On Thu, 3 Mar 2011 05:13:18 -0800 (PST), Larry Fishel
wrote:

On Mar 3, 1:26Â*am, David Nebenzahl wrote:
On 3/2/2011 10:16 PM Mike Paulsen spake thus:
But why are you concerned with running sheeting all the way to the
floor? You _want_ to leave it shy of the floor a bit, and baseboard will
cover the gap.

This is largely because walls tend to be neither square nor straight,
so trying to cut paneling or drywall precisely will just drive you
crazy.

Just an example. A better example would have been cutting studs to fit
tightly betwixt floor and ceiling. Point is that it's good to know the
actual height instead of just guesstimating it.

Use the technique others described in this case. Or if you want to be
even more precise, measure and mark 12" from either end with a metal
ruler or square (because the metal hook on the ends of most tapes is
designed to measure outside) and measure between the marks with your
tape. Of course, this is probably more precise than you can cut
anyway...

Metal square on both ends is good, then measure between those marks
starting at the inch mark on the tape.
Tape is flat then, without the end tab run out screwing up the
measure.
I nearly always cut a bit oversize then trim as needed when I want a
tight fit.
Like you said, the saw cut can present its own problems.
Thought the laser on my new saw was unnecessary.
But I like it when not using a stop for repetitious cuts.
Another thing about tapes besides end tab run out is the tab can
easily get you off by 1/8" if the rivets loosen up.
I hate it when somebody snaps in my tape hard!

--Vic