dalehsc
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Does anybody have a tape with measurements on both sides? Just a gimmick or are they worthwhile?
Quality Tape Measure?
- Thread starter Handyandy23
- Start date
At the risk of offending the Milwaukee fanboys here..talk about gimmicks. Guess it depends on your usage, but that hole in the bottom of the Stud tape would probably cause more problems than it would help solve on a job site. Seems like a great place for dirt, water or sawdust to get sucked into the tape. Maybe the extra protrusion help in holding it, but more places to hang up in getting in and out of a pouch. But it can survive an 80 ft drop.
I will give them props on their marketing though. 
YMMV. And FWIW I own a few Milwaukee power tools..corded and cordless.
I will give them props on their marketing though. YMMV. And FWIW I own a few Milwaukee power tools..corded and cordless.
OP
Handyandy23
Well-known member
The one I ended up buying has measurements on both sides. I find it handy for certain tasks, like measuring ceilings for drywall. The "stand out" strength is only in one direction, so you can't just flip the tape over.
Dumber than lumber
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2015
- Messages
- 1,875
I have a couple of Komeron (sp?). Like them both so far. Good visibility. Nice fit in hand. Solid mechanism.
Bodycount_NJ
Active member
Stanley has a superior warranty.
I picked up a 25’ Kobalt at Lowe’s a while back. I like it for clean work. Numbers on both sides. Magnet tip is great if needed otherwise can be a nuisance.
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
I picked up a 25’ Kobalt at Lowe’s a while back. I like it for clean work. Numbers on both sides. Magnet tip is great if needed otherwise can be a nuisance.
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
BMI makes the best I've used. Everything else we've bought over time (Fatmax, Stabila, etc.) has gone into the loaner/disposable pile.
One of theirs is unconventional but quickly became a go-to for short lengths or anything that requires marking holes to drill: "Pico." It has a removable 1m long metal tape, and a level vial on the reel. You can clip the tape to the level from the back, making tasks such as marking holes to hang something go much faster. If it had inch as well as metric markings it would be perfect for most household uses. For longer runs I usually use the laser.
https://www.bmi.de/de/produkte-taschenbandmasse-426-pico.php
One of theirs is unconventional but quickly became a go-to for short lengths or anything that requires marking holes to drill: "Pico." It has a removable 1m long metal tape, and a level vial on the reel. You can clip the tape to the level from the back, making tasks such as marking holes to hang something go much faster. If it had inch as well as metric markings it would be perfect for most household uses. For longer runs I usually use the laser.
https://www.bmi.de/de/produkte-taschenbandmasse-426-pico.php
MarvinBerry
Well-known member
Totally useful. Especially when it's pulled 19 or 22 feet twists & rolls over. I also dig the magnet ends as pickup tools for dropped nails & screws.
I have a komelon in my main rou d the house kit. Wally world used to sell em...
Have a few of the basic $10 Milwaukee's scattered about. Totally fine. Once in a while depot puts a 2 pack on sale. Best time to get em.
Somewhere I have, or at least had, a Lufkin with the SAE & metric combo markings. I also find it hard to read & never used it. Pretty sure I gave that one away.
TheLawnRanger
Well-known member
I like Stanley. They want to help you do things right.
If it's sold at Home Depot it's 100% made in China ****, nothing sold at HD is anything close to quality as a positive. If you want **** go to HD.
OP
Handyandy23
Well-known member
HD stocks a handful of Made in USA FatMax tape measures. And a lot of the Chinese tape measures are at least equal in quality to those as well.TheLawnRanger
Well-known member
If it's not Scottish, it's ****.
Farmall450
Well-known member
Well, unless you're framing a wall etc for imperial fixtures. Makes sense that if you can't handle a non-ten base, that it is easier to use metric for trim or whatever you might be doing. Do the metric tapes have bigger markers where 16 inches would be?
OP
Handyandy23
Well-known member
The only tapes I have in metric, or that can even be bought locally at Home Depot, have both metric and imperial on the tape. So metric on half and inches on the other half.
I find it to be a PITA because if I'm measuring material I have to sometimes flip the tape and measure from the opposite side so the line I'm looking for is on the correct side. That's why my new tape I ended up going inches only, and marked on front and back. No more messing around.
The only metric-only tapes I've seen are usually European based. Like you can get metric only Starrett on Amazon, but I haven't pulled the trigger on one yet since I just seldom measure material in metric. For most measuring, I have a Bosch laser.
seber
Well-known member
You just have to choose whether you want standout or damage resistance. Better standout comes by increasing the depth of cupping. That also increases the chance of breakage when the tape is bent backward. Otherwise there really isn't much difference in any of them once you decide on what locking method you prefer. I'm still babying my old Stanleys. The oldest one was given to me by my father in 1961 but it has lost a lot of spring. I have to push it back in the last foot.
I must have had a bad day yesterday.
csp
Well-known member
Being left handed I use the Fastcap Righty/Lefty tape. It's only 16', but I find it is long enough for 90% of my tape measure needs.
It has saved me many times from being on the wrong side of the full inch or 1/2" line.
Lassen Forge
Well-known member
Going back to the OP, I also have both a 16' fatmax in my toolbelt, and 25' fatmax that's my go to in my box... I have others that are thinner, more flexible, dedicated metric, etc... For distances and laying out things, however, I like my Lufkin Roll-ups... Cloth tapes, I have a pair of 100' ones (one in feet and inches, one in tenths of a foot) and a 50M metric one... I also have a 50 foot metal one that has to be 75+ years old...
bmwpowere36m3
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 8, 2012
- Messages
- 1,125
For years I used Komelon tapes, autolock, bright color easy to find, compact/fits hand well and cheap. I wanted to try a new tape, and the Milwaukee wide blade seemed to fit the bill. Longer standout, easier to read (wider blade), double hook and finger brake slot. Well, it lasted all of a few days before the clear protective coating on the first 6" completely came off.
Frustrated, I didn't even want to try another Milwaukee. Returned it to HD, picked up a Stanley FatMax and have been happy since. It had similar features to the Milwaukee, no finger brake slot, however the action of the tape was silky smooth!
Frustrated, I didn't even want to try another Milwaukee. Returned it to HD, picked up a Stanley FatMax and have been happy since. It had similar features to the Milwaukee, no finger brake slot, however the action of the tape was silky smooth!