The Grip Tip – The Garage Journal

T

tonydanzah

Well-known member

Jan 11, 2011

#2

I had one was it was so so, fell off the end of my luftkin and cman tape measure quite often

D

hu those sure look like they are made out of quarters. If so would that not be defacing us currancy? Lol just wondering. He probably just has a coin die that produces blanks that look alot like quarters. Weird tho. I dont suppose I need to worry about my tape falling off because I have a fat max extreme. Definately the best tape I have ever used. Except the rivets that hold the tape end to the tape seem a little lose. Thinking about returning it.

Thanks
Sean Scott

E

e10

Member

Jan 11, 2011

#4

I think the rivets are supposed to be loose.

C

Coach James

Well-known member

Jan 11, 2011

#5

DARKSCOPE001 said:
.... Except the rivets that hold the tape end to the tape seem a little lose. Thinking about returning it.

Thanks
Sean Scott

Coach

OP

R

Ryan

Administrator

Staff member

Jan 11, 2011

#6

The rivets are supposed to be loose... I have the fat max as well. This one:

Right?

It doesn't seem to do any better than any other tape measure at holding it's surface. Not terrible for sure...

I'm curious about these Grip Tips only because a contractor seemed to like them ok. Maybe I'll get off my *** and order one!

1

1320stang

Well-known member

Jan 11, 2011

#7

I watched the YouTube video, 4:15 of suckage, damn fool never did get a good shot of how the thing goes on. I have a Kobalt 30' tape with a magnetic tip, I bet it wouldn't work with that, or defeat it's purpose. He needs to augment it with the plug gapping tool, then it would be a multitool.

D

DARKSCOPE001

Well-known member

Jan 11, 2011

#8

Ryan said:
The rivets are supposed to be loose... I have the fat max as well. This one:

Right?

It doesn't seem to do any better than any other tape measure at holding it's surface. Not terrible for sure...

I'm curious about these Grip Tips only because a contractor seemed to like them ok. Maybe I'll get off my *** and order one!

Well yes. Your right the origional fat max was a very nice tape. Its strong point was 11ft standout. Workers afaik complained about the tape falling off the measure so staly added a HUGE! tape end that is 3 sidded and has small teeth on the edges to help it bite into the surface. I asked for this tape for x-mas could not be happier. Best tape I ever owned.

Not putting down the grips but I took some pix to show the difference of the xtreme fat max.

OP

R

Ryan

Administrator

Staff member

Jan 11, 2011

#9

uhhh... wow. I'm sold.

M

MatthewM

Well-known member

Jan 11, 2011

#10

No one mentioned it here but the rivets are loose on a tape measure clip so that you can accurately measure inside and outside measurements. When when you have it hooked on the end of something the gap left by the loose rivets is accounted for in that the tape is actually missing a very small portion at the beginning, but the measurement it gives is where you read is accurate. When you are measuring an inside measurement, i.e, inside a window sill, or up against a wall, the gap is taken up by the thickness of the clip and the measurment is still accurate.

L

larry_g

Well-known member

Jan 11, 2011

#11

MatthewM said:
No one mentioned it here but the rivets are loose on a tape measure clip so that you can accurately measure inside and outside measurements. When when you have it hooked on the end of something the gap left by the loose rivets is accounted for in that the tape is actually missing a very small portion at the beginning, but the measurement it gives is where you read is accurate. When you are measuring an inside measurement, i.e, inside a window sill, or up against a wall, the gap is taken up by the thickness of the clip and the measurment is still accurate.

That is what my grandfather taugh me also. He would also rain down his wrath on anyone who would let a tape rewind at full speed and bang the hook as it would soon elongate the holes and remove what accuracy was in the rule. To this day I cringe when I hear a tape rewind at full speed even it it has a soft stop built in.

lg
no neat sig line

M

Matt M PA

Well-known member

Jan 11, 2011

#12

MatthewM....great post...thanks for that. I always wondered about that.

Oh yeah...great name too!

R

RbrtAWhyt

Well-known member

Jan 11, 2011

#13

larry_g said:
That is what my grandfather taugh me also. He would also rain down his wrath on anyone who would let a tape rewind at full speed and bang the hook as it would soon elongate the holes and remove what accuracy was in the rule. To this day I cringe when I hear a tape rewind at full speed even it it has a soft stop built in.

lg
no neat sig line

Yep. My dad told me a long time ago not to let the tape slap when it closed...

V

Vic1964

Member

Jan 12, 2011

#14

I have a handful of tape measures but when I am working on a particular project I try to stick to the same one. For rough carpentry it probably doesn't matter but for finer work I worry the differences in tapes could lead to mis-measurements if I alternate amonst tapes.

Seeing this "rule" in writing, it sounds a little ****.

T

trainwreck

Well-known member

Jan 12, 2011

#15

DARKSCOPE001 said:
hu those sure look like they are made out of quarters. If so would that not be defacing us currancy?

I am not a lawyer, but the last time I checked:

Despite currency (the physical thing, I mean, not the value) belonging to the Federal Reserve, it is not always illegal to deface currency (bills or coins.) It is illegal to modify currency in an attempt to increase its value (say, bleaching a one dollar bill, and reprinting it as a five dollar bill), but it is not illegal to deface it in order to lower its value. That's why those machines that stamp pennies into keepsakes are ok.

Yes, I realize DARKSCOPE001 was joking....

D

DARKSCOPE001

Well-known member

Jan 12, 2011

#16

MatthewM said:
No one mentioned it here but the rivets are loose on a tape measure clip so that you can accurately measure inside and outside measurements. When when you have it hooked on the end of something the gap left by the loose rivets is accounted for in that the tape is actually missing a very small portion at the beginning, but the measurement it gives is where you read is accurate. When you are measuring an inside measurement, i.e, inside a window sill, or up against a wall, the gap is taken up by the thickness of the clip and the measurment is still accurate.

Thanks I didnt know. I always thought that some were just lose because I have some tapes that are tight and dont move and I have some tapes that wiggle a good 1/16 to maybe 1/8 or 3/32 So now I know.

Thanks
Sean Scott

B

Brad54

Well-known member

Jan 12, 2011

#17

My son bought me one of those round tips several years ago when he was just a little shaver. He actually saw it in the store, knew what it was for, and why it was a good idea. Not bad for an 8 year old!
It did the job pretty well. Actually, it does the job VERY well... when you're measuring a 2x4 or sheet of plywood, it definitely becomes a one-man operation.

What I didn't like about it is that it is big and bulky, and makes measuring in tight areas a problem. It also adds thickness to the tape, so you can't measure inside distances accurately.

I had two 24-foot tape measures: one with the end, one without. The one with finally broke (not related to the end). I pulled the end off and put it in my tool box. Don't know if I'll use it again.

It IS ideal for framing and large carpentry projects though. If building a shed, deck, etc. I would definitely recommend it.

-Brad

G

greatkids

Active member

Jan 13, 2011

#18

for $3. with free shipping I'll give it a try.

D

dr john

Member

Jan 14, 2011

#19

MatthewM said:
No one mentioned it here but the rivets are loose on a tape measure clip so that you can accurately measure inside and outside measurements. When when you have it hooked on the end of something the gap left by the loose rivets is accounted for in that the tape is actually missing a very small portion at the beginning, but the measurement it gives is where you read is accurate. When you are measuring an inside measurement, i.e, inside a window sill, or up against a wall, the gap is taken up by the thickness of the clip and the measurment is still accurate.

Wow! I always wondered about that - I assumed it was just poor tolerance/wear/sloppy manufacturing...
See, you guys are educational as well as entertaining ; does that make y'all / us "multi-use tools?!? :shocking:

B

bgarrett

Well-known member

Jan 15, 2011

#20

**A buddy of mine has a construction project going on at the moment**

Thats pretty amazing and very cool!

Almost a miracle since government rules regulations and restrictions have shut down almost all construction in America.

S

stellar91

Active member

Jan 15, 2011

#21

I kinda remember the tolerance issues of tapes because I heard when they built the St. Lois arch all the workers had to have the same tape or they would get sent home. Since they were building both sides seperately and planned on meeting in the sky the tolerances needed to be the same and when they completed were only a 1/16" off and that was mostly from the arch expanding and contracting with the temperature. But my everyday favorite tape is a 3/4" wide 12' Lufkin Chrome.(older style)

D

diesel research

Well-known member

Jan 16, 2011

#22

bgarrett said:
**A buddy of mine has a construction project going on at the moment**

Thats pretty amazing and very cool!

Almost a miracle since government rules regulations and restrictions have shut down almost all construction in America.

Maybe you should come visit country of Texas. Apparently they must not be affected by these alleged rules. There is construction everywhere you look. My employer has been hiring out expansion projects non stop for months. Buildings are going up left and right. Commercial, residential both. They can't find enough workers, and that's even taking in account for the unscrupulous gang of "workers" who hide behind the local home depots.

That's not even taking into account all of the privatized "infrastructure" (train/plane/truck/ship) construction projects going on.

Honestly cannot find much credibility to the statement, in my own experience.

S

shoot summ

Well-known member

Jan 21, 2011

#23

Vic1964 said:
I have a handful of tape measures but when I am working on a particular project I try to stick to the same one. For rough carpentry it probably doesn't matter but for finer work I worry the differences in tapes could lead to mis-measurements if I alternate amonst tapes.

Seeing this "rule" in writing, it sounds a little ****.

Not **** at all, for fine measurements I have noticed slight variations in different tapes. For fine cabinet work/woodworking I always use a folding rule(the same one).

I did order 2 tips, unfortunately the free shipping is the tips glued to a post card. The card made it, the tips didn't......

I am going to buy 2 more, and pay for secure shipping.

S

shoot summ

Well-known member

Jan 30, 2011

#24

Update: my tips arrived intact this time, well secured to the card.

I've used them a little so far, the work well!

S

SARG

Well-known member

Feb 4, 2011

#25

Just a little info. I saw them on the forum and ordered three cards for $3. each.

I liked them .... so I decided to get more for friends.

There is a second website (below) that has better pricing. Just ordered 10 of them with a free tape measure included and free shipping .... for $15. I think it's the same outfit.

They have volume discounts if you wish more savings than just the free tape measure.

http://tapetip.com/TapeTip1/BuyNow.htm

Last edited: Feb 4, 2011

O

oregonmud

New member

Mar 5, 2011

#26

Ryan said:
The rivets are supposed to be loose... I have the fat max as well. This one:

Right?

It doesn't seem to do any better than any other tape measure at holding it's surface. Not terrible for sure...

I'm curious about these Grip Tips only because a contractor seemed to like them ok. Maybe I'll get off my *** and order one!

The Grip Tip indeed fits the FATMAX and the GripTip makes that FATMAX the tool it was intended to be- the perfect tape measure.. they don't come off so easily though.. off the Fat Max that is.. but for a buck, just break the thing off-if you need to remove it and buy another... Then give one away- they'll love it!

D

dodge610

Well-known member

Mar 6, 2011

#27

SARG said:
Just a little info. I saw them on the forum and ordered three cards for $3. each.

I liked them .... so I decided to get more for friends.

There is a second website (below) that has better pricing. Just ordered 10 of them with a free tape measure included and free shipping .... for $15. I think it's the same outfit.

They have volume discounts if you wish more savings than just the free tape measure.

http://tapetip.com/TapeTip1/BuyNow.htm

Just ordered the 10 tips and free tape measure we will see how they work.

8

84bimmer

Well-known member

Mar 6, 2011

#28

I want to see the free tape measure. Any pics?

G

Gareth68

Well-known member

Mar 6, 2011

#29

I always burn an inch when measuring, unless I am measuring to great of a distance without a helper.

I never really thought about the why of the loose ends on tape measure...just realized that they never seemed to be the same tolerance.

Burn an inch and start with a nice clean line.

D

dodge610

Well-known member

Mar 6, 2011

#30

84bimmer said:
I want to see the free tape measure. Any pics?

Not on the website but when i get my order i will post pics of the free tape measure. I am not expecting much. :bounce:

A

airdale

Well-known member

Mar 6, 2011

#31

I thought everyone knew why the end has elongated holes for the rivets. That's why we need shop class in schools - not everyone is fortunate enough to have been taught these things by their elders. Some of the knowledge we take for granted is not being passed down unfortunately. What Gareth68 is saying is for best accuracy start your measurement at the one inch mark because there could be some error due to wear or sloppy tolerance in the distance that the end clip is mounted.
For framing or rough cuts don't bother, just where accuracy is important. :beer:

D

dodge610

Well-known member

Mar 6, 2011

#32

airdale said:
I thought everyone knew why the end has elongated holes for the rivets. That's why we need shop class in schools - not everyone is fortunate enough to have been taught these things by their elders. Some of the knowledge we take for granted is not being passed down unfortunately. What Gareth68 is saying is for best accuracy start your measurement at the one inch mark because there could be some error due to wear or sloppy tolerance in the distance that the end clip is mounted.
For framing or rough cuts don't bother, just where accuracy is important.

That is always the way i do it thanks to my dad thats how he taught me to do it. Thank god for dads that teach there young children things like that.

8

84bimmer

Well-known member

Mar 6, 2011

#33

dodge610 said:
Not on the website but when i get my order i will post pics of the free tape measure. I am not expecting much.

Who knows, It might be a good one. Looking forward to the pics. Thanks

D

diesel research

Well-known member

Mar 7, 2011

#34

airdale said:
That's why we need shop class in schools - not everyone is fortunate enough to have been taught these things by their elders. Some of the knowledge we take for granted is not being passed down unfortunately.

Shop class still exists. It is usually up to the student to have the desire to take it though. Usually the ones who do take it, are there to avoid tougher classes. I hated woodshop, but between that or calculus, it seemed the lesser of 2 evils. Thinking back, I shoulda went with the math route. Would probably have been more valuable to know as opposed to learning a brace and bit and how to plane.

Also did precision machining (no tape measures allowed) and welding. Joked that metal is much more forgiving than wood LOL

D

dodge610

Well-known member

Mar 20, 2011

#35

SARG said:
Just a little info. I saw them on the forum and ordered three cards for $3. each.

I liked them .... so I decided to get more for friends.

There is a second website (below) that has better pricing. Just ordered 10 of them with a free tape measure included and free shipping .... for $15. I think it's the same outfit.

They have volume discounts if you wish more savings than just the free tape measure.

http://tapetip.com/TapeTip1/BuyNow.htm

I ordered from them on march 5 still havent recieved anything just sent them an e mail told them if it wasnt shipped to cancel the order. Beware guys dont know whats up with them but didnt like it contacted my credit card told them to stop payment. Maybe its me but that is way too long to wait with no response from Tape tip. :sad:

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