What is the mysterious diamonds mean on your tape measure?
What the mysterious black diamonds on measuring tapes are meant for? The black diamond is meant to signify the center area between studs in a home or building. The symbol will always be set at the 19.2-inch mark, but to best use it to its advantage, you must first take the time to understand the “8-foot rule.”.
What are the diamonds on a tape measure used for?
- Linen or Cloth Tape is made of linen cloth with brass handle at zero end whose length is included in the tape length. ...
- Metallic Tape is reinforced with copper wires to prevent stretching or twisting of fibers. ...
- Steel Tape is made of steel ribbon varying in width from 6 mm to 16 mm. ...
- Invar Tape is made of invar, an alloy of steel (64%) and nickel (36%). ...
What the Black Diamond on tape measure actually is?
The black diamonds, as they're commonly called (sometimes shown as black circles instead), are actually stud or joist marks. Whilst not featuring on all tapes, stud marks frequently appear at 16" intervals and joist marks at 19.2" intervals. That's the common interval for boarding.
What does the black diamond represent on a measuring tape?
What do the black diamonds on a measuring tape mean? The black diamond is meant to signify the center area between studs in a home or building. The black diamonds on the tape measure represent that spacing. The first black diamond is at 19.2” and after that black diamonds appear at 38.4”, 57.6”, 76.8” and 96”, or 8-feet.
Why is 16 red on a tape measure?
The red indicates 16-inch-on-center spacing. This is a common framing spacing for wall studs, floor joists and common roof rafters. If you decide to space framing at 24-inch centers, the red marks will be at every other foot marking on the tape measure.Nov 10, 2014
How do you read a diamond tape measure?
0:474:37Diamond Truss Marks on Tape Measures - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd that is used for centering studs 16 inches on center. So almost all your tape measure will haveMoreAnd that is used for centering studs 16 inches on center. So almost all your tape measure will have a 16 inch mark. Some of them have this little diamond. That's at a strange position of 19.
What is the red dot on a tape measure?
The red is for 16-inch-on-center spacing. The common framing spacing is for wall studs, floor joists and roof rafters. There will be red marks on the tape measure if you decide to space frame at 24 inch centers.
Why are tape measures yellow?
There are also other styles of tape measures that have incorporated lasers and ultrasonic technology to measure the distance of an object with fairly reliable accuracy. Tape measures often have black and red measurements on a yellow background as this is the optimal color combination for readability.
Where is the diamond on a measuring tape?
All you need to know about the black diamond on a measuring tape is that it’s for centering your measurements. It can be found at the bottom of your measure tape. This mark functions as an anchor for measurements made with other tools in order to keep them accurate. Understanding this will help you use your measuring tapes more efficiently.
What is a measuring tape?
A measuring tape is also called a measuring wheel. The term is acceptable when it’s used to measure the length of an object in cars. As well as similar vehicles for repairs or such purposes.
How to measure length of feet?
If you’re using a measuring tape that measures in centimeters, then lining up one diamond next to “0”. This will measure how long their feet are. While the other one goes all the way across their body. Until it reaches another number on its own side of the measuring tape. For example, if someone is 170 cm tall, line both diamonds up against “70”. So they form an L shape with each measuring seventy centimeters. Or around twenty-seven inches total length for this person’s height.
How to use a tape measure?
To use a tape measure, pull the tape out of the housing. Apply a metal hook at the beginning to the edge of the object you want to measure. Make sure the metal hook is tight and close to the measuring tape’s end. Stretch the blade out along the object. Check where the blade meets the opposite end of the object. The nearest mark on the blade is your result. Once you’re done, unhook the metal end and get the blade back in the housing. You better unhook the blade slowly to avoid pinching your hand.
How to measure how tall someone is?
For example, if you want to measure how tall someone is, line the first diamond up against their toes. Then read off the number where the second diamond lines up with their body height. If they are five feet six inches tall for example, both diamonds would rest neatly next to “60”. Because this person’s height was six inches away from the measuring tape’s “0” starting point. One foot equals 12 inches.
Is a measuring tape the same as a measuring tape?
Generally, a tape measure and a measuring tape refer to the same object. However, you just call them differently depending on where they’re used. Some people refer to the measuring tape as soft flexible tape. It’s commonly used to take body measurements. And the tape measure goes for a tool with a housing and a metal blade. If compare measuring tape vs tape measure, the last one is typically longer.
What does the black diamond mean?
The black diamond is meant to signify the center area between studs in a home or building. The symbol will always be set at the 19.2-inch mark, but to best use it to its advantage, you must first take the time to understand the “8-foot rule.”. On Hintz’s website, he writes,
How many supports are there in a 8 foot tape measure?
Many tape measures add red numbers (or some other graphical standout) every 16-inches, a very common spacing for studs in house framing. This spacing allows for six supports in each 8-foot length.
Can you use measuring tape to locate studs?
Pretty cool, huh? Basically, if you know that your walls were built following this standard stud placement formula, then, instead of breaking out that cumbersome stud detector, you should be able to just use your measuring tape to locate them.
What does a black diamond on a tape measure mean?
The black diamonds on the tape measure represent that spacing. The first black diamond is at 19.2” and after that black diamonds appear at 38.4”, 57.6”, 76.8” and 96”, or 8-feet. Click to see full answer.
What is the black diamond on a measuring tape?
Subsequently, question is, what is the unusual black diamond on a measuring tape for? The black diamonds, as they're commonly called (sometimes shown as black circles instead), are actually stud or joist marks. Whilst not featuring on all tapes, stud marks frequently appear at 16” intervals and joist marks at 19.2” intervals.
What is the size of a quarter inch tape measure?
These are smaller, sometimes thinner markings, evenly spaced between the half-inch and inch marks on a tape measure. On some tapes, quarter inch marks are the same size as eighth-inch marks.
What are the black diamonds on a tape measure?
Some tape measures come with small black triangles instead. Most know that they are a visual cue that is designed to make the process faster. Joists are used to start the framing and there are 5 additional joists and open bays in each panel of subflooring.
What is a joist tape measure?
The tape measures also come with markings that are supposed to help you when it comes time to space your wall studs.
Do you need a tape measure for framing?
Without the small black diamonds, the work process does not go as quickly. Correct spacing is not nearly as easy to come by when you are trying to work without a tape measure. Don’t ever make the mistake of taking on a project without one. You will be thanking us later!
Why are there black diamonds on tape measure?
The black diamonds on a tape measure are supposed to help with finding studs and specific points between them. They are meant to be used together with the red numbers to find the studs and other relevant spots.
What is a tape measure?
The tape measure is probably one of the most frequently used tools in and around the home. Whether you’re making repairs or creating something in your workshop, a tape measure can prove very useful. It’s something that must be present in any toolbox. Still, do you consider yourself very familiar with your measuring tape?
What does a black number on a tape measure mean?
The black numbers are usually positioned above the other numerals that denote measurement. Those black numbers are actually somewhat similar to the diamonds in that they note spacing.
Why is the blade of a tape measure curved?
The idea behind the curved design of the tape measure’s blade is to help users read the numbers. When the blade is extended out of the housing, it becomes more rigid. That will make it easier for users to read the measurements.
Where are the Roman numerals on a tape measure?
Some Roman numerals may also be present on your tape measure. You can usually find the Roman numerals contained within shapes like circles or rectangles.
Do black diamonds help with stud placement?
It’s important to note that the black diamonds will help if your home was built using the standard stud placement pattern. Your tape measure is more than useful enough if you just it purely for measuring. However, you can still get more out of it if you’re aware of what its many markings mean.
Is a tape measure a tool?
The tape measure really is an essential tool to have. But here’s the thing: You may not actually be getting the most out of your tape measure. Your roll of measuring tape can do more than just its namesake. One of the ways to get more uses out of it is to understand its different symbols.
What is the black diamond on a tape measure?
The black diamond on a tape measure is placed between the 16 and 24 inches markings. Therefore, the diamonds distinguish a measurement commonly used in building a chimney of concrete blocks. However, you can use this marker for other purposes as well.
Why do construction workers use tape measures?
Typically, tape measures have several different markers to make construction workers’ work easier. So, they can save time and work more efficiently. Thus, you can also use these markers by understanding them.
How far apart are the red boxes on a tape measure?
The red boxes on a tape measure are present after every 16 inches. Thus, this indicates the most common distance between studs in traditional buildings and homes. On the other hand, the numbers in the black boxes are spaced 24 inches apart. Therefore, they signify the average distance between stud placements in small buildings such as sheds.
