Going metric: Where do you USAnians buy measuring devices?

[TahoeTwoBears]

I've tried 3 different Woodcraft stores. Still no go............... :-[

I called Woodcraft Tech Support today, and they claimed they've never carried them. I'm guessing your store has an enlightened manager.

Which store do you use?

Mike

 

[Dan Clark]

Mike,

I go to the Seattle Woodcraft. 

There are some people at Woodcraft who are very knowledgeable.  However for some, you may need to speak s l o w l y and distinctly.  Using monosylabic words works great too.  Asking them if they have a funky one with blue label might be another alternative.  ;D

Good luck,

Dan.

 

[Woodenfish]

I've tried 3 different Woodcraft stores. Still no go............... :-[

I called Woodcraft Tech Support today, and they claimed they've never carried them. I'm guessing your store has an enlightened manager.

Which store do you use?

Mike

I swear that my local Woodcraft must sell dealer samples at times.

A few times I've come across something new there in very limited quantity with no item number, just a price.

 

[polarsea1]

If you can't find them locally the metric fastcap tapes are available on ebay. 

 

[Dave Rudy]

Which store do you use?

Mike

Mike, My woodcraft has the whole line of Fastcap tapes (and other fastcap products) in stock all the time.  But it would be a little bit of  a drive to Colorado Springs for you.  Having been in at least half a dozen Woodcrafts around the country, my belief is that each store carries some products that are not distributed by Woodcraft in addition to all those that are. 

Have you tried the San Mateo store?

 

[Jesse Cloud]

Try these guys:
http://woodworker.com/

search for item number 136-517

They carry the full line of fast cap tapes.  Worth the price just for the pencil sharpener!

Also, try the metric version of the incra T-square rule.

 

[nickao]

I just received the TRUE 32 tape. I only wish they had it in flat back. It's simple to read, but like all the fast cap tapes it doesn't look very durable. I will only use this in my shop, I am very hard on tapes.

pingvinlakrits I can not find the Talmeter in the USA.

Are you willing to get one or two and ship them to me?

If you are willing, get me the price and shipping costs and whatever your time is worth. If anyone else wants one maybe the shipping on multiples can save us some money. I only need the smaller 2.1M or next size up, not the 6.5 M.

let me know.

Nickao

 

[Dan Lyke]

Nickao, I'm totally in for two Talmeters.

 

[nickao]

Sounds good Dan.

I haven't PM'd anyone across the pond yet. If anyone on that side of the world can do this for us let us know. That is 4 Talometer so far,
two for me and two for Dan Lyke.

nickao

 

[Dan Clermont]

How much are the Talmeter tapes?

I might be interested in one as well.

Dan Clermont

 

[nickao]

Look here there are a few different sizes:

Talmeter prices

Looks like from 18.00 to 50.00 USD depending on which one. I think  I only need the short one.

Nickao

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Nickao: I have all the colors... ...don't ask me why.

The Green one (shorty) is 2.1m and nice and pocketable.
The Blue one is 3.1m and still small. Heck, they are all pocketsized except the red one which is barely so but has a nice clip.
The Green and Blue one measures diameters as well and has the mm/cm increments on one side and diameter scale on the other.

There is also a Black one (discontinued, haven't seen it on the web?) which is the one I use the most, 3.1M and very sturdy. It snags/stiffens some around 160-180cm and then eases up again, don't know why but both my copies (one at work, one at home...) do. The black one has mm/cm scales only and reads off both sides.

The Red one is 6.1m and very handy for interiors and measuring the long stuff. It is a bit bulky for everyday use but I have had use for it.

They do an excellent job and they have improved accuracy on some work with the very swift and easy length/interior measurement.

They are readily available over here and I will pass by the hardware store on Saturday and can check prices for you. Where are you and Dan located? 

Best regards, Henrik

 

[Dan Lyke]

Where are you and Dan located? 

I'm in Petaluma, California, about 45 minutes north of San Francisco, on the west coast. The logistics would be a pain in the butt, but unless we're clustered really closely I think this'd be a "ship to one person, distribute from there" sort of thing.

I kind of wonder if we can get one of the Festool dealers interested in doing this?

 

[nickao]

Nickao: I have all the colors... ...don't ask me why.

The Green one (shorty) is 2.1m and nice and pocketable.
The Blue one is 3.1m and still small. Heck, they are all pocketsized except the red one which is barely so but has a nice clip.
The Green and Blue one measures diameters as well and has the mm/cm increments on one side and diameter scale on the other.

There is also a Black one (discontinued, haven't seen it on the web?) which is the one I use the most, 3.1M and very sturdy. It snags/stiffens some around 160-180cm and then eases up again, don't know why but both my copies (one at work, one at home...) do. The black one has mm/cm scales only and reads off both sides.

The Red one is 6.1m and very handy for interiors and measuring the long stuff. It is a bit bulky for everyday use but I have had use for it.

They do an excellent job and they have improved accuracy on some work with the very swift and easy length/interior measurement.

They are readily available over here and I will pass by the hardware store on Saturday and can check prices for you. Where are you and Dan located? 

Best regards, Henrik

I am in Woodstock IL 60098-2880 USA

About 60 miles out from Chicago, not sure of Dan's location.

Nick

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Ok,
I am across the pond, in Sweden, you know that little country up north of things. I am not so comfortable with arranging bank transfers and all that jazz for such a small item. If I can find my Blue One (3.1M) I will ship it to you free of charge. As I said I have all of them and the Blue one sits in between the ones I use so it is somewhere in my Toolshed not seeing much use. And it is like new. Has only seem dry dust free use.

It could be sent off as a "gift" or something, so customs would not hassle you. Though given the price of the Talmeter  (I think the price of the Talmeter over here is some $20-25 US. I don't know if you think it is expensive but they are well made and the marker and the point does not flex as some cheaper measuring tapes do.)  I am sure it would not be an expensive affair whatever the solution would be. It is not like sending a TS55 across the Atlantic. A Jiffybag would suffice.

They hold up well for daily use but do try and keep massive amounts of saw dust out of the mechanism. I once stepped on my Talmeter (well, twice, actually) and had to replace the extension tongue, cost me a whopping $3... ...apart from that no worries.

PM me your address and I'll see if I can find it.

Henrik

 

[vkumar]

I am in Sunnyvale, CA (near San Jose or San Francisco, CA).
I would like one too.

Vijay

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Geez Guys,
I am not running a Talmeter store  .

Honestly, I think one of the Festool dealers should look into arranging a group buy or order in a bunch of them.

The TMS-3 (the Black one) is the one I recommend, followed by the Blue one (TMS-2?). They are both 3.1M and I find that length just about right for most tasks - longer than the folding rules by a full metre. The Blue one is smaller and flatter.

The Green one, the smallest, is not bad at all but 2.1M is a little short at times. The Red one (6.1M) is a lil' big for day to day use.

 

[Dan Lyke]

Grin. Yeah, Timmy or Bob, you listening here?

On international transfers, does PayPal work for you?

 

[swedish wood]

You have it right here in a swedish store.
http://www.clasohlson.se/Product/Category.aspx?id=251251#31-3971

 

[Dan Clermont]

I am in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Postal Code 98225 and wonder if they shouldn't all be shipped to Timmy C or Bob Marino and then distributed from there?

Dan Clermont