Tape measure in Tenths of an inch

[eganders]

I have been looking for a tape (say 16 or 25 ft) in tenths of an inch. I can't find that. The reason I am interested is that that would allow me to use english units and not have to screw around with fractions. THAT is my major concern. I don't care if the standard is metric or english, I just don't want to have to deal with fractions. For someone that is not working with the larger measurements such as meters and kilometers, that would solve most of the problems. I can get micrometers, dial indicators and scales in tenths, albeit not in a good variety.

I found that Lee Valley has a tape in tenths and it is OK, but I would rather have one from Fastcap. they have nice, high quality, durable products. Lee Valley has a left to right and a right to left reading tape, but you have to buy both. Fastcap usually has several features like this in one tape.

[dpb]

Then you haven't looked much...first look (Lufkin) found for a partial listing...

LFK2312D 12' x 3/4'' Feet, Inches, 10ths Each $15.49 LFKHV1425D 25' x 1'' Feet, Inches, 10ths Each $16.49 LFK2325D 25' x 3/4'' Feet, 10ths Each $20.95 LFK2133D 33' x 1'' Feet, Inches, 10ths Each $24.49 LFKHV1325D 25' x 1'' Feet, 10ths Each $15.49 LFKHV1034DM 4M/13' Metric, 10ths Each $10.95 LFKHV1048DM 8M/26' Metric, 10ths Each $16.49 LFKHV1433DM 10M/33' Metric, 10ths Each $18.49

Dual-scale, centering, adhesive or other are undoubtedly somewhat less common but can't imagine there's hardly anything you can think of that isn't available...

[Leon]

You realize that a tape measure in 10ths of an inch is just another fraction?

[eganders]

Hey, What can I say. I have no excuse, but this is why I love newsgroups.

[Edwin Pawlowski]

I know of a few companies that translate all of their customer specifications to 16ths to avoid confusion. You won't find a box made 12

1/2", but it will be 12 8/16" Seems just as awkward at times.

[Leon]

I guess some people have a hard time with simple math.

[fredfighter]

Evidently he prefers decimal fractions to binary.

[Pat]

I work to the nearest 1/8. A helper does the cutting so I call out 12 4 and they cut it. Many helpers don't understand fractions or tape measures. I would love to have a tape marked in 8ths. Maybe I could switch to tenths. I think I'll buy a couple and see.

[B A R R Y]

You have helpers that can't understand 3/8 vs. 3/4?

[Jim]

And if they can't, then they are not helpers. They are hinderers. Jim

[Mike 'Flyin'8']

I got one from Lowes.

Mike Alexander PP-ASEL Temecula, CA See my online aerial photo album at

[George]

104 tm (tiny marks)

Like those convenient metrics where dimensions up to a meter are reported in mm, I guess. There are a couple measurements in between, but seldom used.

[DanG]

Pat,

I, too, use 1/8's for calling out cuts with helpers. It has nothing to do with anyone's abilities, it has more to do with sound levels on a construction site. We tend to use the "3 and 7" or the "22 and 6" pattern. It can even be done with hand signals in extreme situations.

I had not considered going to tenths, but I do use them outdoors on long tapes and shooting grade. It is hard for some of my guys to shift gears. Maybe we should all move to tenths, but it means lots of new tape measures. It might be more simple to force them to work metric. It is a change that it is long overdue.

______________________________ Keep the whole world singing . . . . DanG (remove the sevens) [e-mail]

[Han]

"DanG" wrote in news:aRJ_g.526$uF.267@dukeread12:

Yes, indeed (grew up in Holland, but here in the US since '69). I always have to mentally translate 1/8" into ~3 mm. That visualizes much easier.

[CW]

That would be good. That way, you could add the conversion screw ups to the unfamiliarity of metric. Should result in some rather original building shapes.

______________________________

[fredfighter]

This was a common practice among molding, dado and plough plane makers. A #4 dado would be 1/2" wide, for example.

I'm not clear on why it became customary in school to always reduce fractions (is 'reduce' the right term?)

[bigdan]

Realize that folding rules and tape measures have been made for years marked in tenths -- they are primarily used for engineering and surveying applications

[lwasserm]

My observation has been that for the usual quality of construction work, 1/8" and 1/10" would be interchangeable. :)

[lwasserm]

Using 1/16ths is still common for auger bits. I think they teach "least common denominators" just to make the concept more intuitive for kids. 375/1000 doesn't just jump right out at you as a recognizable fraction.

[Han]

[e-mail] () wrote in news:F-- dnZvPNZz9WqbYnZ2dnUVZ [e-mail]:

It just depends where you grew up. 0.375 is much more recognizable to me than 3/8.

Just a my view. Originally Dutch, I moved to the US in 1969, when I was almost 23.

Now very happy in Radburn