Replies

1. 
   joeh | May 30, 2009 04:28am | #1

   Mark, I'm on dialup out in the boonies at less than 20Kbps. I'll die of old age before your flashplayer lights up here.

   But, I'd buy one anyway cuz it's a tool and I don't have one yet.

   If you do produce them and want to market it online you best keep in mind those of us who don't have the 21st Century installed yet.

   Joe H

2. 
   FastEddie | May 30, 2009 05:00am | #2

   That is slick.  I want one.

   The body of the text is difficult to read, the font is too small and the grey background makes it hard to read.

   When I watched the video, for the first illustration I almost missed the green triangles.  I think it would help if you showed a closeup of the special markings right at the beginning of the demonstration.

   Overall it was well done, the video was clear, easy to follow, in focus, etc.  Well, there could be one more improvement ... a hot chick holding the tape.  :)

   "Put your creed in your deed."   Emerson

   "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

3. 
   calvin | May 30, 2009 06:15am | #3

   I'd like to reiterate what eddie mentioned.

   The babe holding the tape...........

   At a JLC show, the girl from Hanson's had most all the action right in front of their booth.  Tube top and boss hog bibs.......sold thousands of those goofy "drywall" saw knife rasp combo's.

   I've got a job we dig next week if I'm lucky-can we buy one of these prototypes yet?  Love to give it a try and help out an inventor at the same time.

   thanks.

   A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.

   Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

   http://www.quittintime.com/

    

4. 
   danno7x | May 30, 2009 01:26pm | #4

   I have adobe and all that and I get nothing from your link just a blank page

5. 
   PaulBinCT | May 30, 2009 02:03pm | #5

   I just took a quick look at the site, great idea and I'm sure I'd buy one.  But if you're open to some marketing suggestions (I don't know if the site is just a dry run)?

   A) Change the site name to something easily remembered and that immediately suggests the purpose of the tool.  If I want to give out the name I want to be able to say "go to (just for instance) http://www.easylayout.com"

   B) Much too scholastic sounding information.  "Sell the sizzle, not the steak"

   C) Stress the newness and innovation, the first company to occupy a niche in the prospect's mind owns it forever.

   Hope this helps and good luck!

   PaulB

   http://www.makeabettertomorrow.com

   http://www.finecontracting.com

6. 
   FastEddie | May 30, 2009 02:16pm | #6

   Here's an explanation of the method for those of you who can't view the video.

   Everybody knoes about the 3-4-5 method of making a 90 degree angle.  A slight variation is where the two sides are 1 unit, and the long side is 1.414 units.  So if you marked 2 feet on each leg, the diagonal would be 2.828 feet.

   What he has done is added green triangles to a tape with whole numbers from 1 to about 15.  You mark the legs in whole feet (3 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet, whatever fits the layout, no inches allowed), and then line up the corresponding green arrow across the diagonal.  Pretty slick.  For example, if you marked the legs at 8'-0" then the green triangle marked "8" falls at 11.312' or about 11'-3-3/4" but you don't have to do the math.

   The only downside is that it only works for whole feet on the legs, so it probably only works for layout, not for checking square of a cabinet.

   "Put your creed in your deed."   Emerson

   "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

1. 
   mlrenko | May 30, 2009 05:37pm | #7

   Fast Eddie, thanks for the very thorough description.  You have hit the nail right on the head for people that do not have high speed internet.  Much appreciated!  I did want to say that the site is, indeed, a trial run.  Most feedback does say to make the text larger and give it a white background.  I will take care of this on Sunday.  Another note... there is a page on the site called "Alternative Design".  That design uses the standard markings on one edge of the blade.  There is no green triangle.  Instead, the other edge of the blade las the inch and sixteens, but they are skewed by the 1.4142 multiplier.  This means that you have almost infinite variability.  You could make your two short legs 14 foot 3-7/16 inches.  Then, just use the other edge of the blade and find 14 foot 3-7/16 inches.  Still, you use just one number!  This would be great for applications whereas the more precise detail is needed.  Since we are using the 1.4142 multiplier, this would work in countries where the have the metric system, too.  Perhaps the tape could be made in a variety of designs, each of which could service a certain purpose or usefulness.

   I do want to thank you guys for the great feedback.  I hope that it keeps coming.  I will implement your changes to the website and have it correted as soon as possible!

1. 
   john7g | May 30, 2009 05:42pm | #8

   you can make that rip from Church of Desire a little longer if you ask me, but that messes with the DL spped. 

   Very cool tool, I want one.

1. 
   mlrenko | May 30, 2009 06:43pm | #9

   John - You have me laughing a mile a minute!  I am a very big Richie Sambora fan and I never knew that anyone would figure out that audio clip!  You are the music man!  I appreciate your comment!

2. 
   FastEddie | May 31, 2009 05:08am | #14

   I think I would prefer the version with the green whole-foot triangles.  I have a centering-tape, where the top scsale is normal and the bottom scale is half, and it's ok to use.  But thinking about the intended purpose of your tape, which is squaring layout lines, whole-feet units should be sufficient and the rest of the tape is essentially unchanged."Put your creed in your deed."   Emerson

   "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

2. 
   woodturner9 | May 31, 2009 03:07pm | #15

   What he has done is added green triangles to a tape with whole numbers from 1 to about 15. 

    

   I'm not "getting" the advantage over the 3-4-5 method.  Don't I achieve the same thing just as easily by using multiples of 3-4-5?  For example, if I use 6', 8' and 10'?

    

   BTW, even with high-speed access, the video takes forever to load.  I think he is serving from a slow server.

1. 
   Snort | May 31, 2009 03:45pm | #16

   Glad you'll bump up the font size, might want to change the style to something that can be read quickly. I'm not clear on exactly what you're selling, though. Is it the markings, tape replacement blades, or a system? I think the idea is great, and I'd get one of each... but tell me more about the tape's specifics, ie case,locking type, standout, blade width, coating, hook and rivets...http://www.tvwsolar.com

   Now I wish I could give Brother Bill his great thrill

   I would set him in chains at the top of the hill

   Then send out for some pillars and Cecil B. DeMille

   He could die happily ever after"

1. 
   mlrenko | May 31, 2009 04:58pm | #19

   I will try to answer some of the questions that have been posed in the last 24 hours.  I am attempting to license the "idea" to a manufacturer of tape measures.  They would simply add the green triangle or the marks down the complete edge of the tape, depending on which version they are building.  They could call it the "Relational Squaring System" or whatever they want.  The advatages over the 3-4-5 are that you only use one number, and you never have to do any math.  Plus, there are so many more layout points.  You do not jump by 3 or 4 feet everytime you want to grow larger.  As far as "burning some numbers" off the beginning of the tape for accuracy (ignoring the hook), if you were marking your short legs, you could hold the tape on 3 feet.  The, say you just measured out to 6 feet, which would be a total of 3 foot in length.  On the hypotenuse, you would have to hold the tape on the green triangle 3 foot, and mark the intersection at the green triangle 6 foot.  If the tape were built with the numbers skewed down the entire length of the blade, it would work just as you have described.  Thanks for all the feedback, everyone.  This morning I will start making the changes to the website regarding font size and so forth.  I'll post a message when the new version of the site is loaded!  I really want to see this tape get manufactured, one way or the other.  Hopefully, sometime down the road, you will be able to go into Lowes or Home Depot and buy one.

1. 
   Piffin | May 31, 2009 05:15pm | #20

   "Hopefully, sometime down the road, you will be able to go into Lowes or Home Depot and buy one."Gonna bypass Billie Maes? 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

2. 
   PaulBinCT | May 31, 2009 05:54pm | #21

   Have you seen the reality show with him and Anthony something or other?  I'm sure I'll get sick of it fast, but it does have some pretty entertaining parts.  I have to confess I found myself looking up the Dual Saw they featured one time.  Can't figure out if there's anything to it but looked like it had potential (OK, I'm a sucker but...).PaulB

   http://www.makeabettertomorrow.com

   http://www.finecontracting.com

3. 
   Piffin | May 31, 2009 06:31pm | #22

   no - not much reality showing here. I watch TV for news or for escape.Billies infomercials are only seen by accident 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

4. 
   PaulBinCT | May 31, 2009 06:36pm | #23

   I've got it... finally the idea that will make us (or at least me) rich!!!

   "Billy Mays here for Piffin Screws.  They mend, they attach, they fix anything... watch as I hang these kitchen cabinets!

   But WAIT there's more... order now and..."

   Of course we will need you to sign this release form...PaulB

   http://www.makeabettertomorrow.com

   http://www.finecontracting.com

5. 
   Piffin | May 31, 2009 07:46pm | #25

   I'm waiting to see the Billy Mays commercial where he gets to sell that ExtendZ for men."but WAIT!
   There's MORE!...." 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

6. 
   Billy | Jun 01, 2009 07:11am | #37

   Mark,

   That's a very clever idea.  I see your patent claims cover the method for drawing the perpendicular lines using your tape measure markings.

   http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=6470582.PN.&OS=PN/6470582&RS=PN/6470582

   Didn't you get any claims covering the tape measure itself?  I know it's probably a long story but it would have been good...

   Anyway, your website came up quickly for me on a high-speed connection.  Good luck with your project! It should sell well.  I wonder if FastCap is interested?  They have all sorts of innovative tools. http://www.fastcap.com/

   See this http://www.fastcap.com/how-to-submit-idea.aspx

   Billy

    

   Edited 6/1/2009 12:16 am ET by Billy

7. 
   mlrenko | Jun 02, 2009 03:55am | #38

   Billy - Thanks for the great words of encouragement!  I can see that you know your business about patents when you start using words like "claims".  Actually, the patent does cover the "apparatus and method" as you have suggested.  It really is not a particular type of tape measure, per se.  That would rule out reel-type 100 footers and rulers and such.  We are more worried about the labeling of the 1.4142 factor and the method of scribing arcs.  We've got the metric system covered and more.  You seem to me one of the more patent-oriented members on this site, and let me tell you, there are some intelligent dudes here.  I'd like to know more about some of your projects, as I'm convinced you have them!  Do stay in touch, please!

8. 
   mlrenko | Jun 11, 2009 05:09am | #40

   I had posted this message a couple of weeks ago about a construction tool that I have patented and produced a website to demonstrate.  A few nights ago, I was going through the TV channels and stumbled across the DIY Network's show.  They had an advertisement, whereas the were wanting people who had invented tools to enter a contest.  I did not enter the contest, at least as of yet.  Howver, I did start viewing the videos of people that have entered their inventions.  It is really interesting, as I think some people are just that - "Do it yourselfers" - that have some idea that, they think, the professional contractor could gain from.  But, I think they do not understand some common practices.  I would appreciate feedback on the following item, however there are many more!  Maybe you guys can get your ideas out there.  There is still two weeks left in the contest!  Let's get some comments!  Check this one out, first!  I am wondering about the "pin point" accuracy?

   http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/pac_ctnt_988_leader/text/0,,DIY_26336_66140,00.html?pn=1&pageref=Photo_Video-1024660&vw_arrange_order=DESC&vw_sort_order=MOST_RECENT#http://adsremote.scrippsnetworks.com/html.ng/adtype=BIGBOX&Pagepos=5&site=DIY&category=SYNC&syncid=8675962-PREROLL

7. 
   habilis | May 30, 2009 07:42pm | #10

   why not just go with pythagorous?

1. 
   Piffin | May 30, 2009 09:53pm | #11

   It's for carps who don't do math or who don't want to spend the time on it. 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   AitchKay | Jun 01, 2009 04:42am | #36

   I'm with you two. If it's late in the day, and I'm fried, I'll adjust to some really, really simple form of the equation: 30/40/50", 48/64/80", etc. There are plenty of no-brainer options spaced out conveniently along the entire length of your tape. Certainly you'll be able to pick out ONE easy choice.If I'm cutting temp braces to straighten a wall, instead of Ht. times the square root of two, I'll go with Ht. x 1.5 -- about right, and it gives me a tad more leverage.I only use a calculator if I'm squaring up a square -- having the end points laid out already, multiplying by the square root of two usually ends up being faster (if the calculator is handy, that is), and is definitely the most accurate way to go, since you are squaring from the very ends of the legs.AitchKay

2. 
   KenHill3 | May 30, 2009 10:13pm | #12

   "why not just go with pythagorous?"In many ways that's been a mainstay of the ways I do layout. And at the onset of this thread I thought this idea was a silly gimmick. Yea, I have seen the light...........And now, I can (sometime soon!) buy a tape with that factor built in to it. With it, the calculator is not needed and taken out of the picture. I like that! It will save a fair amount I time, I think. Leave the calculator in the truck.OP- I would DEFINITELY buy one! My preference would be for the alternate with the added 1.414 scale in red or whatever- much more versatile, I can use ANY leg dimension.Good luck with this!

1. 
   Piffin | May 31, 2009 04:18pm | #17

   I haven't seen the tape, but I still wonder about accuracy.When doing a layout to square, I like to burn an inch or ten for accurate placement, so that would not work on this if I understand it right. 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   doodabug | May 31, 2009 04:48pm | #18

   I guess he decided to share after all.

2. 
   ruffmike | May 31, 2009 07:25pm | #24

    I was taught to burn an inch or foot also, but I have seen too many mistakes made by bad communication, so now I only burn when confirming or checking something.

    The other thing is when he triangulates he measures from the center of the tape to the side, my mentor insisted on making sure the same side be used in this process.

    It is a cool product for sure and I would use it, but wouldn't expect to pay more to see it on my tape. His best hope is to have Stanely buy the rights and incorporate it.                            Mike

       Small wheel turn by the fire and rod, big wheel turn by the grace of god.

1. 
   Piffin | May 31, 2009 07:49pm | #26

   When I would burn an inch, I would make a mistake and cut an inch too short too often, but when I went to burning ten inches or a foot, my eye tells me what's wrong and reminds me.Hope all my kidding is not giving the impression I don't like this invention. I just do critical thinking as a matter of course. 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

2. 
   mlrenko | May 31, 2009 09:03pm | #27

   The idea to "burn an inch" or two inches has always lead to some classical moments.  I am usually working with a coworker and the conversation, when squaring, goes something like this:

   Me:  "Hold me on 2 inches."

   Him:  "2 inches?"

   Me:  "Yes."

   Him:  "OK."

   Me:  "Now lets move over and you hold me on again".

   Him:  "Hold you on what"?

   Me:  "The same thing you just held me on last time! Do you remember"?

   Him:  "Yes".

   Me:  "Can you repeat the number for me"?

   Him:  "Was it 2"?

   It really is a classic "Who's on first"!!!

    

3. 
   mlrenko | May 31, 2009 09:08pm | #29

   This morning I took everyone's suggestions and made my website font larger and I even changed it to an easier-reading font.  Then, I made the background a much lighter color. Darned, if someone else did not find a completely different problem.  When playing the movie, if you did not stop the player, but simply selected another button to navigate to another page, the audio from the demonstration would keep playing on the different page.  I had to add some code at the very beginning of every page. It basically said "stop the blooming movie, for the love of God"!  Anyway, I redeployed the movie and it looks much better.  Thanks for all of the input, one and all.  For now, it is 1:00 in St. Louis and 75 degrees with a sky full of sun.  Time to go do something with my life.  Have a great day where ever you may be...

    

   Go Cardinals... I mean Cubs... I mean...

4. 
   Piffin | May 31, 2009 09:42pm | #30

   You can post your website link in your profile.
   or sig line 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

5. 
   mlrenko | Jun 01, 2009 12:15am | #33

   I agree completely with what all of you are saying about the slow speeds.  The video is actually about three minutes in length.  When I created the site, I was under the impression that the Flash Video Player was "streaming", and that is how the site is designed.  For high-speed internet, there should be no lag whatsoever.  Oddly, the first night that I loaded the site, which was Thursday evening, everything operated instantly and effortlessly.  I had made no changes, and on Saturday and Sunday, I would wait for sometimes 30 seconds for the video to get rolling!  Now, I am not sure if the issue is with my DSL or the hosting site, which is GoDaddy.  I will look into this.  In the meantime, anyone that wants a Word document that overviews the entire process, just send me an email to [email protected] .  I'll send you everything you need, if you can supply a return address.

6. 
   mlrenko | Jun 01, 2009 12:15am | #34

   The website URL is http://www.rencononline.com .  Hope this works on your computer!

7. 
   Piffin | Jun 01, 2009 12:56am | #35

   nope - would take me about 90 minutes to download - ain't about to go there. 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

8. 
   Piffin | May 31, 2009 09:53pm | #31

   But you still need something other than a slow loading movie if you want to introduce the product to anyone on dial up.Ten minutes to get to 10% means I ain't going there. 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

9. 
   john7g | May 31, 2009 10:35pm | #32

   Piffin's right.  You just need to get the data out there for folks to see.  Ease back on the gee-whiz features and hit 'em with the facts.   Sometimes people use the old adage of 'Blind 'em with brilliance or baffle 'em with bullshid' as a way to figure if theyre' getting something worthwhile.  If they see too many gee whiz features like the vid and flash stuff they're leaning towards BS (kinda like if you used Vince from ShamWow to be your spokesperson). 

   Cut to the chase and the facts as quickly as possible.  Make the flash/vids available for those who chose to see it after entering the site. 

3. 
   FastEddie | May 31, 2009 05:06am | #13

   The short equation, or the long one?"Put your creed in your deed."   Emerson

   "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

8. 
   renosteinke | May 31, 2009 09:07pm | #28

   Perhaps you're on to something - a variation would be of use to electricians in bending pipe.

   The difference is that the vast majority of bends are less than 24" long. In that instance, a series of similar markers, based on every inch (rather than per foot) over the first three feet of the tape would be handy.

   For example, assume I'm running pipe on the wall, and I have to bend around a 10" H-Beam (column). If I'm doing 45 degree bends, I want to start my bend maybe 11" early, and make the mark for my next bend so that my next bend is about an inch off the column (I need room for the hanger). Then, about a foot farther along, I begin my return bends - another pair of 45's. In the course of making this "saddle," I would use that '11' green mark (11 x 1.414) twice.

   If that same column were located in a corner, I'd want to start my bend about 22" back, run just over 31", and make another bend. 22 x 1.414 = 31.112; that would be your "22" mark.

   Now ... for another take on your idea: rather than sell the tape, sell mylar labels we can apply to our existing tapes.

9. 
   brucet9 | Jun 02, 2009 05:12am | #39

   Looks interesting, but the demonstration quit just as the hypotenuse was measured. Started it up again and nothing happened for minutes, then sound only, no picture.

   BruceT