Most woodworkers do not like sanding. Neither do I but, I dislike measuring more. I used to make beau coup mistakes in the measuring process. Most often, those mistakes are not repairable! I finally started doing as much "direct measurement" as possible. And, the mistakes became less frequent. 

Not one prone to navel gazing and introspection, the reasons for my mistakes in measuring wasn't immediately apparent. Slowly it dawned on me, though. FRACTIONS!. Also, the bane of my grammer school math experience. Since decimal measurement read outs (engineers' measures) and metric tapes eliminate the need to break down 64ths and since, here in the US, woodworkers must be conversant with both imperial and metric systems, I decided to try to ease the task....at least in my mind. I have a couple Engineer's rules but, I wanted to measure more than 6".  Amazon sells a 12' Stanley tape graduated in 10ths. It's on order, by golly! Should be here in a couple days.

I know, I've gone the long way around the barn to avoid using math that most 4th graders have mastered, but at 72 years of age and still a hopeless math idiot, I think it's time to recognize my limitations and move on!

 

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Gene
'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton

I truly understand the frustrations involved. this might be a big help if you need to convert from one to the other.

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No greater Loves than God, Family, Friends, country, the sight of flying chips and the smell of saw dust.

Got that chart hanging on the wall. I just think the 1/10th tape will save a step or two. Conversion is another opportunity for me to screw up.

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Gene
'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton

Congratulations Gene on your Tape purchase, I hear ya man! My position is a tad different though but I sympathize with your need to have a simplified tape measure.

Since I am a Land Surveyor, and I work with numbers all dang day long, when I come home and I am in the workshop, I try to stay away from them! I use marking gauges and story sticks more often then not and I just line things up to make the marks and cuts. But when I do have to use a tape, I have a simplified tape as well marked out in 1/16's. That way I don't need to think too much, numbers, the last thing I like to see when I come home from work!

Gene Howe said:

Got that chart hanging on the wall. I just think the 1/10th tape will save a step or two. Conversion is another opportunity for me to screw up.

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Gene
'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker
Proud Supporter of Wounded Warrior Project and Homes For Our Troops

 

Just use a calculator for this. 

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Take the first step, it will lead you to the LAST.
www.bandsawblog.com

James, I am sending you a PM now regarding the blog question. If you could sir check your inbox in the next few minutes or when you get to it, thanks!

James Hisebert said:

 

Just use a calculator for this. 

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Take the first step, it will lead you to the LAST.
www.bandsawblog.com

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker
Proud Supporter of Wounded Warrior Project and Homes For Our Troops

Got one. A carpenter's calculator. Adds, divides, subtracts and multiplies Imperial numbers and fractions written and displayed i.e. 1/2+3/32 = 18/32. Just another step I'd rather avoid. 

James Hisebert said:

 

Just use a calculator for this. 

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Take the first step, it will lead you to the LAST.
www.bandsawblog.com

Got it John! Thanks for the PM. 

John Morris said:

James, I am sending you a PM now regarding the blog question. If you could sir check your inbox in the next few minutes or when you get to it, thanks!

James Hisebert said:

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker
Proud Supporter of Wounded Warrior Project and Homes For Our Troops

Use a scientific calculator. They usually display the results in decimals. Something easier. 

Gene Howe said:

Got one. A carpenter's calculator. Adds, divides, subtracts and multiplies Imperial numbers and fractions written and displayed i.e. 1/2+3/32 = 18/32. Just another step I'd rather avoid. 

James Hisebert said:

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Gene
'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton

I can sympathize with the measuring thing. I think I'm dyslectic. Measurement calls for 19 1/2- I mark 18 1/2.

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Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!

Yeah, Lewis. Or, pull an inch and forget you did?

BT,DT!

Infuriating as all heck.

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Gene
'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton