Tape Measure Question

[Stuey]

Ok, so the back of my tape measure says "inches of diameter" and has a scale going up to 3 feet.

I spent a few minutes with google but it's not healping me out. I also have a few tool reference books that I bought recently but they're not helping me either.

I imagine that one can wrap the tape measure around a tree or other circular object and the tape measure part will be the circumference and the inner "diameter" scale will give the diameter of the object?

3 feet * 3.14 is close to 10 feet which is the size of the tape measure.

Am I right here? How is this diameter scale supposed to be used?

Thanks!

[homer15]

i think you divide the circumference by pi to get the diameter.

edit:

hey, maybe i should answer your question. haha. i think the diameter scale is used to figure the total circumference of an object too large to measure by yourself... if you were to chop a tree down and measure the diameter of the trunk, you'd times that by pi and get the circumference... that scale just does all that work for you.

[Stuey]

Wait, so you do wrap the tape measure around the object to get the diameter reading? After thinking about this further, it does make sense.

I'm just wondering what other applications this scale is typically used in. I mean, this is a cheapo $2 tape measure - since they added the diameter scale, surely it's commonly used?

[TwoRails]

That's actually a pretty neat "feature" :) - I've owned at least a dozen (more, I'm sure) tape measurers and none had that niffy feature.... or maybe one did and I just didn't notice :eek: :)

[clroberts]

I suppose that is more handy than having to carry a calculator around with you in order to get the diameter.

[Brad the best]

you could always test it out . find some thing round measure across it and then measure around it the measurement should be the same . that is cool .

[Stuey]

LOL, it's Handi Works brand - my cousin made me a mini toolbox when I went to college almost 6 years ago.

But still, what is it really intended for? It's a cheapo tape measure so it can't be intended for professionals. Right?

This came up when I ordered a 25' tape measure earlier. I came accross a 10 footer in my search and it mentioned it. I then grabbed mine, looked at the back, and said OH, so this isn't just a funkily out of proportion scale.

http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-33-115-PowerLock-Pocket-Tape/dp/B00009OYGH/
Scale on back of 33-115 will measure up to 3' diameters

[David M]

Stuey,
Just go out and measure the circumference of a tree or telephone pole..tell us what you get.

[Stuey]

lol, I'm too lazy to do that. I've pretty much concluded how it works, but I'm still working on the why.

Why is this scale here!! It's a $2 tape measure! They couldn't have assumed that I'd need to measure the diameters of telephone poles!

Ok, so we wrap an object with the tape. One side gives the circumference, the other side gives the diameter.

I can see how this is useful, but is it SO useful that they included this feature on a cheapo tape measure? There has to be a more common application for this that I'm just overlooking. Right?

And this is how I distract myself from my homework assignments. Yup, I'm 23 and I've still got HW to do. So yea, I'm thinking about tape measures while watching the Sarah Silverman Program show while definitely not finishing my HW. :D

Edit: My right thigh has a diameter of 6.25 inches. My belly has a diamater of 10 inches. I was bulging it outwards so it was somewhat spherical. Yea... I'm sleepy and on a sugar rush from some sherbert. =)

[juppy]

Why is this scale here!! It's a $2 tape measure! They couldn't have assumed that I'd need to measure the diameters of telephone poles!My guess would be that it's just one of those "make you think you're getting more for your money" things. I mean, just think about the marketing. You look at 3 or 4 different brands of cheapo tape measures and can't decide which cheapo to blow 2 bucks on. BUT!.....Then you look at the back of the tape on this one and......HOLY SECRET BONUSES, BATMAN!!.....THIS ONE'S GOT A DIAMETER MEASURING SCALE TOO!!! WOW!!! So you buy that one instead. :D

[Stuey]

It might have been part of a set though, since my cousins gave us similarly branded screwdrivers, a hammer, and some pliers. *shrug*

All I know is that I'm so going to get smacked when I try to measure my gf's arm or leg to compare to mine. HeHe!

[glc]

I could tell you what to go measure, but forum rules won't let me go there.

[Stuey]

Hmm, I was wrong. The diameter scale starts at 4.75 inches. I realized this when I tested it on my mug when I realized my mug's diameter is 3.5 inches and scale reads 1.75.


Still, what do normal people really use this feature for?!?

[glc]

If the diameter is 3.5", the radius would be 1.75".

[Stuey]

If the diameter is 3.5", the radius would be 1.75".

That's what I thought initially as well. Then I thought, then why is it called a diameter scale!

I then concluded that maybe 10" is a bit low for gut diamater. Even though My gut is kind of ovallish, I figured 10" was a fair approximation.

Circumference = pi d or 2 pi r.

If the scale was of radii, then my waist would be 2 * 10 * 3.14 = 63 inches!! Instead, my waist is in the 34-36" range.

Sooo I took a look at the scale again. There is a few inches where the scale doesn't start yet. Although the regular measureing scale starts at the tip of the tape, the diameter scale starts a few inches inwards. Maybe that's done intentionally so that the tape can be wrapped snuggly to ensure a more accurate measurement?

So yea. My depth is not 10". Compensating for the extra few inches of leadoff and using the diameter scale properly, it's about 11.75". Pi * 11.75 = 37". I measured over my pants so that compensates for that.

I guess the 1.75 and 3.5 measurements/correlations were just coincidental??
*rolls eyes at myself* Ah well, so now I know HOW to use it. But I still don't know what else to use it FOR. :( :(

All I know is that I'm so going to get smacked when I try to measure my gf's arm or leg to compare to mine. HeHe!
(I linked her to this.)
I'm not your gf, I'm your fiancee! ::stamps feet::
and then later in our daily email chains:
Sure, if you want to measure me, go ahead.
Wow, it really takes a lot of love to tolerate a hyped up silly individual like myself.:D I have to remember to bring the tape with me to chase her around her house with.

My new leg measurement: 8 inch diamater. Dang, I've got mini tree trunks!!

On yet another note, it's 5:23 am. I took a 3 hour nap 12 hours ago and now I cannot sleep. There, so my silliness is justified! Although you guys all know that I usually tend to ramble and tell a long story when all that is required is a sentence or two.

I don't think I could ever be short and straight to the point like GLC usually is. For some reason, there's always got to be a story! Will I ever learn to hold my tongue?!

[glc]

I don't think I could ever be short and straight to the point like GLC usually is. For some reason, there's always got to be a story! Will I ever learn to hold my tongue?!

I can tell stories too - I just have to be in the mood. I doubt you will ever hold your tongue - you are a Noo Yawker!