Best Measuring Tape

[mscher]

I have a half dozen of them and can never seem to find them.

That said, I'm putting one more on my Xmas list, but I want a great one.

Quality ones are good, but i'm looking for one that is good for "feed" also, if that is the right term. That is where you can play the tape a good distance, before it "goes limp" and buckles. This is annoying as I measure mostly alone, so no one is holding the other end.

I have heard that some tape are better than other's in this respect.

Any comments appreciated.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Best Measuring Tape

As for a brand, I don't know. But if you have never used one, google "center-point" tape measures. Once you have one you will love it. It's all I use now.

 

[Jerryh3]

Re: Best Measuring Tape

I've always used the Stanley Max steel contractor grade ones. You may get a little more "feed" from the Fat Max, but I think they're a little too bulky.

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Best Measuring Tape

I have found that the wider the tape the beter for this application your speaking of but of coarse you also need to check any particular against a good quality scale (starret, lufkin ect,) for accurracy. with that being said the Fat max version is very acceptable but just watch twisting it.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Best Measuring Tape

Here you go mscher! A blade that is 1 5/8" wide.

http://www.harborfreight.com/25-ft-x-1-5-8-eighth-inch-tape-measure-with-jumbo-blade-65886.html

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Best Measuring Tape

Get one with the magnetic tip. Those are great when you can just stick it against a nail or screw and run the length of a wall.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Best Measuring Tape

Stanley Max line, buy a box of them and get used to them disappearing. Welcome to fatherhood and life with people envying your tool selection.....ask me how I know!!

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Best Measuring Tape

I have a mess of tape measures, growing up with a general contractor for a dad, I think I got tape measures for almost every Christmas from the time I was old enough to use one!!

But I was at Ace Hardware a couple of years ago, looking in their bargain bin and actually found a tape measure that I love!

It is a 26 footer, stainless steel case, magnetic tip on it, as well as a LED light that can be positioned to see the tape reading when needed, it is 1"1/4 wide and the feature I like the most!!!! is it will not retract on its own, you have to squeeze the bottom lever to release the tape to retract. The best thing is the price...I paid all of, yup your not going to believe it, but it was only $6.99!!!!!

I know, I figured it would wear out right away, but I have dropped this thing off the roof, set the compressor on top of it, I mean I have beat the crap out of it and it still works great.

It was made by a company called "Illinois Industrial Tool" and I am telling you what, I would buy several more of them if I could find them!

Here is a link to their website:

http://www.iittool.com/index.asp

But for an inexpensive tool, I was amazed....
--------------------------------------------------
I just looked through their website and unfortunately, they don't list the one I bought!

But I also notice they make tools for other companies, so perhaps this is one they made for Ace exclusively.

 

[mscher]

Re: Best Measuring Tape

Stanley Max line, buy a box of them and get used to them disappearing. Welcome to fatherhood and life with people envying your tool selection.....ask me how I know!!

LOL, Fatherhood?

The only way I could get my teenage kids to pick up a tape measure, is if it controlled a video game.

I'm the one who is becoming Mr. Forgettful. Being ADD does not help.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Best Measuring Tape

LOL, Fatherhood?

The only way I could get my teenage kids to pick up a tape measure, is if it controlled a video game.

I'm the one who is becoming Mr. Forgettful. Being ADD does not help.

Ok this is where we were not supposed to go!! Yes I MAY have forgotten where I left most of my tools but why is that important when I can blame the kids?

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Best Measuring Tape

Get the electronic ones. Mine you just point at whatever press measure button. It also has a receiver for when you don't have a direct line of sight.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Best Measuring Tape

Get the electronic ones. Mine you just point at whatever press measure button. It also has a receiver for when you don't have a direct line of sight.

Do those electronic ones have the facility to transfer that measurement to a board you need to cut, I have never even looked at on...

 

[mscher]

Re: Best Measuring Tape

Get the electronic ones. Mine you just point at whatever press measure button. It also has a receiver for when you don't have a direct line of sight.

Come to think of it, I do have one of the ultrasonic measures, but believe it or not, I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT IS!

It seemed to work good the two times I tested it, then could not find it, when I needed it. It's either in the garage or basement, which are packed to near-hoarder status. It would have worked well, where there was nothing to hook the tape measure end to.

I'll either get organized, or just buy another one.

Thanks

 

[gibletts]

Re: Best Measuring Tape

From my experience any sort (talking about those little spring loaded ones) as long as they are no longer than 5m long, that way they work just, any longer than that they wanna jam up pretty quick.

 

[i386]

Re: Best Measuring Tape

Stanley Leverlock #30-997
They came in Green or Orange. Good luck finding one. I don't like the new Leverlock or FatMax models at all.

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: Best Measuring Tape

I've had a Stanley Fat Max for a few years now. Always given me good performance. Strong, stretches out for about 8 feet easily, 11 feet was the max I was able to get it.

 

[perchin]

Re: Best Measuring Tape

The only problems I ever come across with the cheap ones are that the end hook starts to become loose at the rivet that holds it to the tape... when that happens the measurement becomes a little bit inacurate. The other thing I have noticed is that the cheap ones tend to have a crappy spring (coiling) inside of em' and after about a week in the construction trade stop retracting.

I love a good ol' stanley. (and not the ones that have the dummy read-outs either)

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Best Measuring Tape

My only complaint with the extra wide tapes is that they are brittle. I go through 5-6 tape measures a year (I'm a GC) I buy Lufkins mosly in the 1" width. I also carry a Bosch laser rangefinder which is particulary handy for verifying steel elevations and quick room takeoffs.

 

[Jerryh3]

Re: Best Measuring Tape

The only problems I ever come across with the cheap ones are that the end hook starts to become loose at the rivet that holds it to the tape... when that happens the measurement becomes a little bit inacurate. The other thing I have noticed is that the cheap ones tend to have a crappy spring (coiling) inside of em' and after about a week in the construction trade stop retracting.

I love a good ol' stanley. (and not the ones that have the dummy read-outs either)

You do know those connections are supposed to be loose, right? Not sloppy loose, but loose enough for the hook to slide.

 

[perchin]

Re: Best Measuring Tape

You do know those connections are supposed to be loose, right? Not sloppy loose, but loose enough for the hook to slide.

lol...yes... I ran a framing business for two years. And does a year as a cabinet maker's apprentice count for anything? or the fact that I'm an avid wood worker?

yes... I mean when they become sloppy, which don't take much for the cheap-o's.