Long tapes instead of being returned by a spring, were usually returned by hand crank. Surveyors also used 49? feet of a 50-foot tape for 3 rods and 99 feet of a 100-foot tape measure for 6 rods. Because surveying was usually done in rods, surveyors use long tapes of 33 feet (2 rods), and 66 feet (4 rods). These are cased tape measures with tapes of 25, 50, 75, 100, 200, 300, and even 500 feet in length, designed for engineers and builders. When most people think of a tape measure, they are thinking of the pocket tape measure.Ī second tape measure design is what is called the long tape. Pocket tape measures have a tape one foot to fifteen feet in length and ? to ? inches across. The tape is returned to the case by a spring mechanism. They are small, the case is up to about three inches across. Spring return pocket tape measures will generally fit in a pocket. There are two basic types of tape measures with cases, spring return pocket tape measures and long tape measures. Surveyors use tape measures in lengths of over 100 m (300+ ft).

Today it is ubiquitous, even appearing in miniature form as a keychain fob, or novelty item. Its design allows for a measure of great length to be easily carried in pocket or toolkit and permits one to measure around curves or corners.

It consists of a ribbon of cloth, plastic, fibre glass, or metal strip with linear-measurement markings. The self-marking tape measure allows the user an accurate one hand measure.A tape measure or measuring tape is a flexible ruler and used to measure distance. A tape measure of 25 or even 100 feet can wind into a relatively small container. The tang is connected to the tape with loose rivets through oval holes, and can move a distance equal to its thickness, to provide both inside and outside measurements that are accurate. This type of tape measure will have a floating tang or hook on the end to aid measuring. Measuring tapes designed for carpentry or construction often use a stiff, curved metallic ribbon that can remain stiff and straight when extended, but retracts into a coil for convenient storage. Today, measuring tapes made for sewing are made of fiberglass, which does not tear or stretch as easily. These types of tape measures were mainly used for the measuring of the subject’s waist line. Tape measures that were intended for use in tailoring or dressmaking were made from flexible cloth or plastic. Tapes may have different scales, be made of different materials, and be of different lengths depending on the use it is intended for. Tape measures are often designed for specific uses or trades. A tape measure or measuring tape is a flexible ruler and used to measure distance.

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