Buy This, Not That | Measuring & Marking

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0:00 Introduction
0:30 Measuring Tapes
1:19 Squares
1:56 Rulers
3:02 Angles
3:41 Pencils
4:49 Marking Knives
7:04 Marking Gauges

[woodwhisperer]

If you're too late, be sure you're subscribed and have all notifications turned on so you don't miss your chance when our next video drops.

[gsnad]

Seriously, I hope this becomes a whole series. I just purchased a Brad point bit set and forstner bit set because of your other video

[blackjack]

Please make more of these! I'm by no means a noob, but I still learn when you show things like this.

[bimaldimri]

I use the construction pencil to draw light lines on surfaces before sanding or jointing / planning. The mechanical pencil leds tend to break especially when the surfaces are rough

[shanemelville]

I'm left handed so I use the fastcap green dual marking tape, it's has the marks running on both sides of the tape so I can use it "backwards" it was a complete game changer for me. As far as a ruler I use the woodpecker paolini pocket ruler the 6" I use it more than any other tool in my arsenal of tools

[nelsonbrum]

I love my 9' Dewalt tape measure, pocket clip and magnet already included.

[glencrandall]

All good tips. I wish you had been here 40 years ago. It might have kept me from buying all the tools you recommend against. Hopefully your tips will help some newbie save a few bucks. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.

[kevinwiley]

My absolute favorite tape measure is the 12ft Komelon from Lowe's. It costs about 4.50 and is self locking. I've bought 6 of them to keep around the house and shop. It's nice having more than the 6ft you mentioned since a lot of wood is 8+ft and it's still very light weight

[geoweb]

Mark, you have so many great tips here! I would add two refinements.

First, buy one 6-inch machinist square from Products Engineering Corporation (PEC), an American company. It is critical to have at least one machinist square you can trust. The first one I bought was Chinese made and was NOT square. The PEC square costs around $30 and is manufactured with a tolerance of 0.0006" (1/5 of the diameter of an average human hair).

Second, get a "lefty/righty" tape measure. I bought one from FastCap. It is longer than I'd like (16 ft), but the ability to easily read from left to right or right to left is a game changer. Costs about $10.

[paulcleary]

An extra marking pencil I use is a quilter's mechanical pencil with a white 0.9mm lead. Very good for marking lines on dark coloured woods

[student]

One-year-experience woodworker here. Watched the whole video, all hints are exactly inline with my understanding and practices.

[JeffsK]

I like to use Drafting Pencils, Lead is Thicker so doesnt snap easy, and can be sharpened down to nice point easy as well

[NebulaM]

I wanted to say I appreciate your logic on tool needs. Like a lot of people, I watch loads of woodworking videos and I pay attention to the tools they use.... brands, styles etc. I'm not rich but I have to agree paying more for a better tool in lots of cases is worth it in the long run, especially with mechanical tools like drills, nailers etc. Your comment on the smaller tape measures was a great one. I to have a 25 foot tape that I used to use all the time. But over time, I found that the little end piece on the tip of the tape moves, some more than others, and it introduces error in my cuts. You wouldn't think it would matter. I surely didn't. But I kept running into joints that had too much gap or way too tight a fit. My father was a brick layer and he used the folding rulers. Since I've started using them, my errors have almost disappeared. Now it's just down to my blind eyes and slippery glasses when trying to find that 5/16's mark! I've not used my tape since. Just thot I'd mention that.

Great video tho! I've been watching them. Keep it up. I appreciate the logic! (Note: I also liked the Millennium Falcon with the Enterprise inlay on your wall. That's pretty sweet! )

[schoolhousemodern]

Your shop tools videos are some of my favourites. Learning about fine tuning jointers and band saws were particular highlights.

[WayWorthRacing]

I make my living as a woodworker, great advice, I use my adjustable squares and machinist squares more than anything else, and only a tape when measuring longer than 24”.

[JustinShaedo]

I couldn't imagine working without a Speed Square. It's the most used item I have. The speed and versatility is, IMHO unmatched. But I really like listening to alternate views. This focused look at one aspect is ideal. Thank you.

[Michaeldashizz]

Would have loved this a few years ago when I started. So many tools purchased and so much frustration due to those tools

[OIII-IOOO]

the finer points of measuring & marking. as a novice i would not have known these finer points. please continue with this series.

[richardschall]

Mark your recommendations are right on. I've addopeted almost all of these over the years. Dewalt makes a 9' tape measure that has a belt clip and a magnet built into it. I've found them to highly accurate and repeatable between tapes. I probably have 8 of them. Thanks so much for all you do for the woodworking community.

[gwjones]

"double bevel" or "single bevel" in the knife industry generally these are referred to as "chisel ground" (one edge) and " bevel Ground" (both sides)