Tape Measures

No matter what your skill level is as a carpenter, you are likely to have a tape measure with you at all times. There's no doubt that it's an essential part of every toolbox since not only professionals, but also homeowners use it for a variety of purposes such as taking measurements of their wood, a kid's height, and room size.Despite its appearance, this tool has a lot more to offer.What is a tape measure? A tape measure, commonly referred to as a measuring tape, is a type of hand tool that is used to measure a variety of materials, objects and distances in both professional and DIY settings.Tape measures feature a long length of marked material with measurements along the full length and are available in a range of sizes. An example of a tape measure is one that can be rolled up and retractable, which is used primarily in the carpentry industry.The measurements are often both in metric (centimetres and metres) and imperial (inches and feet) units. Most measuring tapes are flexible, which allows the tape to measure around the curves and enables it to be rolled up and easily carried. Most commonly made of a coated, flexible steel strip, other measures use plastic or fabric where the measure must be more flexible for accurate use.Check our Tape Measures Guide for information about the variety of types available, as well as their different applications.**Tape measures: what to look for?**Buying tape measures can be tricky. When choosing one, ensure it is right for the job, durable, long enough and distinctive.

Metric Tape Measure

Metric tape measures are generally marked with a metric system, which is made up of meters, centimetres, and millimetres.However, metric tape measures use centimetres instead of inches and are based on 10.A metre has 10 decimetersA decimeter has 10 centimetresA centimetre has 10 millimetres

Imperial Tape Measure

Imperial measurements use feet and inches as units. An imperial tape measure has measurements in feet and inches, along with fractions of an inch. A one-inch measurement is fractioned into 16 or 32 fractions whereas 12 inches make up one foot.If you are a newbie in the world of measurements who knew nothing about the measurements in the past can easily learn the metric system since it is some of the most simple systems to learn.**How to choose a measuring tape?**Every tape measure does pretty much the same thing. Their job is to measure things and in the end, it comes down to what you're going to use it for.To measure around the house, such as furniture, it is best to use a tape measure in a plastic case. The 19mm tape has both imperial and metric readings and can stand out at 1.8 metres.On the other hand, this may not be the ideal solution for the construction site. In case of a fall - which usually happens on the working sites - plastic cases may crack. This is why, in order to prevent falling cracks or perhaps shocks, it may be wiser to choose a metal or rubber-coated case.For professional use, choose a tape measure with a significant standoff, a protective coating on the blade, and a durable body. Your blade will last longer if it has a protective coating. When working on larger-scale projects, it is necessary to use tapes of longer lengths.