US-Made Tape Measures?

[gatewaysysop]

Hi all,

Had two import tape measures give out on me in fairly short order and, as infrequently as I've used them lately, that's pretty sad. I've been trying to find a decent US-made tape measure, hoping it would be a tad better on quality, but I haven't had much success.

Does anyone have any ideas? I'm looking at some NOS Starrett branded ones on flea-bay, but wondering if there isn't something else I might look for, either vintage or new, that would do the job?

If anyone has some suggestions, model #s or brands I can look for, I'd love to here them.

 

[RangerDaleXp]

Almost every building contractor I have ever seen uses Stanley Power Lock tape measures. I have tried several types but have always gone back with the Stanley versions......

 

[vssjim]

The only US tape measures I know of now are Stanley, Starrett i have been told were made by the same company as Craftsamn so the move to the caribean junk was expected. Lufkin is mexican and china for others. Stanley it is for now the only USA made tape I know of. TOO many MBA running US tool companies in the ground.

 

[chewy7]

Almost every building contractor I have ever seen uses Stanley Power Lock tape measures. I have tried several types but have always gone back with the Stanley versions......

i 2nd that

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

I carry two at work - I've got an Empire 12' that lives on my hardhat, and a 25' USTape Classic that rides in my bucket.

The USTapes are 100% American made and well worth the $16 I paid for it.

http://www.ustape.com/servlet/-strse-33/U.S.A.-USA-american-dsh-made-tape/Detail

 

[69f100]

i 2nd that

right there is the truth. have four of the 25 and one 12. fat max ones were pretty good, but they always seemed to bend.
also have an "fsi" one that works great! but it doesnt have a company on it. special ordered from fence specialists incorporated, so i dont know where to buy it unless you go the their office (where we got it).

 

[RangerDaleXp]

right there is thew trush. have four of the 25 and one 12. fat max ones were pretty good, but they always seemed to bend.
also have an "fsi" one that works great! but it doesnt have a company on it. special ordered from fence specialists incorporated, so i dont know where to buy it unless you go the their office (where we got it).

What is thew trush, Just curious.....

 

[fr0mastaj]

The Stanley Fat Max's are 'Made in USA with global components' for what it's worth.

 

[gatewaysysop]

The Stanley Fat Max's are 'Made in USA with global components' for what it's worth.

Yes, I've noticed that in the stores when I ogled a few tapes in person. Does anyone sell a US-made tape measure anymore besides US Tape? I've looked at their site, but I'm wondering if anything else is out there for comparison? Right now my options seem to be either US Tape or NOS Starrett.

Also, I've seen some US-made Bahco, but the same ones appear to be imported now and I have no idea on the quality either way.

Any foreign options that still have inch measurements on them? Probably not, I'm guessing, but I'll entertain any options if someone has heard of anything.

 

[speed bump]

Its imported but I have had really good luck with my Lufkin Engineers scale tape, I have used it constantly for the last year and it has been good.

Varco sells a 33ft engineers scale tape that is US made but I can't remember the brand at the moment. Probably a Lufkin in the metal case (the plastic cased ones are china or Taiwan or something).

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

The US Tape is remarkably similar to an older (1980's-90's era) Lufkin "Toggle lock" FWIW.

For around $90, you can get a USA made 16' Bluepoint tape off the Snapon truck.

 

[tankboy_taylor]

stanley contracter grade tape measures if they still make em are real good

 

[gatewaysysop]

The US Tape is remarkably similar to an older (1980's-90's era) Lufkin "Toggle lock" FWIW.

For around $90, you can get a USA made 16' Bluepoint tape off the Snapon truck.

Holy cow.

I just took a look at that on their website. What an ugly thing! I can't imagine they sell many of those. Good lord.

 

[cnc-me]

Powerlock II best tape going, to bad they are now made in Thailand.

 

[Lightfoot]

What is thew trush, Just curious.....

good. i thought i was the only one that didn't know what that meant. but i wasn't about to say anything-not with this crowd.

 

[domain]

+1 for stanley powerlock. Made in USA with global components.

 

[littletoes]

Stanley "Contractor Grade" for me. I've had several, even had a couple wear out and Warranty them, and they replace them.

What I want is a Metric tape just to keep in my tool box for measuring metric bolts when I need to replace one....THAT'S a ****** to find!!!

 

[american lockpicker]

I remember a French made one on Garrett Wade IIRC...

 

[gatewaysysop]

Stanley "Contractor Grade" for me. I've had several, even had a couple wear out and Warranty them, and they replace them.

What I want is a Metric tape just to keep in my tool box for measuring metric bolts when I need to replace one....THAT'S a ****** to find!!!

Well, one of the tapes I picked up on flea-bay was a Starrett, US-made that has both inch and metric on it. I think it was about 8m/26 feet, should be plenty for your application.

The guy has about 77 left in the lot if your interested.

 

[JASTECH]

"right there is thew trush."

good. i thought i was the only one that didn't know what that meant. but i wasn't about to say anything-not with this crowd.

I will need to 3rd this !!

Also, thought Stanley was owned by China now? So all the profit goes to them to buy out more of us? That aint good!

Is there a German made TM? Sence we will be metric system sooner then later!

Thanks, JASTECH

 

[Tatsuya]

I carry two at work - I've got an Empire 12' that lives on my hardhat, and a 25' USTape Classic that rides in my bucket.

The USTapes are 100% American made and well worth the $16 I paid for it.

http://www.ustape.com/servlet/-strse-33/U.S.A.-USA-american-dsh-made-tape/Detail

Some are. I have a 12' USTape that is made in China.

 

[69f100]

What is thew trush, Just curious.....

the truth keyboard is broke, i gotta go back and fix stuff alot.

 

[gatewaysysop]

Some are. I have a 12' USTape that is made in China.

I think on their website they have a section for the US-made tapes specifically, but they definitely have other offerings that are import. I actually appreciate the fact that they split it out so you know what you're getting. Depending on how these flea-bay NOS Starretts turn out, I may give US Tape a try next.

 

[Jononon]

100% British made Fisco Big Ts are far superior to anything Stanley offers. $19.99 from Sears, if you can cope with third world imports

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

Some are. I have a 12' USTape that is made in China.

The "Classics" are the only "standard" auto return tapes made in the USA.

 

[Zrexxer]

The last Starrett tape I bought was made in the Dominican Republic.

 

[DHPmike]

I dont like the ones that have metric on one side and standard on the other. I like being able to use either side to put up against something.

I have owned many odd and end tapes as well as large and small and I always go back to the Stanley. They are priced very well at Home Depot

 

[gatewaysysop]

The last Starrett tape I bought was made in the Dominican Republic.

No doubt. That's why I mentioned the NOS stuff. If I didn't see the pictures and 'made in usa' printed on the tape in the pictures, I wouldn't have touched them.

 

[gatewaysysop]

100% British made Fisco Big Ts are far superior to anything Stanley offers. $19.99 from Sears, if you can cope with third world imports

Interesting! I've never heard of these before. I'll definitely look into this option as well if the Starrett's don't live up to expectation. The price isn't bad at all.

Thank you for sharing, I'm sure I can't be the only person who's never heard of them.

 

[Rob_17]

I believe the Malco tape measures are US made. I have two and like them a lot.

 

[american lockpicker]

100% British made Fisco Big Ts are far superior to anything Stanley offers. $19.99 from Sears, if you can cope with third world imports

Tell me more and links please.

 

[Jononon]

Disclaimer: I did once do some work for them (which is why I know their production really is in England), but I have no current relationship other than being a happy customer:

http://www.fisco.co.uk/products/short-tapes.php?product=BigT

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/s_10153_...atalogId=12605&intShip=1&i_cntr=1310555297873

My dad bought me a Fisco tape when I bought my first house, it's still going strong. The Big T is probably their best tape for all-round use, it's rubber armoured and comes with a very strong belt holster.

Fisco's factory is in Rayleigh, Essex. They're part of Hultafors of Sweden and have a partnership with Sola of Switzerland to sell a wider range of tools.

 

[sheslostcontrol]

I carry two at work - I've got an Empire 12' that lives on my hardhat, and a 25' USTape Classic that rides in my bucket.

The USTapes are 100% American made and well worth the $16 I paid for it.

http://www.ustape.com/servlet/-strse-33/U.S.A.-USA-american-dsh-made-tape/Detail

Thanks for the link - ordered one today.

 

[gatewaysysop]

So by way of an update, I got these beauties today. < $19 shipped for the pair, brand new and still in the original packaging.

All I can say is that I am thoroughly impressed. The plastic is way thicker and higher quality than the run of the mill import stuff and the heft is easily double as well. Feels great in the hand and they work flawlessly. I am definitely happy with my purchase and hope they last a long while.

Enjoy the pics!

 

[bartels_metal_works]

The Stanley Fat Max's are 'Made in USA with global components' for what it's worth.

I love my Fat Max's!

 

[MJJD571]

I found this site tonight, ustape.com,
trying to find U.S.A. made tapes. The tapes are priced competitively however, it's the shipping that's high for some reason.
Really nice tape measures though and, made here. Worth checking out and, be sure to look at their 25' tape made by, PROTAPE SERIES ULTIMATE TAPE.
It's NOT ROUND but, horse track shaped for your hand.
Good luck

 

[MJJD571]

Also, check out this little Kansas City company, STILL making tape measures!
http://store.harryepstein.com/dailydispatch/tag/american-made-tape-measure/. Harry Epstein. 800-821-5503

 

[lbgradwell]

Also, check out this little Kansas City company, STILL making tape measures!
http://store.harryepstein.com/dailydispatch/tag/american-made-tape-measure/. Harry Epstein. 800-821-5503

Harry doesn't make 'em, just sells 'em.

Those are (almost certainly) made by U.S. Tape too...

 

[Dave455]

Another vote here for the British made FIsco tapes! Nothing fancy, just a good quality tape!

I don't know if all their tapes ar made in the U.K. (there may be a 'budget' imported line) but all the ones I have certainly are!

The crappy tapes you find in the cheap stores, aside from being cheaply built, can sometimes be surprisingly inaccurate as well!

 

[Applesauce]

My Canadian Lufkins have always been pretty good. But then, I'm not very hard on tape measures...