Basic 8 · Career Technology · Measuring and Marking Out
Tools and Equipment for Measuring and Marking Out
In this topic you will identify tools and equipment used for measuring and marking out in food preparation, clothing and textiles, and woodwork and metalwork, and describe their uses and care.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Identify measuring tools and their uses in different trades
- Identify marking-out tools and their uses
- Describe how to care for measuring and marking-out tools
What you already know
- Workshop safety and materials
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
Lesson 1
- Strand
- Tools
- Sub-strand
- Measuring and Marking Out
- Indicator
- B8.3.1.1.1 – Identify tools and equipment for measuring and marking out
Introduction
A tailor measures the length of a sleeve, a baker measures flour and a carpenter measures a plank. Accurate measuring is the first step to making good products.
1. Why Measuring Matters
Measuring ensures that products are the right size, fit together, look neat and do not waste materials. A dress that is cut too small cannot be worn; a table leg that is too short makes the table wobble; a cake with too much baking powder collapses. Accurate measurement saves time, money and materials.
2. Measuring Tools by Trade
| Trade | Tool | Use |
|---|---|---|
| clothing and textiles | tape measure | measuring the body and fabric |
| clothing and textiles | metre rule | measuring and drawing straight lines on fabric |
| food preparation | measuring cups and spoons | measuring dry and liquid ingredients |
| food preparation | kitchen scale | weighing ingredients |
| food preparation | measuring jug | measuring liquids such as water and milk |
| food preparation | food thermometer | checking cooking and oven temperatures |
| woodwork and metalwork | steel rule | measuring short lengths accurately |
| woodwork and building | flexible steel tape | measuring long lengths |
| woodwork and metalwork | try square | checking right angles (90°) |
| metalwork | vernier calliper | measuring small sizes very accurately |
3. Units of Measurement
Ghana uses the metric system. Length is measured in millimetres (mm), centimetres (cm) and metres (m): 10 mm = 1 cm and 100 cm = 1 m. Mass is measured in grams (g) and kilograms (kg): 1,000 g = 1 kg. Volume of liquids is measured in millilitres (ml) and litres (l): 1,000 ml = 1 l. Tailors' tape measures often show inches as well, where 1 inch is about 2.54 cm.
4. Choosing the Right Tool
Choose a tool that suits the size and accuracy needed. A tape measure is best for body measurements because it bends around the body. A steel rule is best for short, precise measurements on wood or metal. A kitchen scale is more accurate than cups for flour. Using the wrong tool leads to errors.
New words
- measure
- To find the size, amount or degree of something.
- metric system
- A system of units based on tens, such as metres and grams.
- try square
- A tool for checking right angles.
- vernier calliper
- A tool for measuring small sizes very accurately.
Summary
- Accurate measuring ensures good fit, neatness and less waste.
- Different trades use different measuring tools: tape measures, measuring cups, scales, steel rules and try squares.
- Ghana uses metric units, and the right tool must be chosen for each task.
Class activity: Tool Identification
- Examine a measuring cup, tape measure and other tools.
- Name each tool, its trade and its use.
- Measure one object with two different tools and compare the results.
You need: Measuring cup, Tape measure, Tailor's chalk
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Which tool is used to measure the body for clothes?
- A. tape measure
- B. try square
- C. steel rule
- D. vernier calliper
Show answer
Answer: tape measureFlexible.2. A try square is used to…
- A. check right angles
- B. weigh flour
- C. measure liquids
- D. cut cloth
Show answer
Answer: check right angles90 degrees.3. 100 cm = 1 m.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueMetric.4. 1,000 g = 1 ______.
Show answer
Answer: kgKilogram.5. Name two measuring tools each used in food preparation and woodwork.
Show answer
Answer: Food: measuring cup, kitchen scale; woodwork: steel rule, try square.Any correct.6. Explain why accurate measuring reduces waste.
Show answer
Answer: Correct sizes mean materials are not cut wrongly or ingredients wasted, so fewer mistakes need to be redone.Efficiency.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- Equipment & Processes
- Sub-strand
- Measuring and Marking Out
- Indicator
- B8.3.1.1.1 – Identify tools and equipment for measuring and marking out
Introduction
After measuring, the craftsperson marks where to cut, sew or drill. Marking out turns measurements into clear guide lines on the material.
1. What Is Marking Out?
Marking out: Drawing lines and points on a material to show where it should be cut, folded, sewn, drilled or joined.
2. Marking-Out Tools
| Tool | Trade | Use |
|---|---|---|
| tailor's chalk | clothing | marking lines and darts on fabric; brushes off easily |
| tracing wheel and carbon paper | clothing | transferring pattern lines onto fabric |
| pins | clothing | holding patterns in place on fabric |
| pencil | woodwork | marking lines on wood |
| marking knife | woodwork | making fine, accurate cutting lines |
| marking gauge | woodwork | marking lines parallel to an edge |
| scriber | metalwork | scratching lines on metal |
| centre punch | metalwork | making a small dent to guide a drill |
| odd-leg callipers | metalwork | marking lines parallel to an edge on metal |
3. Good Marking-Out Practice
- Measure twice and mark once to avoid mistakes.
- Use a sharp pencil or fine tool for clear, thin lines.
- Mark from one straight reference edge.
- Label parts so you know which piece is which.
- Check all marks before cutting.
4. Caring for Measuring and Marking Tools
Tools stay accurate only if they are cared for. Keep tape measures rolled up and away from heat, which can stretch them. Wipe steel rules and try squares and oil them lightly to prevent rust. Do not drop try squares, as this can bend them. Store tailor's chalk in a dry place. Wash and dry measuring cups and keep scales clean and on a flat surface. Return all tools to their proper places after use.
Safety: Handle sharp marking tools such as scribers and marking knives carefully, cut away from your body and keep pins in a pin cushion.
5. Measuring and Marking in Ghanaian Trades
Visit a tailor's shop in your community and you will see a tape measure around the tailor's neck, tailor's chalk and a measurement book recording each customer's sizes. At a carpenter's shop, you will see steel tapes, try squares and pencils behind the ears. In a bakery, scales and measuring jugs are always in use. These tools are the foundation of quality work in every trade.
New words
- marking out
- Drawing guide lines on material before cutting.
- tailor's chalk
- Chalk used to mark fabric.
- scriber
- A pointed tool for marking metal.
- reference edge
- A straight edge from which measurements are taken.
Summary
- Marking out turns measurements into guide lines on materials.
- Tools include tailor's chalk, tracing wheels, pencils, marking gauges, scribers and centre punches.
- Measure twice, mark once, and care for tools by cleaning, oiling and storing them properly.
Class activity: Marking-Out Practice
- Use a tape measure and tailor's chalk to mark a 20 cm by 30 cm rectangle on fabric.
- Use a pencil, rule and try square to mark a rectangle on cardboard.
- Check the accuracy of each other's work.
You need: Measuring cup, Tape measure, Tailor's chalk
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Which tool marks lines on fabric?
- A. tailor's chalk
- B. scriber
- C. centre punch
- D. marking gauge
Show answer
Answer: tailor's chalkClothing.2. A scriber is used to…
- A. scratch lines on metal
- B. weigh flour
- C. sew fabric
- D. measure liquids
Show answer
Answer: scratch lines on metalMetalwork.3. "Measure twice, mark once" helps avoid mistakes.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueAccuracy.4. A straight edge from which measurements are taken is a ______ edge.
Show answer
Answer: referenceStarting edge.5. State three ways of caring for measuring tools.
Show answer
Answer: Keep tapes away from heat, oil steel rules, store tools properly (or do not drop try squares).Any three.6. Why is a centre punch used before drilling metal?
Show answer
Answer: It makes a small dent that guides the drill bit so it does not slip off the mark.Guide.
Homework
- Identify measuring and marking tools used by a tailor, carpenter or cook in your community.