1 hour ago, schnewj said:

I wouldn't be without mine.

 

For half a century I read the tape numbers upside down, and can't remember the number of times I got brain cramps and mismarked a measurement.

 

With a right handed tape the numbers are right side up and facing the user. The Fast Cap Righty/Lefty is a great tape...I found mine at the local Woodcraft store. It took me three trips there before I finally snagged the last one that they had. They couldn't keep them in stock.

Same here and, as mentioned above, there is the added benefit with the FastCap tape that the hook is protected and can't get damaged when (not if) dropped.

23 minutes ago, Stick486 said:

http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=32565&cat=1,43513,43003

http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=32562&cat=1,43513,43003

I have one of these, doesn't have the heft or feel of the FastCap though.

The best Lee Valley tape, bar none.

http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=65357&cat=1,46158,75230,75235&ap=1

5 hours ago, schnewj said:

On 12/14/2018 at 7:47 AM, Cal said:

I have not seen a left handed tape measure before.  I am sure they are out there, I mean, I am looking at a picture of one.  But never seen one in person...

Yes, Cal, there are right and left handed tapes!

Right handed tapes  are made to accmmodate those poor unfortunates who never over came the handicap. Everyone is Born Right handed.  Only the strong superior overcome it.

 

2 hours ago, Cliff said:

Right handed tapes  are made to accmmodate those poor unfortunates who never over came the handicap. Everyone is Born Right handed.  Only the strong superior overcome it.

 

Now if I’m equally BAD with each hand, where does that leave me?     (Oh I can’t WAIT for these replies LOLOLOLOLOL)

https://www.woodcraft.com/products/fastcap-lefty-righty-25-tape-measure

 

15 minutes ago, Artie said:

where does that leave me?

Delegate...

4 hours ago, Gene Howe said:

The best Lee Valley tape, bar none.

http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=65357&cat=1,46158,75230,75235&ap=1

NICE!  And thankfully I overbuilt my storage to be able to get a couple more.  

9 minutes ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

NICE!  And thankfully I overbuilt my storage to be able to get a couple more.  

Get you one of THESE while they're still available...bought a couple at Menard's a couple of weeks ago...$7.99/ea. They'll be collector's items in another 175 years.

 

I learn stuff every day.  Today is no different!

I think the Lee Valley write up for their story tape is funny:

"Historically, fine cabinet work (and even architecture) has always been done using referential measurement; craftsmen used ratios, relationships, and the tools/material at hand — and did not rely on graduated rules, or “even” dimensions. Mortises were based on material sizes (or chisel widths, irrespective of actual dimension)"

 

 They don't actually come out and  say anything  stupid   by claiming that it was so much better.  But they do sort of lead the reader there  with sufficient connotation and inference.

Fact  is  those in the days of yore they  could not lay their hands on a graduated measuring instrument  to save their lives.  These things were to hard to produce and too unreliable when  they were found. 

And of course they used the width of the chisel.  Who wouldn't?

So the write up says absolutely nothing to me,  Except that  if one wants to do it the old way the way that hey had  to because there were no other options; then well, here is a modern gizmo that can be used instead of a length of a  length of scrap lumber which is really what the old timey guys used.  Maybe they should sell off cuts from the saw-mill with some bark on one side for historical consistency .

 

Edited December 16, 20187 yr by Cliff

2 minutes ago, Cliff said:

Maybe they should sell off cuts from the saw-mill with some bark on one side........

they do...

5 minutes ago, Stick486 said:

they do...

 I  believe it.

 

ah yes, the old "rule of thumb"

 

back in the day, when women were treated as no more than property of a man, they had to be brought under control, and they were taking quit the beating from some.  so they appealed to the king.  "hey, can you help us out?"  well, the king, being a kind, good king, said "sure".  he decreed that a man could not beat his wife with anything larger in diameter than the king's thumb (about 1", he was well fed).

 

so men now had a standard they could rely on.

 

the "rule of thumb"!

please notice, the king did not decree "no beating your wife"

 

he wanted to keep his head on his shoulders too.

Then the King made the standard for a foot as then length of "his" foot.Danged what a problem when a new king was crowned

Bins

NICE, but if you are like me more will be needed.

Built these years ago and they were full in a few weeks.  Still building or finding new places to store more stuff.

 

 

On 12/16/2018 at 12:00 PM, DAB said:

back in the day, when women were treated as no more than property of a man,

WHA-DA-YA-MEAN  "back in the day"??????

 

On 12/16/2018 at 10:47 PM, RustyFN said:

Bins

Hey Rusty...is that welder a flux core model or MAPP? If just flux core, likes/dislikes, amperage, wire size(s), recommendations. Just curious...looking to invest in one next summer.

I assume it doesn't weld wood though?

 

Apologies for the hi-jack...