Among other construction tools, the roulette does not stand out in any way – a simple working tool that does not have cunning mechanisms and devices. Therefore, when buying a measuring tape, many do not see any particular difficulties in choosing it.
There would be a suitable length, and no one takes into account all the other parameters of the tool. While tape measures are subdivided according to many parameters, including the stiffness of the web, and the measurement accuracy. After all, they are made from a wide variety of materials with varying degrees of protection. The quality of the instrument largely depends on these factors. In this article, we will look at various options for measuring tape.
Measuring tape and their accuracy
To buy a measuring tape today is not a problem, it is another matter how to buy an accurate and high-quality instrument, because, as a rule, in stores there is an abundance of consumer goods that are of low quality, which can only be used for domestic purposes. Roulette of high quality and imported production will cost several orders of magnitude more, because they are performed in accordance with the wishes and requirements of world experts. And accordingly, you can buy such a professional and high-quality tool only in specialized company stores where construction tools are sold.
When choosing a tape measure, you should pay special attention to what lines mark the instrument with. Surely, many have noticed how bold and thick lines mark the scale on the measuring tape. At the same time, it is difficult to determine along which edge of the line, or maybe in the middle, measurements should be taken. Whereas professional tape measures, intended for the production of more accurate work, have a scale made with thin lines, which are difficult for a person with poor eyesight to see. The only way out here is contrast and the use of large numbers.
And one more disadvantage of cheap roulettes. Cutting the tape of a measuring tape according to its markings at least into pieces of a meter length, you can make sure that all the parts do not match. Moreover, each subsequent part will be slightly larger than the previous one. It is quite clear that it is simply impossible to work with such a tool.
The degree of rigidity of the tape of the tape
Many craftsmen, choosing a measuring tape, pay attention to the shape of the canvas of this instrument. Most often, it is made whether completely straight or in a semicircle bent along its entire length. It should be noted that the curved web has greater rigidity and does not break if there is a need for a large release of the tape. A high-quality measuring tape can only break after being released two meters. This fact can play an important role when carrying out repair work, since it makes it possible to carry out appropriate measurements over large areas without anyone’s help.
Measuring tape length
This parameter is relatively self-explanatory. The length of the measuring tape should be chosen based on the forthcoming production work. For example, for work in apartments or houses, a ten-meter-long tape measure will be quite enough. Whereas on large-scale construction sites, it is best to use a tape measure with a length of 50 m or even more. In other cases, it is considered advisable to use a laser tape measure, its maximum measurement range is 300 m.
Roulette tape protection
During the production of a measuring tape, its web is covered with a protective layer, which protects the tape from possible corrosion. At the same time, a cheap tool remains practically unprotected, since it is difficult to call a thin layer of paint applied to the tape as a protection.
Measuring tape, which has a high cost – about 10-15 dollars, have a more serious coating. Some of them are covered with a layer of zinc, and some with copper. Such a tape measure also differs in the method of applying paint, a scale, as well as a protective layer, which can significantly extend the service life of the tool.
However, the excessive diligence of manufacturers is often not entirely justified, because such a serious protective layer makes the instrument heavier and increases the weight of the tape. As a result, the canvas can break even when it is pulled to a length of one and a half meters.
What should be the roulette body?
An experienced craftsman can assess the quality of a roulette wheel only by its body. Obviously, most tape measures less than 20 meters long and made in a plastic case are unlikely to be particularly reliable. Particular attention should be paid to the outlet, in the event that it is equipped with an insert made of sufficiently dense, but soft rubber, the blade is guaranteed to be protected from possible scratches during operation, resulting from friction of the blade against the body. In addition, the tape of the tape is covered with an expensive and reliable protective layer.
On imported, and therefore high-quality measuring tape, even clamps are arranged in a different way, playing the role of only clamping mechanisms that lock the tape. In this case, as a result of braking, it is not the tape of the roulette that is subjected to friction, but the special drum on which it is wound.
There are a number of other features of measuring tape. For example, electronics, which are built into the body of the roulette wheel. In the production of work, one cannot fail to note the convenience of this device, because it is capable of very quickly showing the measured distance, exactly up to tenths of a millimeter. During production, such tape measures undergo special comparative testing and are classified as high-precision instruments.
The presence of a bubble level on the tape measure will also help to increase the accuracy of the required measurements, which will make it possible to use it to control, for example, brickwork.
Thus, despite the seeming simplicity, you should choose a roulette very carefully and then it will serve you for many years.