300' steel tape measure

Sparktrician · Mar 4, 2017

Where can I find a 300' steel tape? Laying out a new cattle barn, squaring it up, found out a nylon one will stretch......

Have a 100' steel but the barn is 176' long!

macec3(TX) · Mar 4, 2017

I just Googled "300 foot steel measuring tape" and it looks like amazon and EBAY both have them.

Janicholson · Mar 4, 2017

Glass fiber tapes from Komelon, Lufkin, and Stanley are non stretch and are industry standard. Starett may make one as well. Jim

Stroby · Mar 4, 2017

I never heard of one. BUT, if you don't find one, use the mathematical method. Use the basic 3, 4 and 5 principal. Lets say, measure across the end of the building a distance of 45 feet, then measure along the side wall a distance of 60 feet, then measure a distance between those two points as 75 feet. Pull the string along the wall of your choice and it will be square. In other words. 3x15 = 45, then 4x15 = 60, then the distance between those two points is 5x15 = 75. Works like a top.

Russ from MN · Mar 4, 2017

When you use a steel tape that long you will have to compensate for temperature.

jeffcat · Mar 4, 2017

Helped my neighbor out a couple of times laying out a building and a really large garden. I have Two walking wheel measure devices. The things you see the survey guys using . They go for over $100.oo all of the way down to maybe 30 bucks. Very accurate if you take a littl time to use them correctly. Dont be sloppy! A lot of people do NOT know how to lay out a "square" building. Measure side to side at each end. Measure end to end at the ends. LASTLY measure corner to corner both ways. When all of the numbers match up you now have a perfectly layed out building. Depot and Lowes have them or check on ebay. Not that expensive and you now have a very handy tool in your stable.

Bob Harvey · Mar 4, 2017

For starters, the amount of 'stretch' in a 100' Vinyl tape doesn't amount to much - find me 10 2x4's that are the same dimensions. As below the 3-4-5 method is perfect for 'squaring up'. Barge boards are a must when laying out, so do all 4 corners, then 2 extras at the 100' mark. Easy peasy. I have built quite a few buildings in the over 100' lengths, and have found that a steel tape is better than vinyl, but only if is real hot. Again, you ain't building a Steinway. ;^)

Sparktrician · Mar 4, 2017

Ok seen the fiberglass ones, didn't know they don't stretch. I'm more of a go to store and but than order.....order online is easier, just not my style...Lol

Moonlite37 · Mar 4, 2017

I seriously doubt if the temperature will make a great change from the time you measure one direction until you measure in the opposite corners. Usually you will not change from one season until you measure the other corners. Also the stretch of the tape is not critical if dome by the same crew

Dave Sherburne, NY · Mar 4, 2017

A squared plus B squared equals C squared will give you the diagonal measurement My father and I once built the concrete bases for a really big propane tank. My sister in law told me how to figure what the diagonal measurement should be. The trucker who delivered the tank said it was the first time he could use all four boles. Did it again about 8 yrs ago only the bases were precast.

sms · Mar 4, 2017

I tend to agree with you. In the old days when using a steel tape for surveying we used a scale to tension the tape the same every time and compensated for temperature. Under these circumstances just try to maintain the same pressure. I have a long nylon tape I never use because it stretches so much, must be a cheap one.

Adirondack case guy · Mar 5, 2017

It is A squared plus B squared divided by square root of their total. Did that on all the steel and wood frame buildings that we built.
Bought two Starrett steel tapes from my concrete supplier. As you said the nylon ones streach when pulled tight.
Loren

PJH · Mar 5, 2017

I'll bet you know exactly how you want the building oriented. Set two stakes, farther than 176' apart, then pull a fiddle tight string between them. Then you can use a good 100 ft. steel tape measure for measurement, and the string for alignment. Drive a stake and tack at 100' and measure the remaining 76 feet from there.

Others have explained how to measure and lay out the corner angles.

Never use a rag or nylon tape for critical measurements.

Adirondack case guy · Mar 5, 2017

If you don't get the piers dead on, and I mean DEAD ON when building a steel building you end up fighting the joints through the whole build. Precision is a must.
Loren

Old Scovy · Mar 5, 2017

The old man just stepped it off and dragged his toe in the dirt and said that's close enough. And that barn is crooked to this day . We milked in it for years. I don't think the old man could read a rule if he would have had one. This was 70 years ago.LOL

300' steel tape measure

Sparktrician

Member

macec3(TX)

Member

Janicholson

Well-known Member

Stroby

Member

Russ from MN

Well-known Member

jeffcat

Well-known Member

Bob Harvey

Well-known Member

Sparktrician

Member

Moonlite37

Well-known Member

Dave Sherburne, NY

Member

sms

Well-known Member

Adirondack case guy

Well-known Member

PJH

Well-known Member

Adirondack case guy

Well-known Member

Old Scovy

Member

Similar threads