How to read a tape measure without looking like an idiot

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ก.ค. 2024
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  • @meencantalapequesicaria4767
    @meencantalapequesicaria4767 2 ปีที่แล้ว +25

    Who else lied at a job interview and now they are here ?

  • @youngczar1660
    @youngczar1660 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1898

    Who else is a poor, ignorant, child trying to learn? (I’m 19 btw lol.)

    • @alieubah8865
      @alieubah8865 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      Me

    • @oksiy8207
      @oksiy8207 3 ปีที่แล้ว +72

      Everyone starts some where, your not going to work 1 day and the next wake up rich.

    • @bopmoo
      @bopmoo 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Ikr

    • @LolLol-jx9uy
      @LolLol-jx9uy 3 ปีที่แล้ว +21

      I’m 19 too 🥺

    • @LolLol-jx9uy
      @LolLol-jx9uy 3 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      I got a crew running tho roofing in siding I just need more help reading tape measure & 🧮

  • @dillonflanery6192
    @dillonflanery6192 3 ปีที่แล้ว +531

    23 and still trying to learn 6 months into my job and nobody has explained it like this 😭 this is going to help me out so much thank you! 🙏

    • @smokedsalmon_2540
      @smokedsalmon_2540 2 ปีที่แล้ว +36

      I’m 21 same boat, feel stupid as hell lmao this dude came in clutch

    • @greater-vision4608
      @greater-vision4608 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Same 18🤷‍♂️😌

    • @austinburchfi706gaming5
      @austinburchfi706gaming5 2 ปีที่แล้ว +24

      I’m 21 and I just learned more in 4 minutes than in 4 months. It’s not that we are stupid. It’s just sometimes people need it explained a little different for us to understand.

    • @hemadarshini2494
      @hemadarshini2494 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Same me 23 years old, just get into to the job. I also try learn to read this measurement😂.

    • @capo7196
      @capo7196 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Hell yeah i bearly turned 18 and my dad straight put me intp construction where he works it was pretty hard using the tape measure for a beginner

  • @ThePrinceofDisney
    @ThePrinceofDisney 3 ปีที่แล้ว +283

    I’m 30 and I’ve never heard it explained this way before... they stopped teaching it to our generation

    • @KainsFleshlight
      @KainsFleshlight 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      same and same .

    • @PartTimeGoblinSlayer
      @PartTimeGoblinSlayer 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Yup same

    • @edthebank4115
      @edthebank4115 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yup

    • @belleexotic
      @belleexotic 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      They really did

    • @v.4900
      @v.4900 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      yes, they did. when i was in 10th grade i got to take woodshop and i loved it; but after that year, all of the schools were discontinuing it. even colleges and trade schools took it out

  • @moesanrath
    @moesanrath 3 ปีที่แล้ว +248

    i suck horribly at math could never get above fractions in school, its not something im proud of but after being a home owner for a number of years now im starting to understand the importance of being able to read a tape measure. I've always been able to do the quarters an full inch readings but never the smaller stuff. I suspect i'll have to rewatch this video numerous times before it all finally sinks in. Just wanted to say ty for making it in what appears to be plain an simple way to understand

    • @keep1treal61
      @keep1treal61 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Who needs calculus just good old fractions and triangles. Same boat here

    • @rarebreedgaming716
      @rarebreedgaming716 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      You're not alone same here I'm a first time home owner and don't have the extra cash to pay someone to do the simple things or major things I'd like to do and that's how I ended up here today.

    • @msfitnessnut
      @msfitnessnut ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Back when I was in HS (1976-80) we were only required to take 1 year of Basic Math. 😂😂. I’ve had to learn a lot since then. I don’t know why math is so intimidating.

    • @davidhopwood3317
      @davidhopwood3317 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I'm exactly the same I struggled with fractions and never understood them properly

    • @trees915
      @trees915 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

      and*

  • @jaycurtis213
    @jaycurtis213 3 ปีที่แล้ว +400

    Poor ignorant child: me 25 tryna figure out how to use a tape measure. I was just trying to learn damn🤣🤣

    • @Slowlanemedia816
      @Slowlanemedia816 3 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      Literally same at 20 yo😂😂😂

    • @kylestark2817
      @kylestark2817 3 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      I’m here cause I just got from an interview and the boss asked me if I can read a tape measure lol

    • @sanctuary3059
      @sanctuary3059 3 ปีที่แล้ว +27

      32 and better late then never lmao hating ass ppl 🤣

    • @danielp7312
      @danielp7312 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@kylestark2817 same😂

    • @marentes133
      @marentes133 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Literally same I’m 25 learning rn lol

  • @bloodscul
    @bloodscul 2 ปีที่แล้ว +23

    I am starting a job next week that involves a lot of tape measure reading. Up until this point of my life I had no cause to know these things and I was really nervous about starting my new job without the required knowledge. I've been watching this video for exactly three minutes now and my confidence level has skyrocketed. This ignorant young person is extremely grateful to you sir.

    • @prod.hollwhouse
      @prod.hollwhouse ปีที่แล้ว

      I felt this working in a granite shop don’t have my own tape measure yet lol

  • @VirgilAllenMoore
    @VirgilAllenMoore 5 ปีที่แล้ว +59

    As an adult that is learning woodworking by myself and from TH-cam, this method of using the measuring tape has never come up. You have taught me a very valuable skill today. Thank you for that and keep making this great content. Again, well done, sir!

  • @johnconklin9039
    @johnconklin9039 5 ปีที่แล้ว +335

    I was in engineering for nearly 40 years. More than once during a trip to the field I had to pull a young engineer with a 4 year degree aside and give them that lesson to prevent the whole company from looking silly. I blame the lack of shop class in schools.

    • @strangeroamer3219
      @strangeroamer3219 5 ปีที่แล้ว +18

      Jesus Christ. 4 years in college and he couldn't read a tape? I never had shop class either. After high school I worked all kinds of construction jobs and I was expected to learn everything and keep up with with the workers or I would be out of a job. Reading a tape is something everyone should just know.

    • @youraveragejoe2
      @youraveragejoe2 4 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      I use a digital one so it saves me the headache. 📐

    • @smwfreak1647
      @smwfreak1647 4 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      Ok boomer

    • @youraveragejoe2
      @youraveragejoe2 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@smwfreak1647 seems like it.

    • @versatileduplicity9313
      @versatileduplicity9313 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Yep. Kids want to be gangsters and shit and people dont put in tech classes

  • @Dobbin1010
    @Dobbin1010 5 ปีที่แล้ว +229

    My wife says I might be able to read a tape but I’m still an idiot.

    • @Mikey-ym6ok
      @Mikey-ym6ok 5 ปีที่แล้ว +36

      Tell her yeah well you married me so who's the real idiot lol

    • @Vera-xu3xw
      @Vera-xu3xw 4 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Seems like you're your wifes bitch?

    • @youngczar1660
      @youngczar1660 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Mikey-ym6ok Good one. 😂😂

    • @mahmodana3577
      @mahmodana3577 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      @@Vera-xu3xw ohhhh 😮 that wast trouble don’t say that to anyone you stupid just apologize to the Mr and hopefully, he will forgive you.

    • @j.rjunior5584
      @j.rjunior5584 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Mikey-ym6ok 🤣🤣🤣

  • @AtlantaTerry
    @AtlantaTerry 5 ปีที่แล้ว +37

    Thanks. My late father, his brothers and his dad were all carpenters so my sister and I learned to read a tape measure properly when we were little kids. I'm surprised you didn't say to measure twice, cut once.

  • @madisonmoore5497
    @madisonmoore5497 4 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    It’s not necessarily that younger people don’t know how to use a measuring tape. The concept is well understood, the issue is schools only teaching metric since “that’s what science uses”. I’m 23 and teaching myself everything from woodworking, framing, fabricating, and mechanics but I struggle with reading standard measurements because I was never taught. Thank you for this video! Very helpful

  • @aiyanachung572
    @aiyanachung572 4 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    My job makes us measure to the smallest fraction for accuracy it’s a pain in the bit but honestly I was not ashamed as to how much this video helped thank you!!

  • @Shadeygrrl
    @Shadeygrrl 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Thank YOU! I was surprised to find a video on EXACTLY what I needed. You explained the basic information so well, no one should have any excuse as to how to read a tape measure ever again!

  • @threeque
    @threeque 5 ปีที่แล้ว +143

    2:17 I disagree, many idiots do NOT know there are sixteen 1/16ths in an inch.
    edit: keep getting brought back to this by notifications of people commenting. some of you seem to have missed the joke and are taking it way too seriously. Stumpy was using a common phrase and I played off of it. If you did not know there are 16, 1/16ths, in an inch it does not make you an idiot. Only an idiot would truly think that.

    • @stewskinner5717
      @stewskinner5717 5 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      Sadly the schools teaching “Discovery Math” are NOT teaching kids basic fractions. Ask any teenager what 1/2 + 3/4 amounts to.

    • @Travis-lw4jm
      @Travis-lw4jm 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@stewskinner5717 that's an easy one! Its 4/6! Lol

    • @chrisbelmore8198
      @chrisbelmore8198 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I'm one of those guys I'm 46 just within the last year starting wood worker. It's funny to me I spell poorly read OK. But have enough skills talent to get by just fine most my friends come to me for help and questions. So to think that it's common knowledge to know how to measure for some ..i never needed it till last year or so

    • @threeque
      @threeque 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@chrisbelmore8198 Yep, if you don't know, you don't know. I'm sure Stumpy was just joking though.

    • @deanwilliams93
      @deanwilliams93 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@twicebittenthasme5545 Tommy Chong, is that you?

  • @toucanproductions2935
    @toucanproductions2935 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Thank you for this, I thought I knew how to read one, and decided to watch the video just to support the channel, turns out this was super helpful for me.

  • @drollmichael
    @drollmichael 5 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    This video just got added to training and orientation for whenever I hire a friend's kid for the summer... Good timing, and thank you.

    • @313dlo
      @313dlo 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yooo y’all hiring? 😂

  • @702ringo1
    @702ringo1 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    THANK YOU 🙏
    finally someone who could simplify reading a measuring tape. I sure wish I had you in high school back when we still had shop class in school. I wouldn’t of minded having you as one of my teachers when I was an apprentice either. Thanks!

  • @AlexKilpatrick81
    @AlexKilpatrick81 5 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    I have an uncle who learned to read a tape measure like this: "8 feet, three and one-half inches, minus a saw blade."
    It was general construction, not fine woodworking, so being dead balls accurate wasn't a necessity but still...

    • @brianmatthews4323
      @brianmatthews4323 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      I was taught to just say the inches, so I'd just say 99 and a half.

  • @jacey2c170
    @jacey2c170 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thanks for improving my tape reading skill! You are a good teacher. I’m not in a career that uses measuring tapes, but now I almost want to be asked this question in an interview!

  • @btdga
    @btdga 5 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    A lot of commercial drywall and acoustical ceiling installers read everything as 16ths. One guy is measuring and installing and another guy is cutting. The guy measuring will say "3 and 5", which translates to 3-5/16". He might also say "6 and 8" which translates to 6-1/2" (6-8/16"). This method cuts down on a lot of talking and straining to hear over noise on the job site. No chance of misunderstanding if something is 1/16ths, 1/8ths, or 1/4s.

    • @keithcraig9820
      @keithcraig9820 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      twicebitten thasme I have to agree. When I was younger I was told by a boss that 1/16th doesn’t exist in the real world. (Framing) but later was dealing with 1/64th (fine trim)

    • @TomBuskey
      @TomBuskey 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Auger bits are too. A #16 is 1", #12 is 3/4

    • @mikecurtin9831
      @mikecurtin9831 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      This is the same principle machinists use. They use 1/1,000th of an inch.

  • @AlexTechie
    @AlexTechie 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    "Always go by the nearest half-inch"

  • @TheJoker-bz2uz
    @TheJoker-bz2uz 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thanks! This will definitely help on my welding job interview. Just got outta school and they didn't really teach us. But you made things simple and easy to understand. Much appreciated!

  • @jthomos21
    @jthomos21 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    I will be honest - I used your video to show my son how to use a tape and we both learned a lot from the video. Not afraid to let you know that this video was a great refresher and informative to the beginner.

  • @christofix
    @christofix 5 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    This video is a great video for teachers to show to their students! Well explained video man!

  • @ElJoeRN
    @ElJoeRN 4 ปีที่แล้ว +74

    This guy should teach math. Making it easy for the average Joe's out there
    P.S. disregard my name

  • @thomaskelly1228
    @thomaskelly1228 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    When my boss in a cabinet shop was mad at me, he would hire a non tape reader as my "new helper". I ran the frame dept. I finally started sending these guys back to him to borrow the "board stretcher". Send them to cut six 31 inch stiles on a miter station with a stop block and they come back with 6 different sizes all of them wrong.

    • @brianmatthews4323
      @brianmatthews4323 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      "I'm sorry, I thought you said 31 six inch stiles."

  • @BradsWorkbench
    @BradsWorkbench 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This is actually a great idea... it surprises me every time I meet someone that can’t read a tape but it’s becoming more and more common

  • @kathywinn6869
    @kathywinn6869 5 ปีที่แล้ว +175

    “3 and 3 little lines”... made me laugh. Did you bug my shop? Lol

  • @badaphooko02
    @badaphooko02 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I'm 43 years old and just starting in woodworking. Thank you for this! Currently my biggest weakness is measuring and this video helped me tons.

    • @moesanrath
      @moesanrath 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      same 42 yrs old an needing to build some custom shelving units for the basement an a work bench, also need to do just basic home repairs, hanging new lattice replacing rotting boards an just basic stuff like that. I had no idea growing up as child how important being able to read a tape measure would be to owning a fricken home lol

    • @odderlendsolvang3790
      @odderlendsolvang3790 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Use the metric system!

  • @RogueNewbie
    @RogueNewbie 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you so much! As others have said; no one ever bothered to explain how to determine 16th vs. 8th, etc. Thanks to you, I now know that I'm dealing with a 1/16 grout line for my repair project. Def gonna pass this on to others! 🙏

  • @imqqmi
    @imqqmi 5 ปีที่แล้ว +79

    I'm a 'metric' guy but I am glad you explained how Imperial measurements work in practice. I always get confused when I watch woodworking videos. Now I know 😊

    • @rogertaylor712
      @rogertaylor712 5 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Now I know... how crap they are?

    • @nurgle11
      @nurgle11 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      ... (sorry I just couldn't resist :D)

    • @imqqmi
      @imqqmi 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Get on your FEET and INCH your way to the exit, you will see yourself out now! 😉

    • @themrims3191
      @themrims3191 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@imqqmi is there a YARD sale outside?

    • @imqqmi
      @imqqmi 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@themrims3191 I'm not sure I FATHOM your question.

  • @brandonrapitta7316
    @brandonrapitta7316 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    You cant blame the youth for this. Blame the education system. We never learned it. We learned metric and THAT WAS IT.

  • @jordanphelps5284
    @jordanphelps5284 4 ปีที่แล้ว +22

    Thank you for this, I am doing odd jobs and I needed to learn this.

  • @FL1PRTP
    @FL1PRTP 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Ive been an industrial mechanic for 6 years already just needed the 16ths thank you, havent used 16ths as much on this job for machine parts. Thanks again! Just measured what i needed 36"5/16 yes sir!!!!!

  • @martylts
    @martylts 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    27 years ago I got my first full-time job out of high school and a couple years of college. My boss called out a measurement to cut and I wasn't sure what he meant so I asked him. He showed me how to read a tape measure and a few weeks later I was the lead installer because I obviously had the skill I just hadn't learned how to read a tape measure in High School. A few after that I became a self-employed contractor and finish Carpenter. That simple skills of learning how to read a tape measure made all the difference in the world.

    • @brianmatthews4323
      @brianmatthews4323 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      That man choosing to invest into a young life by patiently taking the time to teach you that simple skill also made a world of difference.
      May we all make such a difference. It doesn't take much.

  • @Upsidedownorangejuice
    @Upsidedownorangejuice 5 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Interesting seeing how imperial requires knowing this, in NZ and many metric systems we just read out in millimeters in all are trades... thanks for teaching though, will be useful converting imperial maps to metric.

  • @tccjack1261
    @tccjack1261 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    This helped me a lot during my woodshope class, Thanks!

  • @dougveganparadisebuilder5808
    @dougveganparadisebuilder5808 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Watching a lot of U.S. made videos your tutorial is very handy for bridging the linguistic gap for metric thinkers, like me. Before this I was ignorant, I admit it, to the imperial lingo. Now I understand the logic!

    • @badbitbucket
      @badbitbucket 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      If you don't need to understand imperial why on earth would you torture yourself with it!😁

  • @aferalmidget915
    @aferalmidget915 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Sir, I must say, this video is a true gem. I am one of those poor ignorant children trying to learn. I had wood shop in highschool grade with a subpar instructor and he never taught us to read a tape, or a ruler for that matter. I know some of the basics or course regarding inches, half’s, and quarters, but really wanted to get down and truly know how to read precise increments. So, from this ignorant child, I thank you immensely!

  • @MrMarkpeggy
    @MrMarkpeggy 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Great video James. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

  • @davidbloom10
    @davidbloom10 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Love this channel! Great teacher.

  • @winterjoel
    @winterjoel 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    One thing I've also learned over years of furniture-building (not home construction) is that 32nds and 64ths really really really matter. Even 128ths probably matter. Be. Accurate. Take your time. Use your pencil (or better, a marking knife) very carefully.
    It all adds up, and a few 32nds quickly look obviously like an eighth.

  • @johntenhundfeld1529
    @johntenhundfeld1529 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I have been using rules for probably 65 years and as you may have guessed kind of know how to read one BUT I am pretty sure I could never explain it as well as you have done in this video! Great job.

  • @WEALRO
    @WEALRO 5 ปีที่แล้ว +28

    I do alot of framing, and it varies in what projects I'm doing , but I usually say "leave the line "or "take the line " to the cut man , dpending on what I need and take the blade into consideration , great video as always 👍

    • @_Lightning_Dog_
      @_Lightning_Dog_ 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Minorca Home Solutions Where exactly to put the cut has always been something that bothered me. Granted, nothing I’ve never made anything that was that demanding but still!

    • @coreyscysen1705
      @coreyscysen1705 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Or it's a fat ⅛(¼,ect) or short ⅛.

    • @johnbartoni1993
      @johnbartoni1993 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Ok... but to a Master carpenter, "Leave the line" is a 32nd or a 64th.

    • @Framer_Mike
      @Framer_Mike 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yep... and we slso say heavy & lite.. ;) frame on framaz!

  • @larrystrayer8336
    @larrystrayer8336 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Yes so many people can’t read a ruler or measuring tape. I’m a metal sculpture artist, and must teach my interns how to use measuring tools. I will save this video as it explains it very good. Thanks. ( yes a metal guy looks at your channel lol )

  • @JV-uy7ex
    @JV-uy7ex ปีที่แล้ว

    Growing up a had no one around me with tools but I’m glad TH-cam is here to teach me everything I need.

  • @bobwinner8936
    @bobwinner8936 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Nice video. I'm a metric man being in the UK but now and again I build from plans printed with imperial measurements. Great referesher video.

  • @adamreed264
    @adamreed264 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Thanks for the tutorial. I'm a 36 y/o and i've never used a tape. I needed some money extra $$ so i called a construction guy and asked if he needed a bit of occasional help. He asked about my ability to read a tape and i let him know how i learned in 5 min; he said he had never had a novice take initiative and figure out how to do it on their own and that i could start tomorrow helping on an easy project. Decent part time money and some cool experience await.

    • @brianmatthews4323
      @brianmatthews4323 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Good attitude. Keep it up.

    • @youraveragejoe2
      @youraveragejoe2 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      How's the job ?

    • @adamreed264
      @adamreed264 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@youraveragejoe2 it unfortunately didn't work out. Just bad timing is all. I'm a nursing student and i was interested in a new skill but just for my own interests and it was going to require more hours than i could give.

    • @youraveragejoe2
      @youraveragejoe2 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@adamreed264 gotcha

  • @jake7499
    @jake7499 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    My grandmas storage shed was built like this, lol. "How many palitos? Siete, stoopit!"

  • @randywright7933
    @randywright7933 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thanks for the tip stump. I Have been reading tape measures for awhile and I'll just say you simplified that for me. So thanks

  • @sittieainie9871
    @sittieainie9871 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    this makes more and more sense the more you repeat watching it. Thanks a lot! I've always been confused with these

  • @jamespaul3622
    @jamespaul3622 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I worked with a framer who would yell out the amount of 16’s it was to the cut guy. After a while, we all just got used to it. 4 and 4 was 4 and a quarter, 4 and 14 was four and 7/8s and so on. It actually helped me learn how to read a tape

    • @howardhardy1992
      @howardhardy1992 ปีที่แล้ว

      That way works bot not commonly used. But in the drywall field it is very common to use 1/8s. 14-2 would be 14 inches and 2 1/8s meaning 1/4”. 6 would be 6 1/8s or 3/4”. No need to measure more accurately than an 1/8”. Also when working as a two person team one person measures for the sheet and calls it out to the second person who often is out of sight of where the sheet is going. Also it is typical to start at one end of the sheet and call out the horizontal distances first and then to call out the vertical distances next. It makes it easy to get all measurements for holes for outlets, switch’s, lights and any other cuts. It can be very confusing for new people that have not worked within the system but easy to teach a person the system in short order.

  • @mfsolutions
    @mfsolutions 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I have a really annoying measuring tape that has feet and inches so you have to look at the next or previous ft mark. As a young project manager on a worksite I pulled out my 3/4" wide tape and tried to measure the drop from a ceiling (about 10' up). The old timer I was with laughed and told me to get a 1" wide 25' tape if I wanted to be taken seriously. Really you can put a 1" tape out about 8' horizontally or 12' vertically and that make a big difference when doing estimates.

  • @manofgod2325
    @manofgod2325 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you, started my new job and we use a tape all day long your info about knowing the size of the line made it super simple to understand, thank you!

  • @quickstep2u
    @quickstep2u 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Okay, from reading the comments there are a lot of sharp guys participating in this thread. So don't call me stupid I have an excuse. I went from high school to the military to law enforcement. I mostly rented apartments along the way. In those fields, I did not have a need to be proficient at reading a ruler. I'm now retired and own a home where I do a lot of DIY projects around the house where knowing how to read a ruler quickly is an absolute necessity. The part at the beginning of the video where there is play at the start of the tape, I never realized that could affect the accuracy of a reading. This video was very helpful. I now have a good handle on how to measure objects correctly. Thanks, Stumpy

  • @antonio7815
    @antonio7815 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Wow, you make it so easy to understand. Thank you very much.

  • @terristroh3965
    @terristroh3965 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Watched this three times! Thanks, James!

  • @andrewpellett8972
    @andrewpellett8972 ปีที่แล้ว

    That was actually my first question for my interview today. Hense why I'm watching these, this guy's awesome 😂

  • @mincedbeef6539
    @mincedbeef6539 ปีที่แล้ว

    bro you don’t know how helpful this was, needed this, thanks a lot, props to u for teaching us🙏

  • @wb_finewoodworking
    @wb_finewoodworking 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Where was this video when I taught third grade? Seriously it was well done and I’m sure helpful to some.

  • @billdiehl156
    @billdiehl156 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Thanks for giving us the shortcut on figuring 16ths. I had never looked at it that way. P.S. Inches Rock!! Lol

  • @phantomghostthedripgod9474
    @phantomghostthedripgod9474 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I love how I’m gradually getting roasted more and more in this video while he’s explaining measurements 😂. I’m gonna sub this is good stuff.

  • @marcusmorgan4251
    @marcusmorgan4251 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Really good description! It’s simple and direct!

  • @garyallinson9746
    @garyallinson9746 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Thank you for posting this. What is the marking pen you are using in the video?

    • @StumpyNubs
      @StumpyNubs  5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      amzn.to/2WIBgmk

    • @garyallinson9746
      @garyallinson9746 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@StumpyNubs Thank you just ordered one

    • @billlieb2015
      @billlieb2015 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Gary Allinson j

  • @daniel923e
    @daniel923e 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Thank you, you actually helped me.

  • @jimbo2629
    @jimbo2629 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    My tapes have both metric and imperial. I use whichever seems easier to remember. I had a tape once that could record. Very handy in old age!
    I can’t believe anyone has difficulty with a tape measure. You can’t do much woodwork without maths and geometry. Great video again.

  • @brianfoley4328
    @brianfoley4328 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    I always enjoy your informative videos...sometimes I'm familiar with the subjects and sometimes it's the first time I've heard the information, but regardless I always enjoy them....Thanks for making them

  • @russellborrego1689
    @russellborrego1689 5 ปีที่แล้ว +23

    You mean "4 and a half and an eighth and a sixteenth" isn't a proper way to describe it? I find myself doing it when I'm exhausted... Then I know it's time to call it a day. Lol

  • @BeInspiredwithDominic
    @BeInspiredwithDominic 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    That was a good comprehensive lesson. Now, sir, might I interest you in converting to the ancient Egyptian system of measuring, with the digit, the palm, the double handbreadth and everyone's favorite, the small cubit?
    ... Either way, thanks for sharing, James!

  • @waynesalekin6773
    @waynesalekin6773 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    This is amazing for the beginner. Super helpful and saved me a lot of time. Thanks.

  • @gooniesneversaydie3699
    @gooniesneversaydie3699 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    This has helped me so much, im 26 years old. Im new to construction & have no experience. Today I felt like an idiot, trying hard to not feel discouraged tonight. Thank you.

  • @BKMakes
    @BKMakes 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Yes! I’m now no longer a poor, ignorant child (opinions may vary); great tips James, much appreciated

  • @firebladex8586
    @firebladex8586 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    This episode is from Grumpy Nubs :P

  • @kristitahada5594
    @kristitahada5594 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you so much! I have to measure for crown molding and realized I had no idea how to do precise measurement that was less than a half or a quarter.

  • @sirblack910
    @sirblack910 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I never learned this because my father believed i was only good mor mixing mud and digging holes. 29 now and needing to learn this skill so i can become better at my job. Thank for teaching us where others just laugh. I once asked if someone could teach me and thats when the hazing started so i never learned. But i feel trades are gonna be the future of this country and the highest paying so gotta get learning. Thanks again.

  • @woodrow0007
    @woodrow0007 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    There was a guy on a job nicknamed "two-eighths."
    I asked an old journeyman how that came about. He told me someone asked him for a measurement, and he replied "4 inches and 2 eighths. "

    • @richfuller
      @richfuller 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      They must have fired eight-sixteenths.

  • @privateuploads-geo2625
    @privateuploads-geo2625 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    You made me laugh- "can you read a tape?" As an 'oldtimer' who actually paid attention in school, learned how to add and subtract, multiply and divide before calculators were invented, it's easy to take for granted what some don't know! Still I follow the adage of "measure twice (maybe thrice) and cut once".

  • @guyroy50
    @guyroy50 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Hhhha, I’m in Canada and I work in both imperial and metric system, but I never noticed the length of the mark for the 1/16 and so on, I always counted from the end! Thx, very nice trick! Really fun learning woodworking with you. 😀

  • @lildezi3164
    @lildezi3164 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you, it helped. I use to know how to read one. Went to a job interview and was asked if I could read one, was too embarrassed to say I forgot how to so I just smiled and said sure, of course I can 🤔 thinking back in the past. Here I am looking at your video. Thanks

  • @frogmann49
    @frogmann49 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Thanks Stumpster...my pet peeve is seeing folks extending the tape and when done letting it snap back into case, thus distorting the riveted head and eventually snapping it off. It's tape abuse and I'm not going to take it any more.

    • @coreyscysen1705
      @coreyscysen1705 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      It's when people step on the tape or put something heavy on it.

    • @brianmatthews4323
      @brianmatthews4323 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      That's why I hate to let most guys borrow my tape. Most guys do just what you said. Drives me nuts.

  • @tomthompson7400
    @tomthompson7400 5 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    good video ,
    remember
    seven fifths of the population dont understand fractions.

  • @sphinxz_gaming
    @sphinxz_gaming ปีที่แล้ว

    this helps through my engineering course for my school! learning how to read tape measures and we were doing cnc machines stuff at school!

  • @alvinjeremiah3785
    @alvinjeremiah3785 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    thanks for this info, I have always been running away from measuring stuff because I wasn't sure of the correct measurement.

  • @chrismoody1342
    @chrismoody1342 5 ปีที่แล้ว +17

    Metric, Imperial, decimal, I can work with them all.

    • @ro_yo_mi
      @ro_yo_mi 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      I like working in either decimal inches or millimeters.

    • @gregiwaschina5493
      @gregiwaschina5493 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Good for you

    • @Framer_Mike
      @Framer_Mike 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      I throw curvebslls at the guys on job using the metric system.. lol.. cut me a 2x4 @ 17.375+ plz.. lol

    • @ZTen7h
      @ZTen7h 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      odd numbers before 1/2inch get a .1,.5 or a .9 like this...1.1,1.5,1.9,3.1,3.5,3.9 etc even numbers get a .3 or .7 like this 2.3,2.7,4.3,4.7 .after 1/2 inch the odd numbers get a 13,13.4,13.8,15,15.4,15.8 and even numbers get a .2 or .6 like this 14.2,14.6,16.2 or 16.6.simple math

  • @Hijason74
    @Hijason74 5 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    Here’s a tip I learned for my one person shop.
    Only use one tape measure in the shop.
    If you have multiple tape measures, say one at the table saw, one at the chop saw and one at the bench. If your bench tape is off from your chop saw tape. The 4 1/4” measurement at the bench may come back from the chop saw as 4 3/8.

    • @gnarthdarkanen7464
      @gnarthdarkanen7464 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      It's worth pointing out that for practical purposes and clarity, it's best to avoid mass stockpiles of measuring devices on the project.
      I look at it in principle, "A man with one watch KNOWS what time it is... without question. A man with TWO of them is never sure."
      Now, this doesn't mean you should avoid collecting. At some point or other, you'll likely be glad you had one of those obscure doo-dah's (whatever type) in your possession for a particular task where nothing else would do the job (or where it was simply MOST convenient... AND that's alright. There are a LITANY of specialized utensils for every purpose out there.
      Only that PER PROJECT, getting together one specific set of tools just for the purpose avoids confusion and discrepancies between tools and measurements. From calipers to tape measures to framing or speed squares, assigning just one tool for the majority of "heavy lifting" and maybe a secondary for special cases really is all the more clutter you actually want on site at a time anyway.
      AND I've seen guys who absolutely HAVE to bring every single possible tool, tape, and utensil to the floor for whatever project and then the mental gymnastics of trying to justify using EVERY single one of them before the job is done....
      I get that it's a hobby, rather than a career choice. We ARE just having a better time putting it together than making a trip to Wally World for something a robot spit out... halfway around the planet.
      Maybe it's just as much fun to ACTUALLY accomplish the project rather than bemoan how far out of tolerance the one particular device is while troubleshooting and testing and refurbishing and then troubleshooting some more?
      I'd like to live long enough to see something actually BUILT with my own two hands...
      ...or maybe I'm just not well documented for being so mentally stable. ;o)

    • @MNwineboy
      @MNwineboy 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      That tip is bendable. Lay out all your shop tapes and lock them at 48” mark of a sharp pencil/marking knife line. Hold thee tip with a needle nose pliers and tweak the tip in or out with a regular pliers to make the tapes match. Also, the rivets can be tightened with a tap on a metal punch.

    • @farmlifeoffgrid
      @farmlifeoffgrid 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Or just keep it on your hip and be efficient, certain tools are meant to be carried all day

    • @sakosako2702
      @sakosako2702 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@gnarthdarkanen7464
      Lol

  • @mammothfilms
    @mammothfilms 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks for sharing the tip on line lengths. The few “mental seconds” it will save here and there will add up over time. Great video.

  • @joshuakozee5719
    @joshuakozee5719 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks, I am starting a framing job tomorrow and I don't have prior carpentry skill but I was given the opportunity so I want to get as much knowledge as I can

  • @MiH1IT
    @MiH1IT 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    After watching this video, my appreciation for metric system is even bigger than before :D

  • @roscoepatternworks3471
    @roscoepatternworks3471 5 ปีที่แล้ว +37

    Don't use the 1" mark, use the 10" mark, for measuring. Less likely to have that disaster called "the one inch error".

    • @bobd5119
      @bobd5119 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Since no one here knows who I am, I confess to falling victim to the 1" error one or two times in my 76 years. "What the hell did I measure?" doesn't put the wood back.

    • @oldokieworkshop4460
      @oldokieworkshop4460 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@bobd5119 I bet about all of us "inch burners" have done it and probably more than once. It is very easy to do when you are "thinking too hard"

    • @gregrichard9192
      @gregrichard9192 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Ok
      So what you're saying is,
      whenever you buy a tape measure cut off the first 10" of the tape .
      LMAO
      How stupid is that

  • @melodiefox3726
    @melodiefox3726 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    As an older woman who only learned to read quarters... this was very helpful! Thank you!

  • @Grumpyneanderthal
    @Grumpyneanderthal 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    A tradesman taught me to always read and convey measurements in 16ths and don’t switch between 8ths, 4ths and halfs. So you only express the numerator like 3 and 7 for 3” and 7/16ths. This make subtracting or adding fractions simple since they are always in 16ths. You’ll adapt quickly to this common denominator method.

    • @ZTen7h
      @ZTen7h 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      you must learn 64ths if you want to learn METRIC.very easy.

    • @Grumpyneanderthal
      @Grumpyneanderthal 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Orenji_13 woodworking to the 64ths of an inch is completely unnecessary and I do not want to work with metric- I understand it and I’m not ignorant of its benefits I just choose not to use it.

    • @AlexTechie
      @AlexTechie 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      This sounds like a great method and can read the tape-measurer based off the nearest 1/4in (which are now 0/16 , 4/16, 8/16, 12/16, and 16/16)

  • @2shoestoo
    @2shoestoo 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    O my, Really. I thought this was taught in grade school. Maybe not anymore I’m 63 and we don’t know anything according to the youth.

    • @jesuschristmelvin
      @jesuschristmelvin 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      2 Shoes you don’t. You played with lead and installed asbestos into your homes.

    • @Whatchawantt
      @Whatchawantt 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Different generations have different knowledge bases, boomers were in an era of huge developmental growth in communities while millennial and Gen Z are information and technology based. a lot of us might not be able to read one, it doesnt mean we dont have the desire to learn, simply the lack of resources.... outside of tech based information (youtube). Boomers ive encountered are quick to judge, but when it comes to sending a CC on a email or uploading pictures (in the most basic sense) boomer fall flat and really dont have the desire to learn or retain what has been taught. its a doulbe edged sword. all generations bring something to the table but the more generations fight for the invisible title of "best generation alive" the more we can count on being stuck in this shit society we currently live in,we could be killing it! think about it if boomers and millennials teamed up and worked with each other to played off each others strengths to educate one and other we would be far more advance.

    • @nova31337
      @nova31337 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@jesuschristmelvin they worked with what was available at the time and guess what, those materials were promptly banned when the health effects were realized. Just like what would happen years from now once we see the track record for any new materials that have come out today, so get off your high horse.

    • @nova31337
      @nova31337 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      ​@@Whatchawantt I'm considered an early millennial and work in the tech field and I can at least understand where 2 Shoes is coming from, instead of walking around with a massive chip on my shoulder and nothing but excuses. What lack of resources are you talking about? Because we live in an age of information that is more accessible than ever. There are a number of "boomers" that are tech capable that are putting their trade knowledge onto TH-cam for anyone to learn. They were in an "era of huge developmental growth" because they fought a deadly battle for the fate of the world and the US government rewarded them by giving them easy access to home loans because they were fighting a world war where they would have otherwise been getting jobs and starting families. When 2 Shoes mentions "taught in grade school", he's not wrong, as it used to be taught in a basic "workshop" class, usually around Jr High School. These days, we're more concerned with teaching grade school kids how screwed up people are and how bad history was, without mentioning the progress that has been actually made. You talk about "boomers" being "quick to judge", but you're no bit different. Twitter is a hive mind of broken people putting other broken people up on pedestals and shaming anything that doesn't agree with them. The lesson is that each generation has scummy people and it is best not to paint everyone with the same brush.
      But here's where hope can prevail. Everyone needs to step away from condemning people and try to approach people of different generations with love and willingness to understand each other's differences. Not with pretend interest but actual willingness to engage and learn about what makes each other tick.

  • @rajdihal6051
    @rajdihal6051 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Going on my first interview where I'm sure my knowledge of tools will be asked.. .
    So I am proud to say I'm a professional tape measure now. .. lol !
    Thank U for Ur help. . .
    Very well explained, and to the point !

    • @rajdihal6051
      @rajdihal6051 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Also on a note, I just turned 40 yesterday on October 17, 2021. . .
      When I said first interview, I meant first one I will be questioned about tools !

  • @erikgranqvist3680
    @erikgranqvist3680 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Fun fact about tape maesures: my twin brother is working with controll of those who does the meassuring of lumber (and therefore is putting a value that the industry pays to the landowners who is selling the lumber - its a multi billion dollar bussiness in Sweden). He has highly specialised tools for his work, among others a sort of tape measures that hook up to a computer. Those things need to be accurate to a thousand of a millmeter, and costs in the region of 5000 dollars. He told me the other day that servicing this high tech tape measure was at around 1500-2000 dollars. So, they can be super precise. For a cost. And no. I dont understand why it matter if a log is 4.95681 meters long, instead of around 4.95 meters long. But it seem to be important to some.

    • @erikgranqvist3680
      @erikgranqvist3680 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      @SlowHandMcQueeg I think they are. I am an accountant myself, and not that knowing about the ins and outs of exact measurements. But yes. I think my brother said something about humidity and temperature.

  • @williamellis8993
    @williamellis8993 5 ปีที่แล้ว +27

    At 70, I am amazed at how little the newer generations know about anything manual, such as tape measures, vernier calipers, etc.

    • @gruntersdad1095
      @gruntersdad1095 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      William Ellis clocks

    • @blackguitarmaker1925
      @blackguitarmaker1925 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      🤣 too true! I’m guilty of being nearly useless with a vernier scale.

    • @williamellis8993
      @williamellis8993 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@gruntersdad1095 Yeah, those too (clocks).

    • @badbitbucket
      @badbitbucket 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I'm only 58 and just as amazed.

    • @bobclifton8021
      @bobclifton8021 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      It called dumbing down. It's happening across the board and not just in the manual arts. Pretty soon you'll have a generation incapable of doing for themselves.

  • @campbellmj9405
    @campbellmj9405 5 ปีที่แล้ว +39

    It saddens me that this video is needed.

    • @42luke93
      @42luke93 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      campbellmj9405
      It’s a good video. Kids like me aren’t taught what seems obvious sometimes and this video is really helpful.

    • @TheDudeRTR
      @TheDudeRTR 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Why? A lot of people don't have anyone to teach them this skill.

    • @campbellmj9405
      @campbellmj9405 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@TheDudeRTR Guess I'm astonished that something as straight forward as reading a tape with lines and numbers on it is difficult. How is this different than a ruler that no doubt was used in grade school? Really, this is not rocket science.

    • @TheDudeRTR
      @TheDudeRTR 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@campbellmj9405 it's not really that straight forward, especially if you've never had a reason to apply the skill.

    • @kingoortman6348
      @kingoortman6348 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Some millionaires and billionaires can't read or write they just know how to get $$ all videos helping each other is definitely needed an no need to be 😥 ✊🏾💯

  • @milliadzo5140
    @milliadzo5140 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    This has changed my life! Thank you Question? Can you tell me what the red marks are on the cm side of the measuring tape. Is that metres?

  • @convoswithpassion2398
    @convoswithpassion2398 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you for the lesson...I needed it big time!!

  • @badbitbucket
    @badbitbucket 5 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    it is truly sad that this basic concept is not being thoroughly taught in our schools. I was taught how to read a ruler in grade school, and by the time I got my first construction job at 17, I already knew how to read a tape.
    Burning an inch is something I learned about on that first job. Anyone who's ever worked on a building construction crew knows that those 25ft Stanley tapes take a hell of a beating. Someone will inevitably borrow your tape and let it slam full speed back into the housing from 10 feet out. ARGH!. Do that enough times and that tab is now worthless for any kind of accurate work on an outside measurement.
    In addition to strong and weak, we would tell the guy cutting the boards, "leave the line" or "take/cut the line" meaning, when you cut the board, leave the line or cut it off to get that "strong" or "weak" length.