Shopsmith Forums

JPG40504 wrote:So much for 'tru zero' hooks! I have always been suspicious of them. I remember fixed hooks and you allowed for their 'thickness' with inside measurements. ...
I often(always if exact matters) measure from 10" or 1' on the tape. Trick is to keep it from moving!:eek:

Ah, so, that reminds me of an oddity re the flat tape. I loved my first one so much I ordered another. When it arrived, me being an obsessive measurement freak, I checked it against the other and an old 'standard' tape. Found it to be off 1/64. I then took a really close look at the 'specs' and noticed something I had missed before: accuracy is guaranteed to within 1/32 (if I remember correctly). Thinking now they may have been "compensating" (i.e. CYA) for that 'tru zero' hook thingie.
I wrote Duluth T. just to let them know in case others found it to be a problem. I was clear in that for me it is not a problem, cause I just mark the tape "SHORT 1/64" and take that into account. Not a biggie. [But Duluth being who they are, they sent me another that had been checked by their people, said no charge and don't bother returning the other one. So I have 3 now.]
Point there is that this is the only tape I have or have looked at that actually says it does not seek absolute perfection, regardless of whether it does in most cases. I've looked closely at my various tapes since then (must be 8 or 9 of 'em) and except for that one (marked) they are all equal IF NO "diopter" enhancement is involved. One or two thou off is not something I worry about unless I'm making something for the Space Station.
And btw, this flat-tape (2 of 'em) is about the most accurate tape I have.

My wife uses a cloth version in her quilting operation. I learned the hard way to keep my fingers off. Jim

keakap wrote:Ah, so, that reminds me of an oddity re the flat tape. I loved my first one so much I ordered another. When it arrived, me being an obsessive measurement freak, I checked it against the other and an old 'standard' tape. Found it to be off 1/64. I then took a really close look at the 'specs' and noticed something I had missed before: accuracy is guaranteed to within 1/32 (if I remember correctly). Thinking now they may have been "compensating" (i.e. CYA) for that 'tru zero' hook thingie.
I wrote Duluth T. just to let them know in case others found it to be a problem. I was clear in that for me it is not a problem, cause I just mark the tape "SHORT 1/64" and take that into account. Not a biggie. [But Duluth being who they are, they sent me another that had been checked by their people, said no charge and don't bother returning the other one. So I have 3 now.]
Point there is that this is the only tape I have or have looked at that actually says it does not seek absolute perfection, regardless of whether it does in most cases. I've looked closely at my various tapes since then (must be 8 or 9 of 'em) and except for that one (marked) they are all equal IF NO "diopter" enhancement is involved. One or two thou off is not something I worry about unless I'm making something for the Space Station.
And btw, this flat-tape (2 of 'em) is about the most accurate tape I have.

Right-on the 'mark'. You sometimes have to pull 1" to get those zero'd-in measurements. Terrific product and company backing but will throw a little negative out there. Specialty line only. Love them for trimming application but not framing. Way too light duty and no stand-out compared to a Stanley Fat-max. Plus, I've found the Stanley the toughest of them all for drops and the hooks rarely bend out of whack. Stanley gives a lifetime warranty as well, but only if the hook falls off... go figure and a minus 1 on them.