Small tape measures?

[expatriated]

We are selling our house and buying a new house. Both of which need some remodeling. Anyway, I find myself constantly needing to measure things, most of which are short (under 6'). I don't want to carry a big regular tape on my belt, I'd like something like the old Zippo tape measures to keep in my pocket. Zippo doesn't make one any more like they used to and, while I might pick one up at a flea market or antique store, I'm interested in knowing what you guys think.

Anyone carry a small tape measure or could recommend one?

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I bought a 3pc Stanley set that came with a 3' tape. I don't know how well it would hold up to extensive use, but it's been really handy to have around the house. I keep it in the toolbox in my gun room, but find myself using it a lot to hang pictures and other **** for the wife.

 

[Thegratenate]

I carry a 3/4 inch wide tape that is 12 ft long, it fits in my pocket or clips on. It's a tradeoff but I can carry it all the time.

 

[jmm]

I have two you might like, especially considering your avatar. The machines I used to work on were all German, and the manufacturer sold us specialty tools too. Whenever we'd get in a really big order they'd throw in some freebies (pocket screwdrivers, tape measures, allen wrench packs, etc). I have both of these. They're both a little larger than what you're after, but they're really neat. The box one is about the size of a cigarette pack.

 

[Brian8]

I would go this route. It is small at 12 feet but still has the rigidity at 1/2" wide.

http://t.harborfreight.com/12-ft-x-12-uikfind-tape-measure-69097-8996.html


Also have this one but I'm not a fan of it.

http://t.harborfreight.com/10-ft-carabiner-tape-measure-65999.html

 

[larry_g]

There are a bunch of 1/2" wide 6-12' tapes available and Lufkin has some 1/4" tapes they call pocket tapes, easily carriable in a pocket. Look them up at the home depot. Me I have a 12' x 1/2" tape from Stanley that is my easy carry tape for doing the things that you are doing.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Buster21]

I love my Stanley Fat Max 6 ft. pocket tape from the Home depot. I use it all the time. I think it was around $4.00. The blade stays ridged for about 4 feet.

 

[CNGsaves]

+1 for a Stanley 12 ft small belt-clip tape measure. I've got two . . . one I keep in pickup, and other in house.

Your call whether you need the wide tape or normal. Good luck with house.

 

[2oolhound]

I have both of these. They're both a little larger than what you're after, but they're really neat. The box one is about the size of a cigarette pack.

Friggin Awesome!

 

[BFHtime]

I picked up a fat max 12' at a Sears outlet for cheap. They had US made Allen wrench sets for cheap too. I could not resist the prices. That was a few months back, so I don't remember the prices.

 

[Danglerb]

2154 looks like the base number Hazet uses for tape measures, the -2 is 14 E on amazon UK, but I didn't look around too much on prices, its a stock item though.'

What seem really cool is that that window with the red line shows the inside measurement, includes the length of the tape measure body.

Being the cheap person I am I looked on ebay using keywords, keychain tape measure, for a few thousand hits starting at about a buck shipped.

The cheapos look like items made to have a promotional label stuck on them and given away free at trade shows etc. The start at a buck shipped, and looks like same thing up to about $3 shipped, mostly 1M, then 2M and larger start to show up. Stanley has a fatmaxx 1/2 3M for about $7 that looks pretty good.

After thinking about it though, I have 4 or 5 of the free HF tapes around, not a real need for a pocket tape.

 

[Justanoldguy]

I have a small 12ft/3.5m tape measure in my pocket most of the time.
It's a cheapy one but does the job well enough.
Good for taking to swapmeets etc...

 

[expatriated]

Friggin Awesome!

No doubt

They still make those Hazets?

 

[DWise]

I have two that are pocket size, a Task Force 1/4 X 5 ft and a no name that is SAE, metric dual marked 1 meter. I prefer the dual marked.

 

[volleyball]

I have a stanley 10' that is about 2.5" square and 3/8" wide. The tape doesn't stand up on its own but most time I don't need it to. It easily sits next to my keys in my pocket.

 

[Davefr]

I know exactly what you mean. When you go shopping it's nice to take along a small thin tape measure that doesn't engulf your pocket.

It looks like Stanley still makes one:

...and Lufkin:

The old Stanleys 30-040 was a perfect small pocket size tape measure:

 

[volleyball]

My stanley looks similar but no power lock

 

[mooman]

My father was a carpenter all his life and rarely carried a large 25' tape. They were just too heavy and bulky.
He always carried a 12' Lufkin like the one in the picture.

 

[Nortonscustom]

I carry a Lufkin PeeWee in my shirt pocket everyday at work. Comes in really handy. Have one for home use too. Take it with every time I go to Menards and such.

http://www.lufkintool.com/product/dsp_product_detail.cfm?hier=63&pf=465&upc=037103458575

 

[Monte]

i have this small 1 meter Stanley keychain tape:

 

[-Brent-]

I'm still a fan of the Lufkins. It's all I use.

Those Hazets are sharp. I'm scared that could mean I'm becoming a Hazet snob. Their stuff has a really neat Euro-industrial feel.

 

[ricleh]

The square Hazet with the window looks like it is made by BMI. Possibly the other one too.

 

[mhoss44]

Here's a couple of antiques. These were well used when I was a kid in the 60s. My Grandfather's. One on the right is a Lufkin, the left I don't know.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[gtermini]

Oh man, this thread reminded me of my favorite ever Zippo tape measure I left sitting on the valve of someones acetylene tank during a small cut job and never saw again. Damnit I want that thing back.

Greyson

 

[Bighead38]

I love my Stanley Fat Max 6 ft. pocket tape from the Home depot. I use it all the time. I think it was around $4.00. The blade stays ridged for about 4 feet.

This is what I came here to reccomend.

 

[Exceller8]

This is what I came here to reccomend.

Yep, me too! I bought one and liked it so much that I bought a couple more of them.

 

[Wanna Ride]

My favorite tape measure. I actually have about 6 or 8 of these 12' tapes scattered around the garage. One in the door pocket of each of my vehicles, and one in each of my desks at work and at home. Also have several of them in other sizes too. Best tapes I've ever owned, at any price. And... they're inexpensive!

 

[RedRabbit]

I agree with a small pocket one. I have the Stanley and it's decent, no complaints other than the inevitable size problem with large hands.

 

[jmm]

The square Hazet with the window looks like it is made by BMI. Possibly the other one too.

They are. As far as I know, the little round one is no longer in production (with a Hazet stamp, that is), but the rectangular box is still made. I keep the Hazet I have at work and wanted a new one; Ash (German Hand Tools) got me another BMI a little over a year ago. Here's his website:

http://german-hand-tools.com/BMI-Tape-measures.html

 

[Honda 1]

I have the Fat Max 6ft. tape measure. It is compact,yet easy to read. A very handy tool !

 

[markbugno]

I'm all about the small pocket tapes. Those 1/4" wide zippos are a dime a dozen on eBay. I don't care as much for a 1/4" wide tape cause they are too flimsy. Best pocket tape is a 1/2" wide VINTAGE lufkin mezurall (926 or 928). Teeny tiny and accurate. Replacement blades are readily available too.

 

[Indexmill]

OP, there are all sorts of Zippos on Ebay, both new and used.

 

[kctyphoon]

I love my Stanley Fat Max 6 ft. pocket tape from the Home depot. I use it all the time. I think it was around $4.00. The blade stays ridged for about 4 feet.

beat me to it..