Handy tips to increase the level of accuracy when measuring up
They say measure twice cut once, but that only works when your measurements are accurate
Accuracy is so important in so many things, not least when you are creating neat and precise joinery on a piece of fine furniture. For various reasons this became the topic of conversation in the Highwood Furniture workshop recently.
When planning and designing a piece of bespoke furniture we will visit your home wherever possible, and will certainly visit to measure up ahead of building anything that will be fitted (i.e. wardrobes, kitchens, window seats, shelving, etc). While it is not totally crucial, having an idea of size from the start can help with those early conversations. Rough measurements are all that are needed at this stage.
However, if you are wanting to measure more accurately there are a few things to take into consideration. , For example, do you know why the “hook” at the end of your tape measure moves a little? Exactly the thickness of the hook to be precise. The reason for this is to allow the measurement to be accurate whether you are measuring from the inside of a piece, or outside.
For example - when measuring the length of, say the inside of a drawer, where the full length of what you want to measure in your cabinet or other item is contained, the hook will contract into the tape to ensure that you aren’t adding any extra onto your measurement because of the thickness of hook.
Where you are measuring something that calls for hooking the tape measure over the edge; i.e. the top of your cabinet (or table, shelf, or plank of wood, etc) the hook extends. This compensates for the hooks own thickness that is overhanging the edge of the length you are measuring.
Genius eh?
And one of those pieces of information that is common sense obvious to those of you who know, but you don’t know what you don’t know until you find out!
Some other tips for accurate measurement:
Keep your measuring tape straight and tight. For longer lengths having two people definitely helps.
Ensure your tape measure is in good condition; consider if you have an older tape measure could it be stretched or bent, or the hook at the end worn?
Read the measurement at eye level, in line with the point you are measuring to.
Check your unit of measurement - I have yet to actually compare, but I imagine a 190cm long bed is much comfier than a 190mm one!
