Help me create your favorite TAPE MEASURE!

[TeressaIndustrialDesign]

Hi everyone, i'm an Industrial Design Student who is currently doing primary research in the redesign of the Tape Measure. This is only a class project, but the experience is necessary for the growth of myself as a designer. Since you've all been sharing your opinions here, I'd love for you to bring them onto my short survey (link posted below). Thanks for your time everyone!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QM7SZFP

 

[ChaseDE]

decent survey, might ask about finishes as well.

recently bought a Milwaukee tape (i think) for my MIL who measures windows for her job. it was too big for her so i kept it, i dont like it though, it has a matte finish to the reading side and kinda freaks me out, and its slippery in your fingers.

 

[Maui]

Teressa, how many people from here have taken your survey so far?

 

[Flat-rate]

For me finding one with both standard and metric was the deciding factor. Much easier to divide metric than fractions. Plus a lot of automotive is now given in metric IE wheel base

 

[Roobaix]

Done...

 

[TeressaIndustrialDesign]

Maui, I've posted the survey on one other forum, but in total i've received 6 responses from these two websites. My guess is that most of the responses came from here though, and it's much appreciated.

 

[mobiledynamics]

Tape Measure is SOOOOO subjective though, depending on whose hands it's in....

I'm a wh0re for the old skool green leverlocks. Used to stop by every stop whenever I travel to see if they had NOS of this particular tape measure....

My stash is good enough to last me 3 generations....

 

[rlitman]

As a professional, I use a tape measure perhaps monthly. Sometimes to measure things, sometimes for other purposes. The hook on my tape measure is particularly good for pulling distant air conditioner filters in their frame to within reach.

As an avid diy-er, I use tape measures many times a day.

I measure in feet and inches, inches, in metric (meters, cm, and mm), and in tenths of a foot.

I have 1m flat tape measures that measure a yard and a meter. 12' and 16' tape measures that I like because the 1/2" wide tapes are nearly flat, which makes for easier measurements, and which have 1/32" graduations for the first foot. And 25' and 30' tape measures with wide tapes that have a useful stickout for construction. I do not currently own any longer tape measures for surveying, since I have a laser measure for that.

I suffer from CRS, so rather than spend all day searching for a tape measure, I try to make sure that one is nearly always in reach. Off the top of my head, there's one in my desk drawer at work, and another in the toolbox there. There's one in my desk at home, and another in a kitchen drawer. Then there's one in the boiler room, and one at each saw station in my garage, plus a few in strategic locations around the shop. Generally, anywhere I would keep a tape measure, I keep it in close proximity to a marking pencil.

I don't abuse my tape measures, and have not had any of the problems mentioned.

I prefer the Stanley lever-lock, but other automatic locks are second best, followed by manual locks last.

I'll most often mark measurements off a tape measure with a pencil, though sometimes I'll use a knife. I'm not sure how a pencil could be "attached" to a tape measure and still be both functional and not frustrating though.

I can't remember the last time I've snapped a tape.

The most common failure for me with tape measures is the blade coating peeling or wearing off.

 

[Outlander]

done! Good luck in your class

 

[toolmiser]

I like something about 12' long for woodworking in the shop. 3/4-1" wide so it will go out a ways, and is easier to read (older eyes). I like to be able to write notes on the side. I also like the Fastcap brand with the pencil sharpener. Their tape measures are pretty good, and have a wide variety of tapes.

 

[larry_g]

You need to understand the professional that you are aiming your product at. A metal fabricator, carpenter, decorator, or whomever will have different demands for a tool.

I thought the question on 'where do you keep your tape' very funny. I must have 10 or 12 floating around here. I have a few 3-6' tapes I'll slide in a pocket to go shopping. Most projects are handled with 12-16' tapes. There are a few 25 - 100' tapes when called for. The small ones are in the house, the medium ones are readily accessible around the shop and the big ones are stored away.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[kctyphoon]

Done. Just a suggestion - but instead of asking "how long is your tape measure" since people routinely keep different sizes (ESP the people in here, some guys probably have a dozen or more) maybe ask what their most used size is instead..

A tape measure that came with a pencil (inserted like a stylus on a phone/tablet) might be a pretty good idea too.

I also agree what material people prefer the body to made of (metal vs composite ) is another good question.

 

[JoeMA]

Good luck. One comment: i believe that the first choice in question 3 is meant to be "less than 15 ft" which should be written <15 ft.

 

[texasfiremedic]

Tape measure snaps? Breaks or breaks over when you try to extend it to far?
i have broke several tapes when I finally get piss off at it not retracting or the tape get a spot in it that will keep it ridged when extended. I think that I had only 1 maybe 2 actually break the tape. Lost several, can't seem to find one when needed. I always told my apprentices to keep a tape on them because I may not have one.

Still love my fatmax. Best one I have fond so far.

 

[hifi_hokie]

A tape in smoots (subdivided into ears, obviously).

 

[GiantCranium]

id love a metric on one edge and fractional on the other (I'm constantly telling the blokes at work its 42" and whatever the line is above 3/4) and double sided

 

[pstemari]

I've got an old chrome Lufkin that I really like. The lock button is very easy to use. You can easily control the retract with light pressure on the button, like brakes on a car.

The Stanley tapes I've used have very clumsy locks, very hard to set and strictly fully locked or unlocked. You can't modulate the pressure to control the retract.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[MrGiggles]

Done.

I've run into several tapes that will no longer lock firmly. Very annoying. I also much prefer an auto lock or lever to a thumb slide.

Aside from that, they usually get misplaced, or the tape snaps at the rivets on the hook and the tape disappears inside.

I've had a couple that broke the return spring or spool and wouldn't retract.

I bought my dad a Komelon auto-lock tape from Walmart for Christmas last year. He and I both love it, I wish I got one for myself.

 

[Olafur]

Done.
On second thought I might have polluted the survey since I work only in metric.
Best of luck with your project!

 

[kctyphoon]

Is there any real craft in the states that actually uses metric measurements as their standard? I can't think of anything...

 

[mike_dmt]

For the OP, I went through a handful of the questions, and could check the box on almost every option.

Not that the survey is bad, I find it interesting, but I think the users of this forum would need an almost infinite amount of choices to be comprehensive, since most of us do more than one trade or hobby.

That being said, a little more refinement in the survey based on the replies in this thread, might help.

Again, it's a very good idea. I do, however, think you'll have a relatively difficult time finding a conclusion.

 

[LXCam]

You wanna design my ultimate tape. Install a frucking tracking device so I don't need to own 20 of the damn things.

id love a metric on one edge and fractional on the other (I'm constantly telling the blokes at work its 42" and whatever the line is above 3/4) and double sided

For me finding one with both standard and metric was the deciding factor. Much easier to divide metric than fractions. Plus a lot of automotive is now given in metric IE wheel base

Well today's your lucky day fellas. I have two blue ones and two silver ones. Who wants what. I hate these POS's. It never fails that the unit/side I'm measuring too and need to mark is always on the opposite side of the tape. Drives me nuts!

 

[slip knot]

Tried to take the survey but the ratings questions started changing their numbers on me so I pulled the plug.

 

[rick carpenter]

Survey done, good luck! I'd like to see better visuals for including the tape body in inside measurements. I don't need more than feet and inches enumerated on tapes, all the little numbers just distract. A little strip of dry erase down the middle for marking reference lines that you could rub off with your thumb would be great.

I'd also like the tape to automatically flatten in the exact spot I need to mark and bend at a sharp 90*, but that would have to be magic.

 

[619DioFan]

Just make sure it is free , just like the ones I get from HF. Hey , someone had to say it. welcome to GJ Teresa.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I'm not counting them but I'd estimate that I own 50 tape measures. Mostly used are in the 12'-30' range. Most measurements I make are 8' or less.
I have a couple 3' and one 300' tape measure.

The auto marking feature idea has been around. Every one I've seen seemed cheap and gimmicky.

What about a simple holder for a pencil, marker or scratch awl?
Go high tech and have a screen where I could simply type in measurements and piece counts?
One issue I've had that has killed many is water/dirt. Make a tape measure that will last when being used in wet/dirty areas.

 

[metaldad]

i must have at least two dozen.
airmailed a near new stanley fatmax with autolock last night.
tape auto locks when extended, press button to rewind. damn thing would not stay extended

 

[BigEd]

I would like to see a tape that can be read from either edge.

 

[BK13]

If I remember to, I'll take the survey later.

I'm a land surveyor, so I use my tapes multiple times during the day. I use Lufkin almost exclusively, as finding a tape that reads both feet in tenths/hundredths on one side and feet/inches on the other difficult to find. The biggest area I find Lufkin lacking in is weather resistance. A guy who works outdoors in the PNW is gonna get rained on. I've had tapes start rusting on me before I can get back to the office to wipe them down with WD40...

More standoff is never a bad thing (how far over the fence IS that tree?)

 

[ChaseDE]

It never fails that the unit/side I'm measuring too and need to mark is always on the opposite side of the tape. Drives me nuts!

I figured someone would say that, when it was suggested it popped into my head instantly.

 

[terry603]

took survey
one thing I avoid when buying is the tapes that show the fractions at the bottom
makes it harder to determine which mark I need, I can read a rule just fine w/o all this clutter

 

[dreamingmuscle]

I like the stanley lever lock mainly because it fits in my tool bags tape pouch. Not that it ever gets put in there.

Like others have said install a beeper on the thing. Maybe a beeper that clips to both the device and belt and goes off when they get futher apart then tape will reach. Of course the tape has to do the beeping because I can lose mine on a empty table.

Glen

 

[Empty Pockets]

Did your survey... good luck with the class project

I am afraid, I have multiple lengths of tape rules, depending on the use. everything from 100' in the truck to the 3' tape my wife carries in her purse, and all sizes in between

 

[TeressaIndustrialDesign]

I appreciate all the responses and new ideas, I honestly didn't expect this much feedback, but there's nothing wrong with that! I hope that with my future career (after a little bit more schooling and experience) that i'll actually be able to make someone's favorite tool.

 

[PugetDude]

My favorites:

Framing- can't beat my old (discontinued) 30' Stanley Contractor Grade
In the shop- 16' Kobalt with magnetic tip. Reads top and bottom.
In the truck console- 12' Stanley
In the Kitchen junk drawer- old 6' pocket Lufkin.

I probably own 30-40 tape measures, but can never seem to find the one I want when I need it...

.. and I hate the dual inch/metric tapes.

 

[Plombob]

You need to understand the professional that you are aiming your product at. A metal fabricator, carpenter, decorator, or whomever will have different demands for a tool.

I thought the question on 'where do you keep your tape' very funny. I must have 10 or 12 floating around here. I have a few 3-6' tapes I'll slide in a pocket to go shopping. Most projects are handled with 12-16' tapes. There are a few 25 - 100' tapes when called for. The small ones are in the house, the medium ones are readily accessible around the shop and the big ones are stored away.

lg
no neat sig line

I also thought the question was a bit funny, because I have several. I've got most of them in my work bench, the 100' long ones in a file cabinet and others scattered about the vehicles and house.

Good luck on your project!

 

[bwringer]

Is there any real craft in the states that actually uses metric measurements as their standard? I can't think of anything...

Of course -- automotive and powersports.

Anything where you're working with European or Asian machinery.

Aircraft and heavy machinery are still mostly inch.

The sciences use metric exclusively.

I'd actually much prefer a metric-only tape measure, not one with inches on one side and mm on the other.

 

[speed bump]

Its a tape measure: I need to be able to hold it in one hand, extend it as far as possible without the blade breaking over, operate it with gloves on, and use it as a weapon without it breaking.

The only thing that you can put into a tape measure that doesn't exist is some sort of device that will make it appear on my hand when I need it.

 

[engineer2]

Install a frucking tracking device so I don't need to own 20 of the damn things.

So true! At any given time I have Zero to 5 tape measures handy, and usually it's closer to zero. Lately I've been leaving my bright green Komelon on the kitchen counter, and every time I need it, it's there.

 

[pcmeiners]

What is the game with the "design" surveys all of a sudden? No name , no locations.