Hi guys
Heres to a fun little discusion…….
I am looking for a new tape measure and am having trouuble spending 30 bucks on one when typically they only last a few months. I like the thickness of the stanley Fat Max 25′ x 1 1/. I decided to buy the cheaper ones thinking they won’t last too long, but 4 or 5 of them are still cheaper than a good one, however, they are so flimsy, and almost imposible to use outside in the wind.
Anybody have any recomendastions?
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Replies
Fatmax is money well spent considering frustration abated when trying to stand the tape out, hearing that "Clack!" and watching it fall to the floor for another go...
I can't imagine using an 'old' tape anymore--don't know if there's anything better.
Get an original Fatmax. Depending on what your doing, I like the 16' if you don't need the length or a 25'. I personally don't like the 30's or 35's, they are just too big to use easily.
I agree that my 30' Fat Max is by far the best quality tape I own, but it isn't enough. I keep a number of differant tapes for different needs. I use my fat max for rough carpentry, concrete work, steel work, etc. I use lighter cheapy 20' tape (kobalt) for electrical and pumbing. And i always keep a stanley 12' powerlock in my pocket. I mean ALWAYS. (you never know when you'll have a measuring emergency) I have like 9 of them, it drives my wife crazy. Lastlty i use folding rules (lufkin red end) For finish carpentry and cabinetmaking, I can use the slideout to set a measurement, and then make the cut without trying to remember 114 13/16ths. And I use a lufkin bricklayers rule so i don't have to make a story pole when laying brick.
Try one of these, see how long it lasts. From FastCap, 1" blade by 25', built-in pencil sharpener, and a place on the side to write down stuff. Erases with a wet thumb.
$10.95 plus S and H.
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You don't spit on your thumb do you? Ewwwwwwwwww!I like the idea though. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
Jim, I said "wet thumb."
Didn't say how it got wet.
You pee on it?!!!!! Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
The clips on those Fastcaps suck. With only a few uses, they are so limp-springed that they're about uselessJulian
Costco has the 25' Fat max's with a HD Stanley pro needle nose plier for $15 for the pair. (on Clearance)The standoff is great, but the lock switch on them is always a pain to use imo. I prefer the lever-locks too, but they don;t make em in a HD version.The best tape I've used is the BigJohnson orange and black colored tape measures. Lowe's had them for a while, but no longer carry them. They have super accurate dual sided pointer arrows for making completely accurate inside measurements, something no other tape I've use does as good of a job for. They also come with a built-in quick release clip that works very well.Amazon had them for $4 a long time ago (reg. $18-20), I should've bought 20 of them.
http://www.amazon.com/Johnson-Level-925-25-Foot-Measuring/dp/B0009WG58U/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1200166506&sr=8-1It doesn't have the crazy standoff, but has better accuracy than any other tape and a good blade lock design. They're still a good deal at $20.JT
Edited 1/12/2008 2:37 pm ET by JulianTracy
Got to say I like my craftsman tape
Fat Max is my usual everyday beater.
Trim work I use a 16' Starrett.
Woods favorite carpenter
Got 35' Fat-Max in both vehichles for estimates.
Carry a 30' in my bags only 'cause the 35' won't fit!
Best tape I've ever picked up.
The best reward for a job well done is the opportunity to do another.
I use a 25' Fat Max for framing and a Craftsman for everything else.
I paid about 15 bucks for a Craftsman 25' tape about 10 years ago. I don't know if it's better (it doesn't seem any worse - I've tried quite a few others out), but every time I break it, I just go back to Sears and get a new one. They never ask any questions, and they've even let me swap it for other types. That's why I buy my shovels, hoses, and most other hand tools (mechanic's) there that carry the lifetime warranty. They sure haven't made any money off of me - sometimes I almost feel bad for them - almost!
Jamie
I don't know if it's happened where you live yet but Sears has gotten a lot stricter about their return policy since Craftsman got bought out/partnered by I believe KMart (right?). They'll still replace a yellow tape measure and you get a red one, no more replacements on the red tapes. I think it's the same with a lot of their tools. It still is the only tapes I use because my hands have the feel memorized. But now I'm buying about 3 tapes a year, sucks.
Edited 1/12/2008 4:38 pm ET by ckorto
Well, I see the overwhelming winner is the Fatmax. I would have looked at the milwalkee, but haven't seen any body selling that here,(Ontario).
Anyhow, my wife saw some of these posts and went and bought me a new Fatmax 25.
Thanking you guys, and thanking my wife...
By the way, for infinite standout on long measurements. I use a Stanley laser measure, no wind problems, no sudden drops, or rewindings....
I wonder if industry people read these forums? Sounds like a FatMax with a lever lock would be a huge winner - I'd buy it in a heartbeat.
I'd buy 'em by the dozen!The best reward for a job well done is the opportunity to do another.
they will replace the red ones under certain conditions. ask the sales clerk. anybody return the stanleys? they used to have lifetime warrenty. all the sudden they put all kinds of conditions on them. sears bought out kmart my understanding is that kmart owned a lot of valuable real estate. sears used to love to return tapes. cheap form of adds to get customers in stores. they forget under new management, we put up with inferior products because they accepted returns with no questions asked.. every time i returned a tape. i bought some other tool. cheaper than constantly putting products on sale to get us to come into store, this also brought my wife into store and she constantly finds new stuff to buy... sears is missing the boat...
I return all my Stanley's at Home Cheapo. They have a list of criteria where they will or won't accept them. Missing hook rivets gets you a new one every time...
There is a middle ground between the cheapo tapes and the Fat Max. I like the Stanley MaxSteel. Not quiet the standout of Fat Max, but standout comes with excess size and weight and more brittle steel.
I agree, I like them the best. The Fat Max is too fat. The curve they put in to get all that standout makes it a little harder to roll for measurement in some situations. True Value had a deal on the Max Steels a year or so ago, wish I had picked up several more. I did not see any in Lowes the other day, hope they are not discontinued
I got one of the Kobalts that has a little roller on the bottom that will extend it. It is pretty handy when you have one hand available and nothing handy to hook the blade on.
I like the Stanley Lever-Lock, but the newer ones don't seem to fit my hand as nicely. Wish I knew where the last one walked off to.
I love the lever lock tapes. You can open it a ways and hook it over points that are a few feet away from you and just put the tape down to measure. And when the hook comes off the work piece accidentally you don't have the frustration of the tape reeling in unexpectedly. My last Stanley lever lock quickly stopped holding, however, and the the hook broke soon after. I've never understood why more models of leverlock tapes aren't available. I know Komelon makes one, I'm going to try one of those.
I go to Wal Mart and buy the...
AllTrade Wideload XL - with smooth ball bearing action and fractional scales.
Cost about $12. Seem to last. Been using them for years. The ball bearing means don't get in the way as it retracts.
<alltradetools.com>
The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
milwaukee
numbers on both sides of the blade
magnetic tip
30' about $25
good tape
$27.80$19.99View Image
Day to day.
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=32565&cat=1,43513
I always have a Fat Max and a 100' stanley in the truck.
On a hill by the harbour
FAT MAX 25' ...BAR NONE. Got the new 'extreme' ..... wasn't impressed. Lasted 3 months. The original fat max..If you want get a scrap piece of high pressure laminate and adhere it to the side to write down stuff .....( uh, measurements...) No sharpener on it though , and as far as how you wet your thumb , it's up to you.
I suggest either the Ideal or the Greenlee versions. Both operate 'backwards;' that is, you have to push a button to retract the tape. I prefer the Ideal, as the button is in a better location.
In framing, I am sure you will all agree that mo longer is always mo better. Therefore, I was happy to see that the Fat Max is now available in a 40 foot length with an 11 foot stand out. The boys at work were so jealous.
Irwin makes a fantastic tape measure. Markings are printed on both sides of the blade... I have one, and I love it. Outdoes my fatmax any day of the week.
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Edited 1/13/2008 11:26 pm ET by jamiep
That makes sense to me. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
I looked long at the Irwin, it's a new arrival in HD around here. I thought it looked tough, but then felt it was very heavy with that plate on the side. It seemed to me, a lot of tapes had nice bodies, some with rewind bumpers, little brake butons to slow the tape instead of using your finger, etc, but they all seemed to have cheap tapes. There were some $5.00 units with great features, but the tape wouldn't stand out 5 feet.
S