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New tape measure

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guitarbutt

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I want a 16' imperial tape measure with a clip, much like the Stanley Power lock. I'm not going to buy one that isn't made in America (or made in America with global parts). In lieu of buying a new old stock Stanley, has anyone bought a 16' tape measure in recent months? I'd like one made in America, Europe, or Canada. It will be used for woodworking.
 
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nadogail

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A few years ago a product demonstrator at the entrance to my local Home Depot gave my buddy and I brand new Milwaukee 16' tapes. We thanked him and went into the store for what we made the trip for.

My favorite tape is my Stanley Fat Max.
 
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gatewaysysop

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dnschmidt said:
The nicest tapes I've used are made in England by Fisco but they are really hard to come by. Komelin, made in Korea are very good but since that's not America, Europe or Canada you're probably not interested. That sated, Komelin are really good for the money.
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:+1: This. You can sometimes find them on Amazon.
 
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redwrench60

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A 16’ Stanley FatMax is about your best choice in keeping with your criteria. It has big well contrasting markings, is graduated in simple feet, inches and 16ths, is made in USA with global materials, and has a pocket clip. It’s also fundamentally like a PowerLock and is a high quality, tough tape with good blade standout. Commonly available at Home Depot, And Ace hardware.
 
OP
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guitarbutt

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I see it's a difficult task to find one that's not made with global materials. The Fisco is intriguing, but it is definitely not easy to find
 
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richfinn

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dnschmidt said:
The nicest tapes I've used are made in England by Fisco but they are really hard to come by. Komelin, made in Korea are very good but since that's not America, Europe or Canada you're probably not interested. That sated, Komelin are really good for the money.
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I use a Fisco (the type with a window on top for inside measurements), nice tapes 👍
 
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Kscardsfan

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I use Fat Max for all my tape measures. So does every other working carpenter, electrician and plumber in my area. The standout alone is worth having them in my eyes.
 
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whateg01

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I doubt they are made in USA but some of my favorite tape measures are the master force from Menards. Good stick out. Easy to read. Markings on front and back. Can't find coo so that's why I'm pretty sure they aren't made in usa
 
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PoorUB

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Fatmax. I have two of them that are about twenty years old. I used them daily when I did HVAC work, often as filter pullers. I cut, threaded and installed a fair amount of gas pipe too. Like the one post, they are very rigid and will stand out on there own well when you want to measure something you can not reach.
 
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AEAdam

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In my wood shop I carry/use the old chrome Stanley, not the lever lock. Hate that one. FATMAX is too bulky and the stick out isn’t required for shop work. It’s really a carpenters tape.

Ironically, for carpentry which I do a lot of, I carry a 16’ Komelon. Again, a little slimmer than the FATMAX and I like the komelons end better. Also vertical back marking, which I’m not sure the FATMAX has.
 
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Jeff

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Basically the item is just assembled in the US.

Here's a cool thread on GJ explaining all this legalese.

"Made in USA with Global Materials": Where it's Actually Made.

For quite some time now Stanley- Black & Decker has used "Made in USA with Global Materials" on some of their products, but what does that actually mean? Are parts of the products made else where and just screwed together here? Or are some products or parts of products made here? The purpose of...
www.garagejournal.com www.garagejournal.com
 
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Beerhippie

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I'm going to stick my neck here, but I really dislike the FatMax tapes. I have them in 30' and 16'. Both are too heavy and too stiff. Yes, too stiff. If you're trying to hook the end on something that isn't perfectly flat, the end pops off. I really don't have much need for a tape with 11' of standout.

Unfortunately, I haven't found a tape in I really liked in years. I was a Lufkin user for a long time, but they aren't what they used to be.

What I hate more than anything in a tape is dual-metric-imperial. Whichever side you're trying to use is the wrong one.
 
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Toold_up

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neophyte said:
This type of “tape measure” is used for tailoring and seamstress work.
I presume you might already know this, but I never know.
There is actually a German manufacturer that supplies certified, individually serially numbered versions, made toEuropean Class II accuracy specs.
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Yeah, I was making a joke
 
F

FigN⋅m

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neophyte said:
This type of “tape measure” is used for tailoring and seamstress work.
I presume you might already know this, but I never know.
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We use these types everyday (without the little metal ferrule thing) at the shop for measuring roof racks etc.
so that we don't scratch the heck out of the paint that is way more likely with a typical retracting version.
 
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AEAdam

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Beerhippie said:
I'm going to stick my neck here, but I really dislike the FatMax tapes. I have them in 30' and 16'. Both are too heavy and too stiff. Yes, too stiff. If you're trying to hook the end on something that isn't perfectly flat, the end pops off. I really don't have much need for a tape with 11' of standout.

Unfortunately, I haven't found a tape in I really liked in years. I was a Lufkin user for a long time, but they aren't what they used to be.

What I hate more than anything in a tape is dual-metric-imperial. Whichever side you're trying to use is the wrong one.
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Agree. I usually try to stick to USA, but I recommend Komelon or Tajima tapes.
 
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KnurledNut

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Steve_P said:
Look at US Tape. Harry Epstein should carry them as I've purchased a few from them in the past.
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Unfortunately, US Tape is now also made with global components, even the classic series as pictured that the government sources.
I have one and its quite uninspiring, almost primitive compared to modern options. I consider it light duty compared to the comparable Stanley.
 
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Steve_P

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guitarbutt said:
Any specifics about the Tajima? I'd consider a Japanese tape
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Project Farm did a test on tape measures. IIRC, the Stanley was one of the best. I have multiple Stanleys and a few US Tape and actually prefer the dreaded Stanley. The Komelon didn't do too well in the PF test IIRC.
 
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redwrench60

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I’m picky about tapes, and I don’t like change. If I get used to a tape I want it commonly available and not too expensive. In the end tapes are a wear item subject to loss, breakage, and theft so I don’t want to fall in love with an expensive or discontinued hard to find tape.

A 16’ or 25’ FatMax for most things and a 12’ PowerLock for bench work or fab.
 
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LopezBart

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I bought a Milwaukee tape w/ a magnet end since I'm putting up a metal building; the magnet works ok, but the tape is stiff enough to pop it loose.
 
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GeoBruin

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LopezBart said:
I bought a Milwaukee tape w/ a magnet end since I'm putting up a metal building; the magnet works ok, but the tape is stiff enough to pop it loose.
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I wasn't going to say anything because it's probably not "cool" but I'm loving my milwaukee tapes. The magnet is really useful for the work I do, the shape of the little hook/catch on the end that allows you to hook it on to the side, top, and bottom is incredibly useful, the hole in the bottom so you can slow or stop the tape without smashing your finger is genius, and the wire clip is a dream. I love wire clips on knives and it's even better on a tape because it's going in and out of my pocket like 1000 times during a project. I've totally extended the life of my jeans by switching to a wire clip. Also, having the numbers printed on the bottom of the tape is something I didn't know I needed until I had it.

If you like the fatmax, the Milwaukee "wide" version is similar, or if you prefer a little simmer but still stiffer than a powerlock, the standard one is what you're looking for.

No idea where it's made it it's probably not in the USA.
 
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MovingAlong

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No discussion of accuracy in a tape measure thread? :dunno:

Starrett has NIST certified... available through McMaster-Carr.

Obviously, different tasks call for different levels of repeatable accuracy. Sticking with one tape at a time in the shop also renders this concern fairly moot. But some of my work has to match with others and I find myself working in two different shops occasionally. Maybe close enough really is close enough...

The luxury of being behind a keyboard and not on a job site, plenty of time to overthink things. :ROFLMAO:
 
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Johnny_opm

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Honestly I hate the Stanley fat max and the powerlock, they both ****. They just happen to be the best I've ever tried so it's all I use. Not sure why something so simple has to have a million cheap options and not 1 is good.

If you find a tape made in the USA, let me know please. I'm pretty sure tapes these days are just like files, nobody makes em here anymore.
 
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neophyte

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Johnny_opm said:
Honestly I hate the Stanley fat max and the powerlock, they both ****. They just happen to be the best I've ever tried so it's all I use. Not sure why something so simple has to have a million cheap options and not 1 is good.

If you find a tape made in the USA, let me know please. I'm pretty sure tapes these days are just like files, nobody makes em here anymore.
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There are almost certainly Tape Measures that are made in the USA.
With Stanley, they got fined millions of dollars years ago for COO regulations.
If Stanley needs to use imported steel, or an imported screw, or an imported lacquer for coated the tape measures, Stanley will probably put a “global materials” label on the item.
 
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Beerhippie

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MovingAlong said:
No discussion of accuracy in a tape measure thread? :dunno:

Starrett has NIST certified... available through McMaster-Carr.

Obviously, different tasks call for different levels of repeatable accuracy. Sticking with one tape at a time in the shop also renders this concern fairly moot. But some of my work has to match with others and I find myself working in two different shops occasionally. Maybe close enough really is close enough...

The luxury of being behind a keyboard and not on a job site, plenty of time to overthink things. :ROFLMAO:
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Really? You use a tape measure for things that require NIST degree of accuracy?

To me, tapes are for wood--mostly framing wood, and projects where 1/16" graduations are close enough.

I still recall fitting gable-end studs in an open ceiling frame, built-in-place. My boss was measuring and installing. He tossed one piece back to me and said "Take a little less than a 32th off". I'm using a Skilsaw on sawhorses. I looked back at him and tossed the piece back up and told him "My measuring tape is marked to 1/16ths and I can cut to 1/32ths--knock it into place--it's the last piece in the stack."

We actually got along just fine.
 
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