How do you measure?

[Larryl]

I've been working on an entertainment center/book shelves and it occured to me that there is sure a lot measuring and setting up for different cuts. I generally use one particular tape measure and one particular 12" combination square to stay consistent. And I try to measure the cut against the work to mark it and stay away from measuring, however, (now I will finally get to my question) Do you measure on the mark on your tape/rule or do you measure to the mark, like to the side to include the width of the mark in your measurement? What made me start thinking about this was that I have tapes and combination squares in several locations around the shop and will sometimes grab one. The combination square that I try to use has indentions for the marks, but the others(cheap) have laser etching and the lines are very thin. I would like to see how others handle this, and sorry for the long rambling post.

[Tom Slick]

I don't worry about anything less then half of 1/32.

[Pappy]

I have 6", 12" , and 24" steel rules that I use for measuring when I can. Beyond that I have a 16' tape that is for shop use only. The rules all have fine etched lines. On the tape I always 'burn' the first inch. If the mark is wider that the pencil I line, I try to center on the marking.

For construction, where the accuracy is not as critical, I have a 25' and 50' tape.

[SARGE..g-47]

25' tape and then a story stick.

[Black wallnut]

I have several tape measures but always choose to use just one for an entire project. I use a 6' combination square for laying out joinery. All length and width is done with the tape and I just measure to the middle of the mark. For most of what I do exact measurements are not that critical as long as they are all the same.

When I have several parts that all have to be crosscut to the same length I measure the first and either use that to measure the rest or use a stop block to set length or gang cut all the parts. For width I rip all pieces that need to be the same before moving the fence. I usually rough rip 1/8" oversize and final rip a 1/32 off each edge.

[Tom Hintz]

I think you can use many marking methods with success but it is most important to be consistent. See the link below for a story I did years ago on Cutlines that looks at consistency and how big of an error you can make without leaving a single layout mark!

http://www.newwoodworker.com/cutlines.html

[cabinetman]

I don't worry about anything less then half of 1/32.

That's about what I do. I use the same tape throughout, and I may "cut the 1".

The only time I worry about what numbers are to the right of the decimal is for my blood alcohol level.
.

[dbhost]

I have a 12", 24" and 36" steel rules in my shop. Those get used when accuracy is needed.

I have HF calipers, not great, but better than nothing. Reasonably accurate-ish... :-P

For more general idea measuring I have a selection of 16 and 25 foot tapes.

IF for some reason, I need to use the tape where reasonable accuracy is needed, I burn the first inch and start at 1... My old Jr. High shop teacher taught me that, and I just keep doing it out of habit...

AS far as the mark goes, I mark where the tape or rule MFG marks. Depending on the project, I use a variety of marking tools. Most of the time for coarser stuff, I use a regular carpenters pencil. When where, and how big the line is matters, I use a FINE lead drafting pencil.

[poolhound]

I have a variety of rules and marking gauges. The smaller ones (12" or less) I use interchangeably as they are all accurate. A while back I bought an Incra T rule, I had always thought "why would I need one of those" but its awesome.



For longer measurements I have one tape that I use all the time. For consitency throughout a project creating a story stick would help.

The other thing to remember is that many measurements do need to be "accurate" they simply need to be the same. Your plan may say that the height of a cabinet is 24 1/2" but as long as all your upright cuts that will support the top are the same even if it ends up being + or - even a 1/16" nobody will ever know and the project remains sq.

Even if you have a great measuring regime setting up a cut and making all the pieces that need to be the same size at the same time is a great practise. That way even if you are off slightly all the pieces are the same length.

[catta12]

The other thing to remember is that many measurements do need to be "accurate" they simply need to be the same. Your plan may say that the height of a cabinet is 24 1/2" but as long as all your upright cuts that will support the top are the same even if it ends up being + or - even a 1/16" nobody will ever know and the project remains sq.

Even if you have a great measuring regime setting up a cut and making all the pieces that need to be the same size at the same time is a great practise. That way even if you are off slightly all the pieces are the same length.

This is pretty much the way I approach measurements as well. By cutting corresponding pieces all at once, they may be off a little but at least all equally off. When I do need an exact measured piece I mark the line (extend the line on the tape). I then cut just barely leaving the line and measure the resulting piece for length. I can then "sneak up" on the desired length if necessary.

[poolhound]

Larry,

The other thing to remember is that measurments and marking are only half the battle. If your tools and technique is not dead on you can easily introduce errors of at least a 1/16" (or worse). Its worth spending the time to setup all your tools to make accurate cuts. e.g. if your miter guage is not perfectly sq the length of a piece at either end of a crosscut will be different.

I have 3 different sleds that ensure perfect crosscuts and completly eliminate such potential for error. Of course this doesnt help me if I put the wrong side of the line against the sled and end up being the thickness of my saw blade off i.e 1/8" but thats a whole different problem - I always have to factor my own stupidity into the equation

[jhart]

From the results of some of my projects, I obviously don't measure very well.

[brubakes]

From the results of some of my projects, I obviously don't measure very well.

hey you too....

[Larryl]

How do you measure?

Guys, thanks for all the responses, especially Tom Hinz. Tom I had read your article previously and adopted most of your suggestions into my routine(but I had forgotten where I had recieved the information). I have improved my woodworking somehwat by using the "sneak up on it" method that several suggested. So much to learn and so little time.............