How to make a clothespin on a tape measure for accurate angular measurements

It is impossible to measure the exact distance from corner to corner with a tape measure at one time, since the tape needs to be folded, which gives an error of a couple of millimeters. A special clothespin will compensate for this shortcoming of the tool. It is done simply.

Materials:

• tin;
  
• alligator clip.

The process of making clothespins

Two plates are cut from tin.
One is made 50x20 mm with two ears, the second is simply 30x15 mm.


The ears on the first one are bent at a right angle. The plates need to be sanded to remove burrs and the corners cut off.

The stiffening ribs on the lips of a small crocodile are cut off.


Then the plates are clamped in it. Each of them is welded to its own sponge. Next, the welding seam is cleaned and a cut is made in the center of the plates.



When measuring with a tape measure in a corner, you need to place a clothespin on the tape. The edge of its lower wide plate, unlike the tape, will not bend, but will rest against the plane. All that remains is to move the tape measure aside, attach the tape to the plate, and use it to determine the exact length.

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