
What is the Red Box on a tape measure for?
Actually, the red box is marked on the tape measure every 16 inches, (16, 32, etc.) which assists in the construction of the studs in a wall. The key here is to notice that you would stretch the tape measure out and then use the marks with 16 inches on the center and layout your studs.
How many 1/8ths are on a tape measure?
Even smaller marks then denote 1/8ths and 1/16ths (marked in red) of an inch. A 16ft tape measure, for example, will have sixteen one-foot marks along its length and 192 one-inch marks (12 inches per foot).
What is the black diamond mark on measuring tape?
There are many marks on the tape measure and one of them is the black diamond. This is a specialty mark used to match the spacing for I-beam timbers (a substitute for solid material floor joists). The Black Diamond On Measuring Tape is marked every 19 3/16 inches and is used for spacing these engineered floor joists when there is new construction.
What are the parts of a tape measure?
Most tape measures use imperial (On Top) and metric measuring marks (On Bottom). The biggest mark is the inch mark with a number and then the next biggest mark is the half-inch (1/2 inch).

What are the little marks on a tape measure?
Tape measures often use small, black diamond or triangle shapes called black truss marks. They indicate truss layouts of every 19 3/16 inches. This spacing is often used by some engineered joist manufacturers. There are 5 of these marks for every 8 feet.
What are the red diamonds for on a tape measure?
For every 8-foot section of your wall, there should be six studs placed 16 inches apart. That's why there are red numbers highlighted every 16 inches. If you use the tape measure, you can note exactly where the studs are by using the red numbers and marking the studs using a pencil.
What does the Black diamond mean on a 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.
What is the little black square on a tape measure?
The black diamond marker on a tape measure falls between the 16-inch and 24-inch spacing. This marker is commonly used in building a concrete block chimney. But, it has other uses too. Marked at 19.2 inches apart, using this type of placement also allows for more weight loads with fewer pieces of wood.
What is the black diamond four on a tape measure?
The black diamond marks every 19.2" on our tape rule blades. This is for spacing of engineered joists common on job sites. The 19.2 inches allows for a break at 8 foot to accommodate full sheets of plywood.
What is Black Diamond?
Carbonado, commonly known as black diamond, is one of the toughest forms of natural diamond. It is an impure, high-density, micro-porous form of polycrystalline diamond consisting of diamond, graphite, and amorphous carbon, with minor crystalline precipitates filling pores and occasional reduced metal inclusions.
Why is there a hole in the end of a tape measure?
1. Nail Notch. Did you know that the little notch in the end of all tape measures is meant to hook on to a nail or screw? If you don't have anyone to hold the other end of your tape measure, tap a nail in and hook your tape on to it.
How do you tell your age with a tape measure?
1:152:47Find Your Age with a Tape Measure! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo the way this works is you ask the person what year were you born and I was born in 1989. SoMoreSo the way this works is you ask the person what year were you born and I was born in 1989. So somebody asked me we would go to 1989. And then you'd turn it around and you'd see how old I am.
How many inches is a 16 foot tape measure?
A 16ft tape measure, for example, will have sixteen one-foot marks along its length and 192 one-inch marks (12 inches per foot). Each inch will then have eight 1/8th of an inch and sixteen 1/16th of an inch marks. 1 foot = 12 inches.
What is the measurement of a pocket tape measure?
Above you'll see a picture of a metric/imperial pocket tape measure. The measurements towards the bottom of the image are metric. In other words they're in centimetres and milimetres. There are 10mm in each centimetre (shown by the ten spaces between each cm) and 100cm in each metre. Whilst the centimetres are clearly numbered, to make the blade easier to read the millimetres are not numbered. Also, whilst a few tapes show '1m' to display the 1 metre mark, the majority will show '100cm'.
What is pocket tape?
In pocket tapes (as seen in the image below), this is usually a straight piece of metal attached to the blade by a number of rivets. You will normally find (on any pocket tape of quality) that the hook 'floats'. In other words it moves in and out ever so slightly.
What is the most commonly used measuring tool?
The humble tape measure is the world’s most commonly used measuring tool, accompanying millions of tradesmen and contractors to work every single day.
How many inches are in 1 inch?
1 inch = 16 x 1/16th of an inch, 8 x 1/8th of an inch, 4 x 1/4 of an inch or 2 x 1/2 of an inch.
Where do you put the hook when measuring?
When taking external measurements, however, the hook can be placed around/behind the object and pulled gently towards the measurer. Not only does this keep the blade in place whilst measuring, it also guarantees an accurate measurement by compensating for the thickness of the metal hook in the measurement.
When taking internal measurements, the hook can be pushed against the object?
skirting board) providing an accurate measurement .
What Are The Black Diamonds and Triangles on Tape Measures?
Black diamonds or triangles are also called truss marks, and they are spaced out every 19 3/16 inches. These measurements are usually used by framers – which is something most DIYers don’t get into. Basically, as a DIYer, feel free to ignore them!
Why Are Some Tape Measure Numbers Red?
The red numbers on a tape measure are an easy way to tell where studs lie. Since most studs are framed at 16″ between the center of each stud (sometimes referred to as 16″ on center), once you find the center of your first stud, using the red numbers, you can find the center of every stud on the wall.
What is an SAE tape measure?
SAE stands for Standard American English units of measurement, though depending on who you ask in the tool world, it sometimes refers to the Society of Automotive Engineers, who helped standardize Imperial measurements.
What is the smallest unit of measurement?
Metric is pretty different from Imperial – while the smallest unit of measurement in Imperial is generally a 1/16″, the smallest in metric is 10mm. There are 16 sixteenths of an inch in every inch, but there are only 10mm in every cm. Yes, metric probably makes a lot more sense on paper, but since the US hasn’t switched yet, most of our measuring tapes will still be Imperial.
How many cm are there in a metric tape measure?
But if you DO end up needing or using a metric tape measure, know that for every meter, there are 100 cm. For every cm, there are 10 mm. Most metric measuring tapes only mark the cm for readability, so you’ll need to count the number of ticks in between to get your exact measurement. Sometimes, there are larger ticks in between each cm to denote 1/2 cm.
What is the most important feature of tape measures?
There are all kinds of add ons and extra features that tape measures can have, but the most important (to me) is a rubberized case, a decent extension length, and numbered markings.
What does the tick mark on a tape measure mean?
The largest numbers correspond to inches, with fractions of inches being in between each of the largest numbers.
What tape has black diamonds?
We have two tapes made by the same manufacturer in front of us right now. The 25-foot tape has true black truss diamonds. The 6-foot tape has black diamonds at the 16-inch center increments.
What is the most curious tape measure?
The Mysterious Black Diamond. Of all tape measure markings, the black diamonds are the most curious. In the unlikely event that someone notices them at all, they won’t seem to have any rhyme or reason being at 19-3/16, around 38-13/32, then 57-19/32, and so on.
How far apart do you put studs on a wall?
The same with the 32-inch mark and the 48-inch. That’s because standard building codes dictate that supporting wall members (studs) must be sixteen inches apart on center. When a builder constructs a wall, these marks make it easy to place studs in compliance with building codes.
Do tape measures have markings?
Well, in the same way, most tape measures have markings that we tend to ignore. But, if we know what their purpose is, or that they’re there in the first place, those markings might help us work much more efficiently. So, let’s take a closer look at the information tape measure markings give us.
How to tell where studs are on a tape measure?
That’s why there are red numbers highlighted every 16 inches. If you use the tape measure, you can note exactly where the studs are by using the red numbers and marking the studs using a pencil. Here’s where the black diamonds come in: They represent the middle of the studs. Starting at the 19.2-inch mark, the black diamond helps you find ...
How to fix a dented carpet?
Place an ice cube on the dented area of your carpet and let it melt. As the water is absorbed into the carpet, it should start to spring back to normal. After the carpet is completely dry, use a hard-bristled brush to fluff any areas that are still dented.
How to fix broken glass in potato?
Cut the potato in half, push the soft side into the broken bulb and turn it counterclockwise until the broken glass is embedded into the potato. Don’t forget to turn off the power and put on protective gloves before you attempt this hack!
How far away is the next black diamond?
The next black diamond is 19.2 inches away from the first stud (38.4 inches from the beginning of the tape measure), and the diamonds go all the way to the 96-inch mark, or 8 feet.
What is the most accurate tape measure?
For instance, on some (especially in the UK), there are Roman numerals on them. This tells the user how accurate the tape measure is: I is the most accurate, and III is the third-most accurate.
How many feet of studs are needed for a house?
A word of caution though: This only works if you know that the house was built using the 8-foot standard for placing studs.
How to remove mineral deposits from shower head?
Remove mineral deposits and other grime from your shower head by simply soaking it overnight in vinegar.
