Set out below are some conventional measuring tools that don't require electronic circuitry to operate.

Tape measure

The tape measures used by kitchen and bathroom installers are generally 7 to 8 metres long with a retractable steel blade.

The blade has a steel hook on the end secured with rivets, with a bit of play in the holes allowing the hook to move back and forth.

The amount of movement allowed is the same as the thickness of the hook.

The purpose of this movement is to compensate for the hook thickness when you either push the tape up against an object for an inside measurement, or hook it over the object for an outside measurement.

Squares and bevels

There is a wide variety of squares, bevels and other angle-checking tools. The most common types used by on-site installers are as follows.

Carpenter's square, also called a framing square, because it is sometimes used to set out angles on framing timbers.

Combination square, which allows you to set out 90° and 45° angles.

Bevel, which lets you set any angle you like.

Protractor, which is like a bevel but has the degrees marked in an arc.

Spirit level

Spirit levels come in many sizes, shapes and lengths. What they all have in common is that they have a vial, or tube, that contains a bubble floating in fluid. The level works on the principle that the bubble will find the highest point in the tube, because it is lighter than the surrounding fluid. Since the tube is curved slightly with the highest point in the middle, the bubble floats exactly in the middle when the level is horizontal.

The spirit levels used by installers generally have a vial in the centre to check for level and another vial in the end to check for plumb.

The vials themselves are exactly the same, but are mounted at 90 degrees to each other.

Water level

You can make a water level simply by getting a clear plastic hose and filling it almost to the top of both ends with water. Some people add food colouring to the water to make it easier to see. To use the level, put one end at the height you want to match, and the other end at the point where you want to transfer the line. When the water in the tube settles, the heights at both ends will be exactly level and you can mark the line.