People are just realizing what the black diamonds are for on a measuring tape – they’re vital if you want to be precise

Tape measures are used everywhere, but people are only now learning how to optimize their properties.

Tape measures and rulers are used for everything from construction to home improvement. Knowing these tips and tricks will help you make projects easier and more precise.

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On one Standard tape measurered numbers are reserved for integers and not increments like 1, 2, 3, etc.

Alternatively, black numbers indicate half-inch increments, e.g. B. 1/2 inch, then 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 and on.

Some tape measures have a bold red number at 16-inch intervals or the word “STUD” at such intervals.

These markers are intended to help the user locate remaining studs in a wall once they find the first one, as the standard spacing for studs is 16 inches.

Black diamonds or triangles are typically used to mark 19-inch spacing as the standard spacing for roof trusses.

Now that the measurement markings have been made clear, there are a whole host of other hidden features on tape measures that contribute to efficiency and effectiveness.

Most tape measures are marked with a Roman numeral indicating how accurately the device measures, with Class I being the most accurate.

The silver tongue on the end of a tape measure can be used to fix the measurement between two building materials or to hook the tool onto the end of the material so that it can be operated with one hand.

Some of these metal pieces also have a slight indentation on the curved edge that allows the band to be hooked onto a nail or screw and similarly operated with one hand.

In addition to being easy to use, the tongue can also serve as a writing tool if the user forgets a writing instrument.

Many of these metal tips have a slightly serrated edge, but even if this is not the case, the metal is often many times harder than the material being measured and can be used to indent or scratch a mark to a desired length.

The piece of metal has another trick associated with it, and it is accuracy.

The band of the tool itself is 1/16 inch short, with the metal piece making up for this shortcoming.

This allows the user to accurately measure whether they are resting the end on a surface or hooking it to the material as mentioned above.

The metal tongue is loose enough that it can move with this pulling or pushing force to precisely maintain the overall length of the tool.