Festool Tape Measure "ERROR"

[Fred West]

To all, I only have one of the new Festool tape measures but to say that I am disappointed in it would be too mild. First off, I love the window and I love the ability to mark out a radius.

I vividly remember reading the discussion of the amount of engineering it would take to have the reading in the window remain accurate as more and more of the tape was used. After awhile it seemed that most everyone was satisfied with the engineering and that indeed the tape worked as advertised and so upheld the Festool name.

My gripe is so much simpler than that whole discussion but if my sample of ONE is correct or incorrect as the case may be then all else is rendered moot. I had just finished cutting eight rails and eight stiles for four raised panel doors that I am building when my tape from Timmy C. arrived. I had been using one of my FastCap tapes on the 15" stiles and 15 7/8" rails so I thought, hey, lets see how this baby checks out.

Initially I thought I had just mismeasured, misread, etc. However after measuring all 16 lengths, I knew I had a major issue. I took the Festool and the FastCap tapes downstairs and set them up against both my 18" and 12" Starrett rules. The FastCap tape was approx. a 1/128" short but the Festool tape was 1/16" short.

All things being equal there is no way in this world that I can use or justify a discrepancy that large especially from a company notorious for fantastic tolerances and quality par none. Timmy is sending me another tape and I am so hoping that this is a fluke but has anyone else experienced anything similar with their new tape/s? As soon as I receive the new tape I will post again as to my findings. Fred

 

[semenza]

Hi,

   Well thats not good     Then again tape measures are notorious for being that much off.  I too find that my Fast Cap is right on with my precision  measuring tools though.

Seth

 

[jakiiski]

Well, unfortunately it's not uncommon for tape measures to have one meter being something else than one meter. I've read a tip in one book that you should mark your tapes, so you that always measure, then measure and cut with the same tape since the tape measures might not be "interchangeable".  :-\

 

[jakiiski]

But, of course the "Festool" brand and expectation level does not meet here with reality, if it's that much off.

 

[woodshopdemos]

Fred,
  That is a disapppointment. With tape measures, I always find that the error is made by the end clip. It is usually loose on the pin so that it can hook over items and be at one point, but different for inside measurements. The play is supposed to be the length of the clips thickness. Is your tape endclip loose that way...if not, can you loosen it a bit.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Initially I thought I had just mismeasured, misread, etc. However after measuring all 16 lengths, I knew I had a major issue. I took the Festool and the FastCap tapes downstairs and set them up against both my 18" and 12" Starrett rules. The FastCap tape was approx. a 1/128" short but the Festool tape was 1/16" short.

I have four different FastCap tapes and all of them are off more than yours. Up to 1/32" off. But 1/16' is way too much. Also, are you checking both inside and outside measurements? It's rare to find a tape that gives exactly the same measure for both inside and outside measures. Out of over a dozen tapes I have one that is very close to accurate for both inside and outside measures and it cost $4 from the Home Despot. When the tape started getting kinked I bought another and it isn't as good.

Nonetheless I use the FastCap tapes primarily as story poles. I just have to remember whether they are to be used for inside or outside transfers.

 

[nickao]

Sure glad I am a scribe and go guy. I have the Festool and FastCap tapes and never had a problem. I work with ratios and consistency.  I use the same tape so it really does not matter to me what the measurement is exactly. If you measure a window and it's off an 1/8 so what, the piece you cut will be off the same and it will fit. Even the best tapes get off because of the clip at the end.

If you want good measurements use a rule in the first place. If you want to use tapes just use the same one for each project.

 

[Frank Pellow]

...
If you want good measurements use a rule in the first place. If you want to use tapes just use the same one for each project.

Good advice, Nick!

 

[butzla]

I second Nickao's emotion.

 

[Frank Pellow]

I second Nickao's emotion.

Actually, you "thirded" it.  ;D

 

[Per Swenson]

I am going to sound harsh, so be it.

Get a drawer in your shop and put every tape measure you own in it except one.

Lock it and throw a way the key.

Use this tape measure once to make story sticks for your projects.

Make a stick for every dimension and label it.

Look through the garbage for the key, unlock the drawer

and place the one tape measure in with the others.

If you must use a measuring device break down and buy one of these.

with the brass extension

[attachimg=#]

Per

 

[nickao]

Ah, one of my favorites especially for inside measurements, sometimes old school is the best.

I used to see the old timers fling these things out and make them dance. One flick of the wrist and they could get it to unfold and fold up, almost always just to the length they needed! Never did figure out how they did it.

 

[neoshed]

I keep seeing them in the festool movies and catalogues so when do you think the festool folding rule will appear over here?

 

[clintholeman]

Per, though I hate to admit it, is right on the money!  The more you measure, the more opportunity to be off.  All tapes are different.  If one must use one, use only it for the job.  Story sticks are WAY better, more accurate and repeatable.

 

[nickao]

Agreed guys. Forget measure twice, cut once.

How about Scribe once, cut once.

Which is basically what the story stick allows you to do.

 

[neoshed]

I need to check my festool tape as well. I always only use a single tape on anything I work on but I mostly use a rule.

I really like the tape but I'm a bit disappointed it's only 3m

 

[Fred West]

To all, I rarely use tapes and I do scribe, mark and do virtually anything I can to not use a tape. I also do use the same tape on any given project so that my measurements are always the same if and when I use a tape.

However, that does not change the fact that a Festool tape, IMHO, should never be off by that amount. If this was a Black & Decker tape I would just say oh well and move on. But we are speaking about a $25 tape with the Festool name on it. Fred

 

[Michael Kellough]

If you must use a measuring device break down and buy one of these.

with the brass extension

[attachimg=#]

Per

This is a good place to point out that Tom (aka dirtydeeds) has developed a 3D story stick, as in an adjustable frame to find out the dimensions of a structure needed to fit a wacky situation.

 

[Qwas]

I just tested my Festool Tape Measure with a 6 and 12 inch caliper. I find it is within 1/64 of inch at 12 inches and dead on at 6 inches. Hopefully you just got a bad one and the replacement will be better.

I don't know if this was mentioned elsewhere and I missed it, but the sighting glass on top is used for inside measurements along with making radii.

Still, I only use one tape measure at a time but try to use a story stick wherever possible.

 

[Fred West]

Steve, thank you as that is great news and I hope the next one is as accurate as yours. Fred