Measuring and Squaring Devices

MarkF said:
I find the Mesopotamian style precision story tape from Lee Valley is more accurate than the Metric [big grin]: LV Precision Story Tape

I'm only half tongue in cheek here...seriously...you can take measurement to a point and then parallax error kills you.  Get a set of the Icra rules for markup and use Ruler Stops Veritas Ruler Stop for transferring measurements.  I also use a couple of different length bar gauges Veritas Bar Gauge for transfering inside measurements.  Keep a piece of 2X2 for each project as a story stick.  Throw away your tape measures unless they're a "Precision Story Tape" [big grin].  I actually have a Fastcap flatback tape with a story strip on one side which comes in handy on long cabinet pieces. 
Click to expand...

I have a few sets of the Veritas Bar Gages that I made up for various length ranges -- they work great for marking multiple pieces the same.
 
Stayed up late last night/early this morning searching out tape measures for some odd reason, but I also found that Lufkin (Cooper Tools) Lufkin, makes a metric folding engineers rule and a lot of metric only or combo imperial metric tape measures.  Still no 32mm versions.
 
Darcy,

You're in too much of a rush.  [big grin]  Check back through the thread for my responses to Fastcap tapes.
 
Ken Nagrod said:
Stayed up late last night/early this morning searching out tape measures for some odd reason, but I also found that Lufkin (Cooper Tools) Lufkin, makes a metric folding engineers rule and a lot of metric only or combo imperial metric tape measures.  Still no 32mm versions.
Click to expand...

Sound like a business opportunity for someone to gibe Fast-cap some competition.
 
Probably means nothing but i have used many tape measures in the past & Lufkin is the best i have used.
 
woodguy7 said:
Ken, is this what you are looking for ?

http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?hl=en&xhr=t&q=stanley+fat+max+tape+measure&cp=21&rlz=1R2DKUK_en-GB&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1030&bih=667&wrapid=tljp1306788732109032&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=4822554380664813302&sa=X&ei=hQPkTd2bLIPA8QOBndWXBw&sqi=2&ved=0CFwQ8gIwBA#

It has inches also but i just look at the metric part of mine  [tongue]
Click to expand...

Thanks, but I was talking about 32mm incremental markings.  I noticed while searching that the 32mm kept popping up, but that is the width of the blade, not the markings.

Good try!  [smile]
 
Bummer thought i sussed it  [embarassed]  Never seen one with 32mm increments ?  Are you sure you get such a thing ?
 
Guys-Gals,
These are excellent and well priced--http://www.wihatools.com/600seri/616serie.htm--You can get an English metric combination on one rule.
I own several and they all jive with each other.  I think if you need better than this, you need to go with an incra or engraved steel scale (ala Starrett)  I have two long steel Starretts, one 72" and one 2 meters.  Pricey, cumbersome, but dead on accurate.  I also use shorter ones- 

I've been in the tool and die trade for over 30 years, bought and sold thousands worth of tools, and used millions worth.  Nothing touches "Old" USA Starrett for quality.  Their master squares and even combination squares have set the standards for decades. 

Sometimes we get overly familiar with our tools .  A 12" Starrett combination square is the most versatile measuring tool in the shop for general woodworking and machine setup.  Add a 24" blade and you have a tremendous amount of flexibility and precision in your hands.

Jay
 
Jay Evans said:
Nothing touches "Old" USA Starrett for quality.  Their master squares and even combination squares have set the standards for decades. 

Sometimes we get overly familiar with our tools .  A 12" Starrett combination square is the most versatile measuring tool in the shop for general woodworking and machine setup.  Add a 24" blade and you have a tremendous amount of flexibility and precision in your hands.
Click to expand...

Jay:
Couldn't agree more.  [thumbs up]
Tim
 
Ken Nagrod said:
Thanks, but I was talking about 32mm incremental markings.  I noticed while searching that the 32mm kept popping up, but that is the width of the blade, not the markings.
Click to expand...

I bought the Fast Cap so called True32 thinking (not reading closely enough) that they would be marked with 32mm increments.
No luck! That'll teach me to read the product description more closely and stop trying to turn hopes into reality.
The Fast Cap True32, at least the ones I got are marked with millimeters. There are of course markings at 32mm but they are not highlighted and are indistinguishable from the regular mm markings.
As a tool, I don't like it very much. It's too bulky, the tape is too wide and curve too deep too to use unless I am measuring large 1 to 2.5 meter panels.
Tim
 
Funny, I have been intensively using the Fastcap True32 tape and an old Starret combination square on my current project. I only wish that Starret was Metric :\  My father-in-law gave me the Starret and it just oozes quality. The angle head was hugely useful.

I concur with Tim regarding the Fastcap tape. The curvature is a bit too much, always slipping off when I try to rotate the tape edge close to the stock so I can mark it. I wouldn't try to make fine furniture with it, but it's an adequate measuring tool for general projects or home improvement.
 
Lots of comments on our True32 tape measure so I thought I should clarify a few points:
-The True32 blade style was made at the request of Bob Buckley, the owner of True32.com. 
-There is a small black dot at the top of every 32mm hash mark to indicate each 32mm segment.
-The bend is to give our wide 1 inch blades a long 8ft stand off
-We also offer the True32 in the Flatback model (blade without bend) for panel layout and easy line transfer
-We have never charged any of our customers for warranty replacement or the shipping cost to get it to them.
-We guarantee everything we make for life - 100%
-Each of our blades are tested to be accurate within +/- .06mm at 6ft (industry standard)
-We always recommend, regardless of which blade that is used to always check the accuracy of a tape measure before each job to ensure that the hook didn't get bent between use.  Burning an inch is a good way to do this.
-Some unique features that our tape measures have are: Writing pad on the side, Lever-action belt clip, built-in pencil sharpener, 1 inch wide blade, front and bottom braking system, unique blade styles that you can write on and wipe off with your thumb, reverse read blades, rubber overmolded case that is color-coded for each blade style and a flat blade style for panel layouts all for under $8.
 
I have personally been happy with the FastCap tapes and have been meaning to get a true 32 model.  One thing to note for those who have never used these tapes, the flat back versions are designed to take outside measurements - not inside measurements.  The tape hook end is firmly riveted. 

Peter
 
fastcap said:
Lots of comments on our True32 tape measure so I thought I should clarify a few points:
-The True32 blade style was made at the request of Bob Buckley, the owner of True32.com. 
-There is a small black dot at the top of every 32mm hash mark to indicate each 32mm segment.
-The bend is to give our wide 1 inch blades a long 8ft stand off
-We also offer the True32 in the Flatback model (blade without bend) for panel layout and easy line transfer
-We have never charged any of our customers for warranty replacement or the shipping cost to get it to them.
-We guarantee everything we make for life - 100%
-Each of our blades are tested to be accurate within +/- .06mm at 6ft (industry standard)
-We always recommend, regardless of which blade that is used to always check the accuracy of a tape measure before each job to ensure that the hook didn't get bent between use.  Burning an inch is a good way to do this.
-Some unique features that our tape measures have are: Writing pad on the side, Lever-action belt clip, built-in pencil sharpener, 1 inch wide blade, front and bottom braking system, unique blade styles that you can write on and wipe off with your thumb, reverse read blades, rubber overmolded case that is color-coded for each blade style and a flat blade style for panel layouts all for under $8.
Click to expand...

i have nothing to add to the tape measure debate only that i will get one and find out.

it is great to see this fine company (fast cap) represented on the fog. i have bought from them in the past (chop saw hood , it was broken and thaey sent me another AND a bottle of 2p10 to fix the old one) . they have great customer service similar to festool USA. i hope they stay around on the fog as they have some great products

i would like to give them a warm  [welcome]
 
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