A subject that has been covered, but I got so hot after getting a new tape, I thought I would share. I went to a woodworking show in Springfield last weekend and stopped at the Fastcap booth. In addition to their adhesive kit, I picked up a 25′ tape measure. It is encased in black rubber, has a pencil shapener built in (round only) as well as a round marking pad on one face. It weighs about 4 ozs more than a standard 1″ measure, and feels nice in the hand. The interfoot markings are in red, so I don’t have to squint to find them, and it has the black diamonds that are so popular! It cost 9 bucks, and they have several different varieties, if you’re into metric.
AND, the tip has four rivets instad of the standard three, AND a finger lock as well as a lever lock. The Cadillac of 25′ tapes, amigos. All for 9 bucks. And I don’t even get a commission.
Replies
Does it have an 1 1/4" blade that will go horizontal to 11' ?
Nope. 1 inch to about 7 feet. But it has a cool belt clip with a thumb lever. Does that count?
I never met a tool I didn't like!
Ok, I take it this is a sarcasm post about the tape measure article in the new FHB?
What new article? This is not sarcasm (though I have been known to give my share.) This is about my new tape measure. If I can take a pic, I'll post. I love this thing. No joke. Everyone should own at least one. It's only shortcomings are its length (keep your mind out of the gutter) and it's a standard 1 inch wide.
I thought I read the new FHB. There's an article on tapes?
I never met a tool I didn't like!
If you click on Fine Homebuilding at the top of the page, you will see that you, like me, do NOT have the latest issue in your mailbox.
I hate reading reviews of the mag that ISN"T HERE YET!!
Time to head for HomersDepot & see what's in it. Mine will be here by Monday maybe.........
Joe H
Theres a new FHB out ??????
wheres mine
Anyone who posted negative feedback about the new FHB format will not be getting the next issue until March.
Mr T
Do not try this at home!
I am an Experienced Professional!
What issue is the tape article in? Couldn't find it in my latest, Jan. Maybe I don't have the latest and greatest. Here's the pics (I hope) of the tape measure. The rubber makes it nice to hold when it's cold out.
I never met a tool I didn't like!
Go to the Finehomebuilding webpage and there you will see the cover of the new issue. There is a "video tip" link and mention of a review of tape measures in this new issue.
Does it have an 1 1/4" blade that will go horizontal to 11' ?
You get 11'!!! My Stanley Fat Max only gives me 9'8". I'm gonna complain. I been robbed...
There is a new one out @ 1 1/4"
On a hill by the harbour
PS It is heavy as heell though !
Edited 1/23/2004 11:45:01 PM ET by NOVY_7
Your not supossed to sit on the end of the tape! ;-)
I didn't, really... The thing is just too limp. I wonder if they have little blue pills for tape measures? I guess not, or I would have received a few hundred spams about it by now.
Okay, I like it. I love new toys. Er, I mean tools.
Now, where do I get one?
I googled it, but all I can find are the PMS models for sale.
And I know better than to go there.
I mean seriously,I don't want have my tape to read in some foreign measuring system that they failed to teach me in grade school, some 30 odd years ago.
Anyone know a source?
I checked out their web site and they have some other pretty inovative tools and materials. http://www.fastcap.com/
I liked their story pole tape enough to order one while I was there. Thanks for the tip...
Kevin Halliburton
"I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become art it must be built on a foundation of necessity." - I.M. Pei -
Kevin, I like that idea too, harder to lose the whatever I wrote it on that way. Built in pencil sharpener and a decent belt clip sounds like way more features than one tape can handle though.
New toys needed here too.
That third hand gizmo looks interesting, a broom can only hold so much.
Joe H
I have the Third Hand and use two of the Little hands for supporting upper cabinets (I install the bases first.) I had to rebuild a front porch a few months ago, but didn't need to rebuild the overhang, so a 4x8 beam was supported by 4x4s and screw jacks. But getting the beam up and in place was a trick. I used the third hand to prop it in place and nail it off. Glad I had it. But when it says 70psi max, they aren't kidding; that post was bent like a banana holding that 8' beam up by its lonesome. Still, they are handy when you're by yourself. I really want those Jacks, though, the things that you slip under base cabs and jack up to shim, use them at the wall for the last course or 2 of hardwood floors. Look mighty handy.
I never met a tool I didn't like!
If you're working with pretty consistent heights like crown in a room... the guts of an old caulk gun and some sort of pole, 2x4...etc works pretty good on the cheap.
you wanna get fancy you can use a paint roller extension and the caulk gun...
neither hold a lot of weight as you can guess.
Edited 1/25/2004 1:43:51 AM ET by CAG
Just to pass along some info... Home Depot, yes, Home Depot has the new (?) 25 ft Lufkin Pro Series. I am not a pro but I bought it anyway...I figure that I could always measure better... LOL
Features: The first twelve numbers (1 - 12) or twelve inches are 1/2" high and printed really, really thick. After that, on one side of the tape the numbers cycle 1" - 12" between each feet and have 1/16" markings. Each feet is labeled. On the other side, it is a regular inch count, 12" - 300". Every 16", the numbers are white on a red background square
Thumb lock that works without fighting. 5 rivets. Matte finish, non-glare finish on the tape. 7-8 ft stand out, rubberized bottom.
All of this for $14.95 plus your local tax. 5$ more that the Stanley 25 ft.
YMMV,
Eug
Okay Kevin,
I'm missing something here. I didn't see any place to order one on the website. Help me out, please.
brianView Image
Ditto. I hooked into the site earlier this week cause I had a list made and money out, but all I could find was a distributor list, and they only carried a limited number of items.
Kevin, how did you order on their site? (Guess I should have replied to his post, huh?)
I never met a tool I didn't like!
They listed a phone number for questions and a link to your local supplier. Since I don't have a local supplier the girl on the phone took my order. $13.50 including shipping.
I don't know if you have a local supplier but, if you don't, they will send it to you direct. I'll save you looking up the number again - (888) 443-3748Kevin Halliburton
"I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become art it must be built on a foundation of necessity." - I.M. Pei -
Thanks Kevin,
You are so good!
That's why the guys let you stay around here.
While I have you here.
How's that house coming along?View Image
Thanks for asking -
The SIPs are all up except for a few small roof panels that were mis-cut at the factory. They are the ones that cap off the dormers. I've got all but one of them recut and ready to install, two of the 8 are now in place and I'm waiting for one of them that had to be re-made at the factory. My helper is back from his month long vacation so hopefully we will have the shell buttoned up this weekend. The roof has been about ten times more difficult than the walls.
They cut one of my small panels from a left over panel from another job that had a removable foam plug for a slip in header. Imagine my dismay when I finished the recut and stood the panel up only to have a big chunck of foam fall out of the end. AAAARRRRGGGGGG!!!! What next?Kevin Halliburton
"I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become art it must be built on a foundation of necessity." - I.M. Pei -
Picked up the same tape, save for it being green! like it but the prints a little small and busy with all the writing for 1/8,1/4,3/8 etc.
You must a different model, they make 4 different tapes. Mine is the PS, and the only writing on it are the inches and feet, no fractional stuff. The PMS includes the fractional stuff and a metric rule on the bottom of the tape. The PSS-R has fractional division markings on the top and bottom rules.
They have a new tape that has inch/feet markings on the top, while the bottom can be marked however you like.
I never met a tool I didn't like!
Didnt mean to knock your post. There was a thread not too long ago about some of the articles in FHB being a bit too simple and dumbed down aka some of the home improvement shows. Thought you were making fun of that article and video on the web site showing how to calibrate a tape measure.
Sorry if you got the wrong idea.
ps - saw your pics. That is a nice tape.
No problemo. I might have been a bit overenthusiastic and it came across as sarcasm. But I really do love that tape.
I never met a tool I didn't like!
Dont appologize for being over enthusiastic about tools man. I got psyched when I just bought a Stabila Torpedo level.
It cost 9 bucks, and they have several different varieties, if you're into metric.
In that case I'll take two. One imperial and one metric. I hate tapes where they have imperial on one edge and metric on the other, too many markings and you can't take measurements from both edges.
If they make one with just the diamond markings and nothing else, I'll take that one too.
Just thought I would jump back in here with some feedback. The Fastcap storypole tape arrived last week and I used it on the house this weekend. Not bad - well worth the money.
The built in sharpener is laughable but the rest of the tape seems pretty well made. The blade in the sharpener is so dull the pencil just spins when you get to the graphite. I use carpenter's pencils anyway so no big deal but I pass the info along simply to say don't buy this tape for the convenience of the onboard sharpener even if you use the round ones. The blade is removable and replaceable so I could probably dress it up on my sharpening stone or buy a replacement if I was inclined to use it.
I did find a couple of instances where only having numbers on one side of the tape was a little inconvenient but the ability to actually mark on the blade was a real treat. Both the blade and the scribble pad take a mark really well and a quick swipe with a moistened thumb cleaned the marks off completely. Very, very, very handy!
With the 4 rivets the tip moves a little stiffly so I had to make a concious effort to pull or push the tape lightly to insure the tip was where it belonged for inside and outside measurements. That is probably a good thing - I'm sure it will loosen up with use.
The blade is marked to 1/16 increments and it is very easy to read, which is surprising because each of the 1/16 inch marks has the corresponding numerator written under it in red. I've been reading fractions off of tapes for years and ordinarily something like that would seem like unnecessary clutter to me but it is so well done that I actually found it a useful convenience.
Bottom line - The Fastcap Story pole tape is worth the money and then some. I would like to see them make a wide blade version for a longer standout and improve the sharpener but that's about the extent of it's shortcomings. I'll probably buy another one when this one wears out.
Kevin Halliburton
"I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become art it must be built on a foundation of necessity." - I.M. Pei -
Glad you like it. You have a different one than I; mine doesn't have fractions at all and the blade cannot be written on.
Sorry about the sharpener on yours. Mine works fine, though produces a point that is a little stout, and the sharpener blade could stand a few passes with the belt sander <G>. Not that it matters, as I use mechanical drafting pencils.
I'm ordering several more and intend to try the different models, but I like the feel of it in my hand. Maybe in the summer with the sun cooking the black rubber I 'll think differently.
I never met a tool I didn't like!
Edited 2/3/2004 2:35:51 PM ET by NickNuke'em
I'm currently using this tape in framing. When I get to the trim stage I think the story pole aspect of this tape will start to shine like the noon day sun.Kevin Halliburton
"I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become art it must be built on a foundation of necessity." - I.M. Pei -
Little more feedback - The tape does not hold up to framing use. The limp noodleness of it just finally got on my last nerve and I left it lying where it fell when the clip broke after hanging it on the corner of my pocket. I replaced it with a Fat Max this weekend.
I may break it out again come trim out where the story pole advantage would be more useful. After using it for a while it's poor construction starts to become pretty evident.
Good idea - poor execution. Too bad - The ability to write on the blade was a nice treat. Might be good for light duty type work.Kevin Halliburton
"Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men." - Solomon