Measuring Tapes - GJ Poll

[mobiledynamics]

I've got a few fatmaxes for standout.....

I rotate between Tajima when cutting measurements need to be on point.
My go to - is the old Stanley Green Leverlocks. I must have at least 12+ Brand New in my cabinet. When they became discountinued, whenever I was passing by a town, I would look up hardware stores to stop during the route to see if I could SCORE some.

It's just something for me about the leverlock and how it's just works for me in my hand...Any other non LeverLock tape is just a -tape- to me and feels so foreign.

I know it's 2020. Is there anything I'm missing in the world of measuring tapes...

 

[neophyte]

For small tape measures I like the BMI brand from Germany.
BMI Messzeuge
Bayerische Maßindustrie
I put the German company name, because “BMI” is also used to mean “Body Mass Index” which is also calculated with tape measures, so the company can be confusing to find.
BMI makes the tape measures Festool sold.
The tapes seem a bit thinner than typical US made tape measurs, but the graduations seem to be better marked than a lot of US brand tapes I’ve gotten.
https://www.bmi.de/en/products-pocket-tapes-429-bmimeter.php

Otherwise, there’s the Hultafors Talmeter brand from Sweden, which is a multipurpose tape measure, with a bunch of other uses built in. Sort of pricey though.

I like Komeleon for general rough use.
https://www.komelonusa.com/

There’s also Fisco Tapes from the UK, which is owned by Hultafors.
The Talmeter tapes may be made by Fisco from what I’ve heard, or at least the blades.

Otherwise, I used to prefer the older US made Lufkin tapes with the partially round case. Sadly Crescent off shored Lufkin.

 

[ChrisLS8]

Stanley fatmax 25'. The tape itself is better than any other brand imo, best standout and I literally use a tape all day every day at work.

I got sent a couple of the new Milwaukee tapes and I hated every single one of em. They feel cheap, they are too fat for my Occidental pouches, and the tape tears easy.

I also have a Dewalt toughtape and it's basically a fatmax with a more rugged case

 

[Ign]

Eh, no need to reinvent the wheel. If it works for you, it works.

I bought a Leverlok years ago but it didn't "lock" very well.

I've become incredibly picky on tapes but what I like others won't. The great irony is as a metalworker I can't stand magnetic tips, they just pick up tiny drops and abrasive dust and throw off your measurement

 

[Nineeightyone]

Komelon has been big for me, I got tired of getting bitten by cheap tape measures retracting unexpectedly and picked one up at the hardware store because they weren't expensive. Now our house has three or four of them, and they're great. The one I use most commonly also has a bunch of conversions and other information printed on the back, which is super convenient.

I also picked up a Kobalt tape measure that has metric on the back, which has come in handy now and again for automotive use -- weird things where several different (and close) diameters of rotor were used, for example.

I don't do extraordinarily precise work, some amateur woodworking primarily. But for the pricetag, I won't ever go back to HF tape measures. I'd love to find an auto-locking magnetic end tape measure to add to the collection however.

 

[Wamsutta]

I like the new Milwaukee Auto-Lock. Big numbers.

 

[DFB]

Harbor Freight free ones

Just kidding


Metal cased Stanley POWERLOCKS for me

I have 25, 30 and 35 footer in those

I personally don't much care for the FatMax (30ft) though I have one.

Also have a couple of Starrett tapes one metal clad and one Hi Viz orange nylon/plastic housing for all respects both are almost the same as Stanley leverlock/powerlocks

I DO like my Milwuakee 16ft mag end double sided tape, but that's it for them, I have a 25ft Milwaukee a "promo" its cheaper made than HF IMO

 

[16again]

16’ from my Home Depot days. Love them!
Would like to find the old steel case Stanley ones.
Started using plastics cases years ago and they are nothing like they were with the steel case.

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[PelicanPines]

The elastic ones are not accurate...

 

[superduty1]

I think a lot of this depends on what you are doing. If you are a framer you are gonna want a different tape than a finish Carpenter and different than a guy in a shop building cabinets or a guy who does metal fabrication.

Recently got some DeWalt ones at home depot.... I'm not impressed.

The old Craftsman ones were pretty good. I have a few nice lufkins. And i have a Milwaukee that works well when i do metal work as it has a magnetic end.

one thing I did notice is that most of the tape measures the hook moves about 1/8 inch so if you're measuring something where tip is being "compressed" you're going to be 1/8 inch shorter than if you hook it onto something. Those rivets holding the hook are never fully compressed to hold the end hook in place. I will add I've never used any of those fancy European tapes mentioned in the posts above.



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[ChrisLS8]

I think a lot of this depends on what you are doing. If you are a framer you are gonna want a different tape than a finish Carpenter and different than a guy in a shop building cabinets or a guy who does metal fabrication.

Recently got some DeWalt ones at home depot.... I'm not impressed.

The old Craftsman ones were pretty good. I have a few nice lufkins. And i have a Milwaukee that works well when i do metal work as it has a magnetic end.

one thing I did notice is that most of the tape measures the hook moves about 1/8 inch so if you're measuring something where tip is being "compressed" you're going to be 1/8 inch shorter than if you hook it onto something. Those rivets holding the hook are never fully compressed to hold the end hook in place. I will add I've never used any of those fancy European tapes mentioned in the posts above.



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They are designed like that. It wouldn't be a coincidence that every tape is exactly like that. The point of that is to take up the thickness of the hook itself

 

[jives]

Stanley 16' Powerlock with 1" wide tape. Hate those fat tapes, don't fit in my hand or bag. Don't need 25' when in the shop. On the other hand, the Powerlocks don't have a great standoff range, and are susceptible to twisting and crinks in the metal.

Have a ton of free HF measuring tapes scattered about and a Milwaukee, and recently had a Lufkin (broke). Always reach for the Powerlock first.

Oh, the first think I do is take of the belt clip. . .hate those things.

 

[mobiledynamics]

Well, re: the accuracy. If one is cutting. Just make sure you are cutting/marking with the same tape you are using on the callouts.

 

[matt_i]

My gold standard is the Stanley 25' powerlock. Framing, panels, trim, metalwork, figuring out what can fit in a 53' dry van trailer, it can do it all. Fits my pocket and hand, usually carry one at work on the back of my belt. From time to time its good to inspect the hook and make sure it didn't get bent from a fall, and bend it back if it did. That screws up your length when you are measuring inside and cutting outside, or switch from tape-to-tape.

They are still the greatest deal in measuring, less than $10 sometimes.

I'd like to try some of the Euro and Japanese versions though just for comparison.

 

[lardy1]

30+ years as carpenter/cabinetmaker/residential contractor. I'd hate to guess how many of those Stanley 25' Powerlocks I wore out. They were the standard in my day.

 

[ChrisLS8]

I have a bunch of keychain tapes too. Milwaukee, powerlock, fatmax, lufkin, komeleon, CM,

 

[4xdog]

For small tape measures I like the BMI brand from Germany...

...Komeleon for general rough use...

I have a BMI tape in my bicycle toolbox -- it's excellent.

I have one Komelon -- no more. It doesn't extend or retract smoothly. Luck of the draw, I'm sure, but there are so many other choices.

For something in the 10-foot/3-m range, I can highly recommend IKEA's FIXA inch/metric tape. i probably have a half dozen or more of them around here and they're surprisingly good for notalot of cash. Best buck and a half tape out there.

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/fixa-tape-measure-40237557/

 

[MushCreek]

I've had the best lock with the good old Stanley chrome jobs. They're the only ones that I haven't broken. I just bought a Milwaukee solely because I wanted a tape printed on both sides. It's OK, I guess. I got the magnetic tip, thinking it would be handy, but the added weight makes the tape twist easily when it's standing out. There's a handy finger brake underneath, but I haven't gotten used to it yet.

 

[bob15]

Probably have 6 or 8 of the old Starrett US-made tapes. Bought them for 4 or 5 dollars a piece, new at a couple swap meets (same vendor selling them....LOL). I don't believe they are made in the States anymore.

Not a fan of the fat max. The tape width is too wide for me. I found it to be a hindrance. Now the old 1980's Stanley Powerlock II was a very good tape measure.

 

[wtn1271]

I have become a fan of the Lever Lock tapes over the standard push button lock types. Craftsman used to sell a rebranded version and they would even warranty them.
I'm not a fan of the markings/graduations on some of the newer versions I have seen at HD recently. I don't need every 1/8 marked, I can read it all by myself, thank you. I have a newer Fatmax that has autolock feature controlled by the top button and it works pretty close to the LeverLocks, it also came with a removable magnetic tip that is handy sometimes.
I pick up good condition LeverLocks whenever I see them at yard sales and such. I also like to pick up old, real metal cased versions, especially if marked with advertising or promotional sayings. They are kinda like collecting match books but for tool folks!

 

[BK13]

My needs are a little specialized, as I need both inches (to roughly measure tree diameter) and decimal feet (engineers scale) for everything else. My employer furnishes me with 25 foot Lufkin tapes, so I always have a couple of spares riding around in the van with me. I like the ones with the rubber bumpers, because I tend to drop them on concrete and asphalt a bunch when trying to carry a prism rod, paint can, Schonstadt, survey maps, machete, and whatever else I need.

 

[mobiledynamics]

Wow. So many POV. Personally never been a fan of steel casings. Heavy, it dings, etc.

 

[redwrench60]

25’ Stanley Powerlock is the golden standard to me. I can’t stand tapes with magnets that attract metal shavings, readouts cluttered with fractional markings and other ********. Just give me an affordable, simple and quality tape that reads in feet and inches.

I do prefer the older Powerlock II tapes. They were slightly smaller size and feel just right. I snag them up when I see them at fleas and yard sales. The new ones are just fine as well.

 

[jg4660]

+1 on the Stanley 25' Fat Max.

 

[redwrench60]

I bought a Fatmax 25’ thinking I’d like it but just didn’t feel right in use and handling. It was too...don’t laugh....FAT. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a quality tape and has superior standout as well as familiar graduations but it’s just not what I’m used to.

 

[Ign]

Wow. So many POV. Personally never been a fan of steel casings. Heavy, it dings, etc.

Exactly, it's like asking what you look for in a woman....so many varied responses

Personally, can't stand 32nds - it just clutters the tape and if you can't eyeball split a 1/16" you won't be able to read 32nds anyhow.

Can't stand magnetic as I said

Can't stand Fatmax - too fat....but some will say the bigger the cushion the better the pushin'

Stanley graduations always feel "blurry" to me. Komelon feels crisper to my eye

Can't stand fractions on the tape - it just clutters the tape

The next guy will want a magnetic Fatmax with 32nds and fractions.....so great. I'm just glad there's choices on the market for all of us, just like women

 

[tarbellb]

Komelon Maggrip Pro

magnets, front/back callouts, winged tip, positive lock, tough.

I give the magnets a quick swipe before most measurements, honestly dont even think about it now. But yes, it can give inaccurate readings dirty.

Purchased a case of 24 off Ebay years ago, about $4/ea! Will likely use these till laser becomes the norm, ha.

(pictured is Engineer/IE model)

 

[Newt]

I always loved my Stanley Leverlocks (I had one 16' and two 12' I think). My boss got sick of me handing him those when he needed measurements (he said they were too flimsy) so he bought me a Milwaukee 48-22-7125. Magnetic tip, wire pocket clip, and the finger stop have all been surprisingly useful. Has been my new favorite tape since then. They don't make them anymore and the newer Milwaukee 25' tapes feel way cheaper...

 

[CJM8515]

stanley. i like the old style for smaller tapes and the 25ft fatmax for larger stuff. I also REALLY love their 6ft fatmax pocket tape.

 

[ChrisLS8]

Exactly, it's like asking what you look for in a woman....so many varied responses

Personally, can't stand 32nds - it just clutters the tape and if you can't eyeball split a 1/16" you won't be able to read 32nds anyhow.

Can't stand magnetic as I said

Can't stand Fatmax - too fat....but some will say the bigger the cushion the better the pushin'

Stanley graduations always feel "blurry" to me. Komelon feels crisper to my eye

Can't stand fractions on the tape - it just clutters the tape

The next guy will want a magnetic Fatmax with 32nds and fractions.....so great. I'm just glad there's choices on the market for all of us, just like women

Exactly. We call out our numbers in 1/8s and durability is key for me. If I tried the other brands like komeleon or kobalt etc I'd go broke replacing for ripped tapes and broken cases.

Standout is second for me and no one touches fatmax imo for that. I just dropped my tape off a 5 section high scaffold on a mezzanine and watched it bounce the whole way down. Went to get it and it's good as new minus a few scratches.

 

[csargents1546]

I like the Stanley lovelock. Have several around the house and in the shop.

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[1cargarage]

Stanley Powerlocks for small(er)(ish) jobs around the house & in the garage.
Stanley FatMax for big(ger)(ish) jobs around the house and in the wild

I flip flop between the two. FatMax tapes are obviously better for standout, but are significantly bulky. I have taken the belt clips off ~75% of all my tapes. If I'm using them, they're going to be within reach either on the bench, beside me, or at the saw/project. Never liked using the belt clips on any tape measures.

FatMax tapes go on sale regularly (BOGOs) and are tough to beat for the money.
Powerlocks are great for the money and haven't changed in decades which makes for no stupid gimmicky surprises.

The 10' mini powerlock with the diameter scale on the back is the cat's knees. That thing is tiny (~the size of a zippo) and super handy. I have ~5 scattered around the house, car, work.

 

[driftpin]

Flame me, I keep a HFT tape measure in my truck, it does what I need it to do, and it's there when I need it. I gave one to my wife for her car, same reason, 'there when you need it.' We aren't measuring anything critical like powerplant containment vessels, just window openings for shades, or some-such. Also handy for entering HDepot for some lumber. Not a tradesman, just maintaining several homes.

I have a couple elderly metal case Stanley and Craftsman tape measures, like old friends when you reach into your pouch and feel it there. I have some NOS domestic tape measures, just sitting in their drawer, I may never need to-use them. Some estate buyer may 'luck-out' in 25 years.

 

[Unruh]

I’m a fan of the fastCap brand tapes. I have about 5 different ones, but my favorite is the Left Handed one. They put the measurements on both sides of the tape. My Dad was a lefty and I was always said they should have the measurements on the other side.

 

[bonneyman]

Lufkin, 2200 series. Just something about it feels right. Fits the hand, plastic body with bumps and grooves where I like them, locking button is in the thumb location - right where it should be. They have fractional and decimal styles, as well as metric.
Toted one around the hardware store when I worked there. 12 footer was just perfect. And I keep accumulating them.

 

[alinc100]

I too like the FastCap versions. I just bought the "old standby" in 16' and 25' .They have a white rule which is easier for me to see in low light. I was using Tajima as they were white also but the offset where your finger goes is large and I was having issues when marking vertically on a wall, which is 90% of my layout chores. I wish I could explain it better.

 

[Merch1]

I, like some here use my tape measure all day long in fabrication. When I go looking for a new one, I take my tri square ruler with me to the store and compare the tapes to the ruler. I also don’t need anything longer than a 16 footer most of the time. Don’t need that big bulky thing in my back pocket. Cheap tape measures are junk.

 

[Lassen Forge]

Fatmax, with both Imperial & Metric. Has a dedicated spot in my toolbox, don't leave home without it!

 

[Larryjones]

For most of my work I like a 12ft Stanley Power Lock, metal case. I take the belt clip off and it slides in and out of my pocket. It just fits my hand and feels better than others.

 

[plinker]

The Komelon "gripper" model has done well for me, very durable.
https://www.menards.com/main/tools/hand-tools/measuring-layout-tools/tape-measures-rulers/komelon-reg-gripper-trade-25-tape-measure/sm5425/p-1444437090941-c-1549901401002.htm


I had bought a Craftsman gray plastic style tape that has a brake of sorts, I think it was cheap and I needed a tape or something, dont really remember. I like it well enough to buy another.

Also have a 35' or 40' Stanley powerlock, I only really use it when 25' aint enough. Have a couple other small size 10' Stanleys for light duty & home use.


I'm waiting for someone to make a tape measure with a tracking device of some form so I can find where they all congregate to in the middle of a project. The bonus would be the pencils and utility knives are likely in the same place.