5 Woodworking Measuring Tips To Avoid Costly Mistakes
Measuring is a critical skill to learn to avoid making costly mistakes. Learn these woodworking measuring tips to have better success with your projects.
I’m sure you’ve had this happen: cutting a piece of expensive hardwood and then realizing it is the wrong size!
If you are lucky it will be too long or too wide, which just requires another trip to the saw to trim it to size.
However what usually happens is that the piece is too short! And you can’t hit the “Undo” button on your saw to fix it. You can either splice two pieces together or use the too short piece for another part of your project and hope you have a longer piece you can use.
Let’s have a look at some woodworking measuring tips, so that you can avoid these measuring mistakes.
Nominal dimensions don’t equal the actual dimensions
Lumber in North America is usually sold in the nominal, not actual dimensions. Nominal basically is for rough, unplaned lumber as it is sold and priced.
So you will see 2×4’s, 1×8’s and 2×2’s. But in reality the actual dimensions are quite a bit smaller. This page gives a good overview of the relationship of actual vs. nominal sizes.
So if you base your project on the nominal dimensions, you will run into problems. Even plywood that is sold as being a certain thickness often is 1/32″ undersized. A 1/2″ piece of plywood is usually 15/32″ thick.
It’s often better to design a project that requires precise joinery once you have the wood you will be building it from. Then you can measure the actual dimensions of the lumber to make sure any plans you create are accurate.
Use a tape measure properly
Tape measures are incredible tools. A lot of thought and refinement has gone into making a tape measure an indispensable tool.
Here are some common mistakes made though when using a tape measure:
Not using the end hook properly – The end hook of a tape measure is attached loosely for a reason. When you measure an outside measurement you need to pull the tape tight so that the hook extends fully. When you measure an inside measurement, you need to push the tape tight so that the hook retracts fully and makes up for the thickness of the hook. Any dirt or foreign material in the hook’s hole could affect this action, so remember to keep your tape clean.
Trying to use it for precise, small measurements – A tape measure is not designed to measure 1/8” or have the precision to dial in a fence for cutting precise joinery. You should instead use a steel ruler or for measurements under a few inches, use a dial or digital caliper such as this one:
