When did Stanley stop warrantying the Fat Max tape measures? The whole reason I would spend $27 on a 30′ tape was so I never had to buy another one. Call me a cheapskate, but when you eat up 2-3 tapes a year you finally decide to spend a little extra if it has a warranty. Unfortunately I think I’ve got to go to see what Sears is selling these days.
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Listeners write in about controlling condensation with insulation, solutions for cacophonous crickets, and more.
Featured Video
Highlights
"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.
Replies
IMO you're REALLY desperate if you're going to start shopping at sears!
I use the Fat Max's and usually buy several when they're a loss leader somewhere...never paid over $13 for one. (25 and 30 footers).
I've never tried to demand warrantee on a tape because, with full time use, in the mud, rain, and sand, getting scorched with a MAPP or acetylene torch, or whatever, I always felt that to expect a free replacement after all that abuse was akin to getting charity and not earning it.
To be honest, I never understood why they had that "Lifetime Warrantee" in the first place. Whoever dreamed that one up must be an advisor for Hometime.
They offered it, not me
I agree with you Dustin. When Home Depot came to town they gave a lifetime warranty on power tools. I have have exchanged for new easily 5-8 thousand dollars worth of tools. If they don't want the honor the policy - don't offer it.
i remember when contractor grade came out , menards honored the warranty. i broke a knife that might have been cracked to begin with. they said to bad.so iasked what the warranty was about ,they said we dont know. i agree dont offer if you arent going to follow thru.
framer
Hey, Notchman-
I always use the Fatties, too. Going price for the 25ft is $16.99 at Home Cheapo. Where the heck do you find 'em for $13 ?
Ken Hill
Found them @ Jerry's in Eugene from time to time. (A really great store if you ever get into the Eugene area)
i'm big on the line of chisels for on the job, long and good balance . sheffield steel i like these babies.... bear
Edited 11/20/2002 10:00:46 PM ET by the bear
I bought 6 Craftsman tapes ten years ago..................havn't bought another since.
Hey Mark... Have you seen any of those old sears craftsman tape refills that are white with black no's. instead of yellow with black no's?
Not in a coon's age..........I remember those tapes and had one, ('till I sniped, I mean broke it.) Figured they where after the Machinist / Metalworkers types with that one.
Who knows where they all went................
I can beat that one I bought a craftsman and broke it in the same day... you eith don't use them very often or are reallllly carefull
Don't know, must be tough on 'em. I use mine daily, average two replacements a year for each one. That 6-8 tapes a year.
I love the 35' Fatmax. I don't mind the weight at all and they last me for awhile. I like it that when I'm 20' in the air on a scaffold and I'm trying to reach to get a measurement I don't have to yell to someone else or climb down.
What I think of when you guys talk about Fat Max.....
Edited to add: right click and open in new window....
what the heck was I thinking?
Edited 12/10/2002 8:34:02 AM ET by Heck
Hey where did you get that picture of me
At Darkworks Customer satisfaction Job One..Yea yea were all over it , I got my best guys on it.........
Was that you Left...er Gumb.....er Ron?
I thought that was a picture of John Svenson's brother Max....what the heck was I thinking?
I've never had a "fat max". How do you deal with the inside read not being (add) 3 inches?
Edited 12/10/2002 10:48:41 PM ET by Fonzie
I'm not sure what you mean.
best tape I've used...came free with some purchase thru Tool Crib....
a Starret Mag......never saw one for sale before or since. The tape got stepped on or bent one way or another...then finally ripped..and I can't find a replacement tape for it.
I did see it in another tool catalog....but that was before mine broke...and can't find that catalog now either!
TC gave it to me...but I never see it in the catalogs...if and when I find it for sale...I'm getting about 10 or them.
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite
Maybe I'm wrong here. I use a Stanley Contractor 1 in 30ft which is the best tape I have ever had. I have had dozens and I think Stanley really got it together. I have had this one almost 3 years and have a new spare. When I am measuring inside two surfaces I add 3 inches for the body of the tape. I looked at a "fat max" casually and thought the allowance for the tape body was something odd- over 3 inches. One time I bought a Stanley by mistake that you added 2 3/4, a headache.
Please tell me the Fat Max case is 3 " !
If not I have made alot of mistakes !
On An Island By The SEA
Edited 12/11/2002 8:19:07 PM ET by NOVY_7
You know? I don't know what it measures. I've never used it in that manner. Maybe I should try. I'll try it out.
I love the Fatmax tape. I won't go to anything else.
Does anybody really use that inside 3" measure and get accurate results? I could never see where you're supposed to read the mark.
Workin' buddy and I have a saying: "Once you go Fat, you don't go back!"
Ken Hill
Ken,
Believe it or not once you get an eyeball for it the 3" inside is very accurate but your tape must be "pressured the right way as allwaysOn An Island By The SEA
I use a custom cabinet maker, who uses the 3" inside measure on a tape all the time when measuring between walls, etc.. He installs the cabinets, and they always fit nicely. I on the other hand, have never trusted the method.
I have a Lufkin 6' folding extension rule - 'old school'- to use for inside measurements. Very accurate.
Ken Hill
That Fat Max when extended is nothing but big gutter to collect rain here in Washington. It should come with a downspout. The case is too fat to fit my Occidental lites, and I've really gotten sold on using the Stanley 25' max steel tapes.
I'm happy for you guys that use them daily and like them, but I'll just use mine for Wowing the customer when measuring for a new deck.
Bob
"Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Edited 12/22/2002 6:45:39 PM ET by Pro-Dek
I to have a folding rule which I use for accurate inside mesurements., but it is limited to 6'. IF area to be measured is over 6 ', I usually measure from one side to an even foot, make a fine pen line, then measure from the other side to mark and add the two measurements. Never bend a tape into a corner and try to guess where the correct reading is.
I went thru 3 fat max tapes in 2002, some people say that they just take them back to home depot. I've tried and can find nobody that will exchange them. Its back to craftsman for me. They cost a lot less in the long run even though the qaulity isn't there. Remember "SAFETY FIRST"
I get my money's worth on the Stanley 25 footers and when they're tired enough to break I just grab another one for $14.
Thanks Stanley - Your tapes are the best!
Bob
"Rather be a hammer than a nail"
I was going to post a thread about tapes, but I thought I'd get a whoopin' so I'll sneak my question in here.
I love the stanley 16' tape in the yellow and black "contractor grade" case. It has just the right size feel and heft for me. But... it only comes in standard and I use metric. I recently picked up a 3M-16' stanley in the "metal" (plated plastic) case, but I have a paticular dislike for that case.
I tried to swap the tapes between the cases, but the new tape has a slightly different reel than the old and doesn't mate up, (B*st*rds!) I'm using the new one now, but I like the other case much better.
I checked out thier web site and couldn't find what I wanted there either. Do I have to go to Mexico or what?
I have a craftsman metric that I like a lot, but it's a big 8M and I've already got a spare tire, I don't need a hubcap. I might see if they have a smaller metric. Justus Koshiol
Running Pug Construction
Try http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.asp?SID=&ccurrency=1&page=32564&category=1,43513,43515
and http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.asp?SID=&ccurrency=&page=44168&category=1,44177,44178At my age, my fingers & knees arrive at work an hour after I do.
Aaron the HandymanVancouver, Canada
Justus
16 ' yellow and black stanley Metric
http://www.stanleytools.com/default.asp?CATEGORY=TAPE+RULES&TYPE=PRODUCT&PARTNUMBER=33-720On An Island By The SEA
Thanks Novy 7, that is very much like my tape, but not quite. I looked through all the pages of tapes they had and didn't see my model, (I'll be more careful with it now) The stanley 16' that I like so much is not the fat max style. It is yellow and black, but has a much smaller and more compact case. It's even smaller than the silver model.
I did see a 5' all metric model I might try, I don't really like half and half. Thank you for the link. Justus Koshiol
Running Pug Construction
Justus
I think I know the one you mean then. I have my favorite on my desk in front of me with a broken rule @ 1 3/8". It is a contractor grade 16' x 1" model # 33-446 Imperial Measure which they don't make anymore either.On An Island By The SEA
Thanks Aaron, Have you tried the Lee Valley? I would imagine that it is a good tool, but I've never got a chance to hold one in my paw.
Justus Koshiol
Running Pug Construction
I don't mean to seem like a royal cheapo. I posted after a long miserable day and was turned down at HD for my broken tape. It's not like I don't have the loot for a new one. When I bought the tape originally, it had the super warranty. I've traded in 3-4 times ( same with my Dewalt cordless until that was shut off) and it was a sore ending to my day. Since the original post, I swallowed my ill feelings and am the proud new owner of another one. Sears, I don't think I'll be in to see you.
Thanks for the straightening out everyone,
Dustin
I've held it, but unfortunately have not used it. I have (sigh) had to bow to the inevitable and augmented my Lufkin inch/metric with a Starett and Lufkin inch only ones.
At my age, my fingers & knees arrive at work an hour after I do.
Aaron the HandymanVancouver, Canada
just curious, why metric?
-z
Because metric is the bomb.
I'm one of the few red blooded americans that thinks we're foolish for not converting to metric system. It makes work much simpler as you (at least I ) can easily and quickly work with the measurments in my head. whats half of 109" 9/16" Quickly! as opposed to half of 278.4 cm
Most plywood comes in metric thickness by the way, that's why a 3/4 dado is too loose.
If you try it for a day I think you'll agree. It won't take long before you are looking for metric tapes too. Justus Koshiol
Running Pug Construction
you are right about metric being a better system, and I realize that alot of materials are manufactured in metric but if I yelled to my cutman 82.75 cm he would think I was nuts. I might as well ask for a cut at three and a half rods. I suppose the whole crew would need to be on the same page. or be working alone.
does a metric tape have the same layout marks that a standard tape has? for studs and tji floor joists?
zach
One would think they would have those funny little diamond marks at about 40.64 centimeters
On An Island By The SEA
Edited 12/14/2002 8:32:34 PM ET by NOVY_7
Edited 12/14/2002 8:33:28 PM ET by NOVY_7
My all metric tapes have the stud markings, but they are on the metric 40 mm system. (40 mm on center) Yes guys I use 16" and 24" on center so the poor SOB that comes along after me doesn't have to try and figure out where the studs are.
Justus Koshiol
Running Pug Construction
"40 mm" metric - center to centre - spacing of studs? That's about 1 9/16ths or 1.590". The drywallers would have a hard time missing the studs with this spacing, nicht wahr. Pretty solid construction, if you ask me.
-Peter
I agree. We, the US, should be using the metric system. Tradition, habit, and the US enjoyment of thumbing our noses at "authority" along with our mythological baggage about how we are supposed to be rugged individualist, despite all the evidence to the contrary, have stood in the way.
I grew up with SAE measurements. I have a hands on, gut level, feel for SAE measurements. I can squeeze a bicycle tire and estimate, within a few pounds, what the tire pressure is. I can get pretty close lengths by using hands, fingers and arm lengths to measure. I have a feel for what a pound feels like and can estimate volumes with enough accuracy to cook. You might choke on the results but it is not a fault of the measurements. I'm just not a good cook.
For metric I usually, I am getting better, figure the SAE value and then convert. When I estimate a one kilo weight I don't immediately say kilo. I guestimate a bit more than two pound and then using a 2.2 pound to kilo conversion I say its one kilo. Slowly I am becoming more comfortable with metric. I'm willing to change but as long as the majority of units used are based on inches I will never get enough practice to develop proficiency.
I haven't seen a set of prints or a codebook with metric measurements yet. I happen to think the idea of breaking a unit in half, then half that, then half that is very intuitive. Anyone who works with fractions very long knows you half a fraction by doubling the bottom numeral, or halving the top one. You guys can keep your metrics.
"I haven't seen a set of prints or a codebook with metric measurements yet."
The NEC (99) is full of metric units, but they also use the US meansurements. For example "clearanc over driveway 12ft (3.66 metric)."
And of course voltage and current are only given in metric <G>.
just curious, is the plywood measurement really metric? it's stamped 23/32" (for 3/4")
Your right, I had been told that but I just went out and checked. All my american made ply comes in english measuments, (odd ones but english) However a use a lot of baltic birch that does come in metric, and the measurments are true. I've got a set of undersized router bits so I never bothered to check the metric equivalant.
Never beleive what you hear! especially from me. : ) Justus Koshiol
Running Pug Construction
Yes they do, I would give stanley a call.
Fax: 1-800-827-5926
Men do not quit playing because they grow old; they grow old because they quit playing!
No they don,t. I had this discussion last year here on a 100 ft fat max.
If its workman defect they will, but you have to send it to they postage paid with return mail. Then they have the final say in the matter. if its older than 30 minutes no warrenty
Sears used to have a good tape with dual locking. I replaced it twice before my conscience got to me. They want to get you in the store, and they don't lose money on it overall. I use stanley tapes, though not fat max, and the seem to need Viagra.
Rick
Rick, are you talking about the kind that had a "regular' lock above the tape outlet, and a "passive" lock that you had to squeeze the bottom of the case? I still have two of those, very disappointed they don't offer them anymore. I decided to buy the replacement blades, rather than replace those tapes, because I found the dual locking was so useful.If everything seems to be going well, you've obviously overlooked something.
Quotes need to be acknowledged, please.
Excuse me? Men do not quit playing because they grow old; they grow old because they quit playing!
Is this what you mean? I didn't know you guys were so strict. LOLMen do not quit playing because they grow old; they grow old because they quit playing! Holmes Sr. Oliver Wendell
Here's a place to start
http://www.stanleytools.com/default.asp?TYPE=STATICLEFT&PAGE=taperule_policy.htm&LEFT=left_warrantyreturns.htm
Men do not quit playing because they grow old; they grow old because they quit playing!
Never liked the FatMax line. The styling is rounded and bulky while I prefer compact tools that will disappear in a tool belt or box until needed. I don't need any more bulky objects, discounting myself, attached to my tool belt. FatMax quality is, generally, better than the cheap Chinese trash and as good as many mid grade tools or about the same as most Craftsman or any other decent hand tools. That said they are not as good as real professional grade tools.
Speaking of professional grade tools, I bought a Starrett 25' tape in a woodworker's store, thinking it would be a nice high quality tape, but was really dissapointed. First time it got wet it rusted and cracked. Also, it's pretty flacid.
I've always used the Stanley 20' tape, not too big, not too small. But they don't seem to sell them anymore. All I can find now are the big honkin 30' ones that the hatchet framers (no offense to any of you hatchet framers out there) use.
Anybody know who sells Stanley 20'?
I agree that manufacturers should honor warentees they offer, problem is too many take advantage of the offers original intent. A while back I had a legitimate problem with a Stanley chalkline...."contractor grade"...I dropped them an Email voicing my displeasser with the tools performance. I am unaware of any warentee offered when I purchased the tool, but Stanley overnighted me three new chalklines in various sizes and a one gallon tub of chalk. Customer relations like this keep me purchasing Stanley tools as the need arises. I definetly agree with previous poster...wait until there is a sale and pick up a few at once...I never pay more than $13.99 for a thirty footer.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"