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I just picked up a stanley 25′ 1″ for the shop tape but my favorite on the site is a old stanley 25′ with the tip been tweaked so much adj its all beat up with who knows what all over it , i still can kind of make out my name i engraved on it about 5-7 years ago, But i needed to buy another one for the shop.
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"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
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For the site is is definitely one of those Fat Max guys. Thirty footer is my favorite. Around the house my wifes Stanley 16 footer by three quarters of an inch.
jim
*I've had occassion to use other folks 16 and 25 foot tapes; and still prefer my old (I recall we used it to check-out dimensions in a house my parents bought in '73, so it's been around for a while) 25' Canadian Tire tape and it's identical twin, except for the label on the chrome cover, Stanley 25' that I bought a few years ago when I thought my original was on its last legs. There's just something about these tapes that's, well, right.I also have a "right-hand" 10' Lee Valley measure that I bought for its size and light weight.
*Stanley 25'x 1".....but I hear the Fat Max is great....haven't tried one yet.John
*Fat Max is way too big. Crap. And Stanley tapes break way too often with no replacement.Sears Craftsmen Replaceable forever, and great tapes.Also I now buy a Stainless Steel tape...Rust stops tapes instantly. The tape also comes with lifetime replacement and is the smallest tape made that is 25'x1".near the stream far from any FAT MAX Marketing hoopla,aj
*I like my fat max. P.S. Ron are you done with your Jihad on the neighbors?
*You will love the 25'or 30' Fat Max if you are a framer. But I agree with AJ in all that he said. I have not looked at Sears tapes, but will check on those. No doubt about it, Stanley tapes don't last long and rust is definitely a problem!
*Gunnerwell sort of after the initial strike the enemy went into hiding. They occasionally fire salvos but not to bad no peace but a cease fire is in effect. I think that has alot to do w/ school being in. Im waiting for the holidays to see if they are going to break the cease fire. then all bets are off " I will not falter, I will not fail"
*Sears/Crapsmen tapes. The particular model I prefer isn't made anymore, but it was (at time of purchase) "SearsBest". 25' x 1", with two locking mechanisms - one active 'lock' on the front edgey and one passive 'blade holder' on the bottom. If I ever see any with both these features, I'll buy a case of 'em regardless of brand/quailty, but they just can't be found. At least not by me.
*I can't EVER remembering a tape lasting longer than 3 months. I do know that there is one on every scrap pile of every house we do. So it looks like one blows about every 3 weeks or so. Always stanleys, usually 25's sometimes 30's or 35's.... cost of doing business.
*Ron, so around turkey day your going back to def con 5? I love battling with neighbors.Look at the end of the fatmax. You'll notice that it's constructed to hook at whatever angle you happen to get it too on the board or end of wall,or whatever your hooking onto. It's nice when your alone.
*I've got two 30' foot Fat Max's. Why you ask? Because when I'm working and measuring and the other guy is cutting, its nice to know that your measurements will be the same. I've measured as much as 3/8" difference between tapes of different manufacture. The best tape is a 16' Lufkin because if you break it you take it back to the store and they give another one for free.
*16" Lufkin is the crapiest tape made.near the opinionated stream,ajI have a couple dozen tapes. No Stanley Crap. All my tapes are lifetime replaceable. I still misplace them and give a ton away so I still buy em more often them most carps I see with old beat up Stanley crap. One to every guy that works with me so as not to hear someone say it's the tapes friggin fault. Tapes should measure the same regardless of manufacturer. If they don't then the friggin end is bent.Bullshit by the streem...Time to clean up the place again.
*I think lumberyards should provide complimentary pencils AND tape measures. Every brand tape I've ever used breaks within 4 or 5 months. And I have to agree the FatMax is a framers best friend. Especially in windy country.
*Gunner,I have been on alertand go to def con 4 every time i see a few cars in front of their house but so far the seize fire has been holding up. Buttttt nothings stopping a pre-emptive strike heheheheheh
*I have three Craftsman tapes, and haven't paid for a new tape measure in MANY years. If they break or rust, or just plain getting ugly looking, I return them for a new one.James DuHamel
*Fat Max rules for sitework. Great hook design, unbeatable in the wind, unbeatable "standout". It took me a day and a half to get used to the extra width. I have a 25 footer because its lighter than the 30 footer. Call me a wimp. I'll trade the pleasure of using this tape for buying 2 or three a year. Crapsman tapes are crap. I don't care if you can infinitely replace them. Crap is crap.I use an old metal case 1/2" 10 foot Stanley in the shop for smaller stuff.I looked at one of those stainless ones. The blade wouldn't stand out more than about 6 1/2 feet.
*Thomas, Those lousy limp d---k tapes suck, I agree. Sam
*Stanley yellow "contractor grade" tapes are replaceable in many cases. I've gone through maybe 10 in the last 2 years, but only bought 2 or 3. Need that long standoff. FatMax is too heavy though.
*I had a few 30 - 35 ft Stanley powerlock tape measurers. Figured out what powerlock means- It takes a lot of power to lock this thing. approximately two men and a small boy. If I eat my cheerios in the morning I might be able to lock it with one hand. After it is locked I thing I could hang form it.imhosam
*What the hell are you guys doing with your long stand offs!?near the stream, happy with a few feet!ajshe is too!
*AJ, how the hell do you get by with the crapsman 3 foot standoff? I use 6 or 8 feet dozens of times a day. Extra-stiff is even more important when it's windy. She thinks so too!
*Hydronuke, After reading your posts about those Craftsman tapes, I actually made a special trip to Sears, today, to check 'em out. No stand-out! Hafta' walk to the end of anything I wanna' put the hook on!"Standin' out" Sam
*cheap stanley lever lock ( auto lock ) onece you get used to not having to lock off the tape you have a hard time going with anything else
*Boys....What the hell are you hooking so far away all day?Cut lumber on a stack...slide the tape down the lumber. Framing a home... I lay out the whole deal on the deck early AM and chalk it all. Then we cut plates on the deck to fit. What's with all this air measuring?Who measures friggin air? If yaa measure air on my crew, your done. Hit the road airboy.Stanley..hook a wall...5' from my body.Starrett...same...maybe 6'Craftsmen...heavy duty...6-8'Stainless....5-6'But I just don't do all this air measuring!near the stream counting tapes...aj10'-30'....20+50'......3+100'.....10+300'.....2wheel....2brands...maybe up to 10.
*Loose more than can count, so buy lots of the $1.47 1" 25 ft harbor freight plastic case tapes when on special sale cheap . Biggest baddie about 'em is poor standoff (4 ft max) and after about only 5 full length measurements (esp in rain) they won't retract all the way, but the're super cheap and get lost anyways, also easier to find when 2 ft is still sticking out.
*Screw stand off....I just went to buy a Fat Max just to have a complete assortment. $25 FAT MAX DOLLARS!!! NO FRIGGIN WAAAY!1!!!SO I TRIED THE HUGE STAND OFF...YUP...HUGE...WHO GIVE A RATS ASS. YAA NEED AN ASSISTANT TO CARRY THE FRIGGIN MONSTER.I DON'T NEED NO STINKIN SPECIAL TAPE. I DON'T NEED A TAPE MOST OF THE TIME AND CAN MEASURE MORE ACCURATE THAN MOST OF THE DOPES OUT THERE.NEAR THE DOPES WITH BIG TOOLS AND LITTLE...AJ
*Hey guys....am I making myself clear on this tape issue or should I elaborate...near the stream,aj the lover...
*LOVE THIS!GET A GRIP BOYS!WTF!UNBELIEVABLE!I COULD SELL YOU GUYS ANYTHING!@FATPANTS ARE OUT NOW MAN...YAA GOTTA SEE EM...YOU WON'T WANNA BE SEEN ON THE SITE AGAIN WITHOUT THE FATPANTS!~....PANSSSIEESSSSS!
*Maybe I'm showin my age here....Really do like you guys....really,aj
*Hydronuke, Deep breaths...... Deep breaths. We're all gonna' get through this, stand-out or no stand-out. Sam
*Deep breathes!!!!!!! NO FRIGGIN WAAY!GOTTA BE CAREFUL FOR ANTHRAX ANNE!!!!HAHAHHHAHAHHHHHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAA!!!NEAR THE STREAM,SUPERNUKE!FATMAX MY ASS! THIS BUTT IS SKINNNY AND GETS A SKINNNNNY TAPE.LONG LIVE CRAFTSMEN TAPES!!!!!STANLEY TAPES CAN KISS MY THINMAX!
*Hey now SuperHydroNuke, You's implying my ass is fat? Is that it? It's thin, way thin.... I ain't worried about Anthrax Annie, least not for now; I'm putting all the mail in boiling water and then givin' it a good soakin' in alky-hol. My new Craftsman holesaw is kick-ass though..... But I couldn't bring myself to buy their tapes..... How's it going, AJ? Sam
*I like my new craftsman framing hammer feels good only about a 19oz. but i like it but for their tape measures they can give them to cyber pimp and let him sell them thats how much i think of their tapes.
*Tried to bring a Faat Maax through a 30" door for inside work....Didn't Fit!!!!!!!!!Tooooo faaaaaaat foooooor meeeeee!Mr aj to all you <Max boys...
*AJ, I don't like the FatMax, too heavy, but I don't do any production work. I'm almost always measuring something that's already there, then making something to fill the space. Put in a new door, cover over an old door, install kitchen cabinets, etc. Yer flimsy flippy-floppy tapes drive me crazy trying to get a straight measurement between two points. Tell me how you get a get a rough length for clapboards that are 10 feet long? For corner boards on a two story building? When it ain't production work and don't have a helper dedicated to holding the dumb end of your tape, standoff counts.I DO have a flippy-floppy tape I use in the shop for making cabinets and furniture, it's nice and light and fits in my shop apron. Not for the real work though.MAYBE IF YOU USED A REAL TAPE YOU WOULDN'T GET SO STRESSED OUT THAT THE REST OF US LIKE THEM!
*If a Fat Max is too heavy for you sissies I'd hate to see what size pounder ya swingin! Fat Max rocks! Ever have a builder decide to throw a few skylights in your roof while you're halfway through setting your rafters? Try laying that out on your ridge on a windy day with one of those skimpy little shop tapes.
*OK...my tool belt is like fifteen years old...Occidental? Leather..One of the best made...Bought thru an ad in FHB!...anyway...the Faaaaatboy tape is so damn bulky that I would have to either get the belt upgraded to hold it or dedicate one of the big pockets to holding my Faaaaaaaaaaat Maaaaaaaaaaaaax!and somehow...I need to scam one...cause the $25 smackaroos would take two weeks of my allowance!near the Faaaaaaaaaaat Stream,aj
*Hey, it's time to start kickin' some FatMax-ass around this place, who's calling who a sissy 'round here!?!?!? SuperHydroNuke ain't no sissy, he's b MR.AJ! Sam
*Aj, You know, in all seriousness, I refused to spend 25 bones on one of those tapes. Been using a standard contractor Stanley tape for a long time. One day I happen to go into Lowes and they were having some sort of "early bird special" and were selling 'em for $9.95. At that price I picked one up. Still use my OLD Stanley though.... Sam
*AJ - you get $12.50/week???!!!!. Wow!! How did you talk her into that much money? Between the IRS and the old lady, I am lucky for $5.00/week.
*Why would you use anything other than the LevelLock? When you pull it out, you want it to stay out, or you wouldn't pull it out. Why should you have to "lock" it? They just don't make enough sizes of the LeverLock.
*Another vote for the Leverlock tape. I have tried others and cannot get used to jamming my thumb to lock that blade. Too bad Stanley discontinued the "Contractor Grade" 25' Leverlock tape. It had a stiffer blade than the lesser ones and was yellow in color. If they sold a Leverlock version of the Fat Max, I would buy it, but I still prefer the 1" blade for general work. FatMax is too fat for most of my work. The two-way hook is very cool for soffit work.Bill
*I buy the craftsman tapes a couple at a time. I am a carpender and I don't make much money if I can't work.If one tears up, grab the spare and keep working. You know your wife is going to the mall anyway.
*starrett tapes have lasted the longest for me, but since i've started using the leverlock it's hard to go back to thumbing it. i wish starrett would make a leverlock.
*I like the Stanley 25' MaxSteel. Plenty of standout without the bulk or pricetag of the Fat Max.
*Starrett is who makes the tapes for sears. I called and bitched when sears went to the new tape design with the little winder on the side. so they sent me two new craftsman leverlocks. they came in a starrett box and had a letter from the VP of marketing of starrett saying they were working on redoing the design. I personally use a stanley powerlock 25' most of the time but just felt the need to raise some hell on that one. And I've got to agree that stanley is starting to get a little too carried away with this whole "fat max" thing. they're starting to make toys, not tools.
*Me, I like a folding measure, backed up by a standard Stanley 25'er. I must have ten smaller Lufkin and various brand 2'ers around the house, truck and shop. Ha, the Lufkins, etc. are always turning up as stocking stuffers or thru some sort of migration. I end up buying the rest.
*Just bought a new Lufkin stick ruler with the adjustable metal slider in it. Its great for detail work (I'm doing newel posts and balusters at the moment) but the other day I deceided I shouldnt always have to carry around my huge thirty foot tape all the time...Its like using a 28 oz hammer to do trim work.ya know? So I bought a stanley 16' only to find out there were millimeters on the top of the tape where I usually read it.Bummer so I went out and bought a 12' Stanley and it feels like I took ten pounds outta my belt. What a difference. So if I need a bigger tape I go to my tool box. Big deal.Why'd I wait so long? Geez
*That's the ticket! I got sick of even my 25' stanley weighing me down and knocking into fresh walls. Just happened to be @ the big orange and grabbed a 16' husky that, kinda like a leverlock, STAYS OUT when I pull it out. Never realized how convenient that was 'till then. Now the 25' is in the garage, the 30' is in the toolbox, and the 16' is on the belt! (most-o-the time) I would like a 30' Fat Max (if you're gonna go heavy, may as well do it right!) but the price has daunted me, maybe when my 10 year old 30' stanley cough's it up!
*I'm with AJ on this (sort of) A Fat Max wouldn't fit in the tape holder of my belt. Thanks to Sears and the Craftsman tool return policy it's been about 12 years since I've had to "purchase" a tape.Personally I'm glad to see many Craftsman haters. If EVERYBODY did what AJ and I are doing they would probably discontinue that deal on tapes. More power to the Stanley Fat Max lovers!
*I like the one that has Pamala Andersons picture on the case, Won the thing in a raffle, every guy on the crew wants to fondle the dang thing.,
*it's simple...Framing = 30'Fat Maxtriming = 25'craftyany questions?
*30' Stanley, the yellow one (?) Don't think a fat max would fit in my bag. Starret 6' folder for shop work. You guys sure have got me thinking though. The old stanley doesn't always like to reel all the way in anymore, so I think I'll check out a few others instead of just buying another big yellow stanley.
*The new 25' model from craftsman is very small and I can trade it in for free if I cut the tape by accident
*30' Stanley Contractor Grade is all that I use. I peel the sticker off and write down measurements. I used to Lexel a piece of siding on the side of the tape for a scratch pad.
*Mr. PitaYour Sears tape sounds like one my wife got me for Christmas, Only label on it is Euro-Pro and made in China! Has a positive lock on the forward corner an a 'grip' on the bottom to temporarily hold the tape extended, kinda tricky tho.
*I like the FatMax when I'm framing. I have a small pouch I got that is right in front where I put my tape. But it's too dang heavy to use all the time. I generally use a cheap 25' tape if I'm the "cut man". Just don't need the extra length. I tried getting one of those tapes that has a built in voice recorder for when I measure houses, but it quit the first time I dropped it. Great idea, just needs work. I like the Lee Valley "right handers" that Phill Giles mentioned when I'm in the shop. But they'd never hold up outside.
*I,ve used the Stanley MaxSteel for the past few years and don,t care to use anything less- they last me about a year unless I've been doing a lot of framing. Got used to the FatMax for about a year now and it kicks butt, esp. for framing and siding/trim. "You know, you go Max, you don't go back."
*Sorry, Jim, I just saw your reply now. Actually, the bottom grip on my crapsman works in reverse. You have to press against the "grip" (really almost the whole bottom of the tape box) to release the tape. So you can pull out the tape, and it stays out until you decide you're done. The positive lock knob is used (by me) rarely - only when I know I need to keep the tape out, and want to avoid premature rewind.It can be annoying if you set the tape down too hard to measure something with both hands, as the tape will fly back in a bit, but you quickly get used to being a little gentler. The weight of the tape box is not enough to release the tape. It is annoying until you get the hang of it - one brother wants to throw it against the wall when he helps me or vice versa.
*FaTMax IsN't. I bought one, the clip is weak and bends easy. The screw in the clip is short and strips out the plastic case easy. My tool belt is about 15yrs old and has a clip holder not a pouch for the tape. I refuse to by a new belt because I can' find this feature on any good ones. One of the best features of the Stanley 25' tapes has always been the 3" case. The FatMax is so misshapen, you can't count on it even being close. I will not by another one. The old Stanley powerlock is great. I even buy used ones. Usually off some poor sucker in line with a FatMax. While we're on the subject, what idiot put metric on a tape with standard? He needs to be put in a car with Km/h on the speedo and sent to some other country. I wouldn't buy one of these for any money. If I need to measure metric, I'm in the wrong house and need to stop drinking as much the night before. I have never, Never needed both at the exact same time. I also agree with the above post, send airboy home, let him build wooden toy win-dings or sort bent screws and nails.Hey Stanley, leave the Fat marketing crap to To-Pak-Ya-Mutha and just make quality tools again. Start making the Leverlock agian in 25' in a case that isn't Chernobyl Green. Thanks
*If you want to confuse an idiot, a metric/standard tape is fun to have. He asks you to measure something and you give him the answer in millimeters. And those little guys are even smaller than 1/16ths. Hey Ralph27, As for lever locks, these are backwards. My natural inclination is to pull the tape out and if I want to lock it in place, THEN I lock it. With the lever lock style - I got one and dropped it after the first day - you can pull the tape out until you press the lever. It's like pressing the "start" button on your computer to turn it off. Or reverse Polish notation. My favorite tape measure is a Stanley 1/2" by 12' graduated in standard and decimal. It is small and light enough to wear constantly. It has a metal case. Now most plebian Stanley tapes have plastic cases sprayed with a shiny chrome coating. You may have to special order or shop around to get the Contractor grade. -Peter
*just found a $5.98 16ft tape at lowes that'll knock the socks off your airless sprayer you use cause you're too cheap to carry extra filters.its Komelon Mighty Mite 1" nylon coated blade with shockabsorber. really decent little tape for those tired of lugging the 25' tapes around on the ladders.i liked it so much i went back and bought another.
*Depends om what Im doin; 16 ft power lock is my favorite.I do the drywall thing to every thing ;use it to scribe and cut with as a guide. The thing is ,the end fits a stanley knife blade.Knife goes against the top of the tip as a rest, and enough sticks out to score with. Rip plywood the same way if Im behind. 30 ft contractor grade to frame with is all I can afford. National lumber gives me all the 25 ft tapes I want instead of caps. They have their name on the side. For in the shop ,going to store,or hanging wall paper a 12 ft stanley as mentioned above.Ive got a bunch of 25 ft power locks I dont use,as with the givemes.
*aj, maybe you should consider cutting down on the CAFFIENE!!!!Just a thought:)T
*I've always had good measurements with 1" x 25' Stanleys (the ones with the rubber on the box),the one I just trashed was dead nut for over 2 years. Fat Max doesn't read the same pulling and butting (no goat jokes) I've taken back a couple. What I'd really like is a good, stiff 1" x 16' ( righto, that's what she said...!) any directions?
*My favorite tape measure is the Stanley Comfort Grip model number 33-699. Can't find another one anywhere. And it even says "Made in France" on it, so it must be fancy. I called Stanley and they're still making them, but damn if I can find one anywhere. I'm trying to get the guys at Ace to order me one, but they tell me there is a minimum order and I don't think I need a dozen of them. Any of you guys know where to find one? I've checked everywhere possible on the net that Stanley told me to try. It's more compact than a standard 25, has a dull pollished casing. My boss refers to it as my "dress up tape". Anyway, enough babbling.
*Nanuk-I think I saw one of those comfort grip tapes at a "DO_IT Center" in Wellston, OH. This is a local hardware store/lumber yard that is about 45min from me. I think they are an ACE dealer. Did it look like the standard powerlock II but with very rounded edges? If so, they had about 25 of them on sale for $8 or$9.99. I will try to find the Phone number if you are interested.
*It was either at Jerrys Do-It Center Wellston Oh 740-384-5151 or Thomas Do -it Center in Gallipolis Oh 740-446-2002 I can't remember for sure. Good luck Nanuk
*Ralph - Thanks for the tip. I'll give it a try. I had my local Ace store look for me, and they said they could get them, but I'd have to order 4 at $23 each. No thanks. Don't really need a hundred bucks in tape measures. Thanks again.
*No problem. If you are far away and they give you a hard time about mailing it, post back here and I will buy one next time I am there and mail it to you at cost. I go to a Hardware/door/window outlet stores nearby the Wellston store at least once a month and the Galliapolis store is where I get most of my lumber. I know how much a good tape is worth. I haven't been impressed with Stanley's quality control lately but I might try one.
*I just had to post this somewhere!I make a living recommending and selling components for factory automation--sensors, plc's, motion controllers, etc. Anyhow, I just had the opportunity to work around an MRI magnet. We needed to measure some distances and input them into a controller for various scaling operations. Of course, ferrous metal is a bad idea around a massive magnet. The guy that called me in briefed me on the dangers of working around the magnet as well as shared a few fun stories.Here are the two cool experiences.1) The tools we used (screwdrivers, pliers, etc) were made of titanium. I bet you can't even get those off the snap-on truck ;-)2) We used a retracting cloth "tailor's tape" to take our measurements. A regular tape has too much steel. The tip of the tape had a small amount of ferrous metal on it. The guy walks up to the magnet, pulls out about 3 feet of tape, holds the tip in mid air, let's go, and walks back about 3 yards holding the body of the tape measure. Picture it: A cloth tape with unlimited stand out!
*I use a yard stick for framin'and a piece of string with a pen mark on it for trimmin'My crew use only the best in Hobo brand toolsHAHAHAHAHAHA