Replies

1. 
   KenHill3 | May 11, 2002 12:48am | #1

   Hi, Jfish-

   What do you do to those tapes- you a framer?

   I use the Maxsteel and Fatmax, can usually get a year's use out of them, sometimes 8 months. I think that's a reasonable lifespan for daily use. They do break and they do wear out. Just the nature of the beast. That's why I always have at least one backup.

   Never used anything but Stanleys, so I can't really recommend others. I see some guys use Lufkin.

   Ken Hill

1. 
   Sancho | May 11, 2002 02:01am | #2

   I swear by Stanleys cant go wrong with them. Darkworksite4: When the job is to small for everyone else, Its just about right for me"

1. 
   roofdoc | May 11, 2002 02:51am | #3

   try a crapsman funny as its sounds get a new free every couple months they even have their own slot at the counter for the returned tapes. went to just a replacement blade and the salesman said what you need a new free.

1. 
   DavidThomas | May 11, 2002 08:57am | #4

   Not to hijack this thread, but did I see some stainless steel Stanley's about a year ago? I'm certain I did but I haven't seen them since decided I needed to buy a couple or six of them.

   I sometimes use tape measures to sound depth to water in shallow wells. And sometimes the water is hard or downright salty. And it's raining, snowing, etc. The mylar coated ones get rusty after just once or twice of "being ridden hard and put away wet".

   So, has anyone seen a Stanley (or anyone's) tape with a SS blade?

   David Thomas   Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska

1. 
   KenHill3 | May 11, 2002 09:25am | #5

   Hi, David-

   I'm down here in Olympia. I keep up fairly well with the tool scene, and dadgummit I did NOT see a Stanley SS tape. BUT.......I did see them at my local tool supplier here- Western Tool Supply. They're a West Coast chain and have a website, albeit a bare-bones site, so they may not list it online...........Yeah, they were displaying that tape in a fishbowl to show that there were no parts that would rust. Seemed like decent tape, had a lock, was a bit flimsy for the SS blade. Check it out. Glad to try and help if you can't find it.

   Cheers, Ken Hill

2. 
   Sancho | May 15, 2002 05:08pm | #6

   Ken I think they were kind of a test the market sort of thing. I remember seeing them at Abbeys Tools (which is owned by western now) but that was a while ago. I havent seen them inna while. I had one it was great light fit and felt good in my and but my kids want to "shock" test it and it failed so now well its back to the norm... Darkworksite4: When the job is to small for everyone else, Its just about right for me"

3. 
   DavidThomas | May 15, 2002 11:51pm | #7

   Ken and Ron, I ordered up one of those SS tapes from Western Tool Supply.  Sounds like I should use it everyday, but rather save it for when I don't want to get my regular Stanleys water and salty.  Thanks!

   David Thomas   Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska