warmpancakes
Well-known member
about 20-25 foot excellent quality metric and us , I cannot find a nice quality tape measure anymore?
Looking for a new tape measure
- Thread starter warmpancakes
- Start date
glenmore
Well-known member
I find that these are one of the most common things at estate sales. If they are in working condition I can't resist them for only $1.
scooby074
Well-known member
stanley fatmax
I know,
I'm looking for a lever lock that stays out until you squeeze the unlock feature. I hate the ones that snap back in unless you slide the little lever. Probably just my personal preference, but everything I see anywhere is NOT a lever lock style.
I'm looking for a lever lock that stays out until you squeeze the unlock feature. I hate the ones that snap back in unless you slide the little lever. Probably just my personal preference, but everything I see anywhere is NOT a lever lock style.
senlow
Well-known member
You want quality. Look at LS Starrett.
Bolster
Well-known member
Yes the Starretts are good, I can vouch.
Oddly I find myself reaching for an inexpensive Komelon Classic Self Lock most of the time these days. Just a really well done measure, and I love how it needs no locking action, just pull it out and it stays. Push a button and it retracts. Not sure if they do both metric and SAE in the same measure?
My opinion (worth what you paid for it) is that it's better to have metric on one tape and SAE on another, because you're for CERTAIN to need the scale that's on the other side of the tape! I seldom use my combo tapes, and rely more heavily on either/or. Precision jobs and need for centering, it's metric all the way.
Oddly I find myself reaching for an inexpensive Komelon Classic Self Lock most of the time these days. Just a really well done measure, and I love how it needs no locking action, just pull it out and it stays. Push a button and it retracts. Not sure if they do both metric and SAE in the same measure?
My opinion (worth what you paid for it) is that it's better to have metric on one tape and SAE on another, because you're for CERTAIN to need the scale that's on the other side of the tape! I seldom use my combo tapes, and rely more heavily on either/or. Precision jobs and need for centering, it's metric all the way.
Busted_Knuckles
Well-known member
Stanley Fat Max, dont know what you missing till you use one..., Ive probably got just under 10 of them floating around. Go to your tool store and play with one, if you know tapes, you will like it.
Stuey
Well-known member
Fisco Big T.
wreckercologist
Well-known member
I've gone through a ton of tape measures at work and like mr2autoxr, I prefer leverlocks, which have been ever harder to find. The Starrett's are no longer made in the U.S., and Stanley doesn't really offer anything that will hold up to being dropped on concrete (plastic cases on the lever locks). That led me to, believe it or not, Snap-on. $24 on sale, aluminum case, button lock and according to my dealer, a lifetime warranty on the case and the blade. So far, (2 months) I've been pleased.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/tools.asp?tool=&Group_ID=24164&store=snapon-store
Might not be the best option for everyone, but it works for me.
I've also got a Craftsman bottomlock. It was cheaper ($14) and it lasted a week before exploding. It's still sitting in the center console of my Explorer waiting for me to drive over to Sears and get it replaced.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...ng,+Levels+&+Stud+Finders&sName=Tape+Measures
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/tools.asp?tool=&Group_ID=24164&store=snapon-store
Might not be the best option for everyone, but it works for me.
I've also got a Craftsman bottomlock. It was cheaper ($14) and it lasted a week before exploding. It's still sitting in the center console of my Explorer waiting for me to drive over to Sears and get it replaced.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...ng,+Levels+&+Stud+Finders&sName=Tape+Measures
Merkava_4
Banned
I liked the old Stanley LeverLocks before they started making them goofy. The nice previous generation were all black with a yellow lever.
wreckercologist
Well-known member
I had the green ones. They were pretty good and also fairly tough. The newer ones, with the smooth, yellow case are junk. Sneeze on them and the case breaks.
Merkava_4
Banned
I had the green ones. They were pretty good and also fairly tough. The newer ones, with the smooth, yellow case are junk. Sneeze on them and the case breaks.
I've been using a 30ft Klein for the last few years. It's got a chrome plated plastic case. It works alright but it's got that sliding lock that you gotta put up with.
superautobacs
Well-known member
mooman
Well-known member
FAT MAX baby!!
Busted_Knuckles
Well-known member
I was at the Farm Store this morning, and I happen to walk past the tapes, anyhow, I was recommending the Stanley "Fat Max" I have not bought a new one in several years. I noticed the ones I use and like are now called "Fat Max Extreme", and the standard "Fat Max" is something new, and Ive not seen or used (and looks cheaply made, big suprise?).
So to clarify, Im recommending the Fat Max Extreme. If you need 10' of tape stand out, this is your tape, you can drop it repeatedley on concrete, Ive yet to break one, been using them for maybe 7 years? My 35' is very beat up, and its still functional. I use that primarly for lay out. Otherwise its a 20'...
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Diesel_Crawler
Well-known member
Cryptic1911
Well-known member
yep, we have one too.. thing is awesome
TheGrooveking
Well-known member
How's that long Matco tape measure, I've seen it used on Powerblock TV a few times?
TheGrooveking
TheGrooveking
cheap bastard
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2006
- Messages
- 614
I just bought a FatMax last week. The lock requires setting yet take very little pressure to release. That "feature" is terrible. I will be buying up every old Lufkin or Starrett that this summers garage sales and auctions will provide.