I just read a news article talking about Home Depot targeting “millennials,” and in the story they mocked Home Depot’s “How to Use a Tape Measure” video.
I wasn’t aware of the video, or their “DIY Digital Workshop” videos, so I took a look at the 59 second tutorial. Here it is:
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That’s pretty basic stuff, and leaves some things out, but I’m sure that 1 minute of the pure basics is exactly what some people need.
Different people have different capabilities. I never took a shop class, a woodworking class, or anything of the like. I remember my father using tape measures when I was a kid, and I remember borrowing them when I needed to measure something too long for a ruler.
There is nothing wrong with not knowing how to use basic tools, as long as one is willing to learn when the need arises
That said, I’m going to make sure that both my kids have a basic understanding of how to use tools, and how to pick the right one for different tasks.
With tape measures, I remember having to look up why there are black diamond markings every 19.2″. That’s probably not something most non-professionals can figure out on their own.
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As for hooks, I once saw someone hammer down the rivets, to “fix the wobble.” (The hook move slightly forward and back to compensate for its thickness, effectively moving the “zero” point of the hook when making outside or inside measurements.)
I am pretty sure that someone else once told me of the potential benefits of starting a measurement at 1″ instead of 0.
Some people don’t know how to cook, others don’t know how to swing hammers, and others see every tool as a hammer, and every screwdriver as a chisel or pry bar.
That all said, when did you learn how to use a tape measure?
Where? At home, school, work?
I learned how to use a tape measure when I was a kid, and learned more since then. There’s probably still a trick or tip or two I could stand to pick up. I learned how to use a ruler at school, and believe my tape measure use started at home.
Brandon
My first non-retail job was at a plywood factory where everything was spec’d to within 1/16″. I worked there for a little over two years and went through at least eight 12′ Stanley Powerlocks. Previous to that, I could read a tape measure with a little bit of thought and/or counting out tick marks (not 100% sure where I learned that; probably school), but now it’s as quick as reading written numbers.
Jim Felt
My dad ran a big steel fabrication plant and while I’m told I “operated” a forklift at around 7 years old I’ve no idea when I first used a tape or mic or ruler. None.
So I guess pretty early on? No idea. Sorry.
John Blair
Here is a good video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob_Ywv6IisY
I learned in use. When I was an electrician, I used them to lay things out for plan (lights, where outlets were, etc.). I had jigs for most repetitive tasks (box heights, drywall thickness, etc.) to avoid having to measure each one.
Now I use it in wood working all the time for finer work. I love the Woodpeckers Lefty Righty tapes.
Art
Measuring … Mother sewed and that was my first exposure to “measuring” when I was probably around 6-7. Tape measure, I think when I had my first construction job as a laborer in high school at 16 or so. Then more thorough use as part of a construction survey crew.
Nathan S
Not sure why teaching the basics would be something to mock. Lots of times, I’ve learned advanced features / uses for a tool or a process, but still had holes to fill on basics that I was later ashamed to ask about. Case in point: using the tape measure hook properly. I “learned” how to read a tape measure as a kid, but I figured out the hook out of curiosity (which was randomly confirmed by some YouTube video).
Glen
A couple weeks ago! (No joke!)
Was complaining to my father about how I needed buy a new tape measure for installing baseboard trim in my house since the old one has a “loose hook end on it”. He explained how that is normal and allows for accurate inside and outside measurements. Never knew that! That detail was not in the video above… but I do like the tip they show where the case length is used to accurately measure to the floor. I’ll have to remember that trick.
Noah
I don’t think I *really* learned until I joined stage crew freshman year of high school.
Dirck Van Lieu
I learned to use a tape considerably after I learned to use a folding rule. I still have a rule with me at all times.
Coach James
I learned when I was in early elementary school. My dad was always building/fixing something and “Come here, let me show you how to do this.” was a weekly phrase from him.
Adam
I took woodworking classes when I was around 7, and I think I learned there. The guy is still teaching those classes, and I still have a few of the projects I made.
Brian A
My 3yr old taught himself, a flimsy one came with one of his tool sets, he pulled it all the way out wrapped around his waist and tied it. Tried to explain thats not what its for but he could care less. He is already a tool addict, has so many kid tools, he would probably rather go to HD to play with drills and tools than Disney.
Szymon
We took our 4yr old to toys r us and said pick out anything you want (within reason)
He went to the back of the store and picked out a plastic batter operated circular saw.
And pointed out that he wants the work bench for Christmas
Bill
Great stories about the little ones. My grandson, who just turned 5, has always been interested in all my tools and how they are used. In fact about two years ago when one of our yorkies died and I was explaining what happened and why, my grandson said “That’s ok Pop-pop I’ll get my tools and fix him”.
Harrolldean
Learned from my dad initially. Then I had a job as a roofer and our carpenter showed me some more tricks; he was also the one that taught me to mark a “V” instead of a straight line so you always know where the point is on a V, but you might mistake the wrong end of just a single line that wasn’t drawn straight and mess up your cut.
Jeremiah
Im 40 now, I learned about marking a v rather than line about 19 or 20 while doing occasional labor work for a family friend who was a contractor( 1 man shop, carpenter, handyman, do it all type). I don’t think I learned about the end of the tape sliding until my mid to late 20’s after a few years working in construction for a small plumbing company, probably mentioned it to a carpenter who told me. I do remember it was a bit of a duh! Moment.
I don’t remember, but must have first learned to use a tape while under 10 from my dad who in his twenties- thirties worked as a carpenter. And has always fixed stuff and done his own work on his property since.
I did take metal shop for a semester or year? in high school and one project was a galv. sheet metal toolbox with a hinged lid and tray. I wouldn’t call
The results bad, but certainly not good. The lid overhung the base by about 1/2 or 3/4 inch. I’m much better at measuring now.
Benjamen
I’m lucky enough to have grown up with a dad that was a contractor, I think he taught me the V-trick when I was about 10. I remember marking out some boards for him to cut on his radial-arm saw. He sat down and showed me because he couldn’t read my slanted marks.
I think they taught us how to use rulers in 9th grade science class — that and verniers. I though the vernier part was cool, but was wondering why anybody needed to be shown how to read graduations on a ruler — until people failed the quiz.
PACOBELL
Officially?….Just now.
Borderline Millennial here (Wish I wasn’t lumped into any group, so stupid)
Otherwise self taught user, so I just watched the video to make it official. Knew about the hook slop, starting at 1″, & red markings.
Did not know about the hole in the hook for a screw/nail head.
I am not sure if every tape measure has it’s housing size on it. I always looked at the label but didn’t know that it could be imprinted on the back. My fatmax doesn’t have any size markings on the housing which is annoying to me.
Stuart
You’re right – not all tapes have measurements on the cases.
Ktash
Some of them are hidden under the belt hook.
PACOBELL
You are correct Sir! Thank you.
So it is on the FatMax, hidden under the end of the belt clip. Still hard to see though (yellow plastic, no contrast) so I am going to put a black marker on the yellow plastic and then wear down the top to bring out the letters.
Still don’t understand why they make it so difficult to find (location), see (you have to pull up the clip to get a line of sight), and read (yellow on yellow).
Danny Kumite
Tape measure wasn’t widely available where I came from. So I learned to use it when immigrated to the US, probably around 14 years old. I didn’t know about the hook’s zero function until a couple of years ago when I got knee deep in DIY. Embarrassingly, that’s me who used 1 as a starting mark for exact measurement. I never asked anybody or watched youtube to learn how to use tape measure, though, just like I avoid asking for directions in general.
Yadda
As the oldest son of an only son I helped Dad measure things. I started out on the hook end and as I got older I was allowed to call out measurements on the tape end.
Mike McFalls
I never knew about the case measurement and I’ve been a DIY/semi pro for 20+ years. Just asked my stepfather (40 years as a some proprietor of a construction company) as well, as he/we always bend the tape and he said he knew it but since he tends to use a different tape on a regular and the cases aren’t a standard size, he finds it easier to just bend his tape (or use a laser)
Stuart
I usually bend the tape too, but it’s still good to know that the case itself can be used. I think I used it once, when backing a tape against a wall.
And he’s right, they’re not all the same size. The Milwaukee in front of me is 3-1/8″, for example. And I’m pretty sure that my Stanley is 3″ even.
firefly
I didn’t know about the case thing either nor do I know about the 19.2 mark. Honestly I never notice that it was there 😀
So I found this site that explain some of it http://diyhousehelp.com/tools/how-to-use-and-read-a-tape-measure
Jeremiah
I still don’t know about 19.2″. I assume it’s a roofing (or stairs) thing. I know about 16″ stud marks in red. If I don’t read about it in the comments here i won’t bother to look it up either.
Corey
19.2″ diamonds put you on mark for an extra stud within 8′, if I recall. Option other than 16 red or 24 black, without losing symmetry within the specific distance. Been awhile, could be wrong lol
Roger
Still learning new/er tricks, but the basic “ruler” use is what I mostly use it for. Some people don’t know *why* to use a tape measure. The “Millennials” thing is probably mostly for those who are still wondering what to do with themselves. Playing video games all day in the basement or studying wage gaps all week should eventually get a little boring. They don’t teach you how to use measuring tapes in College/University.
Everybody should have at least 5 measuring tapes: One that’s Imperial (inches) only; One that’s imperial with fractional marks; One that’s both Metric and Standard; One at your desk; and a small One in the car for just in case.
Patrick H
Excuse my irritation but come off it Roger. There are plenty of hard working intelligent millennials out there. There are worthwhile and less than worthwhile people in every generation. I’m a millennial and I am trying to make something of myself just the same as you surely did at my age. When a person was born says nothing about character. That statement is as ridiculous as me saying your generation is washed up and ready for the nursing home… let’s keep it classy here.
firefly
I don’t get the “Millennials” thing either but to Roger defense I believe what he mean is that “Millennials” is only those lazy self-entitled group of cohort… So you wouldn’t fit in there 🙂
RX9
Yeah, Patrick, I agree with firefly on that. There are plenty of “protest-everything” layabouts in our generation though, and I think that’s the subgroup that Roger was pointing out, and specifically pointing out as a subgroup only, not all of us.
JoeM
Yeah, Technically I’m a border birth. Too early in the Millennial years to have their same interests, but too late in GenX to be disenfranchised by the Baby Boomers that birthed us all.
Trust me… Even I hate Millennials. Specifically their complete and utter misuse of the language for the sake of justifying their existence, and not having to make decisions. Because they don’t accept when the rest of us “Define” something… say, a PERSON… Give it a Name, make a Choice that affects their lives… They fight for causes, but know absolutely NOTHING about them…
I was born on the border of the two generations. My older siblings did nothing but bitch about the problems of the world, and I have nieces and nephews who are full-on millennials who believe everything they see on TV and the Internet… Then there’s me… Who, like our friend Roger here, see both sides of this situation and have grown up solving those same problems. We have opinions, an education, and are very strong in our stance against anyone who jumps to conclusions, or neglects their critical thinking skills.
Patrick, I feel for ya. I do. But the fact that you may be young, doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a Millennial. If you aren’t blindly fighting causes, and you’ve genuinely learned from your elders how to do things… Chances are good that you don’t follow the Millennial trends anyways. So, instead of getting upset about the term, try to understand that, frankly… the way you’re talking… You don’t qualify for the people Roger is talking about. It’s about as relevant as someone saying “That’s an Orange Tabby Cat” and someone like you responding “That’s Racist! It’s just a Cat! Don’t put a label on it!” …Only to realize it’s a Purebred Orange Tabby Cat… A Domestic Feline that has parents specifically chosen to result in that kitten being of the Tabby sub-species of Felus Catus, with the Orange colour Variant. Making it, in reality, an Orange Tabby Cat.
Roger is mad at the people who would be offended by definitions, and who prefer to have their knowledge fed to them by social networking, rather than going out and learning it themselves, or reading a book for themselves. Patrick, you’ve admitted you aren’t one of those people, therefore, it’s not aimed at you. Don’t take a bullet for the people who don’t deserve your blind loyalty like that. You’re a person, not a Label. They may have called the GENERATION the Millennials, but that is due to overall trends, not individual actions. Not all GenX were suicidal and depressed, or angry at not being able to get jobs. Some of them are CEOs of their own companies, and are some of them decided to enter the Millitary, and do all the things their Parents did. They bucked the trends of their generation, and it happens in EVERY generation.
I know, because I was born in 1982. At the cusp of the two generations, on the side of the Millennials. I don’t play video games, I don’t like protests, and when I see a problem, I fix it and move on to the next project. Like you, I’m nothing like the Millennial stereotype. So, like ME, you should know when not to take the bullet for the people you’ve been slumped into by chance. You’re not following others, you’re following your own path. EVERYONE who follows their own path is angry at the Millennials, because their trends are so vapid and shallow. When you know you’re not one of them, you know you don’t need to protect them. Like us, you’re there to try and make fewer of them by pulling them OUT of that group, and into the real world.
Jae
More of a location thing than a generation thing. We don’t have “millennials” here. We have people with jobs or tweakers.
Dan
Not playing video games might be your loss given their proven benefits. I wish I still had the time to play.
What’s wrong with protests? It’s protests that have brought many freedoms.
Scott
I don’t remember when I learned. I did have an employee in the HVAC business that couldn’t read a tape measure, 20 some years old. I cut a 16″ x 1″ piece of metal and marked it out every inch and put the markings of the 16ths and made him carry it around for 2 weeks until he had it memorized.
JoeM
Due to the American insistence on the Imperial standard of measurement, technically I STILL lack all measurement skills using a tape measure. And every time I ask about the Imperial system, someone wants to lynch me in their thoughts.
I LIKE Metric. On a Tape Measure, increments of 1mm, extra long line at 5mm, number at 1cm, which is 10mm. At 100cm, it marks 1 Meter. Measure everything you need to measure, and all you’re doing is moving the decimal place up by 10.
Imperial, as far as I can tell, is for people who get physically aroused by fractions. Because, when I ask the question “What is the next incremental line?” in Imperial, I always get a different answer. “It depends on the Tape, and how detailed the manufacturer decided to make the lines.” The closest I’ve ever come is to measure what I need to measure, round up to the nearest Inch, then start twenty minutes of counting down fractions. So, suddenly I’ve measured a whole number, and a fraction, gone some place to match it, and the slightest twitch results in a bad fit.
Measure in METRIC, on the other hand… You just move the decimal to whatever is most convenient… Twitch a little, you can align the tape to the same spot and see what happened, BEFORE you go and try to fit it anywhere, you can spot the mistake before it costs you anything. And it’s INSTANT, not twenty minutes of mental math away, instant. 1M, 23.5CM. AKA, 1235mm, or 123.5CM, or 1.235M… and they all go to the EXACT same spot on the tape.
So… TECHNICALLY… I STILL can’t use a Tape Measure… Because I use Metric. All my projects and designs, I do in Metric. I go to a Home Depot, or any other source material place, and they look at me like I’m some kind of psychopath, using voodoo they can’t wrap their heads around. It’s a Decimal point… Factors of 10… It’s EASY… Do you really love the number 32 or 128 THAT much that 10 is somehow a threat to your very existence?
I don’t get it… I really, REALLY don’t get it.
Dan
I’m fortunate enough to live in a country where metric is standard. I don’t understand why imperial still exists. There must be so much
Dan
…inefficiency in learning and practising imperial.
Imagine if currency was imperial units!
Thin Man
Can’t argue with anything you guys have said. Imperial may be a big mess but its our big mess!
Stuart
Change is hard?
I remember being taught the metric system in elementary school. But if most things around us are imperial units, it’s not going to stick.
In science, everything is metric, or SI. I know some constants in metric and imperial units, but most only in metric.
I believe that we are now the LAST developed country in the world to not use the metric system.
If a package weighs 2.65 lbs, how many ounces is that? Without whipping out a calculator, I can only tell you it’s a little more than 40.
I need 3/4 table spoons of baking soda, but all I have is a 1/2 teaspoon measuring spoon. Err…
With supplies, I know some panels are measured in mm, despite having imperial designations. But imperial units still dominates.
Things will be a lot easier if metric measurements were better adopted here, but it’s going to take much more time for that to happen.
I’m guessing that stubbornness, cost, and potential confusion are the biggest obstacles.
JMG
Yup, change could be incredibly easy. I worked for a company that gave every new shop employee and metric tape measure when they hired on. All drawings sent to the shop were in metric. All drawings submitted for approvals to customers were imperial. Various software programs were used in the process, with minimal hand drawing of any type. This was in the late 80’s.
The new employees acclimated in a very short time frame and overall dimensional mistakes were lower than when the company had run on imperial only. It is simply a matter of shifting the equipment and mindset, and most of the automated equipment available at that time was already of metric based manufacture and produced in countries that were metric biased. Change is only a mental obstacle when it comes down to it. I for one am real tired of having multiple tool sets in play.
firefly
Totally agreed! it’s a lot easier to change to metric for most people because it just make sense. Even though I am fairly used to the inch/feet by now I wouldn’t mind to switching to metric at all!
Jae
Sounds like you just aren’t very familiar with using imperial measurements. If you have to count down fractions from the nearest inch you are doing it wrong. Both systems are equally simple. Yes fractions are a turn on. It’s easier to do fractions of fractions than fractions of decimals. It takes very little mental math to do. I’m not sure how a slight twitch would have any different effect on an imperial tape over a metric one. Proper technique gets you accurate results regardless of unit of measure.
Stuart
A lot of people start stumbling when there is math involved.
What’s the center of 19-7/16 inches? Mark a 20″ board into thirds.
Add 4-1/2″ to a mark you made at 7-9/16″.
I find that I make fewer mistakes when I write things down.
Jae
I can’t argue with that.
JoeM
It’s very easy to do fractions of decimals. You don’t do them at all. You just move the decimal place, and voila! Whole numbers, and numbers over 10 or 100. Just like a percentage of a whole number. No math, just moving the decimal place. Instead of 23-1/10th, it’s just 23.1. Or 23-5/100ths is just 23.05.
WAY EASIER. And then there’s the problem of INCREMENT… Okay… THIS is my biggest problem with Imperial. What’s “The Next Size Up” in any given situation? In Metric it’s a whole number, usually 1mm. What is it in Imperial? is there even an answer to that? I have Drill bit sets that are incremented in 64ths, but even they skip a few at times, when you do the math. I have socket sets that are just labelled “The Most Common”… and there IS NO “Next Size Up”… It’s just “The One Next To The One You Have Now”… And even Tape Measures… I’ve owned some that are incremented down to 16ths, and others down to 32nds. You’re just supposed to know this stuff off the top of your head, and do the lowest common denominator on paper, or the nearest empty spot of wood?
At least with Metric, you can do all the same physical handling of the tape measure that you can with Metric, and just read off the number, since it’s only going down to a factor of 10, with a half-way mark at 5 for visual confirmation. The “Next Size Up” is always the same in Metric. +1. In Imperial it’s +1 (Depends On What the Set is Incremented In)
So… TECHNICALLY… I’m quite proficient at using Metric… and I am fully capable of using the hook, nail, and tape bend techniques in using my Tape Measures… But I still have no idea how to use a Tape Measure… because I can’t do Imperial to save my life. I am very glad I’m Canadian, and do all my own project measurements. Makes everything very easy, and I don’t have to answer to anyone who is still pre-switch-over. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t dislike any of you who use Imperial, in fact I applaud your enviable ability to USE it. But I can’t work that way. I’m just not wired for it.
Stuart
The next size up for 1/4″? F.
Seriously.
1/4″ = 0.250
F = 0.257
After that comes G, and then 17/64.
Pete
Sometimes millennials scare me…. technically im a millennial at 29 years old but….
Of the few new millennials we’ve hired recently only a couple have a drivers licenses…. one didnt know how to use an adjustable wrench…
Dan
Blame the parents for the millennials shortcomings, whatever generation that is (X? Boomers?). That generation not only raised them, taught them, and set examples for them, but they probably more or less created the superficial world the millennials are blamed for (and likely so they can profit from it). I really feel sorry for them. I’m generation Y/late X (1980). It’s disgusting how the older generations treat the youth today. Help them, guide them, stop criticising them.
Dan
That wasn’t directed at you btw Pete. I mean in general, the older generations should stop criticising them.
I remember everyone used to hammer gen Y, now it’s millennials. It just seems like it’s always older people bagging younger people.
RX9
Yeah, I am in the millennial generation and I am amazed at the insanity of many of my generational peers. However, there are plenty of millennials who are hard-working, competent, and have a sense of humor. The “special snowflakes” in our demographic give us a bad rap, and we can’t stand it.
Every generation has its bad apples though, and this leads to a theory I have about the modern snowflake. My guess is that most of the snowflakes in my generation are the biological and/or ideological descendants of the hippie boomers who got the ball rolling on the downfall of western civilization. The boomers who weren’t dropping acid and were instead trying to build careers and families (people like my parents for instance) ended up creating the silent majority of millennials who can take care of themselves, take a joke, and know how to use a friggin’ tape measure.
Curtis
Yeah, it seems they don’t know squat when it comes to tools or their use, but they’re great with apps. They just seem to have the same instinctive familiarity with them that a lot of us old guys do with hand and power tools.
Daniel
When I was five. Helped my Dad install laminate flooring on the second floor of our house twenty years ago. Been constructing, renovating, and wood working ever since.
David R Zeller
Such sadness… my dad had a steel-cased Craftsman tape measure that we used for every project for as long as I can remember. One day he just suddenly gave it to me. It meant the world to me every time I picked it up. It was lost in superstorm Sandy. I still think of it frequently. To answer the question, before kindergarten, probably. I was in my 40’s when Sandy hit.
David
Jae
Learned on the job site and around the house before I could read regular words. Dad did/does construction. Worked with him and watched him. Lived in a very small space so he stored all of his tools in the living room and I’m sure me and my brothers were the cause of him swearing about at least one tape going missing. Learned to do it quickly and correctly cutting studs when I was 11. Learned to be very precise and pull an inch doing sheet metal work in highschool.
WIlliam Butler
We were taught how to measure in science class. That was probably 2nd grade? There is a difference in being able to read a graduated scale ( beaker, ruler, scale, etc…) and “knowing how to use a tape measure”. I was honestly shocked at how many people in my shop classes had no idea how to even READ a tape measure, much less how to use one!
Robert
I learned in Jr High woodshop class. That was in the 60’s
However even to this day I still find myself a times measuring and saying out loud “eight foot nine inches and three quarters PLUS a sixteenth inch”
Joe
Been framing all my life….I learned at 2 from my grampa, I remember measuring food like a Twinkie when my mom said “give half to your brother” …what’s sad is the math involved in using a tape measure that 80% of guys don’t know ….like said above “ find the center of the header that’s 51 3/8” ? I try to teach simple moves like find half of 50 then do the rest…..also…never bend a tape to read it…if you can’t run the tape by , just make a mark at 10” then measure to the mark and add the 10”…….much more accurate…..
mike aka fazzman
First learned when I was a little kid. My dad and grandpa taught me how to use it.
I bought my kids each a Stanley 6′ tape measure they seem to use fairly often.
JoeM
Let’s get something off our collective chests, okay?
The “Millennials” are the group of Hipster generation, trying to bring back the 1990’s, who protest everything, and live off their social media platform. These are the untrained, self-righteous snots that we’re all so irritated with, born between 1980 and 2005-ish. Their Parents are the Baby Boomers who spoiled them rotten by having insane financial gain in the 1980’s, and never truly PARENTED them, instead they molly-coddled them, and wrapped them in bubble wrap their whole lives. OR, their parents are GenXers who had kids in their mid-to-late Teens, due to absent Parenthood, because GenXers are ALSO the children of Baby Boomers. In fact, when the GenXers went and finished High School, or went to join even the most menial jobs, it was at a time when Baby Boomers were still occupying them all, and there was no job growth happening. So, the GenXers were JUSTIFIABLY depressed and angry as hell at the world.
For those like MYSELF, who have Baby Boomer parents (Admittedly, only one now, since I recently lost my Father.) but have the problem-solving, do-it-yourself, you-can’t-stop-me-from-learning-how mentality that are being represented in this thread here…We DO have another name, and had one before they started lumping us in with the Millennials. We’re Gen Y. As in, After Gen X. Those born between 1977 and 1984 have YET ANOTHER generation name, because we straddle GenX and GenY/Millennials for our Birth Year. WE are called Xennials. We span the end of one generation, and into the next, and don’t tend to be like EITHER one stereotypically.
So, let’s get that off our chests, okay? When ANY of us are frustrated with Millennials, and you GENUINELY do not behave like those spoiled brats? Chances are you’re GenY or a Xennial. You need not be offended at our rage against Millennials. Just know you still belong SOMEWHERE, and are still rare, but welcomed among all the productive people of all the preceding generations.
Okay? Does that make sense to everyone?
KL
Honestly I was terrible w 16ths until machine shop vo-tech in my early 30’s. Then I was forced to memorize all the 1/16ths in decimal form. I think this is truly the best way to learn, then when you see any value you have a frame of reference. If something is written as being .819 thick you know that’s DAMN close to 13/16. I still see the decimals in my head when reading a tape – 11/16 might as well be .6875 as I look at the tape.
Curtis
I don’t know that I ever learned how to use one. Their use just seemed sort of self evident. Later I learned about things like the floating catch, the nail slot and how to divide distances by folding it in half, but a tape measure is really a very simple tool.
Andrew
I think most people who see me in my shop (or, can hear me swearing from a safe distance) would argue I still don’t know how to use a tape measure.
Dave
I don’t remember my first use of a tape measure. My German grandfather always used a folding wooden ruler.
Mnbska
Anyone who mocks someone for not having learned yet, is a fool who doesn’t know how time works. And possibly an asshole.
NorskeEurope
I built a cabin and remodeled two of my houses and didn’t know that the slot at the end was an anchor point. Also never thought of simply adding the length of the measuring tape to the length. The stud part is amusing, here when that sort of construction is done, the distance is 600mm (24” about), sometimes 400mm. So our studs are actually usually placed further apart then American.
Dan
I don’t know. I know I picked up some tricks from working with those more experienced.
I do know that when I did engineering drawing at university one the first things they taught us was that we’d been using pencils wrong up to that point. Then they showed us the right way to use a ruler. That was many decades ago. Using a ruler and a pencil to draw a line seems like a simple and obvious thing, but it turns there is proper technique. At least when doing something that requires precision. Same for making a measurement with a ruler.
I honestly don’t get why so many people buy into the myths about what are called millennials.