How to read a tape measure without looking like an idiot
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- Опубліковано 16 чер 2024
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Who else is a poor, ignorant, child trying to learn? (I’m 19 btw lol.)
Me
Everyone starts some where, your not going to work 1 day and the next wake up rich.
Ikr
I’m 19 too 🥺
I got a crew running tho roofing in siding I just need more help reading tape measure & 🧮
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! 🙏
I’m 21 same boat, feel stupid as hell lmao this dude came in clutch
Same 18🤷♂️😌
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.
Same me 23 years old, just get into to the job. I also try learn to read this measurement😂.
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
I’m 30 and I’ve never heard it explained this way before... they stopped teaching it to our generation
same and same .
Yup same
Yup
They really did
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
Poor ignorant child: me 25 tryna figure out how to use a tape measure. I was just trying to learn damn🤣🤣
Literally same at 20 yo😂😂😂
I’m here cause I just got from an interview and the boss asked me if I can read a tape measure lol
32 and better late then never lmao hating ass ppl 🤣
@@kylestark2817 same😂
Literally same I’m 25 learning rn lol
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
Who needs calculus just good old fractions and triangles. Same boat here
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.
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.
I'm exactly the same I struggled with fractions and never understood them properly
and*
As an adult that is learning woodworking by myself and from UA-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!
My wife says I might be able to read a tape but I’m still an idiot.
Tell her yeah well you married me so who's the real idiot lol
Seems like you're your wifes bitch?
@@Mikey-ym6ok Good one. 😂😂
@@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.
@@Mikey-ym6ok 🤣🤣🤣
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!
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.
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.
I use a digital one so it saves me the headache. 📐
Ok boomer
@@smwfreak1647 seems like it.
Yep. Kids want to be gangsters and shit and people dont put in tech classes
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.
I felt this working in a granite shop don’t have my own tape measure yet lol
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!
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
Yooo y’all hiring? 😂
This video is a great video for teachers to show to their students! Well explained video man!
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!!
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! 🙏
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
Great video James. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
This helped me a lot during my woodshope class, Thanks!
That was actually my first question for my interview today. Hense why I'm watching these, this guy's awesome 😂
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
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
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.
Sadly the schools teaching “Discovery Math” are NOT teaching kids basic fractions. Ask any teenager what 1/2 + 3/4 amounts to.
@@stewskinner5717 that's an easy one! Its 4/6! Lol
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
@@chrisbelmore8198 Yep, if you don't know, you don't know. I'm sure Stumpy was just joking though.
@@twicebittenthasme5545 Tommy Chong, is that you?
this makes more and more sense the more you repeat watching it. Thanks a lot! I've always been confused with these
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.
“3 and 3 little lines”... made me laugh. Did you bug my shop? Lol
I did that too. Not after today!
@Clayton Barfield It's ok
That's my Lingo 🤣😂😅
Lmao
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.
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
Use the metric system!
Growing up a had no one around me with tools but I’m glad UA-cam is here to teach me everything I need.
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!!!!!
Love this channel! Great teacher.
Wow, you make it so easy to understand. Thank you very much.
This is amazing for the beginner. Super helpful and saved me a lot of time. Thanks.
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!
Who else lied at a job interview and now they are here ?
Watched this three times! Thanks, James!
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.
Really good description! It’s simple and direct!
"Always go by the nearest half-inch"
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 😊
Now I know... how crap they are?
... (sorry I just couldn't resist :D)
Get on your FEET and INCH your way to the exit, you will see yourself out now! 😉
@@imqqmi is there a YARD sale outside?
@@themrims3191 I'm not sure I FATHOM your question.
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
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.
Thank you for this, I am doing odd jobs and I needed to learn this.
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 )
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!
bro you don’t know how helpful this was, needed this, thanks a lot, props to u for teaching us🙏
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...
I was taught to just say the inches, so I'd just say 99 and a half.
You cant blame the youth for this. Blame the education system. We never learned it. We learned metric and THAT WAS IT.
Thank you for the lesson...I needed it big time!!
Good one James and much needed.
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 👍
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!
Or it's a fat ⅛(¼,ect) or short ⅛.
Ok... but to a Master carpenter, "Leave the line" is a 32nd or a 64th.
Yep... and we slso say heavy & lite.. ;) frame on framaz!
Thank you, you actually helped me.
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.
Just watched this before an interview. Thanks a million.
Update: I got the job and today is my first day! 😃
Where was this video when I taught third grade? Seriously it was well done and I’m sure helpful to some.
Thanks for giving us the shortcut on figuring 16ths. I had never looked at it that way. P.S. Inches Rock!! Lol
this helps through my engineering course for my school! learning how to read tape measures and we were doing cnc machines stuff at school!
thanks for this info, I have always been running away from measuring stuff because I wasn't sure of the correct measurement.
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.
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.
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)
Auger bits are too. A #16 is 1", #12 is 3/4
This is the same principle machinists use. They use 1/1,000th of an inch.
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.
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
This guy should teach math. Making it easy for the average Joe's out there
P.S. disregard my name
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!
As an older woman who only learned to read quarters... this was very helpful! Thank you!
Great video. Beginners will love this!
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.
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
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.
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.
My goodness, I finally understand this!!! Thanks so much for making this video.
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.
Good attitude. Keep it up.
How's the job ?
@@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.
@@adamreed264 gotcha
Thank you for posting this. What is the marking pen you are using in the video?
amzn.to/2WIBgmk
@@StumpyNubs Thank you just ordered one
Gary Allinson j
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
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. 😀
My grandmas storage shed was built like this, lol. "How many palitos? Siete, stoopit!"
Yes! I’m now no longer a poor, ignorant child (opinions may vary); great tips James, much appreciated
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.
Thanks, Stump needed the refresher.
Play Safe From Elliot Lake Ontario Canada.
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
After watching this video, my appreciation for metric system is even bigger than before :D
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!
If you don't need to understand imperial why on earth would you torture yourself with it!😁
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".
This episode is from Grumpy Nubs :P
I was looking for a good video to send to my new employees(No one seems to be able to read a Tape Measure anymore, an' I don't have the time to train them all)... Top notch, Mate!
Very simple and informative explanation, thank you.
It saddens me that this video is needed.
campbellmj9405
It’s a good video. Kids like me aren’t taught what seems obvious sometimes and this video is really helpful.
Why? A lot of people don't have anyone to teach them this skill.
@@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.
@@campbellmj9405 it's not really that straight forward, especially if you've never had a reason to apply the skill.
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 😥 ✊🏾💯
good video ,
remember
seven fifths of the population dont understand fractions.
😂😂😂
:'D
You mean 7 out of 5 five people?🤔
Thank you, this video is so valuable in so many ways, " EVERYONE!! " needs to know how to read a tape measure/ ruler and I have never laughed this much
Brilliant tutorial. Never heard of “breaking an inch before”. Really helpful video
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. "
They must have fired eight-sixteenths.
Metric, Imperial, decimal, I can work with them all.
I like working in either decimal inches or millimeters.
Good for you
I throw curvebslls at the guys on job using the metric system.. lol.. cut me a 2x4 @ 17.375+ plz.. lol
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
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.
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 !
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 !
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.
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)
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.
Or just keep it on your hip and be efficient, certain tools are meant to be carried all day
@@gnarthdarkanen7464
Lol
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.
It's when people step on the tape or put something heavy on it.
That's why I hate to let most guys borrow my tape. Most guys do just what you said. Drives me nuts.
Your voice is easy to listen to and I actually was able to retain the information... I've been thumped in the head... hence watching this video lol 🙏🙏🙏
Thanks for the clear explanation. I now view measuring tape with a different outlook.
At 70, I am amazed at how little the newer generations know about anything manual, such as tape measures, vernier calipers, etc.
William Ellis clocks
🤣 too true! I’m guilty of being nearly useless with a vernier scale.
@@gruntersdad1095 Yeah, those too (clocks).
I'm only 58 and just as amazed.
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.