Newest EDC Tool
The Problem.
I always find myself reaching for some sort of measuring device - be it a tape measure, calipers, ruler, etc. And most frequently I need to get a feel for the general small dimension.
How long is this screw?
What size hex head is this?
How wide is this ribbon?
Will this fit in a 5x7 mailer?
What’s the diameter of this hole?
Basically, I find myself constantly reaching for a measuring device when something it under 1.5 feet. Combine that with my distance finder never being with in reach, and you have a recipe for many mild disasters. You know what is always within reach? my arm - well, most of the time.
The Solution.
I chose to design a measuring tool that would cover the vast majority of my measuring needs and have it tattooed (by a professional - not interested in learning how to tattoo… yet) on my left inner forearm.
The process of designing this was to think through all the things I typically measure and what position I could hold my arm to measure them.
What scales do I need?
Any unit specifics?
How do I make it look nice?
I do realize that I could have gone with a simple scale with imperial opposite metric. I couldn’t do it. I wanted something useful, yes. but also something unique and potentially a conversation starter.
I didn’t realize that it’s not normal to walk into a tattoo appointment and say I need this tattoo scaled exactly to 7 inches (within 1/32”, let’s be reasonable) and starting at this exact distance from the tip of my finger. Oh - also, it needs to be straight and not scrunched or stretched when my arm is in this specific position.
The artist was very patient with me, as it took a half dozen times to scale it just right and another half dozen times to lay it out correctly on my arm. They did a fantastic job.
What are all the lines for?
The little dots (not tattooed on):
The pink dots are where inches line up
Yellow dots are centimeters
Green is 12 inches (more on that later)
Inches are marked ( II, V, VI, VII )
Blue Markers (not tattooed on):
This is zero. The end of the ruler. also, there are 1/8” and 1/4” circles.
1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 inch circles.
1/2, 3/4, and 1 inch circles.
Protractor (basically).
1/2, 1, 1.5, and 2 inch circles
Angle markers for 22.5, 30, 45, 60, 90 degrees
There is a little II symbolizing that this is the second inch
Sixteenth scale (one inch worth)
Hex measurements - 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 1, 1-1/4, 1-1/2, and 1-3/4 inches
This is the 5 inch mark (V). It’s also where the metric scale anchors.
Arcs for 1, 2, 3, 4 centimeters, and hashed for 1/2 increments.
3 solid blocks for cm, the 2 mm hashes and 1 mm hashes. Also, there’s the VI for 6 inches.
The 7 inch mark (VII) near my wrist is exactly 9 inches from the tip of my middle finger. Let’s hope I don’t cut that one short.
So counting back from there, the 12 inch mark is the green dot. Then 13, 14, 15, and 16 toward my elbow.
So what did I miss? Is there anything that you would add to the design that I should as well? What would you measure with this most frequently?
Happy Hobbying!
