Hands-free measuring instrument

A measuring instrument, comprising:

• a base member having a top surface and a bottom surface;
• a first magnet disposed on a bottom surface of the base member;
• an upright member coupled to the top surface base and extending orthogonally therefrom;
• a second magnet disposed on a vertical edge of the upright member;
• at least one bubble level vial disposed substantially adjacent to an edge of the instrument;
• and
• a spike assembly disposed within the instrument and adapted to secure the measuring instrument to a workpiece, the spike assembly comprising:
• a shaft slidably disposed within the upright member, wherein a top end of the shaft extends upwardly beyond a top surface of the upright member;
• a spike tip coupled to a bottom end of the shaft;
• a biasing member configured to bias the shaft in an upward direction;
• and
• a stop member coupled to the shaft and configured to limit travel of the shaft.