Festool tape measure review.

[Bill Wyko]

I got this tape measure in the other day from Shane for my work in sysnotes. When I first picked it up I realized it had some different thing about it than most tapes. First it had a window on top so I could read inside measurements by butting the back of the tape to the inside of 2 surfaces and get a correct measurement. I saw this feature win the contest on cool tools. I had also seen a person submit a way of making a tape a compass for drawing arcs. This feature is also included in this Festool tape measure. Another feature that I like is that it has metric and standard measurements. This is a good way to learn the conversion from one to the other. I feel that this tape measure was developed by Festool paying attention to the needs of the real world of wood workers. There's just too many company's that try to knock off tools like the TS-75/55 or other individual tools when they should be paying attention to what we the wood workers themselves are looking for. It's not a single feature, it's a system of tools. This tape measure is another fine example of a system of tools as a whole not just a pick and choose of features. We as wood workers need a system that flows from one tool to another and that has features that lend to fast results without sacrificing quality. This is why I use festool over so many other brands. From their tape measure to the guide rail system and so much more. It's a fluid way to organize your work systematically. (This is not a paid review. Just my NSHO [big grin])

Everyone should have one of these tapes for sure. [wink]

 

[Frank Pellow]

Good review, Bill. 

I have the tape (along with about a dozen others) and it is the one that I use the most often.  The one thing that I would change it to put the (much more used) Metric scale on the top of the tape and relegate the (inferior) Imperial scale to the bottom.

 

[Bill Wyko]

Thanks. You could always hold it upside down. [blink] JK

 

[Frank Pellow]

I do hold it upside down most of the time. 

But, then I have to measure right to left and read upside down.

 

[tbellemare]

I agree with you guys...

Though, when I first got them, I thought they were cheesy. I also have lots of ways to measure things from tapes to folding rulers to meter sticks to laser distance measures. I find I grab the little green tape most often.

The only problem with mine is that when I can't readily find it, I catch myself wasting time looking for it instead of grabbing the closest suitable measuring device. I should have kept half a dozen of the silly things instead of just one.

Tom

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

By the way, this thread is referring to our Imperial/Metric Tape Measure, 495415, $25.  I am pretty sure that these are still available and we have them in stock.

 

[tbellemare]

That's news to me. Thanks, Shane!

Tom

 

[lawhoo]

How long is the tape measure?  McFeely's has a 10-foot tape measure that (assuming the length matches) appears to be the same product, though with a different color/brand and a lower price.  I found it by searching their site for "Festool tape measure," and it was the only result.

 

[Brice Burrell]

How long is the tape measure?  McFeely's has a 10-foot tape measure that (assuming the length matches) appears to be the same product, though with a different color/brand and a lower price.  I found it by searching their site for "Festool tape measure," and it was the only result.

Here's a link to the tape at McFeely's, BMI Window tape Measure.

Here's an old thread about the Festool tape, some guys weren't happy with the quality or accuracy of the tape. Don't know if the new tapes are the same one as the older one mentioned in the linked thread. Check it out here.

 

[counterfix]

i have two of them and my only issue was no clip so i used some Velcro. i work in some sensitive areas and i like the weight you know when it falls to the ground and damages something  [blink] as for accuracy it has not failed me.
Lance

 

[AlexThePalex]

Here's a link to the tape at McFeely's, BMI Window tape Measure.

And once again Festool's excellence shows here. A 10.80 dollar coat of paint makes an average tape measure into a top notch tape measure.  ;D

 

[score0matic]

Alex

it  is not  paint, rather it is the plastic colorant that makes it better and thus more $$$.  [big grin]

By the way, What is the standout on it?

More importantly how does it compare to the Fast Cap at $8.00
http://www.fastcap.com/procarpentertapemeasures.aspx

It is my guess that the Fast cap kicks its hiney.

I find it funny how we sometimes think anything Green is better even when others make a superior product for less.  This Tape is like their Radio, kind of a hokey gimmick, not really worthy of their name.  I am guessing it was originally a freebie that kind of took off because the "faithful" wanted one too.

Craig
 

 

[AlexThePalex]

I find it funny how we sometimes think anything Green is better even when others make a superior product for less.   

It is indeed funny how some people seem to think like this. I'm glad I'm not blinded by such foolishness.

 

[ForumMFG]

Alex

it  is not  paint, rather it is the plastic colorant that makes it better and thus more $$$.  [big grin]

By the way, What is the standout on it?

More importantly how does it compare to the Fast Cap at $8.00
http://www.fastcap.com/procarpentertapemeasures.aspx

It is my guess that the Fast cap kicks its hiney.

I find it funny how we sometimes think anything Green is better even when others make a superior product for less.   This Tape is like their Radio, kind of a hokey gimmick, not really worthy of their name.  I am guessing it was originally a freebie that kind of took off because the "faithful" wanted one too.

Craig
 

Craig,

Do you know what the difference is  between the Festool tape and the BMI tape that makes the Festool tape so much more expensive?  I think it's double the price but correct me if I am wrong.  Are there any different features?  Maybe Festool could chime in on this as well?

 

[Neill]

I agree with Tom B., this is my go-to tape measure.  It works well enough.  The tab has not come loose like some of my others.  This enables me to start from zero and not 1".

The standout is not as good (although I can't say how long) nor is it as easy to read as my Fat Max.

I also like using my old fold-up carpenter's rule and a 54" yardstick my dad gave me for shorter distances.

Was it worth $25 for a 10' tape rule?  Probably not, but what the heck.  A little more green out, a little green in.

Neill

 

[butzla]

I don't like any tape measure that you have to hold down with a lever.  I've always been a fan of the Stanley "Leverlock" ...it works in reverse, you need to press down on the lever to release the tape.  Then I found  this beauty at Rockler.  It works just like the Leverlocks but way betta.  Only 4 bucks too and the green is a dead match Festool green to boot.  I recommend adding one to your next Rockler order.

 

[Inner10]

I'm shocked you fellas like the combination metric/imperial tapes.  If someone hands me one I want to throw it back at them, it drive me nuts flipping the tape around to get an accurate reading.

Stanley lever lock is ok, but the lock wears out fast.

 

[Neill]

I don't like any tape measure that you have to hold down with a lever.  I've always been a fan of the Stanley "Leverlock" ...it works in reverse, you need to press down on the lever to release the tape.  Then I found  this beauty at Rockler.  It works just like the Leverlocks but way betta.  Only 4 bucks too and the green is a dead match Festool green to boot.  I recommend adding one to your next Rockler order.

Jim,

The locking feature may be necessary to lock down the tape in order to use the reading in the clear window which gives you an inside measurement.  Not sure how you could do it otherwise.

Neill

 

[Frank Pellow]

I'm shocked you fellas like the combination metric/imperial tapes.  If someone hands me one I want to throw it back at them, it drive me nuts flipping the tape around to get an accurate reading. ...

In my response above, I did complain about having to reverse the tape and having to read updise down.  Dual scale tapes would be much better if they give preference to metric.

 

[RONWEN]

I took Stoolman's comment as he doesn't have an issue with the tape locking but rather having to "push to lock it" preferring instead to "push to release the lock".  I also prefer a push to release locking mechanism.

I don't like any tape measure that you have to hold down with a lever.  I've always been a fan of the Stanley "Leverlock" ...it works in reverse, you need to press down on the lever to release the tape.  Then I found  this beauty at Rockler.  It works just like the Leverlocks but way betta.  Only 4 bucks too and the green is a dead match Festool green to boot.  I recommend adding one to your next Rockler order.

Jim,

The locking feature may be necessary to lock down the tape in order to use the reading in the clear window which gives you an inside measurement.  Not sure how you could do it otherwise.

Neill