Precise measuring and cutting

[IguanaStorm]

After running some tools today for the first time in a long time I have a number of thoughts and questions and I'll do my best to not confuse anybody.   

My tape measure shows my 3/4 inch MDF thickness being flush with the edge of the 3/4 mark and not the center of the mark which leads to my next question.

Are the measurements on a tape measure intended for the edge of the mark or the center of the mark? 

How do some of you compensate for the thickness of the blade?  Do you line of the edge of the blade with the edge of your mark?

It seems like if I were to make a 3/4 measurement and make my mark right on the line and make my cut with the edge of the blade flush with the edge of the line then would leave me with an accurate 3/4 inch cut.     

[Garza]

Not sure if this is the answer or the one your looking for but here goes... First if your making a cut when you use your tape and lets say measure 3/4 of an inch from the end you will want to make the cut with your saw on just the outside of the mark. Usually you will be off maybe just a small bit but you can always sand down the edge if need be. If you cut on the inside of the line i.e. your project side you usually will be short. I advise just practicing on some scrap wood measuring and cutting.  Thats the whole part of this is to learn and just have fun!!! I hope that helped out...Let me know how it goes... 

[IguanaStorm]

Not sure if this is the answer or the one your looking for but here goes... First if your making a cut when you use your tape and lets say measure 3/4 of an inch from the end you will want to make the cut with your saw on just the outside of the mark. Usually you will be off maybe just a small bit but you can always sand down the edge if need be. If you cut on the inside of the line i.e. your project side you usually will be short. I advise just practicing on some scrap wood measuring and cutting.  Thats the whole part of this is to learn and just have fun!!! I hope that helped out...Let me know how it goes... 

So I want to cut on the outside of my mark.  Clears a lot up for me thanks!  Does this also mean that my 3/4 MDF is technically not 3/4 since it lines up to the inside of the 3/4 mark?  Should it line up with the center of my 3/4 mark in order to truly be 3/4?

[Garza]

Well its going to be as close as possible to the correct size but as you go you will find that when it comes to this kind of thing it is not always perfect  Thats why if you cut just outside the line it will leave you with usually just a bit of extra that you can go back and "massage" it if need be. As far as lining it up to be honestly 3/4 its all about practice. I really think your thinking alittle too hard about it LOL But that was excactly what I did at first too. Its going to be trial and error really it is. Dont get discouraged its all apart of learning. I just completed my first cabinet and the woodworking part turn out good but to me my wiring could of been just a bit more neat. But next time it will. Enjoy!

[Nacimroc]

The other thing to watch out for is the end of your tape measure. In case you don't know (which I never did until recently) the end of a tape measure is loose. It rattles. I thought they were just badly made, but it took me 30 years to figure out that it is deliberate.

If press the tape measure up against a surface the metal piece at the end will move back (the thickness of itself). If you hang the edge of the tape over a piece and stretch it out to measure, the metal piece moves in the opposite direction (again the thickness of itself). This is to account for the thickness of the metal piece at the end. This may be why you find that your 3/4 inch measurement isn't 3/4 inch.  But I've seen it on some tapes the metal piece at the end could be very thick making a huge difference.

[Garza]

  YES!! I found out the hard way on the metal tip on the tape before finally puting 2x6=10  LOL I know 12 LOL! But it took me about that many times cutting to find that out!  Good Call!