Tape measures

[CraigStu]

I have 4-5 of them and they are all ****. 20 yrs ago I switched to the type that you can pull out and it will stay where ever you stop pulling. The button lets it rewind. Had a great one, a Stanley that actually wore out the steel tape. Well wore all the #s off. Got a new Stanley a couple years ago worked well for a while and then got to where it couldn't lock the tape against the rewind spring well enough. the least bit of pressure on the release and wham here it comes rewinding. And the lever is on the bottom of the housing so if you set the tape down, wham. Looked at Lowes and saw a komelon brand which has the rewind button at the front top so at least when you set it down it doesn't auto rewind. But the spring is so weak it doesn't rewind well when you want it to. I took it apart and put 4 extra wraps on the tape thinking that would strengthen the rewind. maybe a bit. So took it apart again and put 6 more wraps on the thing. Now it is kind of OK but definitely not great. At $20-$30 each this isn't killing me but I'd gladly pay $40 for a good one. I might even switch back to the type you have to lock w/ a slide button and slide the other way to rewind if it works 100%. Do you have any suggestions?

 

[isb cornbinder]

My Dad gave me my first tape-measure. That was when I started in trade school in 1964. I still have that LUFKIN. I have about 20 old tape measures. Some of the tapes are in the house and my son took a few for his at work toolbox. Dad gave me the 48 inch LUFKIN lay-out straight edge/ruler. I have had it sine 1966.The back side of this lay-out ruler has a hundred lay-out tips for correct sizing for different containers, fittings and funnels.
I have stored the Lufkin ruler in the back of my sheetmetal brake for decades. I sold the brake and soon after I was worried that the ruler had gone with the brake. I called the buyer and while I was on the phone there was a knock on the shop door. It was the buyer with my ruler. I offered him $50 for his honesty and he refused.
SUGGESTION: I have no problem suggesting STARRETT. I have a few Starrett tapes and they never disappoint.
If you get one of the wide tapes there is room for SAE and metric. Metric is the easier way to measure.

 

[manwithtools]

Go to Home Depot and try out the Milwaukee tape measures. I was a Stanley guy for decades, but like everything Stanly B&D touches they have gone down hill. I really like the Milwaukee units, particularly the compact versions.

 

[Imatk]

I have Milwaukee now as well. Went through a few Stanleys and decided to switch and they have been great.

 

[ycgoat]

I recently got a few Milwaukee's but they collapse when trying to measure across a distance, other than that they have worked well so far.

 

[bdbecker]

FastCap makes a great tape measure. It's the only brand I'll buy moving forward.

Pro Carpenter Tape Measures

FastCap tape measures come in innovative blade styles with 7 innovative features: Lever action belt clip, Pencil sharpener, Dual locking system, Erasable notepad, Heavy-duty 1-inch blade, High-contrast tape & Rugged compact design.

www.fastcap.com

I see they make a 16' auto lock now:

ProCarpenter Auto Lock Tape Measure – Fast & Convenient | FastCap

FastCap ProCarpenter Auto Lock tape measure features auto-lock so the blade stays extended until you press the release. Includes all the ProCarpenter innovations plus ergonomic design. Available in multiple blade styles.

www.fastcap.com

 

[designer485]

I have been using a version of this Komelon tape measure at work (I use the U-Line branded one) for the last 15 or so years. I like not having to deal with a lock, you pull it out and it stays put. Push the button to retract. I use the 12ft and 16ft most often but have a few of the 25ft tapes also. Reasonably priced too.

 

[rlitman]

Go to Home Depot and try out the Milwaukee tape measures. I was a Stanley guy for decades, but like everything Stanly B&D touches they have gone down hill. I really like the Milwaukee units, particularly the compact versions.

I think most of the Milwaukee tapes are overpriced, but they are for the most part good, and their self-locking tape mechanism is excellent. I have maybe 10 of their keychain tape measures around, because they have inches and metric on the same tape, and come in handy for all sorts of things.

 

[manwithtools]

I don't know that I'd agree on the Milwaukee being over priced. HD frequently puts them on sale. The one I like best is only $16 regular price at my local HD.

Milwaukee 48-22-0416 16' Compact Tape Measure

 

[duneslider]

FastCap makes a great tape measure. It's the only brand I'll buy moving forward.

Pro Carpenter Tape Measures

FastCap tape measures come in innovative blade styles with 7 innovative features: Lever action belt clip, Pencil sharpener, Dual locking system, Erasable notepad, Heavy-duty 1-inch blade, High-contrast tape & Rugged compact design.

www.fastcap.com

I see they make a 16' auto lock now:

ProCarpenter Auto Lock Tape Measure – Fast & Convenient | FastCap

FastCap ProCarpenter Auto Lock tape measure features auto-lock so the blade stays extended until you press the release. Includes all the ProCarpenter innovations plus ergonomic design. Available in multiple blade styles.

www.fastcap.com

These look kind of interesting. I like the pencil sharpener built in too. I might have to pick some up to try.

I have a Milwaukee, a couple craftsman, a few stanley's, every flavor of fat max and a couple kobalt with the magnets that I use at work. I still can't find a tape half the time. I like the fat max tapes the best and they seem to hold up the longest and have the best stand out. I the Milwaukee and craftsman are super similar and I have been using them the most in the garage.

 

[ecotec]

I have used Fat Max tape measures for more than 20 years. I prefer the 16’.

Lately, I have been using the Lufkin Shockforce.

If I can use a Lufkin 066F, I prefer it over a tape measure.

 

[jack stand]

In a framing situation, a 25' fat max is all I see in everyone's tool bag including mine. Rugged and around Christmas time you can get 2 for $20. This will get you through a year, more if you're a little careful.
Someone mentioned that the lock is difficult and I agree, but it's rarely used for framing.

 

[bb29510]

harbor freight, yellow $2.95, buy ten. when one doesnt work, throw it at the cat

 

[Spud McGee]

Go to Home Depot and try out the Milwaukee tape measures. I was a Stanley guy for decades, but like everything Stanly B&D touches they have gone down hill. I really like the Milwaukee units, particularly the compact versions.

I'm a bit of a milwaukee fanboi, but their tape measures **** dirty butts. Definitely the biggest disappointing milwaukee thing I've ever bought. They are thin and the tape twists easily. once it gets a twist in it, you can never get it out. And when you try to extend a tape with a twist in it, after about 7ft extended, it just rolls over to one side and collapses.

I have a pile of tape measures. My favorite is a "new" craftsman. Its not new-new. Its several years old, but from after craftsman was moved to lowes instead of sears.

I have some stanley ones that come in second place. Both normal and the fatmax. They aren't bad, i just like the craftsman one better.

I played with the blue irwin ones in the store. Those seemed really nice, too. I haven't bought one and actually used it on a job to form an opinion. But just playing with them at the store, I'd put it up over the stanley ones.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

Just bought the Irwin from Lowes nice tape measure highly recommend.

 

[BillK]

I probably have 4 25' Stanley PowerLocks floating around the house, garage and my business. I dont think I have ever had one fail. I Bet the oldest one is at least 30 years old. They are all the Chrome metal cases except the one at the shop which is green plastic.

 

[Jeff C]

I like the Stanley fat max the best. I have a few power locks floating around too. I like the clean simple yellow and black tape Stanley uses. No random bells and whistles, just a solid performing tape measure.

 

[Zeke]

I have made a living with a tape. I've had them all. Funny, but the free with coupon HF ones don't break. IDK if they still do that. I've stayed out of HF since the pandemic.

 

[dnschmidt]

The Fastcap line has some unique tape measures whereas everybody else makes the same old ****. They make one that lies completely flat against the work surface that's fantastic for laying out sheet goods with extreme accuracy in either Imperial or metric measurments.. They have others that enable you to use a pencil to mark it and then erase your marks. I have al lot of them and for cabinetmaking they can't be beat. They even have one for the True 32 system that's the bomb if you're into European style cabinets.

 

[goldtang]

lufkin is what I have most off my tapes would be more than 30 years old the couple of Stanley tapes are about the same age but only had home use , I was given a Milwaukee tape seem Ok time will tell

 

[ipgenie]

I've got most of the ones mentioned but my favorite are the FastCaps. Lots of choices to get the layout and features you want at a good price. The only thing I wish they'd do is make the sharpener fit construction pencils. If they do that I'll probably order another half dozen to scatter around.

 

[redwrench60]

Seems like all the auto lock tapes I see with any real use all have something wrong with the locking mechanism. I prefer manual lock tapes and I rarely use the lock.

I prefer Stanley PowerLocks and FatMax tapes. Widely available, affordable, simple and well made.

 

[F-22]

Any modern tape measure with an alloy body?
The Japanese seem to make some cool stuff.

Tajima looks really nice and it says it is also machined to fit together. This one made by Hara Doki is also cool.

 

[nadogail]

My favorite is the Fat Max, I keep a couple of Harbor Freight tape measures around as loaners.

 

[CGarage]

What a bunch of basic tape measures we have ‘round here.

Lufkin is quite good for a US tape measure.

I am quite partial to my Fisco / Hultafors TK5ME because it has Metric and Imperial scales, together. The belt clip is also really nifty though I never had a chance to use it “in the field”.

I like the Japanese class 1 tape measures for ultimate precision.

If you are working a job site, you need to standardize on ONE tape measure model and brand.

 

[CGarage]

Tape Measures - Lufkin vs Komelon vs ?

I like the 16 foot Milwaukee tapes, I only use a longer tape if I actually need the added length, then it is usually a Stanley Powerlock. I have no idea on the accuracy, I'm more concerned with repeatability, so if it matters, I just use the same tape for a whole project. Keep an eye on the...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[strutaeng]

What are you guys building? What are you measuring? I've got "regular" tape measures, a 6' folding rule, a DeWalt digital measuring device for measuring stuff at work. New job has a PhD guy with LiDAR capabilities, but haven't used him yet. I talked to him and he said precision was like 1/256" or whatever...most buildings aren't built to that, so you got to take that into consideration.

I've have some Stanley's and like them. I have an older Husky somewhere that lost the little magnet at the end.

My current favorite is the current Lowe's Craftsman tape measures. I've got the 25' version with magnetic tip.

I haven't tried the mileaukee, but seems most of their tools are just overpriced and I avoid them. I had to buy a 35' tape measure when I went to this house I was doing a job to do some plans. I bought a Koleleon on clearance at Lowe's. Seemed good, now I can't find it.

 

[dukefx]

I switched to the type that you can pull out and it will stay where ever you stop pulling. The button lets it rewind. Had a great one, a Stanley that actually wore out the steel tape.

My Stanley gave up (won't lock at all) after half a year or so with minimal use. Never gonna buy auto-locking ever again.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I've have some Stanley's and like them. I have an older Husky somewhere that lost the little magnet at the end.

My current favorite is the current Lowe's Craftsman tape measures. I've got the 25' version with magnetic tip.

Based on the parent company I'd venture a guess that the Craftsman tape measures are VERY similar to the Stanley Fat Max.

 

[CraigStu]

This is great info. redwrench60 and dukefx I am starting to think you are correct on no autolocking from now on. I am going to make a list from this thread and head to HD and L this weekend to try more tapes. Thx everyone.

 

[rlitman]

I don't know that I'd agree on the Milwaukee being over priced. HD frequently puts them on sale. The one I like best is only $16 regular price at my local HD.

Milwaukee 48-22-0416 16' Compact Tape Measure

Yeah, I was thinking about my poorly written post afterwards, and all of my non-keychain Milwaukee tapes have been bought on sale. It's the full retail prices that ****, but the sales can be alright. My favorite is the 16' auto locking version.

I have made a living with a tape. I've had them all. Funny, but the free with coupon HF ones don't break. IDK if they still do that. I've stayed out of HF since the pandemic.

The HF freebies that were orange with a rubber overwrap shatter when dropped. The yellow plastic ones were pretty bulletproof.

 

[KnurledNut]

What are you guys building? What are you measuring?

Such a relevant question.

Metal fabrication?
Machinist?
Builder?
Carpentry?
Cabinetry?
Excavation?
Mechanic?
Industrial?
Skilled trades?
Medical?
Engineering?
Crafts?
General homeowner use?
D. All of the above?

People are just gonna recommend what they use for what they do, unless the intended use is known.

 

[rockinacummins]

I’m pretty loyal to the Fatmax. I worked for a small company putting up steel buildings and that’s what everyone had. I would buy the 2 pack of 25 footers when they went on sale and that would usually get me through the year. I also have a 40 footer that I kept in the truck. For what I was doing, there were times I needed it but I didn’t want to carry the heavy thing in my tool belt. So I just got it out when I needed it.

I’ve also had really good luck with the HF cheapies. The little rubber boot thing on them really makes them pretty durable. One of the manufacturing plants I worked for used them as standard issue for their welders. They saved a lot of money over the grey hard plastic ones they had been getting from Fastenal (who was onsite).

 

[Zeke]

@rlitman, mine are black and orange. The thing is, I lost one and I don't care. I use a Stanley at the table saw. I'll use a HF to cut studs. They are a fraction off. Tiny fraction, but nevertheless.

 

[rlitman]

@rlitman, mine are black and orange. The thing is, I lost one and I don't care. I use a Stanley at the table saw. I'll use a HF to cut studs. They are a fraction off. Tiny fraction, but nevertheless.

I get it, the price is right, and they're accurate enough for most purposes. Just be careful. All of my black and orange ones have cracked under the rubber cover. Eventually they've exploded on me as the wound up spring decides the plastic is no longer it's master.

 

[Toolfool]

Years ago I picked up a Starrett tape with a "recycled" case that was cheap. For some reason the tape seemed easier on my eyes than the Stanley's and other tapes I had. So I bought a bunch of them, like a dozen. Turns out they held up pretty well and I still have several. A few are still attached to their cards.
Found a listing : https://www.ebay.com/itm/2852961502...7houoHsi+yqKbz6ZNi5ZwJmes=|tkp:Bk9SR-Lz272KYg . Original price $9.95.

 

[Zeke]

I get it, the price is right, and they're accurate enough for most purposes. Just be careful. All of my black and orange ones have cracked under the rubber cover. Eventually they've exploded on me as the wound up spring decides the plastic is no longer it's master.

Yikes. Consider me informed.

 

[duneslider]

Years ago I picked up a Starrett tape with a "recycled" case that was cheap. For some reason the tape seemed easier on my eyes than the Stanley's and other tapes I had. So I bought a bunch of them, like a dozen. Turns out they held up pretty well and I still have several. A few are still attached to their cards.
Found a listing : https://www.ebay.com/itm/285296150220?hash=item426cf9c6cc:g6kAAOSwvC1karp7&amdata=enc:AQAIAAAA0Gllg1lrwiLFmahkUA6QEmttuK+6YenJfT9W6/MUt5GUC0ZDnZvpTUX5OdhDOsRBmlqvnkEc1vheWDm5bobGfUatN6Hw5Kt2/2S/85yvieafGM1xMfomHX1ORoXBk9dsufT7J9gcIyEUcq0VK810HmgBSFDwfKsMgPSSr3YVnZdwyTxs9yytOmF20jNN5wOz5IIgjMj3Xz1ojvPIsKZo59SZsRCt5IO5F8TffgDviQrJJh6iezCBmIFQg0MBhw7houoHsi+yqKbz6ZNi5ZwJmes=|tkp:Bk9SR-Lz272KYg . Original price $9.95.

That looks like my desk. J/k I just have a 16' powerlock and a 25' fatmax on the desk right now. I also noticed I had a 35' fatmax and a kobalt 25' on the desk at work. That's way more than I need next to my computers for sure...

 

[ecotec]

Years ago I picked up a Starrett tape with a "recycled" case that was cheap. For some reason the tape seemed easier on my eyes than the Stanley's and other tapes I had. So I bought a bunch of them, like a dozen. Turns out they held up pretty well and I still have several. A few are still attached to their cards.
Found a listing : https://www.ebay.com/itm/285296150220?hash=item426cf9c6cc:g6kAAOSwvC1karp7&amdata=enc:AQAIAAAA0Gllg1lrwiLFmahkUA6QEmttuK+6YenJfT9W6/MUt5GUC0ZDnZvpTUX5OdhDOsRBmlqvnkEc1vheWDm5bobGfUatN6Hw5Kt2/2S/85yvieafGM1xMfomHX1ORoXBk9dsufT7J9gcIyEUcq0VK810HmgBSFDwfKsMgPSSr3YVnZdwyTxs9yytOmF20jNN5wOz5IIgjMj3Xz1ojvPIsKZo59SZsRCt5IO5F8TffgDviQrJJh6iezCBmIFQg0MBhw7houoHsi+yqKbz6ZNi5ZwJmes=|tkp:Bk9SR-Lz272KYg . Original price $9.95.

A local industrial supply (Kitts) has, or had, a bunch of NOS Starrett tape measures. I bought a 12’ and a 16’. I just use them around the garage.

I don’t know if they would last day to day use on an industrial job site.

I like them for what they are, and I like that they say American Made.

 

[carmantl]

Ironworker here. We use all Milwaukee power tools. Bandsaws, impact wrenches, drills, impact drivers, Sawsalls. Milwaukee tapes are a joke. Worst I have ever used. Twist in the slightest breeze. Standout is maybe 7 feet. Numbers gone in two months. Rust in 2 months. Fatmax has never failed me.