Can you REALLY Read a Tape Measure?

[@todddeorio6282]

He is right, I work construction and I would say at least 80% are clueless . I never laugh at new guys, just be honest and I can teach you. This video is priceless .... keep up the good work.

[@shermrock345]

I try not to laugh at people either cause we all had to learn at one point. And nothin more frustrating then here go do but you just starting out and might not know exactly how. Or you know how, but you also know there has to be an easier way but you just don't know it yet.

[@ninesixteengenetix]

Now that's a winning attitude. Not some b.s. attitude over something small

[@DrCranberry]

I've been welding for 3 years, and while I can read down to the 16th's, I had no actual idea that they never used even numbers for the numerator, or that any line besides the half actually denotes the length (such as 1/4 being longer then 3/16ths). I must've looked like an idiot telling people I needed 6/16ths material lmao

[@royreynolds108]

Always remember: "I can teach you but I can't learn for you."

[@EricRudolph9]

Agreed I teach at a Maker Space, the younger ones just don't know, the older ones stick with 8/16 and so on...

[@runemrick]

You're helping a lot of people with this. No one wants to admit they don't know, so no one gets help. It's a secret burden of shame we all carry in the beginning. How long you carry it is up to you. Learn and teach.

[@absolutelyfookinnobody2843]

No, it's a stupid ego thing. There is no shame in not knowing something you never learned. People live busy lives, why learn something that has little to no use? Unless it's a hobby, job related or a safety thing. Then there isn't an issue in not knowing something

[@absolutelyfookinnobody2843]

Also there are tons of video on this. He isn't the only person teaching this

[@runemrick]

@@absolutelyfookinnobody2843, that's true until a man works in the industry and hides it. A man might work construction and feel he'd be fired for not knowing. Then he won't ask. I remember a young man helping me in my shop, and I asked him a simple question while we were working, and discovered he didn't know. He was mortified. I told him nothing else matters today. Today, he will leave an expert, and I worked with him until he was.

[@PaulTripleHLavesque]

I'm 21 and still ain't the best at it I know how to read one kind of lol but haven't really needed to use one except for now cause the job I'm at requires measuring

[@shrl241]

There's a lot of people teaching this but the way you broke it down,it made me not only understand it but I can actually explain it.

[@giovannimalgioglio7427]

I was one of those people who pretended how to read a tape measure. This guy is great teacher, surely educated me on how to properly read a tape measure. AWESOME job in online instruction

[@saileencruileen2163]

It's pretty awesome of you to make this video. I would never have imagined that 95% of students did not know how to read a tape measure. I better remember that next time I have someone help me with a project. Having been a welder for over 30 years, I guess I see it as common knowledge. Mighty nice of you to do this for folks!

[@Reno-pz3kt]

I am in my 50's, several people attempted to sho me how to read a tape, and for some strange reason ,I could never fully understand them. Today, that has all changed in 14 minutes . Thats incredible teaching skills in my opinion . Thanks a million man,I will watch this every day until I fully understand the concept.

[@mgc1970]

WHY...were you not the math teacher teaching me fractions, all those decades ago??!!! That was honestly the clearest, easiest to understand explanation of fractions I have EVER seen in my 50 years on earth...bravo!!! 🥃👍

[@Welddotcom]

Glad we could be a help

[@albertovasquez9516]

You're funny dude, where have you been living all this time? in a cave

[@44_83]

@@Welddotcom How much $$$ wood your students have to collect passing the hat to have you shave that beard off.

[@antoniog9814]

@@44_83 it depends on how much wood he could chuck.

[@lonewolftech]

It still makes no sense 😂 fuck fractions and standard I’ll just stick with metric.

[@k_vandals5119]

2 years taking drafting in high school was honestly the best thing for measurements IMO. After drawing exact lines time after time, I could look at almost any nut/bolt and tell you the exact size standard or metric. Great video

[@Stang413]

I took a similar class in high school and we would do worksheets reading tape measures and micrometers.

[@Zachary_Setzer]

Been reading a tape measure my whole life and never knew the movement of the hook was an intentional design feature. Never stop learning!

[@youtubedeletestheoppositio8188]

How did you not know that?

[@Zachary_Setzer]

@@youtubedeletestheoppositio8188 Because I'm not a bot. Hello bot.

[@youtubedeletestheoppositio8188]

@@Zachary_Setzer that’s a weird response lol? I’m no bot but I feel that should have been known to some1 using a tape for “their whole life”. Apparently not tho bud

[@Zachary_Setzer]

@youtubedeletestheoppositio8188 That is always my response when I get a nonsense reply. Asking "how did you not know X' is a ridiculous question. There are an infinite number of things I don't know. The surprise is that I know the few things I do. Didn't you look at the title and thumbnail of the video?

[@youtubedeletestheoppositio8188]

@@Zachary_Setzer normally I’d agree but as the video mentions, your measurements would be off if you didn’t use the hook right. Nvm, I’m a bot and can’t figure it out.

[@grassfedcontent]

This is great for kids and teens and anyone whos just now trying to get into DIY. Very well broken down and i hope everyone learned something. Thanks for being so thorough

[@MakeGamesGreatAgain]

When people say “It’s not the student but the teacher” rings true. I know it’s not the case for every student or teacher but man if I had someone like you the way you teach my life would’ve been so much easier. Thanks for this video

[@mas7475]

Great video! If there's anyone out there who feels dumb because they dont know how to read a tape, you shouldn't. We all had to learn. Once ya got it you'll have it forever.

[@1pcfred]

I took a lot of drafting in school so I don't even remember when I learned. Not that I didn't know even before then. But I got a real workout with the scales drafting. Mechanical and architectural drawing.

[@offtheheezy2770]

Not necessarily true I used to be a welder was in school for it and everything but when COVID hit I lost track of all that and hadn't even picked up a tape in years and wouldn't you know it I forgot how to read a tape

[@lifeinthearclane6240]

This is by far the most educational channel for welding and fabrication hands down! Thanks guys!

[@LynnHarris18]

This video hits the mark right on the spot. My Dad started teaching me how to read a tape when I was around ten years old. He used to get my bicycle and teach me how to grease it and the importance of the grease. How to center up the front and rear axles and adjust the tension on the chain. He would tell me, you learn how to read this tape and math will be easy for you. He was correct. After school, I became a welder, and boy did all the stuff he taught me early in life pay off. One of the best videos I've seen on here. Thanks...

[@jdavisfabrication2401]

I have been welding for over 30 years . This is is the only video that actually shows and explains how to read a tape measure correctly. From now on I can just replay the video over and over instead of repeating myself

[@ebogar42]

But you really don't have to reduce like he claims. It's still the same measurement without reducing anything.

[@SlimeOhIm]

@@ebogar42 question, how the hell is he getting 3/8ths. The first one made sense 1/8th because 2 goes into itself and then goes into 16 8 times. 3/8ths makes no sense because nothing goes into 16 3 times. So where’s the 3 coming from?

[@SlimeOhIm]

Let’s go I figured it out 🤟^^

[@ebogar42]

6/16 of an inch is equal to 3/8. Use 2 to get in simplest form. 2 times 3 is 6, and 2 times 8 is 16. @@SlimeOhIm​

[@sonsofjorge7730]

been using metric system for 40 years and it was straightforward. i'm now trying to use this imperial (inch) system. it has advantage and disadvantages too

[@wearemilesfromnowhere4630]

My mother in law taught me how to read a tape measure. She was always showing me how I come up short.

[@ashleymills8164]

Lolol

[@nickvanwhatt]

Small pp?

[@ashleymills8164]

Lolololooololok small pp lol

[@nickvanwhatt]

Sorry for the pun I'm a lil d**k

[@tacomas9602]

Kinky

[@mariusvanniekerk7707]

Reminds me of the first time I had to write a check. Almost 30 years old, and never had a check book. Felt silly not knowing how to write a check, but if you haven't done it before, nothing to be ashamed about.

[@justinrowe3100]

At my old job we hired a boy fresh out of high school that couldn't read a tape measure, so I spent a week giving him a crash course that almost matches the video.but to throw a wrench in the gears we had the added confusion of working in standard and engineers scale ( tenths). Not to mention that I was the company mechanic which would bring out the micrometers and calipers which would then add the other wrench of thousandths. It's all good now though..... I mechanic for the local CAT dealer..... now it's just a mix of thousandths, metric, and standard 😅😅 it's like being a ford mechanic in the 90s

[@Thomas-jl3gn]

I originally clicked this video because I had to see why it took 15 minutes to explain how to use a tape measure. Now I know. Good teachers take their time & explain thoroughly. Great video & great teacher. 👍👏👏

[@Oonagh72]

This is the best fractions less I have ever seen. Growing up my sisters and I played with tape measures. Measuring stuff and playing carpenter. I can read a tape measure very well. I measure 3 times and cut once. The issue you describe here isn’t the inability to read a tape measure. It is the inability to do basic fractions.

[@jofasable]

You done it again, first was your fantastic safety video, now I understand tape measurements and I have been on building sites since 1975/76 Very professional Tutor, thank you.

[@mickehusse6278]

For me being a metric guy (Swedish) who likes American bikes this was very useful. Up until now I always converted imperial to metric, that’s not always fully accurate. Thanks a lot, for this. Love your content 👍👍👍👍👍

[@tsmart3029]

From the bottom of my heart, thank you bro! The clearest and easiest to understand explanation on this topic. I am not in any trade that requires using tapes, but I do DIY in my free times. I was forced to learn this today after an embarrassing experience. A guy working on my project gave me a tape to measure a wall length in a property of mine undergoing remodeling, I looked like an idiot after spitting out wrong incoherent inches and eyes were rolling as I confidently said rubbish. 😂 Now u save me from future embarrassments! You’ve got a sub from me.

[@saileencruileen2163]

Hey, you've got humor on your side!! That "counts" for a lot!

[@chrissyr3976]

Omg I love this man! Thank you for teaching this woman to finally read measuring tape!

[@danielestrada3624]

Great video. I retired from a different line of work and really did not have the need to use a tape measure or have the luck of someone teach me. Several people in the trade would get rude or sarcastic or did not have the time to show me how to measure correctly. Thanks so much for the information.

[@MWash-yr1xe]

This channel is insanely underrated. Thanks for another great video.

[@martinkuliza]

The Metric system is insanely underrated

[@therealchayd]

I've never got on with imperial measurements (other than just using feet and inches for rough measurements - a foot being about the length of an average foot, and an inch being about the length from your thumb knuckle to the thumb tip), this helped understand the system a lot, even though being a Brit I use metric for anything precise. Thanks for the video!

[@wes11bravo]

I got really good at reading a tape measure and adding fractions in my head when I worked for a company that made custom crates for bulk freight. It took a few days of gears grinding in my head but once it clicked, I "got it". It's a skill I've retained after all these years and, coincidentally, was the only way I could truly understand how fractions worked. Theory in books makes my eyes glaze over - give me something practical any day!

[@seanfilkins9266]

This was great. I am 47 years old and build things all the time and have always counted the lines because I have never learned the proper way. This made it very easy to learn and understand the right way to read a tape measure. I also have been welding on and off over the years and want to get into it more to become more efficient and maybe take it into a career. But always put it to the side because of being self taught. Now my son has attended a local program in school and helps me with projects sometimes which makes the work more fun because he is 19 and gives me a hard time if it’s not right. Lol. Just want to say also thank you for your videos because for the guy like me that likes to work with his hands it helps with technique and the tools I should have for the trade.

[@YungSteambuns]

Don't use a standard tape measure, get one that is metric, it's 100x easier and more precise because it's based on sets of 10 instead of a fraction

[@Grggeorge]

@@YungSteambunssets of 16 is more accurate

[@MsRotorwings]

Straightforward. Teaching how the fractions were derived and the theory behind it is very helpful. Thanks.

[@mwpaus]

Metric tape measure = 1 min video Imperial tape measure = 14 min video lol

[@boots7859]

USA-ians with out barbaric measurement system, traveled to the Moon 50 years ago. Enlightened snobs with the Metricly superior attitudes, haven't gotten to the Moon but massage their ego's in YT comments. LOL.

[@toey8925]

@@boots7859 german guy did it in metric. you don't know it

[@E85-g9c]

@@boots7859 NASA used metric. Sorry.

[@cooly32]

@@E85-g9c i was gonna say the same thing. If you want a good read, look up how/why Nasa ended up using metric. It is kind of a funny story.

[@marsbase3729]

As a American, I grew up with Imperial so I'm more familiar with guessing estimations in Imperial, but there is no denying that metric is definitely the better system. So much simpler to convert and less chance for error while fumbling with fractions. I try to use metric more now, especially when accuracy is really important.

[@t.s.racing]

You know what they say, 5 out of 4 people can't do fractions.

[@SandBoxJohn]

Only thing one has to remember is each progressively smaller unit is one half of the larger.

[@joandar1]

So that is about 125% of people, lol. John, Australia.

[@michaelslee4336]

Sand Box John Oh, so you say that’s the ONLY thing to remember. How does that help exactly?

[@nuttinbedder2do70]

I say that alot and always enjoy the people who say, "that sounds about right". Happy to hear my 8yr old's response of " That's not right the first number is bigger than the second".

[@ryanb1874]

Nice.

[@tina8796]

Excellent job of explaining. You and Dr. Dixon explain the tape measure better than anyone else on KZbin. Some of the other videos leave me completely lost. I think a lot of math would be simple if taught be the right person. Honestly, some people should never be teachers; they may be smart but don't understand how to teach others. Thanks again ! Great, great video.

[@michaelsa892]

I had a guy on the first day of being a apprentice, electrician teach me how to read a tape measure I will always be grateful to him for taking the time to teach me

[@michaelewert9038]

We use metric ones and everything in fabrication is measured in millimetres. I think its far easier to use.

[@allanbarber4038]

I agree that the metric system is easier; however, it get pretty darn complicated for metric users when the measurements are given in Imperial measurements (which is still mostly the standard in the USA).

[@2kor517]

​@@allanbarber4038 As a swede brought up on metric, yes it's really really confusing trying to understand imperial. But If you know how many mm are in an inch it's easy just to convert the measurement

[@David-yy7lb]

However the imperial system is easier to visualize for example a standard sheet of plywood 4'x8' or standard ceiling height 8' or 1/4 mile or 12" well the average human feet is 1' the list goes on

[@2kor517]

@@David-yy7lb I have to disagree, after spending a few years in construction you can guess pretty accurately in mm as wel

[@michaelewert9038]

David I understand. But here a small sheet of metal is 1000x2000 = 1m x 2m. In the metric system the conversation is easier. You don’t have to deal with 12, 16 and so on.

[@forkliftwizard]

It's funny how something that seems so basic isn't for many people. Like telling time on an analog clock. Damn maybe I'm just old.

[@parkeranderson5074]

forkliftwizard I use a sun dial

[@JungleMeta]

Reasons why metric is better lol

[@MisterCheemf]

@@JungleMeta we get it you guys didn't land on the moon.

[@shermrock345]

@@JungleMeta i agree metric is easier. And for some faster when they have to add or subtract two numbers that aren't whole numbers. I dont like doin stuff like 7/8 - 3/16. I can do it but id rather lay it out and do it than just figure it out in my head.

[@JungleMeta]

@@MisterCheemf neither did you lol

[@phxamigo]

I do understand how a tape measure works, but it's not surprising many don't know how to read one. I am so glad I learned the metric system in grade school, soooo much easier to learn and understand. Don't know why the United States has fought the metric system.

[@asuspiciousguy8707]

I think I know why. Most Americans are obviously too proud and conservative to accept changes, at least if they didn't made them by themselves :)

[@billballinger5622]

Imperial is far far superior for daily hse

[@julchensweet2538]

@@billballinger5622 Apparently not if a video is needed to explain how to read a measuring tape. How to measure with metrics: if you can read your good.

[@halam6626]

Not in any field that requires knowing how to read a tap measure. I had to measure my bike tire and found out I was one of those clueless people. Surprised there's not one like! My like is submitted! Thank you for this practical knowledge.

[@dvant420]

Thank you for the seriously. I'm 44 yo and never understood fractions. Great with numbers but fractions got me. The way you explained it and broke it down clicked with me

[@kieren7763]

The metric version of this video is learn how to count and your done lol

[@GodslilRedneck23]

kieren meier 😂 that’s why we chose imperial. Way harder. Makes for a longer video.

[@1pcfred]

No then you have to improve on your possessive pronouns and contractions or you're an idiot.

[@adammeyer8204]

But there's so many damn lines on those things.

[@1pcfred]

@Danny Timms down with imperialism! Hooray for US Customary Units! Which Thomas Jefferson who famously penned the Declaration of Independence developed in 1789 to much less fanfare. Let freedom ring. Even the crown adopted the US inch standard. So long ago that nobody even realizes it today. 185 years ago as of now. Poor Tom unfortunately wasn't alive himself to see it though. Metric is base 10 which a lot of people are familiar with so they like it for that reason. The inch is whatever base you want it to be. Divide it up however you see fit. Quarters, eighths, halves, sixteenths, anything goes. Oh and you can even have your inch in base 10 if you insist. A centimeter is a lot shorter than an inch is. So that may be a large part of it's appeal? You know, for those guys who don't quite measure up. Not being ah, large. Purely conjecture on my part. The last I checked I was of above average stature myself. I've been called Tall Paul. heh

[@jwiereng]

metric people cannot spell. *you're*

[@Bluelightbandit]

Watching this pretty much confirms that I have no life...

[@robertbradley6946]

HAHA, I've been in construction for 25 years, could read a tape at age 10. I watched the whole video myself and find it to be extremely useful and bookmarked for future use. Not for me though! Heh!

[@handmade3681]

Guns, Gadgets & Guitars at least now you can have no life down to 1/16th

[@handmade3681]

jrg10332 that was a joke

[@pepegonzalez9979]

So? Walk on the train 🚆 tracks and sit right on the tracks!

[@timturner7609]

Rofl I thought he was going to show some neat tricks. Instead it's literally 1/16 1/8 3/16 1/4...

[@strangeblacksmith]

Same. LOL

[@thechronicgeneralist]

Clearly some people need it...

[@shallowpocketracing7525]

I thought that as well. I thought that there were something I didn't know like tricks with a speed square. Then he is like..this is a sixteenth...this is an eighth...I'm thinking ...fine...keep your secrets.

[@strangeblacksmith]

@@shallowpocketracing7525 Essential Craftsman has a video on tape measures that does explain a lot of tricks and little known features. (Mostly construction related though.)

[@GigsTaggart]

i think ill show this to my 6 year old son. Should be interesting to him.

[@blacksheeps1992]

I’m a welder from UK🇬🇧 so are place is all metric but I love watching videos about learning different methods because you never know when you’ll need it

[@johnbrown7911]

The things you take for granted. I don't remember when my dad taught me how to read a tape measure. He did framing and drywall and while he taught me a lot he nudged me away from that work and more towards electrical.

[@josephvella3688]

In reduced form. My teacher always said you ain't going to the cold cut guy and saying let me get 8/16 of a pound of ham.

[@em21701]

You will get some uneducated recipe readers that will ask for "point five pounds". You could ask for 8 oz though... Source: Was a cold-cut guy

[@anpleidhceeireannach9498]

You might ask for eight ounces,though

[@jessewilson4954]

Now that I'm over 60, all those marks blur together, especially if the light is dim>>

[@jacklandismcgowan1413]

Lmao....that’s the truth

[@fixitallpaul4847]

At 59 the light is always dim

[@thorlo1278]

Over 60? heck I passed that 9 years ago. This coming November I turn 70!

[@shermrock345]

I prefer bigger print tapes. Not the huge ones they are bulky but something in between. Im not old i just dont gave 20/20 lol

[@kevinarmstrong864]

Hay I can read a tape can you teach me to spell try to see 32 and 64ths after 50 ! ,

[@fabe202]

Great presentation!!! Your an excellent instructor. Keep up the great work!!!

[@robinmckeegan5451]

Good job on this lesson. Just had a friend helping me with some sheetrock and I discovered I was asking him to do something that he was lost at.

[@BigStyles_]

I’m getting ready to start a new job working in a field where being able to read a tape measure is like a must you cannot do the job without it, thanks for the video brother!

[@toolbox-gua]

Very useful video. Thanks. I live in a country that uses ALL units posible, but fractions of an inch has always been slow for me. We measure lumber by foot/inch, “standard” steel imperial, road distance by meter/kilometer, buy gasoline by galon, cars make km/gal, milk at the store by litter, cooking oil by quarts, land is bought by “vara cuadrada” an old spanish measure 84 cm square, textiles are sold by yard, human height by meters, human weight by pounds, if technical cars have power in hp and torque in N-m. Climate temp in Celcius (never in Fahrenheit) but stove or oven most certainly never in Celsius. It is indeed kind of fun.

[@causewaykayak]

Care to say where? Sounds interesting.

[@toolbox-gua]

@@causewaykayak it's Guatemala.

[@causewaykayak]

Definitely interesting. Exotic even. I used to work on very old buildings. We used measuring sticks for joinery in difficult cases. Medieval methods. Predates rulers. The craftsman would measure the place for replacement windows or doors and return to his work area with a bundle of sticks - His measuring rods. The dimensions would be marked off with a knife cut. Very precise . Small sub divisions can be done with Dividers/Compasses and block gauges You can use all this for stone too. It dates from a time when no ruler was accurate. It could not subdivide accurately into fixed proportions until the invention of engraving devices like Ramsdens Dividing Engine and the Enlightenment (mostly France i think) created a 'logical /rational' system based on Tens and the metre. Prior to that versions of Imperial were the best as they depend on folding and refolding. Once a standard length is set ?? a Foot for instance you can cut that length and refold it repeatedly for in Half , in Quarter, in Eighth and Sixteenth. Triple fold a yard for one foot. Measuring rods avoid chance of mishap in a world where everyone's ruler is engraved differently . They survive today in rare specialist work and more generally in the jigs and gauges (Go-No Go type) that allow mass production in industry. Thanks for your own very interesting account 👍

[@brooksravenscroft8304]

Great video, I actually have to teach guys how to sweep on my jobs. The unfortunate part is that there are few of us passing skills down to the next generation.

[@keithjohnson281]

That's because jobs are few and far between.A young guy could take your job and not know the worth of the experience needed and accept a lower pay rate, and be happy.

[@sunburstmike8745]

You're comment actually proves you are a good mentor. My wife always said that the failure of a new employee depends on the lack of COMPLETE initial training with newbie worker; such as "this is where to park your car, this is where you put your coat, where you dock-in, where you take lunch, when it's a good time (and NOT) to ask your boss or co-workers a question, how you sweep, how to empty the garbage etc. Instead you see many initiations go something like this: Okay make sure to park your car away from the port-a-johns and now let's go cut some joists and stringers with that speed square you just bought at HD last night. I exaggerate ... but not that much!

[@legitguy4544]

That’s weird cuz I used a Milwaukee tape measure that shows the fractions for two years at my job and now I can use a regular Stanley tape measure cuz now I know where the fractions are

[@firetom911]

As an European I'm only familiar with the metric system but since I'm a part time Floridian and having a friend who is a Carpenter (he helped me with the renovation of my Condo) it was a big mystery for me and I couldn't help him with that lack of knowledge. But that's the best explanation I've ever heard. Thanks for that and next time I come over to FL I can impress him with my new abilities to read the tape measure. Thanks for the video and sorry for the bad English (but it's my second language) Stay safe and healthy guys. Best regards from Vienna /Austria 🇦🇹👍😊 P. S. I'm a hobby welder in my basement, doing all my outside stuff (fence, gate, furniture) with flux core and stick welding

[@TheoRhoades]

I've watched several videos on this...and how they explain it makes no sense. Hands down the BEST video on this

[@ebogar42]

Been waiting 2 years for you to explain why it's so important to reduce the fractions. 2/16th is no different than 1/8th in my head. 1/2 inch is still always going to be 8/16th no matter how you say it. It's not like your measurement is going to be off if you measure out 8/16th in your head and not 1/2.

[@Yoder0441]

No wonder I havent gotten any customers after that first project, dang.

[@x9x9x9x9x9]

I thought there was going to be some mistake I was doing my whole life but no. People are just slow.

[@619kane]

IM SOOO GLAD YOUR MOM WAS SO FAST DAMN CAN SHE GO.

[@adammeyer8204]

Me too .

[@x9x9x9x9x9]

@@619kane You must have been one of those people in the 95% who didn't know how to read a tape measure before watching this.

[@619kane]

YOU ARE SOOO SMART ITS AMAZING YOUR FATHER EINSTEIN WOULD BE SO PROUD OF YOU .SADLY YOU MUST BE THE 1% OF PEOPLE WHO ARE GAY.SO YOU WONT BE ABLE TO CARRY ON THE FAMILY NAME.

[@jackofalltrades4904]

@@619kane Wow! Are you 12 years old or what?

[@rhinomite5203]

My wife teaches high school, and one of her friends and coworkers teaches Juniors and Seniors. Now I am only a hobby welder and do my own repairs for my construction business, but I use a tape measure everyday in all my work as a General Contractor. They asked me to come to the school last Spring after Covid restrictions started to settle down. I spent the entire day with 7 classes of mostly Seniors and a few Juniors talking about career choices and ideas. And I will agree that 95% of the kids did not know what I was explaining about measurement with a tape measure. Now in the US, you should have learned in elementary school how to read a ruler and shortly after, fractions. But this is not something that sticks. I use a similar teaching strategy for showing new hires how to practice measurements. I use a scrap piece of plywood, 2x4, or drywall scrap, and write out the same table you show here. Great simple video for teaching this very useful life skill.

[@Doomzday831]

Just wanted to say thank you! Never really understood the tape. I’ve muscled my way with it for a long time. This really broke it down Barny style!

[@Elk4758]

Well there a leaned something. I didn't know the slop in the end of the tape measure was intentional.

[@johnwurst6691]

Great video! Can I suggest you ask throw your inch tapes away and work in SI units? So much simpler! The world is metric for a reason 😜

[@1pcfred]

The United States is the preeminent superpower on the planet for reasons too.

[@Rayden440]

Nope

[@jonathanblacksher9719]

I thought I knew how to read a tape. Watched the whole video just to find out I do indeed know how to read a tape.

[@TheWolfIsHere]

Just got hired in the cabinetry field, and the way you broke this down was better than my orientation. Thank you!!

[@joshuawiedenbeck6944]

You'll probably get to deal with tolerances down to 32nds. I loved my time working at a cabinet shop. I went to school for woodworking, and one of my teachers liked to give me shit about measurements (I don't know, man, this is off by 1/128)

[@BriandeJongNX-01]

As a person who is accustomed to the metric system I never realized that impirial inches could be this easy. Thanks mr. Redbeard.

[@andrewmcgillivray1881]

i trained some american industrial designers on the metric system, especially as it was used in european furniture systems based on a 32mm module. the idea was to get them to design american built appliances that would fit into european cabinetry. the course took about 3 hours. at some point, one gentleman held up his hand and said: wait a minute! you mean to tell me that an inch is not the same length as a centimeter? what the hell is is good for then?? it was a long afternoon…i grew up with inches, but took about 2 seconds to realize the huge advantages of a decimal metric system. your video prooves my point. thanks for taking me back in time! great video!

[@anpleidhceeireannach9498]

You do realize that fractions can be written as decimals,right ? And decimal inches are frequently and widely used? So decimals aren't a benefit of the metric system.

[@didierdelay6623]

No offences, but I can't understand how the metric system never got in US. Even the Brits however conservative they are known to be got it.

[@LTVoyager]

I think JFK summed it up best. “We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.” The rest of the world chooses to do things that are easy. Americans choose to do things that are hard.

[@benc8386]

There was a Veritassium video about it. Quite interesting. Officially the US _is_ supposed to be on the metric system but they never enforced it so it just never happened. Here in the UK I remember when they banned pints of milk and gallons of petrol and stuff and thinking it was a bit heavy-handed at the time but they had to do it.

[@1pcfred]

@@benc8386 what you don't remember is when they banned the Imperial inch in favor of the US Customary standard. You don't remember it because it happened 185 years ago now. And yeah they were heavy handed with the subjects back then too. Freedom!

[@willykanos1044]

One more thing about tape measures: As a retired carpenter I have use tape measures all my life. Few people realize that they are all, by standard, designed for left-handed people. Think about it. A right-handed person holds his marker in his right hand so he holds the tape measure in his left. Hook the hook over the end of the material, stretch the tape out so you can mark it, and all the numbers are upside down. Had you been left-handed the numbers would be upright and proper.

[@thorlo1278]

Good thing I've been left handed since I was born. I love being left handed! Throws everybody else off while I stand there and giggle!

[@thomasutley]

willy kanos FastCap sells a lefty tape measure just for this reason!

[@maggitmaster]

Pull from left to right not from right to left, I'm right handed and the numbers are never upside down

[@allanbarber4038]

@@maggitmaster Ya, BUT now you either have to try to cross you hands to mark the place to cut; or you have to mark with your left hand (very awkward for a 'righty' and not very accurate for most). You are 100 % right if you measure from left to right (most) tapes are right side up; another but, sometimes it is more convenient to measure from right to left and they are upside down.

[@maggitmaster]

@@allanbarber4038 I hold the tape with my left hand or lock it and mark with my right, accuracy is with in a 64th

[@Paul-hb6yn]

Very helpful, Thank you for taking the time to make this video Sir. It's helped me understand all those little lines better and the reason why some have different lengths.

[@JDog5555545]

I starting looking at getting into welding. I knew you had to measure but I realized shit, I can't read a tape and felt worthless. This video has made my life so much better!

[@hahaLOLhaha72]

3/7 it's right before 3/8

[@jaxturner7288]

No such thing as 3/7.

[@sween187]

Well it would come after 3/8 🤓

[@idave4900]

@@jaxturner7288 *Woosh!*

[@hahaLOLhaha72]

@@sween187 🤯

[@1pcfred]

@@jaxturner7288 of course there is. Just not in the sixteenths scale.

[@TWX1138]

"Download a Blank Tape Measure to Follow Along: @t" link did not work.

[@CRebeliron]

That's the weirdest metric tape I have ever seen 🤣

[@taylorwilson3768]

im currently in school for welding and I have to say im nervous as hell going back but this video really helped. totally recommend.

[@almata9047]

Finally now I understand tape measurers, I'll keep in mind your recommendations, great instructions, thank you very much! 👍🏽

[@zednott]

had a CO worker who always said " a welders tap measure should only show down to 1/8th inch, weld fills the gap." ... kind right really.

[@atowns3364]

No not Right. Some times things have to be dead nuts and it's easier to keep something from warping on you when you have a good fit.

[@zednott]

@@atowns3364 key point is " some times"

[@nickvanwhatt]

What are you building a toilet paper holder

[@bjosh2029]

I get .010 tolerance in my industry weld shrinkage is a huge deal inconel shrinks close to .015 so we have to be perfect

[@griffinpierce7691]

@@bjosh2029 what do you do for work? I know inconel is pretty special stuff

[@1pcfred]

Yes I can really read a tape measure. Sheesh. The real question is do you know all of the decimal equivalents of the fractions?

[@ZTen7h]

.3MM IS 1/64TH OR O.O156. .7MM IS 1/32NDS OR .0312. 1.1MM IS 3/64THS OR .0468. 1.5MM IS 1/16TH OR .0625. 1.9MM IS 5/64THS OR .07812. 2.3MM IS 3/32NDS OR .09375 ETC.SIMPLE.

[@stevej6824]

5 out of 4 people are bad at math 🤯

[@roddas26]

Thank you for explaining this so well. Living in New Zealand we use the metric system so was never taught any of this ever. I'm now 48 and and now i understand imperial sizing for the first time in my life. 🧠💥

[@dominiqueuniquenique9752]

This video explanation is excellent! I wish it would have come up first when I googled how to read a tape measure. Not ashamed to say that I never learned how to correctly read one. I have a school-aged child who I had to help with a homework assignment on this very thing. You are an excellent teacher with clear explanations.

[@JoshuaZiesmer]

When I saw the title I actually thought he was gonna get technical with all the carpentry marks for stud and rafter placement and what not, but no, he went straight up Kindergarten. School is basically glorified baby sitting now. I learned welding, machining, and mechanics in public school, and went straight to work. Everyone thinks that technology and ease of use will create a civilization where everyone is a philosopher, but no, what will actually happen is the movie wall-e.

[@k11keeper]

That’s what I was thinking. I don’t know anyone on my job that can’t do everything in this video.

[@wrenchoperator6435]

I'm an instructor as well, and it's actually really sad how many people graduate high school and can't read this. It's not just a tape measure, but any standard ruler. When I was in school this was 3rd, maybe 4th grade stuff in school and every kid knew how to read a measure before they ever got to high school. This superbly demonstrates the failure of the modern public school system.

[@adam-k]

So I was thinking surely everybody can read a tape measure. Then I realized this video is for insane people who measure things with their feet.

[@countrykang1996]

Man thank you.. I’ve been and I/E Tech for 8 yrs and I can’t read a tape measure.. smh never really had to because I don’t fabricate I unwire rewire calibrate and troubleshoot but it’s a shame I can’t read one so here I am. Thanks again bud

[@lisapender1751]

Thank you soo much for making it sooo easy!! I am a female getting started in the carpentry industry and I could'nt understand this shit for nothing from the instructors. Thanks a Bunch!!

[@gordonfreeman9368]

Just use METRIC.

[@kevinhogan715]

At 67 years old, i learned to read a tape measure at 13 working with one of my father's friends in construction. By 14, i was helping framing houses . I really had a great two summers doing this. After high school, 1974, i went to work in precision sheet metal. Did that for 47 years. I have taught many people how to read tape measures.

[@DustinCoffel]

I bought a metric tape measure for just this reason. What comes after 4mm..... Oh yeah 5mm.

[@skoue4165]

But how does that help you cut me a 3 inch length of X?

[@Droningonuk]

@@skoue4165 nobody would ever need a 3 inch length of x they would need a 75mm length

[@skoue4165]

Well in this backward country you often need 3" and almost never need 75mm. And also 3" isn't 75mm it's 76.2mm. Don't get me wrong I like metric, but I work in an imperial country. Country goes metric no problem, till then using metric with imperial specifications is a formula for disaster. A certain martian probe comes to mind. One or the other is fine for fab and construction. Science is much smoother in metric.

[@Droningonuk]

@@skoue4165 I'm in England so generally use metric as I find it far superior but often get asked by an older gentleman to make something to imperial dimensions lol but if it fits at the end of the day it's all good

[@anpleidhceeireannach9498]

Decimal inches exist,in case you didn't know. What comes after 0.1 inches? 0.2 Fractions can be written as decimals too- you can have 1/8 of. Kilometer, or 125 meters,same way you can have 1/8 of an inch,or 0.125" Imperial measurements doesn't necessarily mean fractions,and metric measurements can just as easily be written as fractions

[@lorenwegele7517]

I've been stunned over the years at how many adults can't read a tape measure, but they could smoke me at Algebra....

Oh my goodness! As a 58 year old boomer I learned how to read a 1 inch tape measure. Great explanation! Greetings from Hollywood California. Thank you so much!!

[@mikeb359]

Very well done video tutorial. I often see these videos quickly done. This video explains exactly how to read a tape measure.

[@davel507]

We covered this in 4th grade. Guess I was weird and remembered

[@kwasg3]

What's really scary is, apparently, 95% the people welding the buildings and pipelines together didn't!

[@sanho1988]

Don't know how to read a tape measure? Use metric one

[@avocares]

I have converted to imperial/metric tape measures, really helpful as I can use whatever system makes sense for the work I'm doing. If I'm taking a measurement that will be divided into parts, metric. If I'm measuring to buy or compare something, imperial.

[@jimmyj2563]

alex Waiting for the howls of protest..i can work in both but I sure know which is the easiest and results in less error. Only been doing it for 40 years.

[@Dieselpower82]

As a metric guy....just baffled you need a course before you can read/use a tape measure. Guess you have to put some effort in to stubbornness ;)

[@robertbradley6946]

Not everyone has ease with Math. That's why most people that struggle with math never make it into a skilled position in regards to the Construction trade!

[@vittocrazi]

@@robertbradley6946 the thing is... in metric you just read that the tape shows. you only need to count.

[@robertbradley6946]

@@vittocrazi so you don't need to count using and imperial tape? Interesting.

[@vittocrazi]

@@robertbradley6946 of course you need to count. but you need to count twice and then do fractions, and then add those fractions to the previous count. thats why the video is about imperial tape and not any measuring tape. Tough i will admit that the wiggle on the end being intended was a cool find.

[@robertbradley6946]

@@vittocrazi You have to count metric lines every time you read a tape now that you're grown? That seems like a long ass day to me, for me no I don't have to count lines to figure out 11/16 from 3/4, thanks for playing!

[@marshhawk1718]

Great video! Thanks for sharing! We need more teachers like you that can teach with patience.

[@brendangully]

Bloody hell, just ditch Imperial already 😅

[@User556q]

I have a better solution: The Metric System!

[@BillDowney-v7t]

Metric was made dummies who handle fractions

[@anpleidhceeireannach9498]

Decimal inches are widely used in precision engineering, for example 0.001" is less than 0.002" etc Is that difficult for you to understand ?

[@nachoavgbindu]

Is this a joke? Good video but I am alarmed that the video was mostly just about reduced fractions. If youths of today do not understand this off the bat we have a serious problem 😰

[@thareal9479]

This is the best explanation for reading a tape measure i've ever seen. Made so simple and easy in quite a nice detail necessary for understanding. Love this video.❤👍🏼

[@daniellebordeau606]

Omg THANK YOU I WAS CLUELESS BESIDES THE 1/2 THE 1/4 THE 1/8 AND 1/16 but i didnt know how to read them past the 1/2 inch mark now i understand and know how they came up with all those numbers...you made it so simple n broke it down so easily i actually know how to read a damn tape measure and i cant THANK U ENOUGH!!!

[@RolandElliottFirstG]

Totally useless, everything I make is metric, and I use metric measuring instruments.