I like the idea of using story poles (or sticks) when I’m building face frames, trimming windows, and making other tedious cuts that require exact dimensions. But the sticks can be long and cumbersome if you need to travel with them. Also, they can be easily broken or accidentally mistaken for trash or firewood. I get the same advantage of a story stick by putting masking tape on the blade of my tape measure. Pull out the blade, and make as many marks on the tape as you need. Return the blade to its holder, and your measurements will be there when you pull it out later. It will fit in your glove box on the days that you didn’t drive the truck. And the marks are kept safe and crisp inside the tape measure’s case.
Jim Stuart, Glendora, Calif.
Edited and Illustrated by Charles Miller
From Fine Homebuilding #216
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Lee Valley now sell a measure with a suitable surface to be marked and then cleaned.
Jim Stuart has a "Very Good" Tip. I'm probably a "Normal" Retired GM Skilled-Tradesman who uses Tape Measures for Many Things. One of my Hobbies is Woodworking and I have "Quite a Few" Tape Measures. I've used Jim Stuart's "Tape Mesure" Tip many times. When "I'm doing" a Home Woodworking "Project" I always use a short Tape Measure for Marking Repetitive Cuts for it. IF I'm making a "Project" with Drawers, I "Use a Tape Measure" just to "Rough-Mark" it's Dove Tails and do the "Actual Layout" with a Steel Rule from a Combo Square or something!
I "Will Be" checking out Lee Valley's "Measure" that has a "Cleanable Surface," but using a Tape Measure is Something I've done for Years!