Clearly a conspiracy - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: akis
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2023, 04:43:50 pm
content: Tape measures are made specifically to be as awkward to use as possible. The only way they will stay is on its flat side, and most times you want the damn thing just to stay upright, nothing more, but no, they have a specific shape with rounded edges and bumps and curves so as never to just stay there. Most infuriating. Typical example. I want to work with lengths of, say 1.3m. My aluminium ruler is 1m, so I have to use the tape. Nothing wrong with that, I will simply open it out to about 1.5m and that will give me plenty of room to work with up to 1.3m. But no. The damn thing will not stay anywhere I leave it and the smallest nudge or movement and it's tipped over again ruining all the alignment and readings! It is a conspiracy, plain and simple.

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2023, 04:52:59 pm
content: If that is poor in your books, try self-leveling laser levels, you can't breath at them

author: AndyBeez
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2023, 05:02:34 pm
content: 1. Blame Coriolishttps://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coriolis_force2. Get a longer rule.3. Cut shorter lengths.

author: akis
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2023, 05:09:54 pm
content: Quote from: Bud on June 12, 2023, 04:52:59 pmHa ha I have, as I am building a house and have tried to align door frames, windows, ceilings and floors. I have about 5-6 of them and have already dropped 2-3 :-(They need very stable mountings and a lot of patience to set them where you need to, very soft touch and hold your breath. Literally. For example I used a handsaw hanging upside down on a nail in the wall as a base for the magnetic laser level. Trying to set that assembly up is an exercise in patience. You cana see I am using 3 lasers to help align a door frame, one is on the floor, the other on a tripod and the other on the hanging handsaw bladeI have also discovered. You need to align it to within 1 degree, preferably less, *before* you unlock the pendulum, and only then let the pendulum do its magic. Because, if you are out by say one degree or more, the pendulum will still align, but not as well as when you started off at 0.5 degrees. They usually self-align from 3 degrees downwards, but I would not trust them.

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2023, 05:10:33 pm
content: https://www.starrett.com/category/111101#currentPage=1&displayMode=grid&itemsPerPage=12&sortBy=wp/asc

author: m k
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2023, 05:24:18 pm
content: Quote from: Bud on June 12, 2023, 04:52:59 pmKeep in mind that laser is quite easily bending around a mass.

author: EE4all
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2023, 05:39:42 pm
content: Then your foundation settles a little, and all your leveling and squaring is off

author: mendip_discovery
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2023, 06:15:16 pm
content: Build it all wonky so wonky that you can say it was a design choice.You know you can buy 2 and 3m steel rules. Just take in for temperature changes when measuring stuff.

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2023, 06:21:04 pm
content: A more convenient and reasonably-priced option:https://www.mcmaster.com/19365A27/Many years ago, when installing an x-ray system in another State, I brought a six-foot English/metric tape measure with me.A local electrician, installing the x-ray on light, asked to borrow my tape.He opened it, saw cm along one edge, and handed it back to me.

author: Infraviolet
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2023, 07:19:41 pm
content: You can always get a "tailors" type of tape measure, plastic flexible tape with the lengths marked on it. It will stay where you leave it. Typically have a metal end tip to add some weight, and as it isn't sprung the way a reeled tape measure is you could just old the tip down with blue tack.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2023, 03:31:41 pm
content: I think someone has thought of a solution:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/reekon/t1-tomahawk-professional-digital-tape-measure

author: EPAIII
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2023, 08:57:03 am
content: I clearly see your problem, right there in your post. "1.3m", "My aluminium ruler is 1m...", "1.5m", etc.My tapes measure inches and feet and I have no problems with them.Quote from: akis on June 12, 2023, 04:43:50 pm

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2023, 10:00:38 am
content: Quote from: akis on June 12, 2023, 04:43:50 pmThe obvious solution is an adjustable length ruler -- not tape (attachment). Aka, "carpenter ruler."I also have a 6 foot aluminum fixed ruler that is helpful for layout, marking, and cutting straight edges for intermediate lengths where laser or chalk line isn't convenient.