Interesting, Stanley's written listings on Amazon and elsewhere say, "
Cast-metal case of the retractable tape measure is durable and suitable for heavy-duty use". However, the stock listing images provided by Stanley identify it as having a
chrome plated ABS plastic case. It looks like they might need to fix some errors in their own marketing materials, or else the way that particular tape is made has changed over time. I always assumed the chrome cased 3/4" blade tapes were all made out of chrome plated ABS plastic, just like my 25' long 33-425 tapes.
The only small sized Stanley tape I have is a 10' long 33-231, but it's a 1/2" wide blade tape instead of 3/4". I like it because it has inches along one edge and metric along the other edge of the blade. I keep it in my general purpose portable tool pouch, and I also toss it in my pocket and take it with me to garage sales, thrift stores, etc. I never know when I might need to take a metric measurement these days. It does have a cast-metal case.
33-231 is a 10' cast-metal case tape with both inch and metric scales.
33-215 is a 12' cast-metal case tape with both inch and metric scales.
33-272 is a 12' cast-metal case tape that has engineer's scale markings.
33-115 is a 10' chrome plated ABS plastic case tape with diameter scale markings.
If your 3/4" blade 33-312 tape does have a cast-metal case, you are right, it appears that's the only cast-metal 3/4" wide blade tape measure Stanley currently sells. I might pick one up myself, because all my 12' or shorter tape measures have 1/2" blades, and my longer tapes have 1" or wider blades. It would be nice to have at least one tape with a 3/4" blade. Not too heavy, but I'm still able to extend the tape a decent distance horizontally before it bends and falls.
