Most DIY'rs Have No Idea How To Use a Tape Measure - Let's Fix That

[@SilverCymbal]

What's your favorite tape measure trick?

[@someperson7]

Tape measure races or spin out battles😁

[@jonathandevries2828]

Grab stuff just outta reach, point to things, hold pipe up while i go grab some strapping...

[@steveacoffman]

Inside measurements that need to be very accurate just pull your tape out to 10 inches from one side and make a mark then pull from the other side to your mark and add 10 inches. You will have a perfect measurement. No need to try and add the sometimes odd measurements printed on the body.

[@JCWren]

Using it as a hammer.

[@desertodavid]

​@@JCWren 😅👌

[@AfflictionAce]

Measuring 10” back from a corner and then measuring from the opposite corner to the mark and adding 10”. Instead of trying to bend the tape into a corner.

[@corey6393]

I came in here to say the same thing. Works great for long runs like 15' 2 1/4" of baseboard for example.

[@edwardconley5250]

I actually have a 10" square dowel that I keep for just this purpose. Set it down, mark it, then measure to the line.

[@keysonthego3663]

Seen so many tape measure tricks in KZbin but yours is lovely bec it's aimed at simple home owners like me who aren't DIY savvy, so thank you sir.

[@SilverCymbal]

Thank you so much 😊

[@jonathandevries2828]

you didn't mention my favorite use: getting tools that you left just out of reach so you dont need to stand up again....second favorite: pointer

[@sacred_g]

5:04 You are correct, however, you'd be surprised how many people immediately ask "How do I do fractions on my calculator?" and also say "The tape measure doesn't have a fraction at every tick!" It's almost like America doesn't have shop class anymore or something...

[@RecklessFables]

Even in the '90s shop wasn't mandatory. You had to choose it as an elective in my middle and high schools

[@budm9982]

Nice precise measurement, "just under 18 inches". I suppose there are many that need to be shown these tips, as you have a huge amount of subs and many here are thankful for this video, so good job! It's just that I have been using tape measures ever since my Dad showed me these things over 60 years ago. I'm very fortunate to have been educated at a very young age about so many DIY subjects.

[@Equinox68]

Another hidden feature not many know about is a tiny hole near the top of your cell phone where you can put it next to your ear instead of having the conversation on speaker.

[@MyBiPolarBearMax]

My car has this cool feature where you can push a lever and it’ll show which way you’re going to turn. I wish everyone had one.

[@elicci]

@@MyBiPolarBearMaxmy friends BMW seems to missing that

[@chadrector4168]

I'm embarrassed to say I use a tape frequently and didn't know a couple of these!! Thanks for always producing solid content!

[@classicrockonly]

That last tip is massively useful and I wish I knew it sooner

[@futurepath]

Another thing you can do is write on / mark the tape directly with pencil instead of trying to remember the exact measurement. The pencil wipes off easily once done.

[@yougetagoldstar]

Thank you. I had no idea that the length of the tape measure was printed on the object. I had always done that bend/eyeball estimate for inside measurementa.

[@omar_padilla]

Wow!!!! I use a tape measurer every day thank you for the tips!!!

[@SilverCymbal]

Happy to help!

[@d3lsl0w]

No one ever uses that last tip because there is no clear way to read the tape when using that method. If there was some sort of built in marker on casing to show where to read the tape, more people would use that method. Also, making the casing an exact width would also help people use that method more often (ie, 1", 2", or 3" widths).

[@RobotMowerTricks]

Yeah, it's easier to pick a round number on the wood, mark it, then pull a second measurement and add it to the round number

[@jefff6167]

Another very helpful video. Thanks for taking the time to explain this. 👍 My favorite is the inside measurement tip.

[@JeepinMaxx]

Thanks for the video - I happened to have a Stanely on my desk and found myself following along point by point with it watching your video!

[@digitalghost81]

1:35 measurement is a 1/16 off than previous 1/8 “😮

[@joelperigo7213]

That’s because he keeps allowing the tape measure to slam back into the body, this actually can loosen up that end and throw off the tape measure. It has stretched out by a 1/16”

[@rhagenaar]

It was actually informative Such a simple yet clever tool

[@SilverCymbal]

I really appreciate that, glad it was useful

[@479.Flyn.]

I really can’t thank you enough for all of your great advice and your videos they are so interesting and they are very helpful thank you!!

[@larryking4208]

Great tips.did not know most of them. Thanx

[@TinaRoberts-q5l]

You’ve made this concept super easy to understand!

[@SilverCymbal]

Glad it was helpful!

[@georgejr.9935]

Love your videos. This one was short and spot on. Thank you!

[@clevejason]

Absolutely brilliant video - thank you

[@MickeyMikeMd]

Super helpful!

[@SilverCymbal]

Thank you, very glad you liked it

[@simon359]

Cool, 67 and I learned something new! 🤙

[@zach123101]

1:53 but it's so fun

[@jacquerene789]

Great Post! Thx!

[@Equinox68]

Yeah I've cringed when I've seen people suggesting to tighten that clip so it can't move.

[@travdripdrip382]

Ok i do repairs for the family business, 30-40% of my week is wood working, im 40 been doing this since i can remember and I've never thought of using the tape itself to scribe my cut marks like that. I feel like i should've thought of that lol, i can't wait to tell my father actually lol. It's genius, so often you don't have your pencil on you and you pick up a screw or chisel to scribe your mark. Believe it or not by the end of the work week this will actually save people time

[@Pr0toPoTaT0]

Alright. I didn't know my tape measure actually had how big it was on it so I've been bending it for 3 and a half years now. Lol thanks man, always some feel smarter and also dumber when you do one of these 😉

[@FREEDOOOOM]

Great info. Well done. Thanks for sharing. God bless.

[@jamescady723]

Good stuff!!

[@user-em6ie2be7x]

I had no Idea Tape Measures had that many features.

[@suzannemiller993]

Not a measuring tip but metal tape measures are easy to cut with scissors. Some bag makers use them to make "snap" totes...putting cut pieces of tape measures (with edges wrapped with masking tape) into the fabric casing at the top of the bag. No zippers, snaps, or velcro needed.

[@CheaddakerT.Snodgrass]

Measure diagonally across an item to where the reading is an even number and then you can easily make a mark at any division you want such as 1/2 1/4 whatever you want rather than measuring something like 11-9/16 and trying to divide that. Or using a millimeter tape measure can make dividing easier. Also reading a tape as inches alone such as 147 inches is easier than writing 12 feet 3 inches or 12' 3"

[@JCWren]

Let's talk about how so many tape measures are complete junk. The tape may support itself, but then it twists and bends when you're trying to push it out across the floor to measure something. Or how poorly made tape measures (mostly China made ones) can be off up to 1/4" over 10 feet. Or how the markings in the first inch are often next to impossible to read thanks to how large the clip is. Or how if you accidently let it retract at full speed over a long length it can break the case (thanks Stanley!). Or how the locks either never work or stick on.

[@N-M424]

How about the black diamonds on a lot of tape measures? I was blocked by another creator a few months ago who was claiming to be a "pro" and yet was insisting the black diamonds are at 19 1/4'' spacing when in fact they are at 19.2'' because they are used for dividing 96'' (8 feet) into 5 equal spaces. 96 divided by 5 equals 19.2

[@SilverCymbal]

All the info I have shows that you are 100% correct. I will block folks if they are either insane or just there to harass me. But correct info, even if I am wrong is OK. This is right from US Tape: "The black diamonds which appear every 19 3/16” on metal tape measures are for spacing I-beam “timbers.” Several wood-product manufacturers offer I-beam “timbers” as a substitute for solid lumber floor joists. The diamond marks on tape rule blades are for spacing these engineered floor joists in new construction"

[@N-M424]

@@SilverCymbal Yes, the other creator referenced that same source, which is technically not correct. 19.2 does not equal 19 3/16, which is 19.1875. Not a big deal in the first couple feet, but use that for layout on a 100 or 200 foot building and you error stack becomes a major problem. This very issue was what I was blocked for. I have contacted U.S. tape and they agree that it is a typo and "marketing" is to blame. They obviously haven't corrected it. This can be clearly seen just by looking at a tape measure and notice the diamonds never land on 19 3/16 intervals. Very simple.

[@drmegaman]

lol i wish I knew that trick about just using the clip to draw a mark in wood all along, that's amazing

[@rickgaine3476]

No offense intended, but all of these were common sense when my Dad gave me my first toolbox at 7 years old. Still have my original Stanley tape with a metal case. Love that thing. A tape measure comes in handy for fishing wires behind drywall.

[@user-kp1ei7mn3x]

Nice.

[@namedjasonc]

How many of us saw this and immediately grabbed our tape measures to check the inside measurement note?

[@daneking1209]

You forgot the divide by 2 trick. Fold the tape in half and the center of the loop at the end of the tape is the divided by 2 number of where ever number the silver tape catch is on

[@someperson7]

I legit did not know this

[@SilverCymbal]

Glad it was helpful

[@Mike1614YT]

1:30 inside measurement, there's a gap the hook falls into, causes the measurements to not match

[@AnonZero0]

*Thank you.*

[@ajspice]

I prefer digital myself. I recently installed a vality in my bathroom and I measured the space over and over. 40" on the nose. The sink was just 40", but still didn't fit. The digital one I ordered gave me the correct reading. I HATE measuring. It doesn't matter how many times I measure. It will be wrong.

[@user-tv5dt3nm9y]

I only just learned the loose tab feature. Occasionally clean your tape with a damp rag, then apply a light coat of paste wax to keep it retracting freely. To make a vertical measurement beyond your reach, pull tape over your head holding the tab below. Keep pulling tape vertically until the bend is near the far point to be measured and then place the tab at the low spot. Read the far point measurement in the bend. Almost forgot, extend about 12” of tape and lock it out. Now you can pretend you are talking into a walkie-talkie.

[@teamja1088]

I fell victim to another “click here to learn things you did not know about something you have” videos. I have always thought that all of these points of wisdom were already standard knowledge.

[@eltonpaxton6894]

It's a 1/16 off. That's. 062. Significant.

[@icawn]

his back stop was not perfectly snug up.

[@4WDriver]

Your mom's 1/16 off! LoL J/K. I don't even know your mom. Heck, for all I know she could be 17/16 off. That comment was just begging for a "yo momma" joke response. 😂 In all seriousness, though, I'm sure she's a nice lady.

[@brainz-brainz]

Surprised you didn’t go over the different markings on the tape.

[@aceptt]

3:11 dont let the tape measure slam into it self, lets it slam into itself

[@Omnis2]

But you're Silver Cymbal, so I need you to tell me how my tape measure can fix my lawn.

[@solaura6218]

That's easy. Just dig a 20' hole in your yard & bury you tape measure in it.

[@todaywelearned]

How can my tape measure power my house in case of an outage?

[@zulfika_]

​@@todaywelearned sell your tape measurement to buy a generator

[@zulfika_]

Sell your tape measure to buy lawn mower

[@asterixky]

The Best tape measure is a Metric tape measure.

[@simongchadwick]

Seconded - at least a dual inch/cm one like the Komelon PSE55E. When you need to cut something in half, it's much easier to divide 70.2 by 2 than 27⅝.

[@Crassus_Auratus]

!Don't snap it in!" Start and End: snap it in.

[@S2KV]

Mines curve at 1 foot

[@jb888888888]

Lots of things are "further from the truth" than TikTok people saying to hammer the end of a tape measure.

[@KRich408]

The flat tape measure forget its Viagra.

[@SlinkyD]

My 40 year old tape measure scales are more truer than the new tape measurers. Same with my metal rulers. This new math ain't mathing right.

[@ravenousvisages]

Why do you keep holding the tape measure in your right hand- how are you supposed to make a mark? Oh snap, they put the numbers all upside down.

[@ckramer115]

Nothing said here is wrong. But its like explaining how to use a straw.

[@Crawlerjamie]

Sunnuva gun.

[@Ron-k8e7f]

i wanna make some maks like your accent

[@SnowRita-c3b]

697 Heaney Knoll

[@TheKingOfInappropriateComments]

Real men use yard sticks.

[@SilverCymbal]

Your're talking Tommy Silva level with that stuff!

[@TheKingOfInappropriateComments]

@@SilverCymbal I always thought of myself more of a Norm and Bobby V guy.

[@desertodavid]

😴😴😴 this video should be called "using a tape measure for dummies"

[@jnmc-vx4fw]

Very funny channel. As a pro builder , you’re hilarious…..

[@montanasojourn]

He never claims to be a professional and never claims to be a comedian.

[@John-Smith02]

Let's see you do it @jnmc-vx4fw

[@jnmc-vx4fw]

@@montanasojourn definitely not a pro and definitely hilarious to watch

[@kiwisafa101]

Like you, calling it a tape measure. By saying that you are saying it measures tape, when in actual fact it is a measuring tape eh.

[@Crassus_Auratus]

0:40 makes no sense at least. Logic? Aren't you far from truth? If it's not loose, you can measure in- and outside too - without any inaccuracy.

[@Equinox68]

No. If the clip is extended and tight, it may measure lengths on the outside fine but measuring inside against a wall would be off by 1/16th or .0625" which is the thickness of the clip. You would need to add that amount to your measurement if you were measuring on the inside of a wall or board and couldn't hook it on the outside or the board you are measuring. Because you are sliding the clip one way or another (pulling or pushing) the 1/16th adjusts itself and therefore no need to compensate for the difference.

[@soundspartan]

Measure TWICE . . . cut ONCE!