New tape measure ?

[Jozmi]

Has anyone used either of these tapes? Wanted to get your thoughts on their quality. Thanks!

Tracer XL by Century Drill and Tool

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005H3ACS0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

or

FasCap PS25

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00066YAQI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[BHH]

I have come to learn that tape measurers are a disposable tool. That said spending no more than 10-15 bucks on a half decent one to get you a few months of heavy use is all you should really be looking to get out of it.

 

[cashishift]

I bought my dad a Klein with the magnets on the end, it's pretty handy.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002AIBHUW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[twincam00]

the good 'ol stanley powerlocks with the metal case have always served me well

 

[FJ 432]

I have come to learn that tape measurers are a disposable tool. That said spending no more than 10-15 bucks on a half decent one to get you a few months of heavy use is all you should really be looking to get out of it.

X2. This is a tool that's better purchased in quantity vs. quality.

 

[tarbellb]

What are you doing with it mainly?

The "tracer" seems very gimmicky? I have used the Fascap a lot, used to work for a european kitchen company that uses only metric. Fascap makes a decent metric tape but i wouldnt buy it again.

Tough beat the **** out of it- Stanely Fat Max

Metal work- Komelon Maggrip (so awesome!)

Cheapo- get the cheapest you can

 

[oldwino]

the good 'ol stanley powerlocks with the metal case have always served me well

couldn't agree more! a real quality tool.

Had a carpenter working for me that broke his tape...as I was headed out for supplies I told him I'd pick up a new tape for him..."do you want a 25 or 30' tape? After a few minutes thought he said, "better get me the 25'...I don't want to walk the other 5'

 

[Vvmvbb]

I bought this Lufkin for my desk drawer at work since I wanted inch/metric and it looks and feels really nice. So I'll try a Lufkin next time I buy a big one:
http://www.amazon.com/Lufkin-Inch-Meters-Power-Tape/dp/B000TDKEOK/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_T1?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2XF3TPHAOLYTT&colid=UOLA020AGPTG

 

[Outlawmws]

the good 'ol stanley powerlocks with the metal case have always served me well

Unfortunately I think those are a thing of the past, along with replacement tapes, for them. They have forced it to become a disposable tool...

 

[PowerGenGuy]

CT up here has sales all the time on Lufkin classics. I must have about a half dozen tapes around, in the shop, in the truck, in the tool box, in the other toolbox, in the shed and one up on the fridge! You can never have to many, but try finding it when you need it!

 

[Steevo]

I have become a fan of the current Kobalt Power Blade and Stainless Steel wide blade tape measures. Very sturdy, stiff for vertical work, magnets for inside/outside measurement on steel, etc., plus far cheaper than the "name brands".

 

[allinon72]

Broke a cheap Lufkin, so I bought a Powerlock even though I was disappointed that the cases are now plastic instead of metal. FatMax at work seems to be the only decent tape measure, and it should be for $25+

 

[weadjust]

I have been using the same Stanley Max Steel daily for the last 12-15 years. I have picked up a few of the Harbor Freight free tapes that are spares left in the truck tool box. Not a bad tape for free. Like that the free ones have 1/8" increments labeled on the tape.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

I carry a Starrett on my hardhat, and have US Tape, Stanley, Craftsman and a couple of Lufkins in the gangbox. The Ace Craftsmans have become my absolute favorites for overall value.

 

[Adrien]

Stanley fat max myself.

Adrien

 

[gatewaysysop]

I use some NOS Starrett measuring tapes that I bought off eBay for cheap. Couldn't find any modern ones that I really liked, but maybe I'm too picky!

 

[plinker]

I like the Komealon "gripper" tape. I've probably got 5-6 of them floating around in various boxes.

Menards has them on sale often for around 3.50ish and they are rubber griped and are pretty durable (as long as they dont find a spinning blade).

 

[Jozmi]

Thanks for the info!
I use a tape for various applications, so anything too specialized wouldn't work for me. I guess that rules out the tracer.
Also from everyone's input, Im just going to stay away from the overpriced gimmicks.

 

[carbon]

I've got a FastCap Flatback metric/inch tape measure. No good for extending (it's limp), but since it's flat, it's great for layout.

 

[SMKS]

Harry Epstein recently released 100% USA made tape measures, and they're affordable. I don't think you'll be able to find any USA made tape anymore, or at least find one that is close to this price. I posted a review a couple months ago. The tape has held up well for me, but I haven't put it through a lot of abuse.

Tape measure review.

12' tapes are $8.15

25' tapes are $11.45.

 

[toolmaker1]

I've got a FastCap Flatback metric/inch tape measure. No good for extending (it's limp), but since it's flat, it's great for layout.

little bit of ****** will fix the "limp"

 

[Rust]

Stanley Fat Max...hands down the best tape measure you can buy.
11'-12' stand out before it kinks.
That comes in really, really handy.

 

[Monte]

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/iL3BfYOgCTs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[oldtools]

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/iL3BfYOgCTs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Can you potentially get cut by that tape measure?

 

[Monte]

Can you potentially get cut by that tape measure?

I´ve not yet tried to cut myself

 

[tarbellb]

Monte,
first, i really enjoy your post that show euro spec stuff. its awesome to see what else is out there. coming from a product design background i can appreciate all the great design out there, regardless of country or origin. so keep it up.

two, how much does that tape sell for?

 

[Monte]

the list price is 4,95 € + tax. I´ve not yet seen it in the US but they have a distributor in Canada maybe they already have the "BMImeter" tape measure.

www.bmicanada.ca

www.bmi-quicky.de

www.bmi.de

 

[tkonetzke]

I wouldn't recommend the komelon gripper, seemed decent for the price but after a month I couldn't read anything under 24 inches the lock dragged and wore all the markings off. So I purchased a snap on 12a footer for the smaller stuff. 20 or so dollars with a lifetime warranty. Only thing I don't like is the self lock with push button to extend or retract. But I can deal with it

 

[kippieland]

Can anyone recommend a MM tape? I had a nice Craftsman for years that had both MM and Inches but the wife left it out in the rain and it rusted shut. All I can find is a CM and Inches....I can convert CM to MM easily but I would rather find one that I don't have to convert. Thanks!

 

[Old Donn]

I have come to learn that tape measurers are a disposable tool. That said spending no more than 10-15 bucks on a half decent one to get you a few months of heavy use is all you should really be looking to get out of it.

BAM!

 

[carbon]

Can anyone recommend a MM tape?

FastCap makes one. See my previous post above and browse their site for a regular (stiff) one.

 

[sk farmer]

those are made for harry by ustape. i think they also badge it for themselves. be wary though as i believe they also import a good number of thier tapes as well.

 

[matthew]

I'm a big fan of this Stanley. It's a smaller one with a metal case, and is graduated in both fractional and decimal inches. It might not be ideal for all applications, as a larger / stiffer tape does have its place, but for general use I love the smaller size and decimal inches scale, particularly since most of the time I'm working in decimal inches and am dealing with stuff that's inches or perhaps just a few feet long.

 

[R6 Racer]

I bought the older version of this Mastercraft one over 30 years ago. Mastercraft is a Canadian Tire brand name & it comes with a lifetime guarantee. In that time I have broken 4 or 5 of them, each time I just take it back to the store & get it replaced no charge. One I dropped off a 11th story balcony, one fell in a well & was there for 3 months before I got it out, another the return spring broke & at least 2 were due to a broken tape. For the most part the breakage has been my fault, either threw accidents or abuse, buy still my fault. Its a good tape, I can reach out about 8' with it before it bends/flops over, the numbers are big & well marked.
From what I see, all tapes break eventually, so why not get one with a fantastic guarantee.

Steve

 

[gatewaysysop]

Can anyone recommend a MM tape? I had a nice Craftsman for years that had both MM and Inches but the wife left it out in the rain and it rusted shut. All I can find is a CM and Inches....I can convert CM to MM easily but I would rather find one that I don't have to convert. Thanks!

Look at the NOS Starrett tapes on eBay. One of the four I bought was a metric/inch combination, had both. Very nice, I love mine.

 

[Monte]

 

[Biomed]

Starrett magnesium:

Only $14.95 and they were even available at Wal-Mart. Not sure why anyone would need a magnesium case but it is different.

 

[Orangestang]

I prefer the Stanley fat max, doing sheet metal for a living you find out why a fat max works better for my app. Usually I'm standing a ladder trying to measure/layout for hangers and such and the standout is better with a fat max even with a little wind.Nothing gets me pissed off trying to measure something in an open building 30 stories up with wind,you just wanna launch that cheap tape right out the window! It also depends on what its used/line of work is.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I've got a twelve foot Stanley on my belt right now. Model 33-312, metal case.