Skip to main content

Reply to "Steel tape recommendations"

I tend to agree with Lyman's last paragraph. I recently bought a 100ft steel tape because it's easier to take with me on every course measurement than my old 100-meter tape (very heavy). I pounded a nail in the pavement, hooked the end of both tapes on it, and took a measurement about 100 feet away. The difference between the two tapes was quite small, and definitely smaller than the difference I saw depending on whether I pulled with a little less, or a little more tension.

I can think of several sources of error in laying out a calibration course:

1) Accuracy of steel measuring tape itself.

2) Accuracy of tension applied to tape.

3) Accuracy of tape temperature.

4) Accuracy of holding the zero point of the tape at the mark as it is being tensioned by the other person.

My guess is that the combination of #2 thru #4 are a good bit bigger than #1.

×
×
×
×