Questions tagged [measuring]

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How should I fit flooring planks between my walls?

I'm pretty new to all things home improvement, and my first big project is installing some vinyl flooring. I've watched and read a bit about wanting an offset of around 6 inches between rows. The ...
Jäger's user avatar
  • 13
3 votes
2 answers
3k views

Will 42.5 in vanity fit in 42 in space?

Will this vanity fit into a 42 1/8 in space between two walls? According to the specification, the base is 42 in and the counter top is 42.5 in and made of cultured marble. Although the top is larger ...
user2233706's user avatar
-2 votes
1 answer
49 views

Equalateral triangle inside circle: How long are the triangle sides? [closed]

I have a 30-inch circle (inside diameter). If I had a equalateral triangle inside it, what would the length of the triangle sides be? The triangle sides do not have a thickness.
User1974's user avatar
  • 187
1 vote
1 answer
1k views

Measuring windows for replacement

I'm a little unclear on how to measure windows for replacement. Most reading I've found says to measure the opening for the sash— sill to head, and jamb to jamb. My questions are: Why isn't it the ...
trbabb's user avatar
  • 113
0 votes
2 answers
141 views

Can anyone tell me what this tool is?

I work for the Forest service and this strange tool just showed up. Can't figure out what it is. Maybe a saw chain measuring tool or tree sight?,
Clay Royer's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
483 views

Does this SAE conversion map work for any tools or justfor wrenches?

By mistake I ordered a set of Forstner bits that are all metric (mm) I am seeing g that for wrenches there is this mapping Does it work for Frostner bits or anything else as well?
MiniMe's user avatar
  • 3,400
1 vote
2 answers
47 views

How to calculate width and depth to determine measurements using math (geometry?) along a cone shape [closed]

all. I get accused of being too wordy with my posts but I always feel like I need to provide all the details. If you want to go right to my question, just look for "So, my question is..." in ...
Adrien's user avatar
  • 711
1 vote
0 answers
125 views

Purpose of indent on tape measure hook

What is the purpose of the little indent on the bottom of the hooks on tape measures? There's no end to the sites and videos explaining that the hole/notch is for hooking on the head of a screw, but ...
Payne's user avatar
  • 111
20 votes
2 answers
3k views

Where do measurements start on a ruler/tape measure

I feel really dumb asking this question, but I need help reading the lines on my tape measure. I need to make precise measurements, but given the thickness of the inch lines, I'm not sure how. I've ...
Ben A.'s user avatar
  • 309
8 votes
7 answers
8k views

Does the outer diameter of 4.78 indicate an M4 or an M5 bolt?

I measured the maximal diameter of this counter-sunk bolt. Note: The bolt is not parallel with the jaws, but slightly rotated so that the bolt head is behind them. Therefore measurement is not of the ...
Martin Drozdik's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
782 views

What size adapter do I need to fit a Danco hose on my older Glacier Bay kitchen faucet?

The pull-out (well, technically a pull-down) hose was leaking on our kitchen sink. It is a Glacier Bay–branded model but Home Depot did not show any hoses for it on their site so I bought a generic &...
natevw's user avatar
  • 181
-1 votes
1 answer
442 views

Does the Metric system have a concept of a Board Foot?

The US sells lumber by $/board foot. I want to create a project planning spreadsheet that uses Imperial or metric dimensions to calculate how many Board feet I will need to buy. If the planner is used ...
Ron J's user avatar
  • 1
0 votes
4 answers
366 views

Clamp DC current measurements with AmazonCommercial 600A AC/DC Clamp Meter

Please see the UPDATE section below! The question still stands (with new info). I don't feel the need to open a new one, but let me know if you think otherwise. Is AmazonCommercial 600A AC/DC Clamp ...
Astrogator's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
130 views

Jaws of Vernier Caliper

What are the important things to consider when jaws are used instead of the knife-edge for measuring internal dimensions?
Charlize's user avatar
3 votes
4 answers
1k views

Why do screw thread diameters vary from their nominal values?

I'm trying to identify several screws. Guides online are fairly straightforward - measure the diameter of the thread part, and pitch if possible. However, none of my screw measurements make any sense. ...
Aloha's user avatar
  • 151
-2 votes
2 answers
210 views

How to Unstuck a Tape Measurer [closed]

This tape measurer is stuck. The metal piece is stuck (where orange arrow is pointing). How do I unstuck it?
Marium's user avatar
  • 135
0 votes
1 answer
110 views

Anyone know a name for this measuring tool? [closed]

I've been looking at height gauges and they don't quite fit what I need. I'm trying to measure a ceiling not an object. I've seen some old fashioned height gauges that seem to do what I'm looking for ...
user120474's user avatar
2 votes
4 answers
576 views

How do you store a magnetic base and a dial indicator to prolong their life and retain accuracy?

I'm getting into turning with a lathe, starting small with some decent-used tools from the local ebay(trademe) and some janky chinese-grade tools. But I want to learn Best Practices. Right now I ...
Criggie's user avatar
  • 9,996
0 votes
2 answers
249 views

Tips to get (close to) accurate bevel angle by handsaw?

I'm trying to get a 20° bevel the length of the board (36"). I'm working on a scrap wood project. I've been on an "unplugged" kick lately & finding the extra physical effort of "by hand" to be ...
Rebel Meister's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
30 views

weird table slide dimensions?

We have a round table that can take two leaves, however, the two table extension slides (I think that's what they're called?) are irreparably broken, and seem to be a non-standard size, but I'm not ...
Joe's user avatar
  • 216
-1 votes
2 answers
3k views

How to measure tile lippage?

I just had my bathroom floor tiled and I am concerned about lippage. Before bringing this up with the contractor, I want to get an idea of how bad it is really. The tiles are 2.25" octagons with ...
StrongBad's user avatar
  • 693
1 vote
1 answer
1k views

How to locate a line parallel to adjacent building for a new building

I want to build a new building next to an existing building. The new building must be parallel to the old building, but shifted forward, as shown below. What is the best way to find a parallel line ...
Ryan Griggs's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
51 views

Minimum clearance between tree branches and overhead electrical (Indiana)

What is Indiana code for minimum clearance between power lines overhead and tree branches? I was able to find some things talking about how high cables should be off the ground, but nothing about tree ...
Jozef Pietrzak's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
288 views

Metric unit conversion for piping

The German manual of my washer-dryer says it needs a water connection with measurements specified as 26,4 mm = 3/4". Assuming those quotation marks were meant to be prime marks, i.e. stand for inches, ...
FDMS's user avatar
  • 111
0 votes
3 answers
772 views

What are the best practice in drilling anchor screw holes in right locations?

I am setting up several stations side by side that look like this: For each station I have to install a mirror that has two hooks behind it and look like this: Those hooks are supposed to hang on ...
user2138912's user avatar
-1 votes
1 answer
78 views

Diameter of an 11' foot high, 3" (2&7/8) steel post footer hole

I know that the general standard for post footers is to make the diameter of the footer hole 3 times wider than the post itself. However, I want to make sure that even in an 11' foot post (which seems ...
chromechris's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
994 views

marking & cutting odd plywood shape

I need to create a non-standard shape of thick plywood (1+") for an extension to a kitchen island. Shape is something like this: ... the size is roughly 3ft-square, and the inside and outside ...
RustyShackleford's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
361 views

What is the viewing window for on this tape measure?

Can someone please explain me the significance of the window in this measuring tape? I am unable to understand its application.
infoclogged's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
78 views

How accurate does corner angle measurement on crown moulding need to be?

How accurate does angle measurement on crown moulding corners actually have to be? What I am saying is say compare a manual angle finder that has 1 degree increments vs a typical digital one that ...
georgia-guy's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
65 views

What is the relation between these two measures? [closed]

Imagine you enjoy automation, and have a friend who makes beer. tl;dr: How would you mathematically correlate a scale of 7.2 to 2.5 (starts from 7.2 and goes down) to a scale of 1.060 to 1.000? Bonus ...
Mike Meyers's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
783 views

How to precisely measure pipe inner diameter using digital Vernier caliper?

I have a pipe of unknown inner diameter. The pipe is big so I cannot measure it's outer diameter (the outside jaws won't reach the midpoint). I want to measure inner diameter. That should be easy, in ...
Tomáš Zato's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
285 views

Taking Measurements for Driveway Project

I'm a new DIYer and my first project is to cover my sand driveway with bluestone gravel. My question is how do I take measurements of driveway to determine how much gravel to buy? Thank you in advance ...
mspatient10's user avatar
14 votes
8 answers
3k views

How do I measure the thickness of something with a lip or frame?

I'm looking for a device like vernier calipers (ie 0.1mm resolution or thereabouts is fine), but in more of a C-clamp configuration which allows me to measure the thickness of some object's face where ...
pcdev's user avatar
  • 313
0 votes
1 answer
128 views

Measuring Electric Motor Shank Dimensions?

I have an electric motor that has threads on the end of it. I'm interested in making a wood pulley to put on the end of it for use in a lathe. The only thing is that I'm not sure if I have the right ...
Sarah Szabo's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
186 views

How to Measure Double Handle Push out Windows?

I want to buy some screens but I need them custom made. I need to measure them but not sure how to measure them properly. The screen would look like this http://www.southcoastscreens.com/double-...
chobo2's user avatar
  • 121
0 votes
1 answer
65 views

Swedish Crown Molding KS. Would this be useful? Are there better tools? [closed]

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/onecut/onecut-crown-molding-tool-patented-technology/description This tools that gives a template for half the measured angle looks simple and reasonable, but ...
Richard Haven's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
5k views

How to square plywood using the 3-4-5 method?

I know about the square triangle 3-4-5, and I know how to use it get a 90° angle. But I can't think or understand how people use it (accurately) to get 90° on a big plywood sheet. The most "proper" ...
Luiz Borges's user avatar
  • 2,315
0 votes
1 answer
616 views

Why are fractions used for measuring? [closed]

Can someone provide a rational reason why are fractions used for measuring, instead of decimals or percentages? To me they don't seem intuitive and I fail to see how can be intuitive to anyone ...
katie's user avatar
  • 11
1 vote
0 answers
188 views

How do you figure out how deep the water table is somewhere?

I'm looking at buying some land, and was wondering how to figure out how deep it is to the water table so I can know what I can put in a location in the yard.
a coder's user avatar
  • 135
1 vote
1 answer
414 views

Smart Thermostat C-Wire wrong voltage

I'm looking to upgrade the thermostats in my apartment to ones which I can control programmatically over WiFi. I opened up one of the old thermostats and discovered I have the classic "C-wire" ...
Techrocket9's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
133 views

How to measure head casing?

I have, what seems like a trivial question. How on earth do you measure the size of a head casing? I measured as it shows in this picture, going from the bottom side of the 45's. I measured my door (...
DrZoo's user avatar
  • 197
0 votes
1 answer
838 views

Cosmetic fix for installing decking board when not parallel to house?

I am expanding the deck that goes very far (35 x 48 feet ~ 1000 sqft). So I am pretty sure the further end will not perfectly parallel to the house. It could be 1-2 inch off from one end to the other ...
HP.'s user avatar
  • 1,832
1 vote
3 answers
10k views

How to measure the radius of a fillet on a non 90deg angle

I have two filleted corners that are not at 90deg on an aluminium part. I want to measure the radius of the fillet, but I don't have fancy radius measuring tools, only calipers. Is there any way I ...
Nicu Surdu's user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
5k views

Marking studs with tape measure

Maybe I'm a little dense, but I'm having a little difficulty visualizing how laying out studs 16" OC works with a tape measure. From almost every source I look at they say "Don't screw this up. Hook ...
2 Left Thumbs's user avatar
7 votes
6 answers
108k views

When tiling a floor must I start in the middle of the room?

I am tiling a small bathroom ~45sq ft. The book I am referencing suggested starting the tile in the center of the room to prevent laying any tiny fractions of tile near one side of the room. I'm ...
dpollitt's user avatar
  • 772
1 vote
1 answer
184 views

lay out common rafters with combination square

I need to mark common rafters (plumb line and birdsmouth) to build a lean-to roof. I only have a combination square, a rusted try square and measuring tape. All explanations involve either a speed ...
marianov's user avatar
  • 121
3 votes
2 answers
4k views

What does "Level flat to 3/16 per 10 foot radius" mean?

I am looking at USFLOORS CoreTec Plus installation instructions (http://www.usfloorsllc.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/USF-COREtec-Plus-Angle-Tap-Installation-Instructions.pdf) and it says Level: ...
THX-1138's user avatar
  • 183
2 votes
2 answers
856 views

How do I measure for a table top inside a (slightly irregular) nook/alcove?

I have a little nook about 2' x 5'. It's surrounded by wall on three sides. I want to put a table top in there. But I know the area isn't exactly square. It's supposed to be, but it's not. How do I ...
Trevor's user avatar
  • 901
1 vote
1 answer
7k views

Distance to leave between drilled holes in plaster

I've drilled 3 6mm holes in a wall, about 30cm away from each other. They were meant to be vertically aligned but the measurements were off and it's on about a 5-10 degree slant. Because of this I ...
Matthew Steeples's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
48 views

Is there a program or system which will tell me what length (8' or 10') 1x3 lumber to get for making storm windows?

I am going to make some storm windows. 13 of them. The windows will be simple 1x3 frames with a 1x3 horizontal stretcher midway up. Mitered corners. I am including the measurements at the bottom of ...
jqning's user avatar
  • 658