Hello: I'm not a particularly good carpenter so excuse what may seem a dumb post. Basically I have a terrible time with how I take down cutting measurments. I use scraps of paper, pices of wood, etc. even resorted to a roll of taping paper on tool belt.
Is there a better way== a handy device out there to record cuts and info? A wrist pad? I know several makers of tape measures have a recordable device in them. Not exactly what I'm looking for.
Any tips or sources of simple device appreciated.
How about a tape measure with a built in voice recorder?
I can't help but wonder what you found to be unacceptable with a pad of paper? Anything electronic is useless in my book - for a couple of reasons.
1) it's just too damned cutesy and addresses a problem that doesn't really exist. 2) it doesn't allow you to associate the numbers with anything. A pad of paper works well to draw your cuts out and write the measurements on the drawing - extremely valuable for complex cuts. And... it just doesn't get any simpler than that.My SWMBO bought me a "recording tape measure" a couple of years ago for Christmas. I have tried to use it (really...I have). She chides me for not using it constantly (whenever I forget a measure).
I think it was a 'Sharper Image' thing IIRC.
Recording an inaccurate measure does not make it any more accurate.
My advice: use a story stick (if possible). Otherwise, measure with a good tape and cut 1/8 strong and then zero in.
Lou
If you are on a job site and need one dimension for the next cut I usually write it down on the timber to be cut.
For multiple measurements a small spiral bound notebook is very handy. Fits in pocket easily and are cheap enough to throw the page away when done.
In the workshop I have a small 2' x 3' whiteboard for sketching on, TO_DO lists etc.
You can get strap on pads. Any pilot (aviation) store has them. Not real good in my opinion if you are climbing around a job site.
I was given a digital Starrett (sp?) tape measure as a gift. I use it all the time. But I NEVER look at the digital reading. :) I like the tape because it's heavy and stands out a long way. The digital reading is good to +- 1/16". Not too useful for cabinetmaking.
Dave
For me, low to medium adhesion masking tape on the face of my tape measure works pretty well. It is cheap, crude but effective.
Ed
Try one of the plastic SLATES that divers carry to write down dive information/etc with a pencil. They erase easily and are pretty much unbreakable. They vary in size from around 4x6 to 8x11, some of the smaller ones even have multiple waterproof pages for tons of notes, erase easily. They are made out of something like PVC plastic, and you can get thin sheets of PVC from McMaster-Carr etc and make up a boat load of these, give the extras away as gifts to fellow wookworkers (or divers if you dive)
John
I just use a clipboard with a legal pad on it. I might use it to layout a cabinet or I might just write down a cut list of molding measurements. I hang it on the wall near the tablesaw and have a place to hang it on the chop saw bench.
Mike O.
Mon, Oct 31, 2005, 6:30pm snipped-for-privacy@alltel.net (Mike=A0Marlow) who cannot help but wonder: I can't help but wonder what you found to be unacceptable with a pad of paper?
Apparently he couldn't find batteries for one. Or something. Of course, he'd be required to have a pencil along with the pad, and actually write something down. If I want to get fancy, a sheet of paper, folded up and stored in my shirt pocket, and a pencil do it for me, otherwise, usually scraps of wood.
I've got a batch of those el-cheapo pentel types of pencils. I'd ran out of leads for a few, so looed for refills. Damndest thing, the cost of a pack of a dozen leads, was more than the cost of a pack of 5 pencils, with 3 leads each. That sounds like something a politician would think up.
Politician n: Latin for liar - a person who has lied, or lies repeatedly
JOAT If it ain't broke, don't lend it.
- Red Green
"Mike Marlow" wrote
One tradition is to use the back of a piece of glasspaper,. It will be thick enough to draw on without a backing, heavy enough not to be blown about as you move your workpiece?
Jeff G
Pad of paper and a pencil works just fine for me. I think you're making this waaaay more complicated than it needs to be. Try this: always wear a shirt with a pocket. Keep a small pad of paper, and a mechanical pencil, in that pocket. You'll always know where they are. They'll always be easy to reach.
I tried that. The pencil ends up always being at the other end of the ladder. ;-)
Utility T-square has magnet to hold your cuttng list, and trough for your writing tool. See
This isn't a marketplace group, Pat.
Considering how rarely Pat does "sell" his site and how often he has some pretty good ideas and thoughts for us, I'm thinking, let it slide.
Mike
"1. A story stick
Add pencil to the list and your set.
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