On a Craftsman tape measure, there is a black diamond located close to the 19 3/16. What does it mean?

Answer 1

Thats for burning a corner.

Answer 2

These answers all appear to be wrong. however the part where they are in 8 foot increments is correct. However the correct answer is as follows. In the shorig industry those shorings were palced every 193/16 inches to allow the spand not to be to close so that items that were built in 16-18 width would not have any problem passing through shuch as air ducts, plentiums, and others pcs of equipment. In A 16 " layout you only have A 14,5 inch passage way. This form of layout still allows you to lay plywood in full lengths and maintain proper passages between Shoring Joists

Answer 3

It is present on almost every brand of tape measure, it alos repeats at exactly that increment all the way down the tape. I can't remember exactly what it is but my carpenter uncle once told me what it is for, he has been a carpenter for over 25 years. I looked it up and found this:
http://www.woodzone.com/articles/Read_A_Ruler.htm
It explains it, sort of.

here is another one.

#
Black diamond on a tape measure.
You can save one joist per 8' with this alternate method of spacing.
Many tape measures also have a small black diamond every 19.2". The diamond is an alternative OC spacing for framing materials. The diamond OC spacing matches 16" OC spacing every 8' so it is compatible with most sheet goods (plywood, paneling, etc.). The benefit of using the diamond spacing is that you save one joist or stud every 8'. Always check with your local building authority before using an alternate spacing.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo&p=Build/TapeMeasure&print=true




An interesting factoid related to this one:

the traditional spacing of 16" OC did not come from carpenters, rather it came from plasterers. When plaster was aplied on wooden lath, the lath came in 4' lengths. the lath was not stiff enough to span the 4' so plasterers had the carpenters space supporting members every 2'. this was still too far apart so they had them dvide the distance into thirds, 16", this was close enough for the lath to hold plaster but far enough that the carpenters could save wood.

Answer 4

If you mean inches, that sounds the 50 cms mark (half a metre) The point of the diamond should be at 19.685 inches if so.

Is there a similar diamond at 39,36 inches? That woud be the metre mark.

Answer 5

it has nothing to do with meters. it is the 19.2 inch mark. normally joists are laid out 16 inches on center, but you can lay them out at 19.2 inches on center and your plywood still hits the layout every 8 feet.

Answer 6

50 cm