What would you say is the absolute best tape measure and why? Please provide a link or picture if available.<!—-> <!—-><!—->
My favorite tape measure is the 25′ Stanley PowerLock II.<!—-> <!—->
I like it first of all because manufacturers vary slightly in their increments. (If you take three tape measures from three different manufacturers and align them side by side you will see a difference of at least 1/32″ within the first 12′.) Since Stanley is not only the standard tape measure now, but was also the standard tape measure for builders in the past, I think using a Stanley is more convenient not just for remodeling houses but also for working with most other people.<!—-><!—->
Secondly, I think the ergonomics is better than the old silver PowerLocks, mostly because they’re slightly smaller – which is also why I prefer them to the more bulky FatMax – although the FaxMax has greatly improved. <!—-><!—->
Third, I like the 25’ length because I think anything more is usually unnecessary weight in a tool belt, while anything less just doesn’t seem to do the job. The 1†wide blade is of course a must, because any tape measure worth using absolutely MUST stand out to at least 7’. The Stanley PowerLock II that I like stands out to 8’, and I don’t see a need for more than that except maybe for drywalling ceilings. <!—-> <!—->
Finally, the blade of the tape measure glides in and out of its case as smooth as silk. I just love that! I think it’s very important for a tool to function smoothly when you use it constantly all day long. The tape’s tip is also triple riveted so that its accuracy is extra secure. <!—-><!—->
–T
Replies
My tape of choice for about the last seven years or so is the Stanley Max Steel for about the same reasons you list above.
Another 25' Max Steel fan here.
Did we not just do this thread a week or so ago? Ditto the Max steel 25. Wish you had offered the Bosch stuff last week, just got a jig 18v on ebay. Got the circ,recip,hammer dril flashlt couple of weks ago.
I've got an extra Bosch 18volt rotozip if you want one. Super handy doing drywall cordless.Brand new - sell for $65 shipped.JT
Still thinking about it, we talked (electronically last week). I have the DW 14.4 that I have not used yet. Wonder if the Bosch is sealed better?
Yeah, I thought this thread had just been done as well. I don't think I chimed in last time, although, I know I have voted for the Max Steel several times in the last few years.
Hope you got a good deal on your Bosch. I bought the lithium ion Makita 18 volt stuff a few months back and am just getting around to clearing out a bunch of my other stuff.
The thread you guys are thinking about is "Best Utility Knife," which was briefly hijacked at the end to talk about tape measures. I just thought if I started a dedicated thread for tapes I might get a little more input.-T
I use the 16' Fatmax. After using one for a while, other tapes just seem too floppy to be convenient. I'm not crazy about the hook. It feels like there's a lot of room for error there, but it doesn't seem to be a problem. I'm a finish carpenter and work by myself about 95% of the time. I find the stiffness essential for longer crown measurements, etc. They last me a really long time. I think I had my last one for at least two years, just replaced it this Fall.When I need a longer tape, I use the chrome cased Stanley 25'. I don't like the bigger Fatmaxes. I liked the original Leverlock 25', my first tape on my first carpentry job. The new ones are awful.- KitTechnique is proof of your seriousness. - Wallace Stevens
I like the Craftsman tapes. Havent had to change one in awhile but I know they used to have a lifetime warranty.
I buy shiny cased chrome tapes.
They look the coolest.
Gord
I only use lever locks. I've been using a Craftsman lever lock for awhile now and its quality far exceeds the current Stanley design. It operates smoothly and the blade doesn't slip back until I want it to, which is the main appeal over the power lock for me.
T,
I like the Fat Max 25ft length. I have several and mainly because of something I read about Stanley Products....
I would like to ask you and others about a "Rumor" I once heard... I had heard that Home Depot will give you a new Fat Max tape replacement if the spring breaks in the tape.
Has anyone ever got a new tape for a broken rewind spring on a Stanley Fat Max?
Thanks,
Bill
I've heard of people doing that. I think it depends on the Home Depot/Lowes/Menards that you go to. It ussually only works with the "main" Stanley tape at the time. They previously did that with the "Contractor Grade," now labeled as PowerLock II.-T
Komelon Self-lock. They are bright green, with a rubberized case. I think I got mine from Lowe's. They have a 25' and 16'. I loved wearing the 16' on my belt (not tool belt) because I could hardly feel it was there. That is, until I had to measure something that was 16' 6". :-)
I like the stanley fat max 25'
the fat max extreme is cool, but too heavy and bulky
Ductape can fix EVERYTHING!!!
"If you take three tape measures from three different manufacturers and align them side by side you will see a difference of at least 1/32" within the first 12'."
1/32" in 12' works out to 0.0217% error. From what I've seen, most carps don't work to such fine tolerances.
I like leverlocks, although the Stanly I recently had didn't last long. The "lock" stopped holding and then the hook broke off. Now I'm back to my old powerlock type which still works fine but I dont like the design of it. The next tape measure I buy might be a 16 footer. 16 feet isnt long enough for a lot of situations but neither is 25 in my experience, and 35 is too heavy.
It depends on what I'm doing, I switch tapes often.
Framing layout I use a 35' Fat max
Trim I use a 16' Starrett
Yesterday I was using a 30' Stanley, we were using 24' floor joists and a 25' tape doesn't like unwinding that far.
Woods favorite carpenter
Stanley lever lock, same reasons as the power lock except you don't have to slide the silly button down to lock it, its locked once retracted untill you squeeze the lever. Seems a more fluid motion.
Wallyo
I use a twelve foot 3/4" wide stanley tape all of the time, it fits right in my overhaul pockets just dandy. I let my swampers carry the big tapes most of the time. I really dont want to handle anything much longer than 12 foot anyway, that stuff gets too heavy for a middle aged fat man. My tapes usually last two years or so, i wear all of the shiny off of the case and part of the marks off of the ruler.john
I’m a recent convert to the Stanley FatMax Extreme. I bought one for the 13 foot standout... good for doing base and crown solo. I thought it would be hard to bend into corners for inside to inside measurements, but it works great for that.
I tried an Irwin a few months back..just kept in my stash of spares..I have at least 5 in the van and 5 in the shop..anyway, it is a heavy son of a gun and I found that I liked the graphite bar that will mark where the tape enters the case.
Good for a hook and quick swipe, I wouldn't try to be accurate to a 1/8 or anything less..Besides the weight issue, the hook was often not easy to get at..even without gloves, forget it with even thin rubberdipped gloves..it seems the nifty graphite marker concealed the hooks edge too much...good idea, bad execution.
Finally I had it in the shop one day and I took a rasp to the case sides where the hook lives and created more finger room to get the hook out..happy happy..it worked.
So, still not my GO To tape , the Stanley Max is that..but it is a decent tape now..did I mention it is heavy? I'll drop it 30' from a roo and see how it does..I have dropped the MAX a few times and once it rolled into the street and a car ran it over before I got down to get it..a little crack in the case, but I'm still using it.
I stick with Starrett and Lufkin for the shop..orange cases make em easy to see.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"Success is not spontaneous combustion, you have to set yourself on Fire"
I have three tapes, each having one feature that I really like. If only I could get the features all on one tape!
My Ideal works "backwards;" that is, the blade locks automatically, and you must push the button to retract it. I love that!
Klein #1 (Orange) has a really good magnet at the end .... just the thing for fishing dropped screws.
Klein #2 (Blue) has measurement markings on BOTH faces of the tape. Especially nice when measuring overhead.
When I buy a tape, I take a 2" 'gage block' with me. I measure it with the tape ... it better read 2"! Most error in tape measures seems to come from the connection of the tip to the tape. Sometimes I'll have to go through many tapes, or visit different vendors, to find one that passes my test.