You're officially our KZfaq dad! Congrats on your unanimous win!

The difference between a child and an adult is the type of stick they play with. A chamfer ended stick of fixed length is a great _toy_ for this adult. Thanks again, Herrick!

As an addendum to your whizbang square: I started using these and found I do not need to sand the pencil off (lots of microplastics into environment). A little acetone on rag works amazingly well. I make them from PVC forming boards for concrete forms and can make about 14 from a 12 footer for 20 bucks. Although they are 3/8 thick instead of the more useful 1/8. Mostly use them as more durable and readable notepads

I have used a six foot folding rule since I started in the trade, well over fifty years ago. The Stanley four way folding rule, sadly no longer made, is my best friend. With its brass extension section on one end, making inside measurements is precise. I have also used a "Slip Stick". Two pieces of 3/4" square sticks, any length depending on how far you need to measure will do. Simply place the two sticks side by side on or in between whatever you want to get the measurement of and slide them in opposite directions until they butt against the thing you are measuring. Clamp the sticks with a spring clamp. Transfer them to the work piece and you have the most accurate measurement possible. You don't even have to know what that measurement is ! My grandfather, who was a cabinet maker, then a machinist, couldn't read or write. Yet he turned out projects that would be the envy of any tradesman.

So simple it’s brilliant. Thank you

I've used the same technique when measuring long walls for crown. 100" stick on one wall and add a pencil mark. Measure from the opposite wall to the pencil mark and add 100. For smaller things like windows I just use a tape both ways and add the two numbers ( a whole number and a number with a fraction.)

Much depends on your meaning of 'precise'. This is usually solved by stating your tolerances. JUst place your metal rule against the end of the inside gap, and run your rule over it- take a fixed division (that would be 1" for you) and measure to that. Add 1". Simple, and more accurate than a wood block- which will get misplaced. And it can be used under 10"...

I measure a lot of windows and architectural millwork - I personally like a folding rule (with the brass sliding rule extension) and the Veritas Bar Gauge Heads from Lee valley (or two sticks that overlap). I like the Veritas gauges because once set they allow you to quickly compare several openings or diagonals quickly for consistency. The Lufkin folding rule (with brass sliding rule extension) should be in every person’s tool box next to their Stanley carpenters square (that has been calibrated to 90 degrees with a centre punch - that’s another video)

Lee Valley has Veritas Bar Gauge Heads that give an exact measurement. I got several pair and made a number of different length wooden slats to fit any situation. Known as pinch rods. If I need to fit a pice of wood, I just transfer the measurement directly without concern for how many inches it is. Of course for window blinds, you would have to measure your pinch rod and deduct a small amount for clearance. Lost Art Press sells Crucible Pinch Rods which are solid brass and use ³⁄₈ slats instead of ¼. Also cost a lot more. Glad to know your methods also. To me, the more ways I know to do something, the better!

I used to use roughened sheets of perspex and a pencil to write on when SCUBA diving. Works well and you erase using water paper.

I ran trim for decades. To get accurate inside measurements I simply measured ten inches over from one side and made a mark. Then I measured from the other side to my mark and added ten inches.

Try Magic Eraser it takes so called permanent marker off all kinds of surfaces. I like a Lufkin folding rule with the brass extension for inside measurements. Cute inside measure gadget but like utility knives you need many scattered at many locations like shop, house, garage and vehicles so there always one handy.

That's exactly how I always have done it, with a 10" stick and you won't lose it because you can always make another in less than a minute, so no one will pick it up.

Your method of measuring to a spacer is an old trick, but making the spacer yourself to be exactly 10" is a good idea because it simplifies the math. I have done that trick with pieces of scrap wood but I have to measure them and that won't be an exact number. The PVC is a good idea because you can write on it! Then later transfer your measurements to paper.

Another option is the Hultafors Talmeter tape which has a built in sliding extension piece for exactly this application. Being in England and using metric I don't know if they do Imperial though!!

The best inside measuring tool is an inexpensive laser tape measure. Bosch makes a good one. They retain the measurements that you just take to the saw.

Great idea(s)! Thank you for sharing.

Your Stanley tape measure tells you how wide the body is so you just need to read the label (or measure it!). And it has rounded corners to boot.

It appears that the matey measure is metric! I usually put a light pencil mark 10 inches out from the corner.

that is crafty sir thank you

Just use a steel ruler with your tape or 2 steel rulers starting from opposite ends.

Thanks!

Can't you go from one corner to the middle and then mark it and reverse it and mark from the other side? But your way may be simpler.

Just put a pencil line at 10 the measure back 😅

Thanks

Laser…

I got a folding slide rule.

I use a pencil mark

I’m not a carpenter, so I’m curious why you would choose ten inches and not 6 or 12” ? Ease of addition?

The old quick and dirty

Youre talking about being off by ¹/³²" wouldn't it be better to just calibrate your eye through practice? I got too many tools, that thing would just get stepped on when it fell off a table and then it'd be junk. My miters are tight, ive only known a couple guys my whole life who can consistently do better than me and i use a stanley 16' fatmax and a fat Ticonderoga pencil

He makes a video to demonstrate a tool, then loses the tool he wants to demonstrate, but makes the video anyway?