Metric tape measure

[Cheese]

Starrett has a nice selection and they probably have a better handle (a history) on maintaining tape accuracy across different production runs. I have 2 Starrett metal 12" scales. One was produced in the 50's and one was produced in the 80's and they're exactly the same.  [big grin]  Starrett offers imperial only, metric only and also imperial/metric tapes.
http://www.starrett.com/category/jo...isplayMode=grid&itemsPerPage=24&sortBy=wp/asc

I recently ordered a few of their tape measures. Highland has them on sale and they're almost free. They're half price. [smile]
https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/starrett-exact-measuring-tape-sp01.aspx

 

[Kodi Crescent]

Another vote for the Talmeter tape.  It's the only tape I've ever owned where the locking mechanism worked long term.  The last time I tried to buy one, they were fairly expensive and hard to find.

 

[gunnyr]

I have carried [member=11560]fastcap[/member]  tapes on the job site for nearly 3 years.  The last as well as any.  Like [member=49013]clark_fork[/member] I like the ability to write on the tape and use it like a story stick.  I have several of the [member=11560]fastcap[/member] tapes, I keep the True32 version on my bench and prefer to use it when working in the shop.  Their Metric/Standard version has both measurements on it, useful when working in both systems for whatever reason.

I have several FastCap items and have experience great customer service from them as well.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

I use the 8m metric tape from Lee Valley.

 

[acer66]

Old thread but I am in the market and I am torn between the true 32 and a starret  KTXP106-5M-N or are there other players to consider in the US?

A bit off topic but I am also looking for a metric only combination square.

Thank you.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

Old thread but I am in the market and I am torn between the true 32 and a starret  KTXP106-5M-N or are there other players to consider in the US?

A bit off topic but I am also looking for a metric only combination square.

Thank you.

Lee Valley carries the Starrett combo in metric, both 150mm and 300mm sizes. I actually retrofitted my existing Starrett 12" with a 300mm scale from Lee Valley.

 

[acer66]

Old thread but I am in the market and I am torn between the true 32 and a starret  KTXP106-5M-N or are there other players to consider in the US?

A bit off topic but I am also looking for a metric only combination square.

Thank you.

Lee Valley carries the Starrett combo in metric, both 150mm and 300mm sizes. I actually retrofitted my existing Starrett 12" with a 300mm scale from Lee Valley.

I was hoping for something price wise between hf and starrett but if not I have to be extra nice to my gf so santa might come through.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

Old thread but I am in the market and I am torn between the true 32 and a starret  KTXP106-5M-N or are there other players to consider in the US?

A bit off topic but I am also looking for a metric only combination square.

Thank you.

Quality is what's most important for this particular kind of tool...you can sharpen and tune a cheap hand plane, but you can't make a measuring tool more accurate if the scale is off or a square isn't square...
Lee Valley carries the Starrett combo in metric, both 150mm and 300mm sizes. I actually retrofitted my existing Starrett 12" with a 300mm scale from Lee Valley.

I was hoping for something price wise between hf and starrett but if not I have to be extra nice to my gf so santa might come through.

 

[acer66]

But I can appreciate a well made tool and will see if I can wing a starrett.
Working on my kitchen cabinets right now and decided that I am done with
fractions so I better hurry. [tongue]

 

[Cheese]

Starrett makes blades for their combination squares in 150, 300 & 600 mm lengths. Those blades are available in metric only or metric + inch graduations.

For inch only graduations Starrett also makes blades in 36" & 48" lengths. ALL of these various size/type blades will fit the Starrett 12" combination square.

 

[DeformedTree]

Something that gets missed in the support for the Talmeter tape is the pain/injury factor.  It's built in scribes mean it has sharp points that dig into you.  It's also a bit tricky to pull the tape out without getting stabbed.  It could be an ok tape, but these issues cause it to be only used when I don't have others handy.

 

[cfcsdavid]

Stabila makes metric tapes that are very nice

 

[Coen]

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.

And then they still manage to have the length of the housing only in imperial  :

 

[FestitaMakool]

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.

And then they still manage to have the length of the housing only in imperial  :

So are the Milwaukee 5M as well:
Casing is 8,3cm, that’s not even quite 3 1/4 inch - nice round up

 

[sancho57]

I like the fast cap tapes. The flat tape makes it very easy to measure flat surfaces especially cabinet widths and lengths. Plus it has marks for 32mm. So cutting sides for the 32mm system is a breeze. Their regular tapes are good to. The ones I get are both metric and imperial

As a bonus they have a pencil sharpener built into the tapes body which we all know no matter what when its time to measure and put yer cut marks on your work piece yer pencil always needs sharpening [big grin] [dead horse] [thumbs up]

 

[mkasdin]

Which fastcap tape do you use, they have about a dozen different tag names ?

 

[Coen]

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.

And then they still manage to have the length of the housing only in imperial  :

So are the Milwaukee 5M as well:
Casing is 8,3cm, that’s not even quite 3 1/4 inch - nice round up

3 17/64 inch  [unsure]?

 

[Roachmill]

I just took delivery of a Hultafors / Fiscars "BT5M" metric tape and I think this may be The Tape for me. At least for trim type work:

• Class 1 accuracy
• Quick and easy detachable belt clip
• Curser for reading measurement from
• 100mm from the back of the tape to the curser
• Easy to read all metric markings
• Good positive lock and release via a big-ole-button up top

They do imperial and mixed variants too as well as an 8m version.

More pics here

Only 2 niggles for me are:
[list type=decimal]
[*]the tape is 19mm wide (wider would be nicer)
[*]the 100m back to curser measurement utilises a flip down bit at the back (only on the smaller 5m tape)... and I know I'll forget to flip it down at some point [big grin]
[/list]

 

[Jim_in_PA]

I just took delivery of a Hultafors / Fiscars "BT5M" metric tape and I think this may be The Tape for me. At least for trim type work:

Looks like a nice product. Unfortunately, there's not much action on that brand here in North America based on a quick peek via Google.

 

[Cheese]

My favorite metric tape is an older Starrett electronic tape measure that you can switch between metric & imperial. At the push of a mode button you can continually scroll between measurement methods.
[attachimg=1]

Front measuring inch mode in fractions
[attachimg=2]

Front measuring tenths of an inch mode
[attachimg=3]

Front measuring hundredths of a foot mode
[attachimg=4]

Front measuring centimeters  mode
[attachimg=5]

Here in the rear measuring mode it's already added in the 3 1/2" width/depth of the tape measure case.
[attachimg=6]

And if there is any time where you are not physically able to read the display you push the red button and it locks in the measurement you just made.
[attachimg=7]