Modified Tape Measure

Modified Tape Measure

Over the years the humble tape measure has 'evolved' into the useful compact carpenter's tool we see today. 

Lionel says that when he started hobby woodwork many years ago (a time his grandson refers to as 'the olden days'), all he had was a wooden yardstick that folded into four to fit in his pocket. (His overalls had a special pocket on the right leg put there by the manufacturer specifically for that purpose.)

But one of the tape measures that he uses now, he has modified to be more useful for some of his needs.
This tape measure also now has a powerful magnet on the back (useful for storing the tape measure on the edge of his metal workbench or for picking up stray bolts, screws, brads or nails).

If a screw drops on the ground, he can extend the tape measure and use the magnet to pick up the screw without having to bend down (he argues that this is creativity not laziness).

Furthermore, it has a cut-down carpenter's pencil attached to the front in line with the start of the rule so that marking out a workpiece requires only one tool. When the tape is extended along or across the workpiece, the pencil aligns with the desired length which is then marked with the pencil.


Photo by The Friends of Lionel Hartley

Description courtesy of Lionel.

Posted with Lionel's permission by The Friends of Lionel Hartley. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Long Reach Spray-Can Tool

Image
 Long Reach Spray-Can Tool This out-of-reach or high spraying tool allows spraying with a paint-can, insect spray, surface spray, cleaning solution, etc above head height.  It is super-easy to use, just place the spray can in the container at the end of the pole, align the attachment at the end to the spray-can nozzle, lift to desired position and pull the string.  It consists of a fruit-tin fastened to a long aluminium pole with a metal hinged bracket and pull-cord to operate the spray can at a distance.  Ideal for insect spraying of roof eaves or touching up paint on roof guttering or soffit. Photos and description courtesy of Lionel Hartley. Posted with Lionel's permission by The Friends of Lionel Hartley . 
Read more

Sunroom at Rear of House at Red Range

Image
 Sunroom at Rear of House at Red Range. This house at Red Range received morning sun on the front veranda, but by mid afternoon it was the back of the house that received the most sun.   So Lionel sought Council approval and built this sunny extension. The weatherboards from the original wall were moved to the outside and it was lined inside with re-cycled tongue-and-groove oak panelling. Four fixed windows and four double-sash windows on each of two sides (making a total of sixteen plate glass windows) bathed the interior with sunshine. Photos and description courtesy of Lionel Hartley. Posted with Lionel's permission by The Friends of Lionel Hartley . 
Read more

Upholsterer's Spring Compressor

Image
  Upholsterer's Spring Compressor Lionel made this adjustable chair spring compressor so that he could re-upholster some old chairs as a courteous gesture for a friend. It consists of a wooden base (to protect the chair seat), a hinged metal frame, a threaded rod with a handle on one end and a swivelling wooden disk on the other.      One side of the frame hinges out of the way to put the chair underneath the disk.   The under-side photo shows that there is a wide groove under the disk to allow the webbing to be stretched while the springs are compressed. Photos and description courtesy of Lionel Hartley. Posted with Lionel's permission by The Friends of Lionel Hartley . 
Read more