The Stanley FaxMax’es have standout distances of 11-14′.
Just curious if anyone has a favorite tape measure that has a good standout distance while still being an accurate tape?
jt8
“The difference between greatness and mediocrity is often how an individual views a mistake…”– Nelson Boswell
Edited 4/25/2006 12:36 pm by JohnT8
Replies
This is my favorite tape (although I don't know if you can get it on your side of the Atlantic):
View Image
fits my hand well, has a separate clip/holster that makes it easy to attach to my belt, the hook is reinforced plastic (won't bend), the lock is the most intuitive I've found and most importantly it's only 2/3rds the price of a fatmax
Downside is it only has around a 7'6" standout
The REAL downside is that it is only 16 feet.
I copied the wrong pic, should have found one of the 26'
View Image that's better :-)
"Man is a tool-using animal. Without tools he is nothing, with tools he is all." Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881)
Edited 4/25/2006 1:40 pm ET by limeyjoiner
I think this is the same thing. 1' shorter though.
zak
"so it goes"
I looked at those Big Johnsons in the store ... seem to be a nice tape.
Glad to know it's the same as the one he was showing, cuz I was trying to figger out how to cut off the 26th foot to make it a 'mericun tape.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Yep thats the same tape.Had a look on amazon, seems that you guys can get one for less than I paid for mine, which is odd as mine says it's made in england, guess it's just another example of how us brits get scr3wed on tool prices.(or maybe I had to pay a premium for that extra foot)"Man is a tool-using animal. Without tools he is nothing, with tools he is all." Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881)
Its because you invented yards ,feet ,1/4 ,1/8,1/16, 1/32 etc instead of something divisible by tens.
Does that mean that your tapes have 10 inches to every foot? ;-)"Man is a tool-using animal. Without tools he is nothing, with tools he is all." Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881)
Our enginnering tapes do.
That's my favorite as well - here, it's sold as the BigJohnson.I really like the locking mechanism and the inside measurements are very accurate with the ref. arrows.The quick release is great although I almost lost mine the other day - that wouldve sucked.Good stuff - standoff's not as good as the FatMax, but the Fatmax's are to bulky and the locking mechanism is somewhat stiff.JT
So how about a poll?How many carpenters have a Big Johnson?Or do you prefer a Fat Max?and how ridgid is it?
Edited 4/25/2006 8:52 pm by BarryE
Me, I only have 12", but I don't use it as a rule.Let's not confuse the issue with facts!
can't beat the old woods....as a rule
Barry E-Remodeler
How many carpenters have a Big Johnson?
Well that's gettin a little personal but yeah, I have a big johnson. ;-)
For tapes, I take the approach of I think it was Junkhound. I have at least a half-dozen cheap tapes (Stanleys and Workforce or whatever that brand is) laying around. I don't need expensive tape "accuracy" as long as I have repeatability (I mostly work alone).
Only key criteria is the tape goes to 16ths but NOT 32ds. The tapes with 32ds make my eyes bleary and if I need more accuracy than a strong or short 16th, I mark it in place with a knife.
"Let's get crack-a-lackin" --- Adam Carolla
Just so we are all clear...answering the rigidity question would fall under the catergory of TMI<BG>
Barry E-Remodeler