In Part 3 of the Prepper Toolbox series, we will take a look at measuring tools that every prepper needs to have in their toolboxes. Often overlooked, these are critical for building if the Stuff Hits The Fan.
Measuring Tools – Tape Measures
Tape measures are simply rulers that roll up into their own cases.
The wider the tape, the farther out you can extend it in the air like a sword or broomstick. Try to get a thin tape measure to reach an eave or gable and you will understand why thick tape measures are good to have. God bless you, Fat Max.
DID YOU KNOW? The lip on the end of the tape measure moves because the play is exactly the thickness of the lip. This means when you read 4″ when you pull on the lip, you get the same 4″ when you push the lip to make your measurement. If the lip didn’t move, your measurement would be off by the thickness of the lip and you would have to make an adjustment for that. Thank you, Mr. or Ms. Tape Measure Inventor!
My wife is notorious for borrowing my tools and never putting them back. Harbor Freight tape measures are very adequate and I’ve started buying those the same way I buy 6-in-1 screwdrivers. Also, every few weeks or so they will give away a tape measure if you buy something like $10 in other items (clamps, batteries, chisels, hammers, gloves).
Update: I recently cut myself when my tape measure rolled up and I lost control of it. In a SHTF situation, that could be potentially very dangerous. I will keep my existing tape measures, but my new personal tape measure will be the Stanley LeverLock. With this tape measure, the tape is automatically locked unless I depress the lever meaning that if I lose control of the tape measure, the tape won’t continue to roll up potentially hurting someone (such as my daughter). Lesson learned the hard way.
DID YOU KNOW? The US dollar bill is just slightly larger than 6 in (6 1/8″ by my measurement). When I need a quick and dirty estimation of a short length, a dollar bill can give me an easy and fairly accurate estimate of the length.
Measuring Tools – The Speed Square
This is the construction equivalent of a slide rule. If a $10 tool ($3 if you get the plastic one) that has no moving parts and comes with a 24 PAGE INSTRUCTION MANUAL, it’s got to be freaking AWESOME!!! I keep this on my toolbelt.
Remember to add the instruction manual to your prepper library: http://www.irwin.com/uploads/documents/97_RafterInstructionManual.pdf.
This is the one tool my father purchased for me. There is no substitute for this tool. Read the instruction manual and you will wonder how you managed to not own this little gem. It is a pretty amazing tool. A speed square is to a carpenter as a trowel is to a mason.
Measuring Tools – Framing Square – Very Optional
I don’t believe this is a necessity for preppers. If you anticipate changing the pitch of your roof or building a large structure, then you will definitely want one of these. Otherwise, I doubt you would need it.
From <https://www.homedepot.com/p/Empire-16-in-x-24-in-Laser-Etched-Framing-Square-1190/100167166>
Measuring Tools – Any Geometry Textbook
This should have been included with The Prepper Library. A decent understanding of geometry would be helpful. Pick up a used textbook from wherever you can find one. Geometry hasn’t changed much since the printing press was invented.
Thank you both for your excellent articles here! A comment on another product to consider…Hilti, Disto and Leica make digital measuring tools that measure using time of flight and are extremely accurate. They range in price from $150.00 up to around a thousand. We used these in law enforcement to diagram crime scenes. It cut the time for completing them in half! They measure out to several hundred feet with accuracy to 1-2 millimeters! They are not affected by wind, rain or extreme temperatures. The ones we used were dropped and abused and never went out of calibration. One of my favorites is the Leica Disto D2. Check it out and see what you think!
Good stuff, thanks for your reply!