Festool Flip-scale metric tape measure with larger 3 and 8 milimeters

[NYC Tiny Shop]

I could use a Festool tape measure that is metric only which has two scales that are mirrored of each other, so that I can measure left to right or right to left without having to go around my table or read upside down.  Also, it would be easier to read the millimeter markings if the 3 and 8 millimeter markings were larger than the 1, 2, and 4 mm markings. If Festool ever does make one of these...all I ask for is a few complimentary issues. Thanks.

 

[ccarrolladams]

Since 1946 the metric system has been primary for me both in metal and woodworking. Over the past 67 years I have purchased nearly 100 different metric tape measures. Personally I have no problem using most of them.

The fact is this is the way manufacturers of tape measures make them. If there were a market for increasing the size of the numbers 3 and 8 such rulers would have been produced long ago.

Festool never claimed to own the factory making those tape measures. They are existing products re-branded in Festool colors.

Perhaps you might prefer one of many tape measures intended for System or True 32 use. Those typically have a dot every 32mm.

My Starrett Tru-Loc 4m C12-4M8 is marked with zero to the left with every 10mm called out in large black print and every 100mm in red. For me flipping it over so that zero is to the right still results in legible numbers.

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

Thanks, for the suggestions, ccarroladams.  With all of those tape measures, you could almost open a museum. I default any experience with tape measures to you.  Yes, I'm aware of the tape measures that you suggested, but I'll stick with my Festool tape measure until some semblance of what I need (as described in the first posting) hits the market. Best of luck. Thanks for trying to help.

 

[Kev]

"3" and "8" ?

Do you do something special with (n*10)+3 mm and (n*10)+8 mm lengths ?

As a life long metric user I have to say that those marking on a tape or ruler would annoy me. For me, irregular divisions on a scale would potentially mislead.

This is not a personal criticism ... just how I see it.

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

The 3 and 8 would, for me, would make it easier to read each of the mm's between 1 and 5 and 5 and 10.  I always have a hard time seeing, for example : if it's a 3 or 4 ...or a 7 or 8mm.  A slightly longer 3 or 8mm would just make it easier to differentiate.  Hey, if your tape measure works great for you, then I'm happy for you.  The one I proposed would just make it easier for me...and possibly someone else. 

 

[John Stevens]

it would be easier to read the millimeter markings if the 3 and 8 millimeter markings were larger than the 1, 2, and 4 mm markings.

Great idea!  I think tape measures are a novelty item for Festool, but FastCap might be interested if you emailed your idea to them.

--John

 

[Kev]

The 3 and 8 would, for me, would make it easier to read each of the mm's between 1 and 5 and 5 and 10.  I always have a hard time seeing, for example : if it's a 3 or 4 ...or a 7 or 8mm.  A slightly longer 3 or 8mm would just make it easier to differentiate.  Hey, if your tape measure works great for you, then I'm happy for you.  The one I proposed would just make it easier for me...and possibly someone else. 

So "3" and "8" aren't special then?

Still can't get my head round non-symetrical markings.

There have been metric scales where each 2mm increment is greater than the 1mm increment and the 5mm increment is the most significant ... so 2, 4, 6 and 8 would be larger markings than 1, 3, 7 and 9. That gives you a large scale close to an Imperial twelfth of an inch in size.

Help me though please ... I'm still baffled as to why you'd want a marking made more significant 3mm from the centimetre marker on one side (at 3mm) and 2mm from the centimetre marker on the other (at 8mm) - I really want to understand! On a double sided measure the markings wouldn't even line up across the rule.

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

IiiiiiiiiI

IiliLiiliI

Which one is easier to find 4 or 6?

 

[mouppe]

Could you take a red fine point sharpie and add a dot on the 3 and 8 mm marks or whichever ones you want to highlight?

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

Definitely!

 

[Kev]

IiiiiiiiiI

IiliLiiliI

Which one is easier to find 4 or 6?

Normal scale is ...

|....!....|

You are suggesting ...

|..i.!..i.|

(no symmetry in that)

I tried to explain ...

|.i.i:i.i.|

I'm actually beyond caring to explain from a rational position any more ... but good luck getting anyone to build a scale to your particular requirement.

I'm starting to think there's a little confusion about how many divisions there should be in a decimal system. Ten is the number by the way!

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

Kev, like I said, this would make it easier for me and possibly someone else. There was already another person on this thread who thought this was a good idea. It's not about dividing the scale, it's about READING the scale.  Is this rational enough?

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

Just found this, a scale accenting 2 and 3----7 and 8...not very symmetrical...but it works! And, it's made by one of the top measurement companies in the world! Now, if it just had a flip-scale, then I would have my new measuring tape!

http://www.amazon.com/Starrett-C330-150-Millimeter-Graduations-Thickness/dp/B007P67K0A/ref=sr_1_3?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1381057505&sr=1-3&keywords=Starrett+metric+scale+ruler

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

And...just found a metric flip metric tape...now, someone just needs to combine the Fastcap with the Starrett!

http://www.hartvilletool.com/popupimg?url=http://cdn.hartvilletool.com/images/uploads/492_3081_popup.jpg&imgtitle=FASTCAP%20METRIC%20LEFTY%2FRIGHTY%20TAPE%20MEASURE%20-%205%20METER

 

[Kev]

Just found this, a scale accenting 2 and 3----7 and 8...not very symmetrical...but it works! And, it's made by one of the top measurement companies in the world! Now, if it just had a flip-scale, then I would have my new measuring tape!

http://www.amazon.com/Starrett-C330-150-Millimeter-Graduations-Thickness/dp/B007P67K0A/ref=sr_1_3?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1381057505&sr=1-3&keywords=Starrett+metric+scale+ruler

Yep - that looks symmetrical to me - not just odd markings at 3 and 8. Seems we have a very different meaning of the word "symmetry" ... try putting a mirror at the 5mm mark (in the middle of a centimetre) and maybe it'll make sense.

The scale on this rule is marked ...

|.ii.|.ii.|

(perfectly symmetrical)

If you had said 2,3,7 and 8 markings in the very beginning I would have had no issues whatsoever.

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

Yeah, I see that you're the type that looks for problems. Good luck with that.

 

[Kev]

Yeah, I see that you're the type that looks for problems. Good luck with that.

No - actually I'm a person that focuses on detail ... and it seems I've made you uncomfortable by drilling into the detail on this.

Many people here are challenged or confused by the metric system. The last thing they need are scales that do not make perfectly clear sense. This is a forum where others read these topics ... it's not just between NYC Tiny Shop and Kev.

I can't imagine you'd post something like this on an open forum if you simply want people to unthinkingly agree with you. But, would you?

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

Starrett made the 3 and 8 markings larger, but came up with something even better, by making the 2 and 7 markings the same size as the 3 and 8.  I like what they did even more, than what I was thinking.  Kev, let's move on.

 

[NERemodeling]

[popcorn]  [popcorn]  [popcorn]  haha, not trying to instigate, honestly.. ive just always wanted to use the popcorn  [big grin]

Jim, i do see what your saying along with what Kev is saying... i think that the starrett rule with the 2,3,7,8 marks "highlighted" in some way makes sense as it makes the tape easier to read.

the 3,8 could get confusing as its not symmetrical

its like imperial tapes using different size lines for each graduation

i think the benefit of the 2,3,7,8 is that it will reduce the need to count tick marks which could speed up marking,  your brain would become accustomed to the fact that the first small tick after 0 is 1, first large tick is 2 second large tick is 3 second small tick is 4 and so on...

if you need 13mm you find the 10 and mark it at the second large tick after it... done!

John

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

Hey John! That's right, I agree.  That was my original aim...to have a scale where one could quickly read those pesky little millimeters without having to put your face in it and count. I'll have some of that popcorn...and, save some for Kev, too!  [smile]