Make sure your tape measure is accurate!

[katoftw]

So I'm building my first T-Track modules today.  And measuring them up, cutting to size etc.  Remeasure and everything is going to plan.

 

I'm making double length modules with 6mm MDF, the dimensions are 618x300x70mm.  So the top piece is 618x300mm.  The front and back pieces are 300x64.  And the side pieces are 288x64mm.

 

But when I placed 620mm of track on the top piece as a test, there was not overhang of track.  But it measures 618mm.  Maybe 618.5mm if pushing it.

 

Went next door to borrow the neighbours tape measure, and everything measures 2mm longer than I wanted.   Grrr! So now I have 620x302x72mm boxes.  Luckily I checked before gluing it all together.  And only cut enough for 3 boxes.

 

I think I'll just plane 2mm off the 302mm edge of the top piece and the 64mm edge of the front/back pieces, and we'll be sweet.  So they can be a 618x302x72 boxes.  So only 3x 302mm and 6x 64mm edges to plane.

 

So the morale of the story is - Make sure your tape measure is accurate!

Edited August 10, 2014 by katoftw

[Matteo_IT]

This problem is common also for me...

it depends from the tool used to cut...

Usually I go to a bricolage center... 

The man uses a big flatbed saw and if he is not quite accurate and don't pay a lot of attention, for example for a piece of 100 x 50 mm may be could be 100 and 101 the longer sides and 49 and 50 the shorter ones...

The only solution is the laser cutting but the max size is less than 1 m... 

In my town I found a store that produces laser cutting products: the price is about 1 euro for 1 m for an average 5 mm deep MDF.

[cteno4]

I always use the fixed rulers for measuring when building. Tape measures only for rough cuts and crude measurements as they can go out of whack easily and even vary by a mm or two if the end is not down square and flush.

 

Also carefully measure the ply thickness, I started to cut out some ttrak boxes for a friend a few years back and had assumed the thickness was what it was labeled, but it turned out to be over a half mm thinner. Luckily I started to test fit right away on the first few piece sawed and discovered it... Never trust the big box stores.

 

Jeff

[E6系]

Tape measures are for curtains and carpet !!! ;)

[katoftw]

Tape measures are for curtains and carpet !!! ;)

So I have learnt the hard way.

[E6系]

Hello,

 

I suggest investing in a 1m and 30cm metal rule ... also an A2 size cutting mat.

[cteno4]

yes an important your rules measure from the end, not somewhere internally! 

 

I also have a few metal T and L squares that are very handy to use to make sure you are measuring properly from a corner fast! its also worth it to invest in metal rulers and squares that have very clear, fine markings on them. many will have hard to read markings and this is another place to easily screw up or always be squinting checking a couple of times to make sure! a good rule if not used to play hockey with will last a long long long time and be well worth the money. if you start with a poor measurement it does not matter how good your other tools or skills are!

 

jeff

[katoftw]

Got a square, got a 300mm steel rule.  Was only yesterday looking at 1000mm steel rules.  $13AUD from same place i get my timber from.  As 600mm is the only other size they come in.  But maybe I can get away with a 600mm steel rule though, it's only 18mm short.

 

edit//  A 600mm steel rule would actually work.  The largest measurement I have is 586mm.  That is where I put the straight edge and the distance from the cutting blade on the circular saw and the safety bracket is 32mm. 586mm + 32mm = 618mm for example.

 

Can also get a 400x600 square steel rule also for about $20AUD.

 

Thanks for the advice.

Edited August 13, 2014 by katoftw

[katoftw]

Got the 600mm rule today and 3 more sheets of 900x600x6 mdf.

[E6系]

You may be disappointed to find that something you previously measured as 6" turns out to be only 5 ¹/₂"

[cteno4]

That's why real men like tape measures, they usually end up erring on the long side...

 

Lets not get into micrometer talk now, that's just mean.

 

Jeff