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What's your favorite tape measure

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SnowBlaZeR2

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fabrk8r said:
I just found out that Craftsman tape measures will no longer be available...I guess I returned too many over the years. :mad:
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I was in KMart the other day buying a cooler, and I decided to stop and look at the Craftsman section there. They had a 12' there Made in China. I went ahead and bought 4 at $4.99 each despite where they are made. I love my old Craftsman and these are made just as well. It's a tape measure, so I don't really care where it's made. Heck I think my Lufkin is Made in China too and I think that is a great tape measure.
 
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fabrk8r

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Waterloo, IA (Home of Waterloo Toolboxes)
scottzilla said:
Funny thing about tapes, pretty much every one is innacurate by 1/16-1/8". The little metal tab pushes in & out by that much (Try it for yourself), some worse than others. I stood in the tool section at HD and checked every one, from the $6 tape to the $60 tape and they all did this.
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LMFAO

Like csp said, they are supposed to be that way...try getting an accurate inside or outside measurement with a fixed tip...you'll be off by 1/16" every time.

:lol_hitti
 
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babzog

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Whatever one is first in my hand for a given job (then I use that particular tape for that job).

I'm not picky - I pick up whatever's on sale at HD or elsewhere (ie: a few weeks ago, I picked up a Stanley 3pk for $10). In use, I find them all to be pretty much the same.

Only thing I don't like is combo metric/imperial tapes... pick one or the other.
 
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GT89mustang

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NJ
A cheap 16ft channelock tape I got free with a set of channel locks. Its easy to carry around and I haven't lost it yet.
 
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beelsr

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the end is supposed to slide in and out.

If you're measuring, say, the length of a board and have the hook hooked on the end and are pulling the tape. It pulls out so you don't measure the width of the hook; i.e., it's hanging off the end of the board and "0" is at the "inside" edge of the hook.

If you're measuring, say, a window rough opening, the hook is abutting the framing and you're pushing the tape. The hook slides in and stops so that the "0" mark is at the "outside" edge of the hook.

Like you said, every tape measure does this. Some do a better job of manufacturing the hook, punched slide holes and rivet(s). But it IS an intentional feature.
 
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back2class

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It was my 25" craftsman when I was in the trades. Broke many and always got a free replacement. Since they no longer warranty them it is now Husky. They have a lifetime warranty so that is my favorite!!!
 
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mn_commander

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I have a dozen tape measures. The one I reach for most often is this inexpensive one because it's self locking:

41b3e%2Bz0qiL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
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I agree. I have this same one and it has performed flawless for 2 1/2 years of remodeling. I must say the self locking comes in handy.....
 
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tweety652

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Does anyone know who makes the SnapOn one?..i don't want it solely for being snapon but i like the chrome finish...i had actually bought a kobalt one a few years back for this very reason but it's quite hefty.
 
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atlinwi202

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Minnesota
When I was framing I always had the Stanly 1" x 25' in my pouch. No gimmicky BS, It just works the way its supposed to, each and every damn time. I used to get sick of my partner trying a new tape every week and going right back to the classic, but then again I guess he was making the mistakes for me.
 
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Vinko

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My new favorite is a 12' Stanley Made in USA.

Older one was the metal 25' USA model. But the 12' usually does it.

Also picked up a bunch of older NOS Starrett's for cheap on Ebay and those are nice.
 
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Rickster

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Stanley, 12 ft or 16 ft, has be chrome with the locking thumb slider and perfer plastic body over the metal body. I pick them at garage sales when I see them cheap and I have a dozen or so of them all over the place and still wind up looking for one. Every now and then I go on a tape measure hunt and put them all back into a pile on top the one toolbox.
 
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scottzilla

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csp said:
They are supposed to. This is to get an accurate measurement whether you're measuring with the tab inside an opening (like measuring between walls) or outside of it (like marking a piece of wood to length). The movement is supposed to coincide with the thickness of the tab.
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Sorry to bring up an old thread but I did not know this. Cool, I learned something today. Had I checked back with this thread earlier I could have learned something back in July!:thumbup:
Cool info, I never considered this.
 
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nate379

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One I can find. Some days I end up with 3 or 4 in my toolbelt and other days I can't seem to find ONE to save my life. That and pencils!

All of mine are 25 or 30 ft. I have a short 12ft one in the kitchen junk drawer, fine for measuring to hang pictures or similar, but it's far too short and flimsy for any time of framing work.
 
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Ben Iv

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Oklahoma
My main tape at work is a stanley 12' metal case. ive also got a 30' stanley air lock and a 35' chrome fat max that is a year or so old and also a 100' lufkin. Oh and a small 10' stanley for laying out ladder hoops and pipe.
 
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mkdive

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My two favorite tapes

I carry this one every day in my pocket:
41xRyrBd8hL.jpg


And this is my larger goto tape:

41dlc0Q%2BZpL.jpg
 
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ecotec

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Jack Olsen said:
The one I can find when I need it.

I used to have one Stanley that was always in the way -- except when I needed to measure something. I finally bought six when the 1"x30' ones were on sale at Harbor Freight. The HF might or might not be a great tape measure, but I now have six places I can look when I need it.

So far, that's worked great.
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i remember a thread that showed your grinders. it got me thinking... do you have six of every tool?
 
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ecotec

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oh yeah... i use a '25 fat max.

i used to use the craftsman with the long button on the bottom... until they discontinued it.
 
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Elroy

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Elroy is surprised no one has called out a tape line with a magnetic tip.

They're kind of a gimmick but they really do help on big stuff. Guys at work like the mag tip Klein's.They get lots-o-use.
 
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6inarow

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ghnl said:
I keep a Lee Valley 10' Cabinetmaker's Tape in my pocket. Small enough to not be a bother yet is always handy. What I like best is it reads right to left. I hold the tape in my left (non-dominant) hand and I can use my right hand to make cut marks.

06k1501s1.jpg


tape tech
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I know its an old thread but I have been looking for one of these for a long time. Great info here and thanks for posting
 
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Finky198

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+1 on the Fat max have 3x 30’s, a 16’ in my Carpenter bags and a 6’ on my shop keys.
They are hard to beat figuratively or not.
 
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