Having trouble getting accurate measurements with you tape measure, especially in that first inch? Today you'll learn why this happens and what to do about it. The culprit is the metal tip on your ruler. it's mounted on rivets and is designed to slide back and forth about 1-32nd of an inch to allow for greater accuracy when making inside and outside measurements. However, over time and with repeated use, this metal tip often gets bent in or out. Rivets loosen as their holes wear, allowing measurements to read a bit more or less. Trying to take or make an accurate measurement using or including that first inch is risky. The solution? Do what the pros do, skip it. Just start with the second inch and bypass the first one. Don't let a bent tip, loose rivets or that missing 16th mess up your work. For more tips, visit our Web site at onthehouse.com. And that's the On The House tip for today.