Tape Measure Surprise

[forrestb]

WHOA!

I surely didn't mean to cause all this consternation - just a simple warning about the need to check measuring tools periodically.

I use a tape measure to set the fence on non-critical cuts. I push the tape against the fence and measure to the most inside cutting tooth. Works pretty well for me and is quick

For critical cuts, I set the fence to the blade with my dial caliper locked to the desired dimension. I also install Ben's Stop Collar technique and make a test cut. Measure it and adjust the Stop Collar and fence as needed. Another test cut to be sure.

I might use another technique and/or tool if I was trying to make a living with my woodwork. I don't, so I do take shortcuts now and then. Some payoff and some don't

Forrest

[benush26]

So I decide to add one more facet to the push me pull you flying circus.

I recently bought a Milwaukee tape that has a small magnet in the tip so "in theory" one could press the tip against a steel surface, then pull the tape measure, effectively screwing up the highly engineered hook over versus butt against slop in the tip!!

I bought it because i HATE having my fingers getting slapped when the tip comes screaming back into the case and this has a piece of metal hoop along the bottom to keep my pinkies from being hit. Yes, the tape is a bit pricey compared to just taking the time to move my fingers out of the way... but one Sears tape has metal holes where the cutting torch (or welding tip) got a bit too close so the first couple inches are unreadable . One no name brand has a ridiculous design flaw with the retract mechanism on the bottom of the tape and my Lowe's/Kobalt cheapy special was the test subject of a "how hard and far can I throw this piece of junk at and towards concrete surfaces" test. It either failed miserably or succeeded as planned depending upon your POV and or requested outcome Which meant if I was to have one, I needed a newer one. Hence the magnetically enhanced Milwaukee!

Just more to ponder on this weekend designated for reflection!

Be well and to those who chose to make us safer - Thank you where ever you are,
Ben

[robinson46176]

I had a similar problem recently... I was making a cut and discovered that my hatchet was cutting .002" off to one side...

One of my most enforced wood shop motto's is "Never measure when you can superimpose".
That includes making a setup using a pre-cut pattern or gauge block.

Just to show you how casual I can be in the shop I have about a dozen wooden yardsticks hanging all around the shop that I grab and use sometimes. Now I did check each of them and did reject a couple that had been cut (or printed) with an error (short on one end and long on the other).
I do keep a number of steel rules too, my weapon of choice depends on the kind of cut I am making. One tool I find handy sometimes is an all aluminum square. For critical cut width I usually use a machinist combination square.
I have been generally impressed with the built-in scale on the rip-fence system of my Ridgid TS-3650 table saw for day in day out work. I have not looked recently but a couple of years ago I was looking at the saw that the big orange box was carrying that was supposed to replace my TS-3650 and I found it rather "disappointing"... I usually try to avoid "disappointing".

Another word I avoid like the plague in the wood shop is "tedious".
We all enjoy different things and I know that some guys love to get down into fine details and literally wallow in them... Not me... I want to stay as far away from that as I can. I'm driven to be an artisan, not a technician.
Good grief, where did all of these brown headed cow birds come from??? Sorry, I looked out the patio door and I am easily distracted. Squirrel!!!

.

[JPG]

How pray tell did the cow birds get brown heads?

[jsburger]

Sorry if that sounded harsh, not my intent...

Nor mine.

[JPG]

O M G !!!!

Where can I get some of those 'chill pills'????

[robinson46176]

How pray tell did the cow birds get brown heads?

Extreme brown nosing I guess...


.

[ChrisNeilan]

O M G !!!!

Where can I get some of those 'chill pills'????

My chill pill is in the form of Red Breast Irish Whiskey, of which I just filled my prescription. I'm saving the Jefferson Reserve (small batch) Bourbon for a bad day! Just to be clear, never more than one pill in a given evening! Hic!
PS: Absolutely no shop time while taking medication!

[ChrisNeilan]

I had a similar problem recently... I was making a cut and discovered that my hatchet was cutting .002" off to one side...

One of my most enforced wood shop motto's is "Never measure when you can superimpose".
That includes making a setup using a pre-cut pattern or gauge block.

Just to show you how casual I can be in the shop I have about a dozen wooden yardsticks hanging all around the shop that I grab and use sometimes. Now I did check each of them and did reject a couple that had been cut (or printed) with an error (short on one end and long on the other).
I do keep a number of steel rules too, my weapon of choice depends on the kind of cut I am making. One tool I find handy sometimes is an all aluminum square. For critical cut width I usually use a machinist combination square.
I have been generally impressed with the built-in scale on the rip-fence system of my Ridgid TS-3650 table saw for day in day out work. I have not looked recently but a couple of years ago I was looking at the saw that the big orange box was carrying that was supposed to replace my TS-3650 and I found it rather "disappointing"... I usually try to avoid "disappointing".

Another word I avoid like the plague in the wood shop is "tedious".
We all enjoy different things and I know that some guys love to get down into fine details and literally wallow in them... Not me... I want to stay as far away from that as I can. I'm driven to be an artisan, not a technician.
Good grief, where did all of these brown headed cow birds come from??? Sorry, I looked out the patio door and I am easily distracted. Squirrel!!!

.

Good one, Farmer! I can relate!

[charlese]

...
When I must make an accurate measurement with a tape measure, I do not use the hook. Instead, I measure from the 1" mark and adjust the result by 1".

Oh MY! I did that a few times but sometimes, I forget to add the inch that is missing!
Results were not good!
Like the sign said, in one of Farmer's recent posts - "THERE IS NO CURE FOR STUPID"

So story sticks of all types - after careful measuring - work for me most all the time.