Center-finding tape measure
 

An interesting low-tech gadget. It has two scales, one on each edge.
They are both labelled in inches, but the second scale is actually 50%
the size of the first one. To find the center of what you are
measuring, read the true scale, then find the corresponding number on
the other edge. That is the center.

Center-finding tape measure
 

Richard Evans wrote:

An interesting low-tech gadget. It has two scales, one on each edge.
They are both labelled in inches, but the second scale is actually 50%
the size of the first one. To find the center of what you are
measuring, read the true scale, then find the corresponding number on
the other edge. That is the center.

I have a center-finding two-foot steel rule I got from Lee Valley that has
proven one of the most useful gadgets I've bought in years, I use it all the
time. Whoever invented this thing deserved a big raise.

Center-finding tape measure
 

"DGDevin" wrote:

I have a center-finding two-foot steel rule I got from Lee Valley
that has proven one of the most useful gadgets I've bought in years,
I use it all the time. Whoever invented this thing deserved a big
raise.

Been around forever.

Find an old time drafting machine that still has the scales on it.

Engineering scales have full size along one edge, 1/2 size on the
other edge.

Very helpful when doing layouts around centerlines.

A little tip to find the centerline of a large piece.

Eyeball the piece, then estimate total length.

Divide that estimate in half, the add 6".

Layout that value from the left and mark, then from right and mark.

Measure between the marks, divide in half, layout and mark from each
side and mark.

You now have the center.

Laying out twice is usually enough.


Lew

Center-finding tape measure
 

"Lew Hodgett" wrote:


"DGDevin" wrote:

I have a center-finding two-foot steel rule I got from Lee Valley
that has proven one of the most useful gadgets I've bought in years,
I use it all the time. Whoever invented this thing deserved a big
raise.

Been around forever.

As a carpenter's tape measure?


Find an old time drafting machine that still has the scales on it.

I've been around long enough that I took drafting as a shop class in
high school. Same principle, different application.


Engineering scales have full size along one edge, 1/2 size on the
other edge.

Do they come in 16' lengths?


A little tip to find the centerline of a large piece.

Eyeball the piece, then estimate total length.

Divide that estimate in half, the add 6".

Layout that value from the left and mark, then from right and mark.

Measure between the marks, divide in half, layout and mark from each
side and mark.

You now have the center.

Or just use the nifty 16' tape I just described.

Center-finding tape measure
 

On Tue, 22 Jul 2008 18:38:46 -0700, "DGDevin"
wrote:

Richard Evans wrote:

An interesting low-tech gadget. It has two scales, one on each edge.
They are both labelled in inches, but the second scale is actually 50%
the size of the first one. To find the center of what you are
measuring, read the true scale, then find the corresponding number on
the other edge. That is the center.

I have a center-finding two-foot steel rule I got from Lee Valley that has
proven one of the most useful gadgets I've bought in years, I use it all the
time. Whoever invented this thing deserved a big raise.


A cheap roll of drywall paper tape comes in handy to divide a line
segment into any number of equal sections, plus it's easy to pencil in
marks.

Center-finding tape measure
 

Richard Evans writes:

An interesting low-tech gadget. It has two scales, one on each edge.
They are both labelled in inches, but the second scale is actually 50%
the size of the first one. To find the center of what you are
measuring, read the true scale, then find the corresponding number on
the other edge. That is the center.

I saw that Lee Valley has a Golden Mean version as well.

Center-finding tape measure
 

In article , Richard Evans wrote:
An interesting low-tech gadget. It has two scales, one on each edge.
They are both labelled in inches, but the second scale is actually 50%
the size of the first one. To find the center of what you are
measuring, read the true scale, then find the corresponding number on
the other edge. That is the center.

It's pretty easy to find centers if you're using a metric tape measu just
measure the width and divide by two -- which is much easier using a whole
number of millimeters than when using fractional inches. (Quick -- what's half
of 55 13/16 inches?)

Center-finding tape measure
 

"Doug Miller" wrote in message
...
In article , Richard Evans
wrote:
An interesting low-tech gadget. It has two scales, one on each edge.
They are both labelled in inches, but the second scale is actually 50%
the size of the first one. To find the center of what you are
measuring, read the true scale, then find the corresponding number on
the other edge. That is the center.

It's pretty easy to find centers if you're using a metric tape measu
just
measure the width and divide by two -- which is much easier using a whole
number of millimeters than when using fractional inches. (Quick -- what's
half
of 55 13/16 inches?)



What's half of 536 3/8 mm? ;~)

Center-finding tape measure
 

In article , "Leon" wrote:

"Doug Miller" wrote in message
. ..
In article , Richard Evans
wrote:
An interesting low-tech gadget. It has two scales, one on each edge.
They are both labelled in inches, but the second scale is actually 50%
the size of the first one. To find the center of what you are
measuring, read the true scale, then find the corresponding number on
the other edge. That is the center.

It's pretty easy to find centers if you're using a metric tape measu
just
measure the width and divide by two -- which is much easier using a whole
number of millimeters than when using fractional inches. (Quick -- what's
half
of 55 13/16 inches?)


What's half of 536 3/8 mm? ;~)

g My metric tapes don't indicate fractional millimeters. Dunno about yours.

Center-finding tape measure
 

"Leon" wrote in message
What's half of 536 3/8 mm? ;~)

You have a tape measure that shows 8th's of a millimetre?

Center-finding tape measure
 

"Upscale" wrote in message
...

"Leon" wrote in message
What's half of 536 3/8 mm? ;~)

You have a tape measure that shows 8th's of a millimetre?



You have eyes that can see an 8th of a mm?