I taught him how to read a tape by selling him his pot back to him. I sold him a half ounce, then I sold him a quarter, then I sold him an eighth. he never had problems with a tape again. he also figured out how to better manage his stash.

[nobuckle]

I've been using a tape measure for decades, but i always enjoy hearing the basics again. Thanks James.

[kyletaylor]

I use the "strong" term in a similar but distinctively different way.
I work both as an on-site millwork installer, as well as in a cabinet shop.
On site, we use 16th tapes. In the shop, we use 32nds. When we say ⅝ "strong" on site, it's because we don't have the 32nd marks on our tapes. We do NOT mean 11/16 by "⅝ strong", but instead this would actually refer to 21/32.
Not ignoring lines over here 😅

Hi! I'm from the Dominican Republic. I have used inches as well as meters since I was a kid, and I do not understand the problem of using one or the other. I think this variety is beneficial because we have options.

[MrFireBath]

I'm european and will probably never need to use imperial BUT I do have inches on my measuring tape and I'm glad I now know how to read these. So thank you.

[chasrabey]

Was at school in the 60’s when the change from “Imperial” to “Metric” arrived …..not only in measuring but also in money.
Had a great maths teacher who taught us everything we needed to know, so was always able to work between both.
One thing he always said: “If it’s built or made in inches, measure it in inches & visa versa”. Stood me in great stead over the years.

[tedd]

James, this video was of particular interest to me because I can NEVER measure something the is the exact size I need - yes, all those little lines used to confuse me. I got it now. Thanks!

[dannyg]

I cannot stress enough your recommendation for hearing protection. Earlier this year I endured prolong noise working in my shop without using my hearing protection because I was too stubborn to stop what I was doing. I ended up suffering severe tinnitus along with major vertigo. Thankfully after about a week it subsided. I'll never make that mistake again.

[kmbbmj]

My job was constant set of confusion, depending on which associate group I was talking to. SI to one group. The next group over used standard units, mostly, except Rankine for temperature and both lbs-mass and lbs-force. The fab guys liked mils. And K & M had a different meaning depending on whether I was talking to IT or finance. Half my job was being the translator between groups.

[ZXRDan]

Thank you for making this video. That said... metric is still and will forever be easier.

As a drummer who can somewhat read sweet music, I understand fractions ( whole note, 1/2 note, 1/4 notes etc)

[leandersmith]

Yes I'm the European who loves the metric system, but living in Mexico where you only can buy metric and imperial system measure tapes. I never ever understood the imperial thing till i found this video. Great explanation and now after twenty years i finally understand how the Imperial system
works. Thanks for sharing.

[meltedplasticarmyguy]

I sometimes use the terms "heavy" and "light" when calling out measurements to my cut man. That tells them to either leave the line or cut it, depending on how tight of a fit I am looking for. For example, If I measure a piece, and it's something like 34-5/8" but there's a little bit of play I would tell them "heavy" after the measurement, they would leave the line and hand me a piece roughly a 1/16" longer. "Light" would be the opposite, where they cut the line and give me about a 1/16" less. Other times, when trimming a piece, I might say "gimme a blade", since a circular saw blade is an 1/8" thick, they would slice off 1/8" off the piece.