Metric tape measure

M

musik7

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Joined
Apr 3, 2018
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Hello,

I am looking at getting into building European style custom cabinetry, and buying a number of Festool tools to do it with.  An accessory I would really like, is a fully metric tape measure (metric measurements on both sides of the tape, no inches).  I have a FastCap tape with metric on one side and inches on the other, but the drawback here is I can only take a measurement in metric from one side of the tape, which is sometimes pretty inconvenient.

Has anyone else in the US found a good source for fully metric tape measures with a selection of different styles and options?  Stanley's LeverLock (see link below) in Metric would be my preference, but that will obviously be limited to what's available.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Stanley...asure-with-decimal-scale-STHT33281L/204675408

Thanks in advance for the help.

Andrew
 
To be honest, I wasn't impressed with how well the FastCap retracted.  It seemed sluggish at best, and like I constantly need to feed it back in manually at worst.  I was hoping someone would know where I can get a full metric version of a Stanley, if they make them.  If nothing else, one of the FastCap options could work, just not ideal in my opinion.
 
ben_r_ said:
Isnt the FastCap True32 what you are looking for? (LINK)

Or the FlatBack verison: (LINK)

Or this one: (LINK)
Click to expand...

The Fastcap True 32 and flat back tapes are excellent.  I had a True 32 that wouldn't lock well enough and would creep as I used it.  I sent an email to Fast Cap customer service and they immediately sent me a replacement tape and told me to keep the poorly locking one.  Great customer service.
 
Witch one would you liked to have (brand etc.)?

I'll see if I find it here in Sweden and then send it to you

/Mattias
 
MFond said:
Witch one would you liked to have (brand etc.)?

I'll see if I find it here in Sweden and then send it to you

/Mattias
Click to expand...

If I could have anything, I would buy the following tape in metric.  That said, I care more about the functionality than the brand.
For example, the auto-locking mechanism on this one works well, it retracts well, and the tape itself seems strong, which helps keep it extended unsupported for a further distance.
https://www.stanleytools.com/produc...easure/25-ft-leverlock-tape-measure/stht30825

Thanks,

Andrew
 
Dick Mahany said:
ben_r_ said:
Isnt the FastCap True32 what you are looking for? (LINK)

Or the FlatBack verison: (LINK)

Or this one: (LINK)
Click to expand...

The Fastcap True 32 and flat back tapes are excellent.  I had a True 32 that wouldn't lock well enough and would creep as I used it.  I sent an email to Fast Cap customer service and they immediately sent me a replacement tape and told me to keep the poorly locking one.  Great customer service.
Click to expand...

Thanks, good to know.  It's always reassuring when a company goes out of their way to stand behind their products.  I'll keep the FastCap ones in mind, I know I can get them here in the US.
 
Komelon makes one (you can get it on amazon in at least an 8m variation, probably more but I haven't looked).  I can't tell you how good the standout is since I typically use it for 6 ft errrr...1828.8mm or less.
 
If you can get them over there, Fisco / Hultafors make excellent metric tapes with a great feel to the locking mechanism and clear metric marks both top and bottom.http://www.fisco.co.uk/tri-lok.html
The TL3M is great when cutting ply as it has very little curve to the tape, making accurate marking easier.
The TL5M is better for general use as it has better stand off. (Still nothing like a fat Stanley tape, but much nicer to use).
 
I buy Hultafors tapes from Ebay, and I like Wiha folding rules, I keep their 1 meter in my carpenter pant side pocket along with two Pental mechanical pencils, a pen, and a Milwaukee marker.  Always ready.
 
ben_r_ said:
Isnt the FastCap True32 what you are looking for? (LINK)

Or the FlatBack verison: (LINK)

Or this one: (LINK)
Click to expand...

Readability is the key determinant. I have the Hultafors Talmeter 3M but I find I am mostly using Fastcap True 32. It has wider reading surface and easier to read fonts. It has a mostly open middle line where I can mark a dimension tic as I adapt to metric. However, it is clunky and heavy so as a job tape rather than a shop tape, it is not as stream-lined as the lighter more compact Hultafors. I would not like to carry the Fastcap all day on the job site but it is ok for shop use.
 
I ended up ordering Stanley Fat Max tapes from the UK.  I got both an 8M and a 5M.  I also use the Fastcap True 32 a lot. It has marks on the tape at each increment of 32mm, which can be convenient.
 
thudchkr said:
I ended up ordering Stanley Fat Max tapes from the UK.  I got both an 8M and a 5M.  I also use the Fastcap True 32 a lot. It has marks on the tape at each increment of 32mm, which can be convenient.
Click to expand...

Thanks for pointing that out, I think I'm going to buy one of the True 32 tapes.  I intend to start building cabinets based on the 32mm system, so an extra mark on the tape at each 32mm interval will be very useful.  Thanks to everyone that commented, a lot of good suggestions.
 
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