Your favorite tape measures...

[Bolster]

KLars and I were discussing tape measures, decided to post a thread about it.

Maybe I'm strange, but I see BIG differences between tape measures. Here are my "tape measure prejudices":

1. Not a big fan of clunky big measures, even though they are typically rigid over a longer span. Just personal preference.
2. Really dislike any blade that doesn't have some kind of a protective clear cover on it. Don't like clamp mechanisms that wear out the face of the tape.
3. Used to be a fan of dual-scale (inch and metric) measures, but no longer. The scale I want will inevitably be on the wrong side of the blade. Now I like either all inch or all metric in separate measures.

The favorites in my collection below are:

Those two humble, inexpensive 12ft Komelons lower left corner, because they clamp automatically when the blade is extended. I really like that feature. Then you push to release. Very handy. Use these when 1/8" is the max resolution I need, otherwise the Stanley metrics. Belt clip removed on one for pocket use.

Those two yellow Stanley metrics in the lower right. Was not easy to track these down for a moderate price (I think mine came from Texas), as the metric-only version is a little hard to find in the USA. Wonderful for precise set-up, centering, trimming measurements because it's direct read (no calculating of fractions in my head).

Also, the Starrett is a handy all-around. But it does have the problem of having the scale I want on the wrong side of the blade half the time.

What are your favorites, and why?

 

[Uncle Buck]

Stanley Powerlock have always been my favorites, regardless the length. I forgot, I also like the Fat Max tapes very well.

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

Stanlys fatmax..... 25 feet....

 

[speed bump]

Stanley Powerlocks or else the Lufkin metal cased tape I have.

 

[-B-]

Stanley 5m/16's the old chrome ones are my favorites for work the are not too big and not small enough to loose easily. I have a lever lock version that is passable in neon green, tapes tend to walk when my back is turned they end up in sales hands.

Decent metric tapes are difficult to find in the states I must make a trip to the north or to Europe to stock up.

 

[BB26]

I don't think I have ever really liked a tape measure that I have used. Definitely a necessary tool, but I just do not like any of them. If I had to pick one (lesser of the evils), it would be the old school Stanley Powerlock. The newer fat and wide style tapes are awful, IMO.

 

[GT89mustang]

My favorite is a cheap 16ft channellock tape that came free with a set of channellocks. I think it fits in my hand the best, idk but its alway the one i grab first.

 

[HandyManny]

I've had a few over the years. They get lost, borrowed and never returned or broken. I now only have two, both Stanley. I believe they are both fatmax, a 16' and a 25'. They do what they are supposed to do - measure. I don't hold them with any special regard. I don't hold any other brand tape measure with any special regard either. They just get used for their purpose, but the 16 footer fits best in my hands and gets used most often.

 

[Chreese]

My favorite is the old-style Sola Popular. I have one that is still going strong after many years of usage (as a hobbyist). There's only one thing about them that appears strange to me. The tape measure seems to be made for left-handed guys. Being right handed, I'd locate the belt hook on the other side of the tape measure. My oldest and most-used Popular doesn't have a belt clip (which I don't need anyway). That's why this aspect doesn't matter much to me.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention: In my case, laser distance measures became a great alternative to tape measures, lately.

Chreese

 

[Diablo]

I have a husky one but im sure its made by someone else as the klein and a few others look exactly the same, nothing special 25 ft both scales. Ihave had it for years its outlasted any fatmax ive had and it was 1/4 the price.

 

[Bolster]

My favorite is the old-style Sola Popular. I have one that is still going strong after many years of usage (as a hobbyist). There's only one thing about them that appears strange to me. The tape measure seems to be made for left-handed guys. Being right handed, I'd locate the belt hook on the other side of the tape measure. My oldest and most-used Popular doesn't have a belt clip (which I don't need anyway). That's why this aspect doesn't matter much to me.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention: In my case, laser distance measures became a great alternative to tape measures, lately.

Chreese

Definitely for right handers because of the way the scale is laid out, but it is odd they put the belt clip on the other side. I guess you wear it "backwards" on your belt. I like the look of the Sola, never seen one for sale in the US.

 

[boiler7904]

I go for my Hilti Distance Laser whenever possible. Easy to use and the accuracy can't be beat. Being able to irritate the dogs with it is another plus.

If I'm forced to use a regular tape, I like the 25' Stanley Fatmax mainly because the blade isn't flimsy. I have a 30' Fatmax Extreme (chrome case) and it's too bulky - not comfortable at all to use.

My 12 or 16 ft Stanley Powerlock isn't bad for short distances.

For long distances, I like the 200' Stanley fiberglass tape that has an open plastic body - no problems with dirt or water getting trapped in a case leading to rust and stuck mechanisms. Those are the reasons why I hate my 100' Fatmax steel tape that has a plastic case.

 

[Chreese]

Definitely for right handers because of the way the scale is laid out, but it is odd they put the belt clip on the other side. I guess you wear it "backwards" on your belt. I like the look of the Sola, never seen one for sale in the US.

Oops, excellent point, I didn't think of that. So let's put it that way: Scale for right handers in a "case" with a belt clip mounted for left handers.
Personally, I can't find any convenient way to wear it on a belt but as mentioned above I don't care about that.
Sola measuring tools are quite common in my neck of the woods.

Chreese

 

[Major Ramifications]

Bolster,
I hope you didn't pay much for those yellow Stanley 5 Meter tapes, the tool liquidators have been trying to unload those on us for a while. I almost bought some at first, but then I realized that they are metric. My customers aren't interested in metric tape measures.

For framing, my favorite is a Stanley Fatmax Xtreme, due to the blade standout. For smaller jobs, I will either grab the 12' orange Lufkin like yours or a 16' Stanley neon green model. Of course, when I am measuring my rigid member, I have to use the 100 foot wind up model.

 

[nissan_crawler]

I like my 25' Big Johnson.

 

[jamesemery728]

Just for carrying to Home Depot or some other store to measure smaller items I like the Zippo tape measures. They are made from the bottom half of a Zippo lighter and are very small and fit well in your pocket. Too small for project use but handy for carrying in your pocket.

 

[lbgradwell]

Definitely for right handers because of the way the scale is laid out, but it is odd they put the belt clip on the other side. I guess you wear it "backwards" on your belt. I like the look of the Sola, never seen one for sale in the US.

I beg to differ, Bolster; that Sola tape and almost all others are designed for southpaws (for some inexplicable reason).

Lee Valley addresses the problem nicely with tapes that are read R to L:

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=32563&cat=1,43513

 

[Bolster]

Bolster,
I hope you didn't pay much for those yellow Stanley 5 Meter tapes, the tool liquidators have been trying to unload those on us for a while.

I recollect the place I picked them up was remaindering them at decent prices but the shipping was rude. Anyway, if you have a source I'd like to have it, I'd pick up another one or two.

 

[Bolster]

I beg to differ, Bolster; that Sola tape and almost all others are designed for southpaws (for some inexplicable reason). Lee Valley addresses the problem nicely with tapes that are read R to L:

Oh yeah, now that you remind me, I recollect Lee Valley's "reversed" tapes. I take your point, but I think of a right handed tape as one I hold in my right hand. I pull the blade out with my left, that seems natural to me. Then the numbers ascend from left to right, which also seems correct.

Lee Valley say theirs are for cutoff work for right handers. A right hander would cut to his right, so that application makes sense. I can see the 'reversed' tapes working well for the particular situation of cutoff work.

While we're on the subject, my tape from Lee Valley never gets used, it's too klunky, feels wrong. Can't put my finger on why, just personal preference I guess. Doesn't feel quality.

 

[64merc]

I'm with the OP on this one. I'm a Komelon convert. For quick, short measurements, I love the auto lock feature!!

 

[sammerdog]

Had a series of three Craftsman 30' back to back to back. One would break, they'd warranty it with a new one. Loved those tapes. Had them around so long, they were plain ol comfortable in my hand. Last time around, they wouldn't warranty it, so I've goofed around with Lufkin, Stanley, and most recently a Komelon 25' "Gripper". I like the Komelon the best so far.

 

[-B-]

I have a couple of theses tapes for back up http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2005829/17846/FASTCAP-MetricStandard-16--Tape-Measure.aspx key little feature is a built in pencil sharpener in them, and the fractions are labeled. ( for these of us fractionally challenged)



zippos use to be handed out at the shows for pocket carry in the industry they are scarce now

 

[Monte]

BMI "Viso" - for regular and inside measurements.

 

[Kevin54]

FatMax Extreme. It's bulky but goes out to around 9' before dropping. Nothing I hate more than trying to do some measuring something, stretching the tape out, only to have it drop 2" shy of where it needs to be.

 

[r6_cannibal]

BMI "Viso" - for regular and inside measurements.

Want.
That's a pretty awesome tape measure, I need one in metric too...

I'm using a harbor freight one now that I picked up for a couple bucks on sale. It's nothing special. I've dropped it a couple times and has held up, but I'd really like something better and that BMI measure looks pretty nice.

 

[lbgradwell]

The favorites in my collection below are:

Those two humble, inexpensive 12ft Komelons lower left corner, because they clamp automatically when the blade is extended. I really like that feature. Then you push to release. Very handy. Use these when 1/8" is the max resolution I need, otherwise the Stanley metrics. Belt clip removed on one for pocket use.

I'm with the OP on this one. I'm a Komelon convert. For quick, short measurements, I love the auto lock feature!!

...and most recently a Komelon 25' "Gripper". I like the Komelon the best so far.

Komelon manufactures (at least some) Kobalt & Mastercraft tapes...

 

[lbgradwell]

FatMax Extreme. It's bulky but goes out to around 9' before dropping. Nothing I hate more than trying to do some measuring something, stretching the tape out, only to have it drop 2" shy of where it needs to be.

The 25' Fatmax claims an 11' standout. The 25' Fatmax Extreme claims a standout of 13', which is why I bought one...

In reality, I find the standout to be slightly shorter than advertised (at least in any practical application) but still the longest standout of which I am aware.

It's OK, but it's very heavy and the blade lock is far too stiff and hard to use, so I'll be looking for options the next time around.

 

[Stuey]

I don't recall offhand, but it's British - they're also the OEM for the big Johnson Nissan mentioned.

 

[A_Pmech]

Just a regular old Stanley 1/4" by 10' Pi tape.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

My favorites are the $1.99 on sale at HF El Cheapo's. It seems that most of my tapes "walk off" before they "wear out". I got tired of paying for good tapes and then turn around a few days later and they would be missing in action. If someone steals a tape now, it does not matter.

I also don't get mad when someone drops it in the mud, hits it with weld splatter, drives over it, the dog chews on it, it gets hit with a hammer or it gets dropped in a paint bucket (all of those has happened in the past). My blood pressure is much better now...

 

[Flash21]

Thanks Bolster, awesome thread! Love the pic of all your tapes.

 

[Flash21]

BMI "Viso" - for regular and inside measurements.

Tell me more about this tape...

 

[Flash21]

....Anyway, if you have a source I'd like to have it, I'd pick up another one or two.

^^^^^ Me too

 

[Monte]

Tell me more about this tape...

ok


Pocket tape VISO made by BMI

for external measuring, with a top window for inside measuring. Length 3 m.

Drawing radii up to 3 metres. Look for the folding arm with its stylus hidden in the base of the case. In many cases with this tool you save the money for expensive dividers.

High quality tape structure:

1. Concaved tempered spring blade steel of high stability
2. Anticorrosive phosphat coating
3. Synthetic resin, stoved
4. Printed graduation with red meter figures
5. Clear varnish to protect against wear, stoved

Metal sliding tip, nickel plated, adjustable for both end-on and hook-on measurements

The internal measurement can conveniently be read directly from the top side window.

 

[senlow]

L.S. Starrett

 

[Uncle Buck]

I like my 25' Big Johnson.

Ah, leave it to you to have to turn this into a length thing!

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

I have too many tapes. My favorite/go to's, are Komelon for the vehicle, and Fast Caps, lefty Righty (left or right handed use), in both Standard, and metric. (Only found the metric one via Hartville tool.

 

[Flash21]

ok ...

Thanks! That one might have to go on 'the list'

 

[babzog]

Just for carrying to Home Depot or some other store to measure smaller items I like the Zippo tape measures. They are made from the bottom half of a Zippo lighter and are very small and fit well in your pocket. Too small for project use but handy for carrying in your pocket.

Haha.. If I go to HD, I just grab a tape off the wall and measure what I need.

As for personal use, I just grab whatever is on sale... Mastercraft, HD, etc. I think I've one of each plus an older Craftsman or Mastecraft. All 25' (though the newer Mastercraft is 26'). No real preference, they all measure.

 

[plinker]

I like the Komelon 25' "gripper" for general use, I have 12' stanley tapes for compact use.

Does anybody recommend a metric tape (in milimeters)?


One thing that really annoys me with any tape I have used is the end rivets will loosen up and the your off about a 1/16".

Probably not a real big deal but I like accuracy when planing lumber or building furniture/cabinats.