To measure the dimensions of objects or any objects, various devices and tools can be used, each of which is “tailored” to certain conditions. The simplest of them is a measuring tape, designed to determine the size of linear objects.
This tool is used almost everywhere; it solves household, construction, industrial, geodetic and many other tasks related to taking measurements.
The measuring tool that every owner buys for home is most often a construction tool.
There are other types of tape measures, each of which is designed for specific measurement conditions.
Device and characteristics
The design of the simplest measuring tape is extremely simple:
• Measuring sheet – a plastic or metal narrow strip (web), on the front of which a scale is applied.
• The case is a small plastic or metal box in which the canvas is stored in a roll-shaped form (hence the name).
• Hook – the metal tip of the measuring tape.
Serves to fix the zero mark of the scale at the corner of the measured object, or any of its protruding elements.
This allows you to use the tool with one hand.
There are options equipped with a double hook - two teeth protruding from the front and back sides of the blade.
• Latch – a mechanism located on the body that allows you to fix the blade in a selected area.
In most cases, it is a key - a slider that presses the blade to the body when pressed.
Alternatively, the roulette can have an auto-stop or a so-called pause button.
• The spring is perhaps the most important element that ensures ease of use of the tool.
Responsible for independently winding the fabric into the body.
In addition to the elements that form the basis of the tape measure design, additional mechanisms can be installed on the body, for example, a small flashlight for illuminating the scale, a strap for conveniently removing the instrument from a pocket or wearing it on the wrist, a clip for fixing it on a belt.
Main parameters characterizing the tool:
- dimensions and material of the canvas;
- measuring scale parameters;
- body parameters;
- fastener type;
- accuracy class;
- parameters of the hook (hook).
Material
The body of the household and construction tape measure is made of durable plastic.
This material is quite sufficient to ensure structural strength, since the housing box itself is small in size and assembled monolithically.
Typically, the body is painted black, however, there are also multi-colored bright options.
In general, a bright color is preferable, as it allows you to quickly find the tape measure among construction tools and materials where it was carelessly left.
Another option is a tool with a transparent polycarbonate body, which has toughness and durability.
Due to the white canvas, it also immediately catches the eye.
For additional protection from mechanical damage, as well as for ease of holding in the hand, a rubberized plastic casing of the tape measure is made, which is inferior in compactness to options without a rubber coating.
Special geodetic tape measures with a web length of more than 30 meters almost all have a metal body.
Dimensions and weight
Depending on the type of tool, its dimensions are within the following limits:
- Length: 30 – 300 mm
- Width: 6 – 30 mm
- Height: 30 – 300 mm
Dimensions of a classic household tape measure, which can be found in almost every home:
- Case length – 56 mm
- Case width – 13 mm
- Case height – 58 mm
The weight of the tool depends on its size, the length of the blade and the materials from which its components are made.
The weight of the household version is 150 – 250 g.
An interesting fact is that most tape measures indicate the length of their body.
This allows the tool to be used to measure inside openings without any bending of the blade.
In other words, the length of the extracted blade is added to the length of the body.
Measurements in openings and corners
As you can imagine when measuring in corners, it is very difficult for the middle of the tape measure to reach directly into the corner. It is also inconvenient to take precise measurements in a door or window opening.
Therefore, when you need to measure an opening, use the body as an extension of the tape measure.
On the outside of the tape measure itself, the size of the case is indicated, which must be added to the tape readings when measuring.
If this size is not marked on the body, no one is stopping you from measuring it yourself and writing it in any convenient place.
There is another way to make similar measurements using masking tape. Place a piece of tape on the surface and take two measurements in opposite directions.
In this case, it is better to use a pencil to mark ticks rather than simple dashes. They will visually show the mark more accurately. Whereas the line may be drawn crookedly, which will cause an error.
After taking two measurements, you need to add the results and get the exact size.
Measuring tape tape
Metal tape measure blades have a concave (arc-shaped) shape in cross section, which gives them rigidity that resists fracture.
Rigidity depends both on the width of the blade and on the material from which it is made.
The roulette tape can be:
• Plastic, fiberglass reinforced (fiberglass).
Another name is fiberglass, reinforced with cord.
The fact is that fiberglass and fiberglass are different names for the same material.
Such tape measures are also called fabric tapes, since their fabric easily bends in any direction at any angle.
Fiberglass tapes have increased wear resistance and are resistant to stretching and moisture.
• Stainless steel
Good for its wear resistance and durability.
• Carbon steel
As a rule, a tool with a steel blade is called a steel tape measure.
In turn, such fabrics can be painted and/or coated with polyamide material.
The divisions etched onto steel and stainless steel measuring tapes are difficult to see in low light conditions.
However, a tool with such a blade can be used in places with various chemicals and solvents.
Painted steel tape is in most cases a bright yellow or white color.
To protect paint from abrasion, the following is often used:
• Polyester coating.
• Polyamide coating.
Nylon-coated tapes are perfectly protected from the negative effects of external factors, as is the case with polyester.
The most durable and high-quality tools are considered to be those with stainless steel, which is painted in any noticeable color with a polyamide coating.
Measuring band length
Depending on the length of the canvas, roulettes are conventionally divided into:
- Short: 2 – 10 m
- Medium: 10 – 30 m
- Long: 30 m or more
The best measuring tapes from 3 to 8 m long
Classic construction tape measures are equipped with a wide variety of functionality. There are models with stoppers, magnetic hooks, electronic displays and even voice guidance. Such measuring instruments have found application in everyday life and during serious repair and installation work.
Tape King Care Tec – talking tape measure
4.9
★★★★★
editorial assessment
97%
buyers recommend this product
This is the first roulette of its kind with voice-activated menus. It has many functions, a mode for measuring internal and external areas with easy mode switching, and there is an option to remember previous measurements. The entire structure is enclosed in a solid housing with an electronic display.
Measurement is possible in centimeters and inches, with or without the length of the case. All modes are switched with rubberized buttons. After being pulled out, the tape locks automatically and a click is heard every 5 cm. A smart tape measure remembers measurements, compares them with new data and calculates the difference. The remaining battery charge is also visible on the screen.
Pros:
- Compact design;
- Auto-stop tapes;
- Russified voice guidance for all actions (10 volume levels);
- Memorizing and comparing data;
- Additional functions of spirit level and protractor;
- Measurement in centimeters and inches;
- Summation of individual quantities.
Minuses:
- Very expensive - 15,400 rubles.
The 5 m long steel belt slides out easily and rolls back with a little pressure. The kit includes a storage bag, 2 AAA batteries, a belt clip and instructions for use.
TopShop 1415254 – digital roulette with LCD screen
4.8
★★★★★
editorial assessment
89%
buyers recommend this product
A typical tape measure is equipped with a display, controlled using buttons and can measure in four units: centimeters, feet, inches and decimal inches. The ruler, made of high-strength steel, has clear divisions and a large font; it is fixed thanks to a stopper; a button on the body will help you thread the tape back.
For wearing on the hand there is a lanyard pendant. The tool runs on a battery, the charge of which lasts for a year or more. The length of the measuring sheet is 5 m, width 1 cm. Like the previous model, it can store up to 8 measurements.
Pros:
- Original design;
- Electronic display;
- Durable steel tape;
- Hitch-hiking;
- Stores data from previous measurements;
- Accumulation function;
- Measurements in different units to choose from;
- Suitable for right-handed and left-handed people.
Minuses:
- The edges of the tape are sharp and can cause you to cut yourself.
The tool can not only take measurements, but also remember and calculate them, and even add different types of units. To clear the memory, you just need to press the button and all data will be updated.
Leopard “Vector” – with thickened canvas
4.7
★★★★★
editorial assessment
85%
buyers recommend this product
A tape measure from a domestic manufacturer is intended for construction work and measuring objects or furniture. The length of the thickened steel tape is 7.5 m, width 2.5 cm. The body is made of impact-resistant ABS plastic, but there is a rubber cover to protect against scratches and mechanical damage.
To work with metal structures, there is a mini-magnet at the edge of the measuring tape, which is securely attached to the steel and supports the weight of the tape measure in a suspended state. The extended tape is secured by a manual lock on the body. There is a strap to carry the tool, and on the back panel there is a clothespin for attaching it to your belt.
Pros:
- Impact-resistant plastic case;
- Rubber case protects against falls;
- Durable steel spring for tape winding;
- The values are printed in large font;
- Thickened measuring tape;
- Reliable magnetic hook.
Minuses:
- A little heavy (450 g).
All components speak about the quality and durability of this tape measure. The tape and winding spring are made of high-strength steel, and the body is protected by a special cover. The advantages also include the cost of the product in the range of 350-500 rubles.
JCB JMS004 8m - with double-sided scale and two-piece housing
4.6
★★★★★
editorial assessment
80%
buyers recommend this product
The lightweight and convenient tool is created according to European standards and can measure any surface. The length of the steel tape is 8 m, and at its end there is a hook for temporary fastening to a wall or other structure. The markings are on both sides - the lines are clear and the numbers are large. The body is made of nylon and plastic, there are rubberized inserts that will protect the instrument from damage.
Pros:
- Reliable closed two-component housing;
- Markings on the ruler are applied on both sides;
- The auto-stop stops the extended belt;
- There is a hook at the edge of the canvas;
- Rubberized inserts will protect the case from damage.
Minuses:
- There is no strap or clothespin for attaching to a belt;
- No magnetic hook.
A British manufacturer has released a simple but reliable tape measure for construction work and household measurements. All divisions on the tape are clearly visible, which will certainly be appreciated by people with poor eyesight.
Skrab 40067 – model from the “golden” series
4.5
★★★★★
editorial assessment
77%
buyers recommend this product
The new product for 2022 is made in golden color, has an anti-slip body coating and a compact size. The motion of the tape measure is soft, easy, the tape is fixed automatically, and a lever-button is provided for folding. On the back of the instrument there is a belt clip. The weight of the tool is only 200 grams. With this tape measure it is possible to measure surfaces up to 5 m long.
Pros:
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Bright golden design;
- Soft running of the belt;
- Automatic fixation;
- Rubberized coating;
- There is a belt clip.
Minuses:
- No magnet;
- Accuracy class 2 may result in a small error.
The inexpensive model is ideal for home use and will definitely come in handy during renovations. It is very light in weight and has a pleasant rubberized coating.
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Types of roulettes and their features
Roulette can be used for:
Construction
It is made in a compact plastic rubberized case with a metal sheet coated with polyamide, at the end of which there is a hook with a hook and magnets.
It is actively used both in construction and in everyday life.
It has a spring mechanism for winding and a web lock.
Geodetic
The measuring tape is twisted into a reel located in a closed or open housing.
The tape is made of fiberglass.
The body with a handle on the outside (for twisting by hand) is made of metal and plastic.
The hook is made in the form of a metal ring.
Another name for the tool is a surveying tape, because of its intended purpose.
Subtypes and modifications of roulettes:
Laser
These are small instruments with a display.
They are used to take measurements with high accuracy, however, they are suitable only for working on straight sections.
Depends on batteries.
The operating principle is based on the phase method of calculating the distance to an object reflecting a laser beam.
Electronic
Outwardly it looks the same as an ordinary mechanical tape measure, however, it has a small screen on the body, which displays the length of the removed web.
Magnetic
This is the general name for tools whose hooks are equipped with magnets.
Roulette keychain
A miniature tool with a blade of small width.
It differs from the construction version only in size (4x4 cm or less).
The length of the canvas, as a rule, does not exceed 1 m, but two-meter specimens can also be found.
NOTE
The scale of tape measures that use the metric system of measurement may contain an additional inch scale.
Types of measuring instruments
A convenient keychain tape measure has a lot of advantages:
- The compact keychain can be hung together with your keys using a metal ring. Visually it looks like a toy, but the ribbon is inside the keychain (width 8 mm), weighs only 80 g.
- A convenient item when constantly moving. Rubberized body of a miniature device with a lever for fixing a 2-meter steel tape.
- Inexpensive cost will please buyers.
Roulette functionality
Modern measuring tapes are equipped with auxiliary devices and mechanisms that increase the convenience of working with them.
For example, when taking measurements in conditions with insufficient lighting, a backlit tape measure will be indispensable.
This instrument has a small LED flashlight built into the body, located above the scale.
Hitchhiking tape measures are another example of a successful solution to the issue of ease of use.
A special mechanism independently blocks the position of the tape when it is removed from the housing.
To put the canvas back together, you need to press the button.
Roulettes with a lock in the form of an auto-stop; when the hook slips, the canvas does not automatically rewind, and the master does not need to constantly monitor the position of the locking key.
Some models are equipped with a double stopper, i.e. They have not only a locking key on the end of the body, but also a locking button on the side of the tool.
A tape measure with a magnetic grip is perfect for measuring the dimensions of metal products.
At the end of its hook there are magnetic spots that stick to the iron.
The tool is useful where you need to measure the internal distance between metal objects, where it is not possible to use a standard hook as a hook.
Models with a digital dial are an excellent solution for making quick measurements.
There is no need to peer at the scale; the dial will accurately show the length of the tape extension.
If such a dial is backlit, the tape measure can be used in low-light conditions.
How to use roulette
To measure small distances and objects, when both edges of the object are at arm's length, you can work independently. With one hand, the end with the hook is attached to one edge of the object being measured, and with the other, the tape is unwound and, upon reaching the desired point, the latch is pressed and the length of the object is determined according to the scale on the tape.
The principle of working with large objects and distances is slightly different - first the line along which the measurement will be taken is determined, and then the distance is divided into segments, the ends of the segments are marked. After this, these segments are measured one by one. At the end, the results obtained are summarized.
When measuring diameter, the mark method is used - a mark is placed at one end of the circle, to which the beginning of the tape is applied, and the measuring tape is gradually stretched so as to find the point with the highest indicator on the reverse side. If possible, then find the center of the circle and measure the diameter through it perpendicular to the first measurement.
It is necessary to measure all linear dimensions with maximum tape tension, otherwise the accuracy of distance measurement will be questionable.
Measuring scale
For some tape measures, on the first 20 centimeters of the measuring tape there is information about its length, the material from which it is made, as well as one of the classes (3 in total) of the accuracy of the scale.
NOTE!
For accurate measurements, a tool with the first accuracy class is suitable, since it has the smallest error.
The scale can have double-sided markings, where the units of measurement are simply duplicated.
Another option is that on one side of the tape there will be markings in the metric system, and on the other side - inch markings.
Some tapes have both markings on one or each side.
A tape measure with any measuring scale is suitable for determining the diameter of cylindrical objects, such as pipes.
To do this, just wrap the canvas around the object and measure the circumference.
Knowing the number Pi (3.14), it is easy to calculate the diameter.
To do this, the circumference must be divided by 3.14.
Functions and purpose of the tape measure hook
The hook is an element of the tool that raises most questions due to its mobility and unusual shape.
As already noted, a magnetic hook, as a rule, has two spots - a magnet on the back side, which stick to the iron elements of the product and serve as a reference point.
As for the notches on the hook of the hook, they can be used to make marks on easily scratched surfaces, for example, drywall, galvanized steel.
By placing the desired scale mark on the surface reference point, the length is marked with notches on the tape measure.
Since the hook is curved at a right angle, there is a hole in the center of its bend.
It clings well to the heads of nails and screws, which are screwed (hammered) into the surface as a reference point.
Recognized as the Best Tape Measure App
As you can see, there are many great roulette apps for Android that use augmented reality
. Each of these tape measure apps is quite unique, allowing you to take measurements in different ways. However, if you're looking for the best product in measurement technology, then you can't go wrong with ARCore, an app that uses augmented reality technology to deliver the most accurate measurements possible. Just remember to follow the terms of use of each application.
Do you have a favorite app that you use as a roulette wheel? Let us know what it is in the comments section below. We'd love to hear from you!
Pros and cons of different roulettes
Each type of roulette is suitable for performing specific tasks.
Depending on the material of the measuring tape, the following features of the instruments are noted:
• Fiberglass tape is safe, soft and lightweight, but at the same time, over time it can stretch (with constant use) and wear out.
Due to this, the service life of such tape measures is noticeably shorter.
In addition, twisting of the tape into the housing reel occurs, in most cases, manually.
The exception is tools with an electric winding mechanism.
• The metal blade is unsafe, as it has quite sharp edges that can easily injure your hand.
Tape measures with such fabric are durable, however, with frequent use, the scale still noticeably wears out.
• The laser version is called a rangefinder. It produces extremely accurate measurements, is easy to use, and has an increased measuring distance.
However, if such a device is used carelessly, the measurement accuracy may fail.
It requires a power source to operate, and the tool is only suitable for measurements on straight sections.
The cost is much higher than previous options.
• Digital models are convenient because all parameters are displayed on an electronic display.
Movable hook on roulette
A movable hook is found on almost every roulette today. And this thing is not at all for conveniently scratching your back.
