Tape Measure: A Few Tips to Improve Its Accuracy
Reference line. Draw a reference mark to compare the tape accuracy.
Hook movement. The hooks on the tape should have a movement range of the thickness of the hook so when you “push” a measurement, it slides in, and when you “pull” a measurement, it slides out. This compensates for the thickness of the hook itself and gives you an accurate measurement either way.
Adjustment. You can make measurement adjustments by bending the hook.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.