Intelligent Workshop
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Location: Staplehurst, Kent, UK Member Since: Jul 2011
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Tom Sustins
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« Reply #30 on: June 14, 2012, 12:51 PM » |
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The hook on most tape measure is supposed to move. It is to allow for internal or external measurements. Pull tight for outside measurements and push in for internal. The FastCap FlatBack is different. You wouldn't use it for internal measurements as it's meant to lay flat for marking panels (or cylinders) There is a video explaining it
All that said, moving the start of the measurement to the 1inch mark (not that I recognise that archaic system :p), isn't a bad idea. |
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« Last Edit: June 14, 2012, 12:53 PM by Intelligent Workshop »
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Intelligent Workshop http://www.intelligentworkshop.co.ukFestool Power Tools - Walko Workbenches - iGaging Measuring Devices - Veritas Hand Tools - Kreg Pocket Hole Jig FastCap - Bessey Clamps - TiteBond Glues - Oneida Dust Deputy - Trend Diamond Sharpening Only The Best
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Festool USA does not pre-approve the contents of this website nor endorse the application or use of any Festool product in any way other than in the manner described in the Festool Instruction Manual. To reduce the risk of serious injury and/or damage to your Festool product, always read, understand and follow all warnings and instructions in your Festool product's Instruction Manual. Although Festool strives for accuracy in the website material, the website may contain inaccuracies. Festool makes no representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness or timeliness of the material on this website or about the results to be obtained from using the website. Festool and its affiliates cannot be responsible for improper postings or your reliance on the website's material. Your use of any material contained on this website is entirely at your own risk. The content contained on this site is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.
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goforbroke442nd
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Location: USA Member Since: May 2012
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« Reply #31 on: June 14, 2012, 01:59 PM » |
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Ah, makes sense. So the edge should only travel the amount of the width of the hook? It seemed to me that the movement was always more than just the width of the hook. Will check this out my tapes against the woodpecker ruler.
Thank you for clearing this up for me!
Q: What should I look for in hook design/durability that indicate higher quality metal tape measure construction?
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Intelligent Workshop
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Location: Staplehurst, Kent, UK Member Since: Jul 2011
Posts: 132
Tom Sustins
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« Reply #32 on: June 14, 2012, 02:29 PM » |
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Accuracy is what you are looking for. The FastCap tapes are very good IMO. I'm not sure what other brands you have over there. I'm waiting for some samples from Hultafors that are supposed to be good.
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Intelligent Workshop http://www.intelligentworkshop.co.ukFestool Power Tools - Walko Workbenches - iGaging Measuring Devices - Veritas Hand Tools - Kreg Pocket Hole Jig FastCap - Bessey Clamps - TiteBond Glues - Oneida Dust Deputy - Trend Diamond Sharpening Only The Best
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goforbroke442nd
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« Reply #33 on: June 14, 2012, 03:24 PM » |
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Accuracy is what you are looking for. The FastCap tapes are very good IMO. I'm not sure what other brands you have over there. I'm waiting for some samples from Hultafors that are supposed to be good.
ok, accuracy,  maybe I walked into that one.... but what I meant was, is there a way to distinguish whether the metal end hook will remain "accurate" in its movement during usage and over time. I already went ahead and got woodpecker rulers for accuracy. What construction elements make a great tape measure? |
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Steve R
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Location: Twin Cities, MN, USA Member Since: Oct 2010
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« Reply #34 on: June 14, 2012, 03:35 PM » |
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Accuracy is what you are looking for. The FastCap tapes are very good IMO. I'm not sure what other brands you have over there. I'm waiting for some samples from Hultafors that are supposed to be good.
ok, accuracy, maybe I walked into that one.... but what I meant was, is there a way to distinguish whether the metal end hook will remain "accurate" in its movement during usage and over time. I already went ahead and got woodpecker rulers for accuracy. What construction elements make a great tape measure? Just like all moving parts they can and will wear. Also how they are used will determine wear. Some people can get years out of a tape others might get weeks. Use your Woodpecker to check the thing every so often. Also If you measure it and you mark the wood you want to cut with the same tape.... it will fit even if it is in Cubits. Cheers, Steve |
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"A Festool is a tool, Marian; much better than any other tool: an axe, a shovel or anything. A Festool is still only as good or as bad as the man using it. Remember that.” ~ Ode to Shane (the movie)
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Ken Nagrod
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« Reply #35 on: June 14, 2012, 03:37 PM » |
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Accuracy is what you are looking for. The FastCap tapes are very good IMO. I'm not sure what other brands you have over there. I'm waiting for some samples from Hultafors that are supposed to be good.
ok, accuracy, maybe I walked into that one.... but what I meant was, is there a way to distinguish whether the metal end hook will remain "accurate" in its movement during usage and over time. I already went ahead and got woodpecker rulers for accuracy. What construction elements make a great tape measure? I suggest you do a search on the FOG for FastCap or Fast Cap tape measures. Especially since you're bringing up Woodpeckers rules and accuracy. Read the gamut, then decide for yourself. |
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RonWen
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« Reply #36 on: June 14, 2012, 04:01 PM » |
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Ok, here's a really newbie question regarding tape measures.
I recently picked up a few of the Fastcap tapes at my local woodcraft. I wanted some metric and metric/imperial ones and ended up with two of the flat, non metalic types (which both happen to be in white cases). These are the "limp" type rulers which lie flat are are similar to tailor tape measure but in rolled form. One is only metric, and one is metric/imperial with story board.
I went with these because it seemed like in all the metal curved rulers, there was give on the hook at the start of ruler. I found that almost all my metal tape measure have this give, and it really bothers me since I'm not sure if I should be measuring it pulled right, and what to do for inside corners. This came up more recently when I was trying to square up the guides on my mft. I later picked up a woodpecker square.
I noted that for the flat tape rulers, there was no give at all.
Should there be no give on the end hook of the metal tapes? or, how is it properly used when trying to do precise measures? normally i've just started the measure 1" in when I'm trying to be precise, but moving from home improvements towards furniture, I guess I'd like to clear up this nagging question...
thanks in advance!
The "give" is the thickness of the metal hook so they read correctly on both inside and outside measurements. EDIT: Whoops, I failed to notice page #2 & the question was already answered.  |
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« Last Edit: June 14, 2012, 04:13 PM by RonWen »
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Intelligent Workshop
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Location: Staplehurst, Kent, UK Member Since: Jul 2011
Posts: 132
Tom Sustins
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« Reply #37 on: June 14, 2012, 04:08 PM » |
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I don't know how others work and it depends on the type of work you are doing. But I prefer a good ruler wherever practical. Though the FlatBack kind of gives me both.
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Intelligent Workshop http://www.intelligentworkshop.co.ukFestool Power Tools - Walko Workbenches - iGaging Measuring Devices - Veritas Hand Tools - Kreg Pocket Hole Jig FastCap - Bessey Clamps - TiteBond Glues - Oneida Dust Deputy - Trend Diamond Sharpening Only The Best
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goforbroke442nd
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« Reply #38 on: June 14, 2012, 05:07 PM » |
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Accuracy is what you are looking for. The FastCap tapes are very good IMO. I'm not sure what other brands you have over there. I'm waiting for some samples from Hultafors that are supposed to be good.
ok, accuracy, maybe I walked into that one.... but what I meant was, is there a way to distinguish whether the metal end hook will remain "accurate" in its movement during usage and over time. I already went ahead and got woodpecker rulers for accuracy. What construction elements make a great tape measure? I suggest you do a search on the FOG for FastCap or Fast Cap tape measures. Especially since you're bringing up Woodpeckers rules and accuracy. Read the gamut, then decide for yourself. A good suggestion. Did the search, but didn't see too many posts regarding accuracy of "Fastcap" tapes...are there known problems with the accuracy? On the QC side, when I was playing with the various colored rulers at the local WC, the back clip did pop off one of them. Either the screw was never included or it came off when I slid the ruler off the display. Looks like the company itself is almost festool-like in replacements, and since I'm a hobbiest, not too concerned about being "out in the field" when this happens. There are a lot of choices I see when it comes to tape measures from Stanley,Husky,Stabila, Kojima...too bad the festool version was not as clearly superior in this area! Feeling like with all the research for all the various shop tools, too much time studying and not enough time making! add: Before the fastcap, my go to ruler for the past few years has been a little green komelon. Still like that one, so know that I know why the metal hooks move, I look into getting the fastcap version in metric. |
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« Last Edit: June 14, 2012, 05:37 PM by goforbroke442nd »
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Steve R
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Location: Twin Cities, MN, USA Member Since: Oct 2010
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« Reply #39 on: June 14, 2012, 05:24 PM » |
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Accuracy is what you are looking for. The FastCap tapes are very good IMO. I'm not sure what other brands you have over there. I'm waiting for some samples from Hultafors that are supposed to be good.
ok, accuracy, maybe I walked into that one.... but what I meant was, is there a way to distinguish whether the metal end hook will remain "accurate" in its movement during usage and over time. I already went ahead and got woodpecker rulers for accuracy. What construction elements make a great tape measure? I suggest you do a search on the FOG for FastCap or Fast Cap tape measures. Especially since you're bringing up Woodpeckers rules and accuracy. Read the gamut, then decide for yourself. A good suggestion. Did the search, but didn't see too many posts regarding accuracy of "Fastcap" tapes...are there known problems with the accuracy? On the QC side, when I was playing with the various colored rulers at the local WC, the back clip did pop off one of them. Either the screw was never included or it came off when I slid the ruler off the display. Looks like the company itself is almost festool-like in replacements, and since I'm a hobbiest, not too concerned about being "out in the field" when this happens. There are a lot of choices I see when it comes to tape measures from Stanley,Husky,Stabila, Kojima...too bad the festool version was not as clearly superior in this area! Feeling like with all the research for all the various shop tools, too much time studying and not enough time making! I started this tread /review of FastCap tapes. I have found all my my FastCap to be spot on to each other and every other tape I have. Some people say they are junk. My experience has been they are great. Cheers, Steve |
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"A Festool is a tool, Marian; much better than any other tool: an axe, a shovel or anything. A Festool is still only as good or as bad as the man using it. Remember that.” ~ Ode to Shane (the movie)
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Ken Nagrod
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« Reply #40 on: June 14, 2012, 05:53 PM » |
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I started this tread /review of FastCap tapes. I have found all my my FastCap to be spot on to each other and every other tape I have. Some people say they are junk. My experience has been they are great.
Cheers,
Steve
Steve, I don't know whether to believe you or not. Some have said that you're not even a real person. We need proof of these "perfect" tape measures and that you're real. A note from your wife isn't good enough. |
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RonWen
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« Reply #41 on: June 14, 2012, 06:31 PM » |
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I like & use FastCap tapes but they do vary in accuracy. I snapped a couple of pictures with the tapes held to my Starrett 36" scale with a magnet. FastCap Left/Righty  FastCap FlatBack  |
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« Last Edit: June 14, 2012, 06:33 PM by RonWen »
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Ken Nagrod
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« Reply #42 on: June 14, 2012, 06:46 PM » |
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Thanks Ron! Steve?   |
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RonWen
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« Reply #43 on: June 14, 2012, 06:52 PM » |
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Thanks Ron! Steve? No intention to poke anyone, just the facts as they apply to me.  |
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Steve R
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« Reply #44 on: June 14, 2012, 06:57 PM » |
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Thanks Ron! Steve? Ken, My sailboat is named the Phantom.... I have laid all mine down side by side and they match at zero all the way down to 16'. From what I could tell in a bit of research was that in the past they had problems.... so Old stock to new? now if this winter I leave one out over night when it is -30 degrees and quickly put next to a 72 degree.... might be a wee bit of difference.  Also as an pro photographer I can make them look like they don't line up....or do line up if I want....  Cheers, Steve |
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"A Festool is a tool, Marian; much better than any other tool: an axe, a shovel or anything. A Festool is still only as good or as bad as the man using it. Remember that.” ~ Ode to Shane (the movie)
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RonWen
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Location: One of the Thirteen Original Colonies of the United States of America. Member Since: Feb 2009
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« Reply #45 on: June 14, 2012, 07:11 PM » |
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Thanks Ron! Steve? Ken, My sailboat is named the Phantom.... I have laid all mine down side by side and they match at zero all the way down to 16'. From what I could tell in a bit of research was that in the past they had problems.... so Old stock to new? now if this winter I leave one out over night when it is -30 degrees and quickly put next to a 72 degree.... might be a wee bit of difference. Also as an pro photographer I can make them look like they don't line up....or do line up if I want.... Cheers, Steve That would be what is called "parallax error" which is why I used a magnet to hold the tape down and held the camera spot-on centered over the hash marks.  |
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Steve R
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« Reply #46 on: June 14, 2012, 07:18 PM » |
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Thanks Ron! Steve? Ken, My sailboat is named the Phantom.... I have laid all mine down side by side and they match at zero all the way down to 16'. From what I could tell in a bit of research was that in the past they had problems.... so Old stock to new? now if this winter I leave one out over night when it is -30 degrees and quickly put next to a 72 degree.... might be a wee bit of difference. Also as an pro photographer I can make them look like they don't line up....or do line up if I want.... Cheers, Steve That would be what is called "parallax error" which is why I used a magnet to hold the tape down and held the camera spot-on centered over the hash marks. And the longer the focal length of the lens, the less error. Smart phone cameras are really bad. For quality copies on our 11" x 14" we had a lens the size of a small cannon. . Cheers, Steve |
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"A Festool is a tool, Marian; much better than any other tool: an axe, a shovel or anything. A Festool is still only as good or as bad as the man using it. Remember that.” ~ Ode to Shane (the movie)
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Brice Burrell
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Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA Member Since: Mar 2007
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Remodeling Contractor
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« Reply #47 on: June 14, 2012, 07:32 PM » |
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I'm taking Steve at face value. Ron, your Starrett must be off. |
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RonWen
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« Reply #48 on: June 14, 2012, 07:45 PM » |
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I'm taking Steve at face value. Ron, your Starrett must be off. I suppose you are correct, you just can't beat "china accuracy". I'm still pondering if the 16' sailboat came into play here...  |
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Ken Nagrod
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« Reply #49 on: June 14, 2012, 08:05 PM » |
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Steve R
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« Reply #50 on: June 15, 2012, 12:41 AM » |
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I'm taking Steve at face value. Ron, your Starrett must be off. I suppose you are correct, you just can't beat "china accuracy". I'm still pondering if the 16' sailboat came into play here... No one said anything about a 16' sail boat.... my sail boat is 56... It's a wonderful thing... fun to sail not engage Festool tapes are 16' Got to find my magnets to show that in 100mm nothing changes as does 600mm nothing changes in my tapes.... Cheears, Steven Rusk earthlink.Net I"m thinking you guys need to get a life.... and watch the flowers bloom.. Cheers, Steve |
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"A Festool is a tool, Marian; much better than any other tool: an axe, a shovel or anything. A Festool is still only as good or as bad as the man using it. Remember that.” ~ Ode to Shane (the movie)
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