Festool Tape Measure "ERROR"

[Gary K]

They look great. I like the contrast. I have a bunch of metal scales (rules) but I seem to always reach for my black ones with the white etching. Much easier to read then the chrome satin finishes.  Woodpecker's red and white should read good.
Keedy

 

[nickao]

I definitely will do! I agree they are not only consistent, but accurate. I have almost every one they sell except for the speed square type with the edge, which I really do not need in the shop.

Keedy, I had the gold colored large speed square, but sold it, it's much easier to read the white on red background. Pinnacle makes a lot of these for Woodpeck. Woodcraft has them now under the Pinnacle name and they are black with white writing which may be even easier to read. But I like the red.

The SERX are nice too, I have a couple. The only thing I never sprang for was the really expensive straight edge with no rule. Nice, but for almost 200.00 I do not need it just to set tools level.

And I really like the weight of the squares they do not move around much, the SERX are not as heavy but just heavy enough!

Nickao

 

[semenza]

Hi,

  I agree with the white on gold being harder to read. I have the 6" triangle (gold) and the 12" speed square (gold). Though I don't usethese much for marking, mostly for squaring.  I like the red with white too.  And the red on matte silver is good also.  Much better than most others black on chrome.

Seth

 

[nickao]

Hi,

  Nick, definitely post about the new rules when you get them. I am planning to get at least the 36".  I am particularly interested to know about the centering scale.  I have the 48" SERX, straight edge rule. Love it! 
    Speaking of measuring device accuracy in general... I have several of the Woodpeckers items, something really nice is that they all check out against each other. Both measurement wise, and for square.  I can routinely switch between them with no fear of one giving a different result from the other.

Seth

Seth I just got them and I am so happy. I only wish they had a 48" or bigger.. This is better for me in certain respects than the Woodpeck SERX. The SERX is really a straight edge on one side to adjust Jointer beds etc, not a rule. I will probably relinquish the SERX for that or anything over 36" now. The SERX Straight Edge side is a 1/4" thick so it can balance on edge which is great, but for a rule both sides having the angle down and measurements is better for a rule. The new rules are better for measuring than the SERX. The best thing is I checked all 11 Woodpeck rules and squares I have and everyone measures EXACTLY the same when checked side by side. All the lines and numbers match perfectly out to 48" or as big as each rule is.

1) The 30 degree angle down to the measurement lines is even thinner than the SERX, much better for marking with a pencil.

2) The center scales are exactly what I need. Measuring two things 180 from each other and getting the exact same spacing is a breeze with these new rules.

3) They are heavy for aluminum and not super light. They stay where you put them.

4) The Red with white writing is so easy to read.

5) The measuring lines are finer than the SERX which makes the rule even more precise.

If you are looking for some nice rules go for it they are nice and worth every penny.

The angle of the p5 rules in the pic may make some lines near the bottom look off, but they are really dead on.

Nickao

Woodpeck Rules

 

[neoshed]

The woodpecker rules are very nice looking, I just wish they made metric ones.

Regarding the festool tapes, perhaps if enough of us complain about them they might do something about it? I'm disappointed with what I got for $25 to be perfectly honest.

 

[tallgrass]

i have the bosch equivalent that is good to 1/16 or better.....very nice.....the hilti is good too.

 

[semenza]

Hi,

  Nick, if they are better than the SERX for measuring they must be really good! I think the SERX is great. I will be putting them on my buy list. 

Seth

 

[nickao]

The new Woodpeck rules are better than the SERX straight edge rules.

I love that there is the center rule on one side and the regular on the other. Plus each 1/4" line is marked with numbers so I do not have to squint to see the measurement. It is like the Woodpeck 12" Rule, but better in that it is wider and slightly heavier. It lacks the 1/32" increments like the 12" rule though.

You know I love the red with white  numbers, but the SERX silver with red letters may be easier to read. Oh, the lines on the SERX are almost twice as thick as on the new rules too, giving a little better precision for the new style rules.

Nick

 

[tvgordon]

I agree with you guys that the tape measure isn't as nice as I expected from Festool.  It's not that accurate but it does have the compass and direct reading for inside measurements.  I bought one for my dad just because he likes gadgets and this is the only tape measure I know of with those features.

Tom.