Construction tape measure is one of those tools that everyone is familiar with, and without which almost no construction process or work can do.
Externally, a construction tape measure is a flexible metal tape with scale marks printed on it for measurement, enclosed in a housing. In our country, this is the metric system: with millimeters, centimeters and meters, while in other countries it can be inches.
If you go to a modern hardware store, then at the stand with construction tapes you will surely see a dozen different models of construction tapes, ranging from small ones to tools for measuring large distances on a construction site, which are not only large in size, but also heavy.
You will also probably see several other measuring instruments similar to tape measures,
but different in appearance.
In order to help our readers navigate this diversity, we decided to write this article.
For those who are faced with construction tape measures for the first time and want to learn more about their diversity, we recommend reading a separate article on this issue: Construction tape measure, and now let's return to the direct topic of the article.
To choose the type of construction roulette, you need to know a few points, which we will discuss.
1. The purpose of using a tape measure, or rather, what do you plan to measure with this tool:
The purpose of use affects the size of the tape measure you need to buy.
If you are not a builder, but you just need a convenient ruler at hand for measuring small (up to 2 meters) distances, you should think about buying a small, or rather the smallest tape measure with a tape size of 3 meters, or even a souvenir model with a tape of 2 meters. These tape measures are quite suitable for measuring objects in everyday life, small construction work, when buying any item that you select by size.
The disadvantage of this tape measure is the small width of the measuring tape. This is quite inconvenient for constant measurement, which, however, is compensated by the small size of the case, which allows you to fit the tape measure in your pocket, purse or purse.
For permanent construction work, it is best to buy a construction tape measure 5 meters long. This length is quite suitable for most finishers, in the process of repairing an apartment or house, etc. Such roulettes have a sufficient width of the tape so that it does not twist at the slightest bend.
5 meters is perfect for measuring the bulk of the building materials that are used in the renovation of apartments, and there are not very many rooms larger than 5 meters. At the same time, the tape measure has a fairly compact size and does not take up much space among other tools.
If you need this tool when building a house or larger construction, you will need a tape measure 7.5 or 10 meters long, or a measuring tape. The second tool is still the same tape measure, only without the outer casing. But this allows you to install a measuring tape in them with a length of 20 - 30 meters or more. Which in industrial construction is quite enough in most cases. Yes, and when measuring on a personal plot, it will be very useful.
The disadvantage of using a measuring tape is that it is most convenient to use it with two people. It is not very convenient to stretch it alone and it will rarely be in demand in construction work.
2. Price and brand of construction tape measure:
These points, in our opinion, are not very important when choosing this tool. In personal practice, I will say that I used construction tape measures of various companies and sizes, and how long the tape measure will last can be judged by how the owner treats it, and not from the manufacturer.
3. Ease of use:
This point is quite important, especially when in the course of work you work with construction tape all the time. The size of the tape measure is important here, the smaller it is, the more convenient it is to use. It is desirable to have a special metal latch on it - clothespins, with which it can be fixed, for example, on the pocket of overalls, although in practice it is simply placed on the floor or in a pocket.
The mechanism for fixing the measuring tape is also very important. It can be of two types. A) the tape is fixed by the slider after it has been extended to the required distance. B) the tape is fixed permanently, and it can be pulled out after pressing the button. If you release the button, the tape will lock again.
The second option is much more convenient to use, since all operations can be performed with one hand without any effort.
4. Tape measure strength:
It is no secret that during construction work the tool drops, sometimes it falls from a great height, and here strength is quite important. The most durable roulettes are made in a rubberized case. The cheapest models in a fragile plastic case. We recommend choosing a stronger roulette, since even the most careful owner is not immune from falling.
Based on the above tips, we can draw the following conclusion: buy a rubberized tape measure of the middle price category 3 or 5 meters long for homework. If you are engaged in construction and repair work quite often, then it is best to buy 3 tape measures: 3 meter for small work and measurements, the main length is 5 meters, and 7.5 or 10 meters in case you need to measure long distances during the construction process more than 5 meters (rooms, beams, boards, walls, etc..).