Lufkin Shockforce

[Ryan]

So I was blindly sent one of these tape measures - I guess for review? But I've reviewed a tape measure before and to be honest, there isn't a whole lot to say on the matter. T...


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[rlitman]

Interesting new tool.

I actually prefer tapes with less stickout, because the FaxMax and the like have more curvature, which I don't care for, but I do completely understand that my own needs and wants have little overlap with the majority of others.

The double sided markings are something I've found occasionally useful on the tapes I own that have them.

I do like the H style hooks I've seen come out lately, over the older attempts at double sided hooks with a useless center tab. They went further and added three (rather than the usual one) nail head slots, so you can hold the tape at 45 degrees. I really like that.

Between that, and the diamond grip hook, I think they've made some great developments to a product that you don't really see revolutionary changes all that often in.

If I worked in a way that I could always keep my tape measure on me, then $30 for a single indispensable tool is still reasonable. As it is, I have a LOT more laid out in keeping good tape measures always within arms reach throughout my shop and house.

 

[Ryan]

Interesting new tool.

I actually prefer tapes with less stickout, because the FaxMax and the like have more curvature, which I don't care for, but I do completely understand that my own needs and wants have little overlap with the majority of others.

The double sided markings are something I've found occasionally useful on the tapes I own that have them.

I do like the H style hooks I've seen come out lately, over the older attempts at double sided hooks with a useless center tab. They went further and added three (rather than the usual one) nail head slots, so you can hold the tape at 45 degrees. I really like that.

Between that, and the diamond grip hook, I think they've made some great developments to a product that you don't really see revolutionary changes all that often in.

If I worked in a way that I could always keep my tape measure on me, then $30 for a single indispensable tool is still reasonable. As it is, I have a LOT more laid out in keeping good tape measures always within arms reach throughout my shop and house.

Yeah, I actually agree with you. The parallax of a really curve tape screws with my eyes.

 

[rlitman]

Yeah, I actually agree with you. The parallax of a really curve tape screws with my eyes.

Exactly. I find myself pressing one side of the tape flat with my thumb, and on high stickout tapes that leaves the other side angled up over 45 degrees, and too often that angle causes the hook to fall off, or leaves my pencil hand occupied holding the body from falling. I know about the Fastcap flat tape, but I do like a little stickout for convenience. That's why I prefer 16' tapes at my saw stations. They're thinner and lighter, and don't take abuse, but the thin tape can be pressed entirely flat easily.

 

[jd_1138]

Do they make a metric version? I prefer using metric tapes -- much easier than farting around with fractions. Sure I can use an SAE tape, but metric is just so much nicer.

I was helping an elderly friend replace some crumbling doors on his shed, and I was measuring with my Starrett metric tape the opening so I could cut the OSB and trim to the size we needed. He said in a serious tone "this shed was built in inches, so that's not going to fit."

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Different tapes for different jobs.
I use a FatMax and the Bosch Laser almost everyday, both kick ****.
Just looked at the Fastcap video again, I'd give that flat-tape a try for wood working.

 

[PureLeaf]

Where is it made?

I've been using British made Fisco tapes for a few years and been extremely happy with them. Still a few USA made tapes out there as well.

 

[gahrajmahal]

Interesting tape measure, but the unlocked tape until you slide the lock doesn’t work for me. I prefer the ones that lock automatically, then retract when you compress the lever at the bottom.

A new feature I saw recently is a right hand and left hand read tape. Keeps you from mentally flipping the marks to read the tape. An example is when you are double checking your fence distance on your table saw, tape measure in your left hand, numbers and marks are upside down. Here is a link: https://www.rockler.com/fastcap-procarpenter-lefty-righty-tape-measure
Fast Cap also makes this in metric. All models have a little round marker space you can pencil in dimensions. That is something else I would like. But... it has the wrong type of tape lock!

Some other tips from me:

If you never learned to read a standard tape measure with the tic marks, the free Harbor Freight 25 ft tape measure reads in real fractions. It is fragile though, they break when they fall from your belt to the floor, so save those coupons!

Speaking of falling to the floor, the natural spot to clip your tape (as verified in the Lufkin video) is to your waistband /belt on either side. Don’t clip it there. Your leg will naturally flip it off from there every time you climb a ladder or squat down. A better clip spot is your waistband/belt right over the middle of your ****. You will find it to be so unobtrusive there you will forget it is there until you jump in your truck to go home and it will stab you in the back. If you are a tool belt user, they usually have addressed this problem.

 

[el monte slim]

The "long-standout" is a "long-standing" sales demonstration feature of the Lufkin brand. Back in the day, you ran the risk of tripping over the Cooper Tools and Stanley reps at tradeshows, as they competed to see whose "tool" had the "longest" reach. By the way, the Lufkin would "beat" the Stanley almost every time in this regard. Sorry for the bad "play" on words...

 

[Stevedore]

Interesting tape, but I won't be buying one. I have a Lufkin tape that's had very little use, looks like new, and the thumb lock stopped working. No way to keep the tape extended without holding it. I've contacted them twice regarding their "lifetime" warranty, with no response whatsoever. Just my personal experience.

 

[ChrisLS8]

If you use a tape you quickly find a style that works for you. I've used the steel Stanley's, Lufkin, Leverlocks etc and for work the only ones that that have stood up to the rigors are the DeWalt, the Fatmax and the Milwaukee.

The rest....well they last about 3 weeks until they wear out. But for someone in woodworking would get alot more life out of em for instance

 

[sberry]

I don't care a lot about brands and a good one can be about a dollar more than a cheaper one. An acceptable tape can be had for.7 or 8 bucks but one has to look. There is about 3 makers of the tape, one proprietary and a stiff one and flimsy. The stiff is good. I like a inch 25 ft, don't care what brand as long as it has a decent stiff blade. Not everyone needs 25 ft.

 

[Cryptic1911]

Might have to get me one of those

 

[Toomanytools?]

I like the Stanley 25' model 33-525, it's smaller case rounded fits in the tool pouch tape holder and fits your hand nicely. Those Fat Max are too large to hold.

 

[ChrisLS8]

I have the DeWalt 35 for doing layout on the floors and the Fatmax mag 25 for measuring studs. Ill def grab one in in the next week or two and report back on longevity

 

[WhiskeyRanger]

I've been using a Milwaukee ever since my Lufkin took a spill off a 30' boom lift. I'll be picking up one of these to replace it. A bit pricey, but if the drop testing is legit, it will probably pay for itself pretty quick. Of course work is picking up the tab, so I hope they appreciate this.

I carry a long stickout tape on calls, but keep a flat tape in my toolbox for use in the shop. The right tool for the job.

 

[machyoung]

I am a flooring contractor by trade and my tape measure is the equivalent of a welders gloves or a plasterer's finish trowel. Stanley 25 footer for me. Not 30, not Fatmax and certainly not a laser (although I do own one). Just my 2 cents.

 

[WhiskeyRanger]

I am a flooring contractor by trade and my tape measure is the equivalent of a welders gloves or a plasterer's finish trowel. Stanley 25 footer for me. Not 30, not Fatmax and certainly not a laser (although I do own one). Just my 2 cents.

As a flooring contractor, aren't many of the most touted features sort of pointless for the type of work you do?

I definitely use a laser on some jobs. Huge time saver and vastly more accurate than trying to measure with a tape in those cases.

 

[dnschmidt]

For precision the Fastcap flat tapes are the absolute bomb. The fact that you can write on them with a pencil makes them even better.

 

[bradleykd]

I want one with a "soft-close" feature - like a soft-close drawer.

Even though I know I shouldn't, I'm a fidgiter and always flip it out a little bit and let it pop closed...

 

[A**holes Garage]

My first priority in any measuring device is accuracy. Once I've decided on one particular tape measuring device, I buy several at the same time and toss out the rest. That way, whoever uses my tapes on a project, we have the best odds of coming up with the same measurement when having to cut and piece components together. If it's off, it's the user.

 

[machyoung]

As a flooring contractor, aren't many of the most touted features sort of pointless for the type of work you do?

I definitely use a laser on some jobs. Huge time saver and vastly more accurate than trying to measure with a tape in those cases.

OK, let's state that I am a retired flooring contractor, not retired yet, however retired from from flooring.

In my humble opinion the Stanley 25 footer performs best. I struggled with others, feed out, retracting, size, weight, readability, etc.

The cross beam lasers are fabulous for layout in this day and age, they did not exist yet (or I did not know about them) when I was in the trade. I'll steal from the carpenter's mantra...measure 2-3 times, lay first course once. Never just please your tape measure, please your eyes!

 

[Falcon67]

Not many reviews on Amazon. One says great, other says stinks, bent at the 3" mark on retract. And one..well "Did not seem as durable as expected says will stand up to 100 ft fall probably not". Ok then. Not recommended for rock climbing expeditions, apparently.

The Muwark 27' says it has a lifetime warranty and has 109 reviews. And way cheaper. They only claim 7' standout so nothing super special there. Good enough for most girls.

 

[MrSurly]

I have to throw this in here. I have become quite the fan of this particular tape measure for three key features: it has a very stout magnet in the tip, especially useful on metal shop work... working in one or *on* one; it has the distance markings on BOTH sides of the tape, so even if it gets twisted (usually while overhead) i can still read it; and lastly, while it doesn't auto-lock, it DOES have a cut out in the bottom that lets you control its retract speed with a touch.
Chinese...yes. Rugged and seems great quality, absolutely.
Note that for some reason they make about a dozen designs of each size. I have to be very specific when looking for it on the HD shelves.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-25-ft-Premium-Magnetic-Tape-Measure-48-22-7125/207191754