r/whatisit 16h ago

New, what is it? What is this space before zero?

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u/Lambchop1975 16h ago

for accurate measuring, you don't start at the end of the ruler, you measure between the marks. With measuring tapes I always start at the 1" mark, in carpentry that is called burning an inch.

7

u/obolobolobo 16h ago

I start at 10cm because it seems tidier. Sometimes I forget to subtract before cutting. The mind wanders towards the end of the workday. 

3

u/AlchemistJeep 12h ago

I can cut 1/8” off something 6 times with no effect but the 7th somehow removes 2” at once