Festool Measuring tape!

[EcoFurniture]

If you don't have one yet, you better go and get one  [big grin]

I just got a shipment of goodies from the homeland (Germany) and are very impressed with the measuring tapes!
First impressions:
Like most other tapes they have no rubber on the outside! Therefore they slide in and out of a pocket very easy.
The green plastic piece on the bottom to mark a radius is just cool.
The feature to be able to take accurate inside measurements will be very valuable.
But the most important part is the accuracy! Even though that could change after the first time you drop it, so far they are very exact!
The best part: They only cost me less than $7/piece!
I was addicted to Festool before, but those little buggers just made it worse  [eek] 

 

[JohnDistai]

But they cost US $25!

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

They are what, like 12' tapes?

 

[EcoFurniture]

they are 10' and a bit.
In Germany you can order them through this website: http://www.festool-fanshop.de/epages/62243072.sf/de_DE/?ObjectPath=/Shops/62243072/Categories/Zubehoer

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I just don't know what I would use a 10' tape for.

I go through a lot of tapes a year. 

I would think they would be great for building furniture or something.

It's not even long enough for the majority of the trim work I do.

 

[HowardH]

I wished it was a bit wider.  It won't hold it's shape for very long (33") when it's stretched out before it breaks over.  My Stanley 1" can go out for miles before it "breaks".    I also have a hard time distinguishing the tick marks since it's both metric and imperial.  Guess I'll need to start using my reading glasses!  [eek] [eek]

 

[Inner10]

Ok, let me make sure I'm reading this properly....

It is 10 feet long.

It extends 33" before collapsing.

It has metric and imperial which every tape user in the world hates.

It costs more then $5.

This sounds like the most useless piece of crap tape ever.  I realize I may sound like Debbie Downer here and I've never used the tape but what good is this thing??

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Ok, let me make sure I'm reading this properly....

It is 10 feet long.

It extends 33" before collapsing.

It has metric and imperial which every tape user in the world hates.

It costs more then $5.

This sounds like the most useless piece of crap tape ever.  I realize I may sound like Debbie Downer here and I've never used the tape but what good is this thing??

Did you read anything other ten 10', 33' stand out and $25 bucks? [big grin]

It has some handy things built into it. 

 

[Inner10]

Guess I forgot...no rubber so it marks the hardwood floor when I accidentally drop it. [big grin] [big grin]

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Good job!! [big grin]

 

[Inner10]

How is the pocket clip anyway?

 

[JohnDistai]

You guys are missing the point.  It has the Festool logo.  That alone makes it worth triple the cost of any other tape of its size.

 

[EcoFurniture]

You guys are missing the point.  It has the Festool logo.  That alone makes it worth triple the cost of any other tape of its size.

Actually, it's a well known fact that those measuring tapes are "just" promotional items that Festool buys from a supplier. You can get them with many other company logos on them. Just do a google search.

But that doesn't alter the fact that they are innovative.

 

[lordinteriors]

i find fisco tapes to be the best i have used they also sell metric only and imperial only tapes which  is nice

lee

 

[Wood_Junkie]

You guys are missing the point.  It has the Festool logo.  That alone makes it worth triple the cost of any other tape of its size.

Actually, it's a well known fact that those measuring tapes are "just" promotional items that Festool buys from a supplier. You can get them with many other company logos on them. Just do a google search.

But that doesn't alter the fact that they are innovative.

A while back someone (I believe it was Forrest) posted a link to the BMI tape that is sold through McFeely's (link below).  Yes, it is identical in all function and use, construction, etc.  Buut... it's red and white.  Who wants a thoroughly green & dark blue aesthetic disrupted by fire engine red!?  ;-)

Bleck!

http://www.mcfeelys.com/product/111582/BMI-Window-Tape-Measure

One benefit of this tape measure (yess... I have the Festool-emblazoned model) is that it fit nicely into the smallest profile Sortainer drawer.  My Fastcaps are too fatola and don't allow the drawer the close.

 

[Holzhacker]

I have this tape measure and have been using it for quite some time. It's a really convenient and nice tape for it's purpose. It's pretty much useless for jobsites. In the shop or at the MFT, it's very worthwhile. I would recommend it as a purchase. Once you use it, the convenience of the features becomes quickly appreciated.

 

[ForumMFG]

I have this tape measure and have been using it for quite some time. It's a really convenient and nice tape for it's purpose. It's pretty much useless for jobsites. In the shop or at the MFT, it's very worthwhile. I would recommend it as a purchase. Once you use it, the convenience of the features becomes quickly appreciated.

Im with Holtz on this. I own the tape and love it. But i would love to hear from someone at Festool why it is so more expensive then the BMI tape which is the same. For someone like me the only answer i can come up with is they jack the price up just because it has the Festool name on it.  If thats the case then you can only wonder about all the other products.  I think we deserve an answer.

 

[EcoFurniture]

Who knows where these tapes are manufactured... Maybe Festool has to first bring them into Germany where they have to be taxed as an import, then they ship them to the US have to pay import tax again and therefore are more expensive then others here in North America.

just to clarify: I didn't order them from Germany because I'm a cheap bastard. No. I expected a package with other goodies anyway and my family was kind enough to include those after I told them about.

Anyhow, I'm looking forward using them!

 

[sw1211]

I have this tape measure and have been using it for quite some time. It's a really convenient and nice tape for it's purpose. It's pretty much useless for jobsites. In the shop or at the MFT, it's very worthwhile. I would recommend it as a purchase. Once you use it, the convenience of the features becomes quickly appreciated.

Im with Holtz on this. I own the tape and love it. But i would love to hear from someone at Festool why it is so more expensive then the BMI tape which is the same. For someone like me the only answer i can come up with is they jack the price up just because it has the Festool name on it.  If thats the case then you can only wonder about all the other products.  I think we deserve an answer.

I really don't think any company "owes" us an answer as to what their pricing policies are, they set the price we decide whether or not to buy the product.  It's a simple formula, if you don't like the price don't purchase.

 

[Inner10]

I really don't think any company "owes" us an answer as to what their pricing policies are, they set the price we decide whether or not to buy the product.  It's a simple formula, if you don't like the price don't purchase.

Steve that is the most inaccurate explanation of the free market economy I have ever heard.  No company "sets" a price....that would be illegal.  Competition causes prices to be driven to a market equilibrium.  You are however absolutely correct in saying if you don't like the price don't buy it.

Obviously Festool believes that some consumers will pay a large premium for any product with their name on it and they are exploiting that.  I agree that no explanation is required.  This is done in almost every industry I can think of, although often a company will over exploit their good name and tarnish their reputation.  Think of that 15 dollar auto-loader screwdriver with the festool name, the safety glasses, the measuring tape; all these little things may be fun and profitable but I think ultimately they risk harming their reputation.