Graphical Construction Glossary >> Tools. >> Hand Tools >> Retracting Tape Measure

Retracting Tape Measure

The device that replaced the carpenter's folding rule. A spring loaded self retracting thin steel tape measure.

Love them or hate them, these tools are just about indispensable.

• They come in a range of lengths up to about 10M
• The two in the photo go up to 8M, one is just metric and the other is imperial and metric combined.
• They come in a range of widths, up to 20mm, with the wider ones seeming to be stiffer and to last longer.
• All these tapes have a locking button on the side to hold the tape in an extended position.
• Care should be taken when releasing the lock to steady the tape and to let it return slowly. A fast snap back into the case is a good way to ruin a tape.
• The tape gets its strength and stiffness from the fact that it has cross ways curve to it.
• The hooked tip is always slightly loose.
• This is allow it to slide by it's own thickness, say 2mm, for internal and external measurements.

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"When we build, let us think that we build for ever."John Ruskin 1819-1900