Recomendation for a good Metric/Imperial Tape Measure

C

Craftsman

Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2008
Messages
38
How about it? I use a Starrett metric/imperial tape but the blade is small and narrow . I'd like to find something with the heft of a 30' Stanley and as accurate as the Starrett.
 
Hi Craftsman

Cant tell from your profile where in the world you are but in the UK the Stanley "Fat Max" 8m/26 feet tape is pretty much spot on.

The tape blade is 1 1/4"

[attachthumb=#]
 
Craftsman said:
How about it? I use a Starrett metric/imperial tape but the blade is small and narrow . I'd like to find something with the heft of a 30' Stanley and as accurate as the Starrett.
Click to expand...

Home Despot has occasionally carried the Stanley Leverlock model 30-824 which is 8 meters / 26'.  I have several that reside in as many tool boxes / bags.  They all seem to be in sync with each other overall.  The tapes are made in Thailand (at least they're not made in China). 

[smile]
 
I'll take a look at the Fastcap tapes. I  think my local Woodcraft Supply has them. Thanks for all the suggestions.
 
John Bates said:
I would have recommended Evans a few years ago but would go with Fastcap.
Click to expand...

John were did you buy yours?

Im from the uk as well and i like the look of those tapes
 
Do you mean the Fastcap tapes? Isaac Lord have them in metric or imperial. )01494 462121 or their website.
 
The fastcaps have great design features, but poor execution in terms of robustness.  Any Stanley, Lufkin will be way superior in robustness. And yes despite their reputation I find the Starretts also lacking in robustness of the spring retention mechanism.

I have had a bunch of fastcaps. I dropped one from a 3 foot height on to a wood floor.  The spring stopped retracting. I took it apart and found that the center spindle that holds the end is made out of a 1/8" (probably 0.100") plastic post with a slit in it.  This post is so weak that it is pathetic.  Like I said poor execution.  I design plastic parts (and other mechanical stuff) for a living--here is one instance when the design should have been metal.

Vijay
 
The Fastcaps are available in Metric, just save yourself some aggravation by taking it apart and pulling out the self-locking parts(they don't last long) when you bring it home. Then, of course, you're left with a tape with no locking mechanism at all......  [mad]

Actually, you might want to avoid the brand unless it's a gift. Then take out the parts and put up with it. Just consider it's worth what you paid for it....

Haven't dropped mine yet so I can't confirm Vijay's observations. Maybe I will so I can just trash it and be done with the damned thing.

Bill
 
Vijay,

I have a Craftsman tape made in the same way and it stopped working because the plastic pin broke.  Maybe they're made by the same Chinese manufacturer?
 
Ken, the problem is not the Chinese factory that made it rather the company that designed it.  If the designer had specified a more robust pin, the same Chinese factory would have made a more robust product.
It is time for us consumers not to buy such junk and try to seek out good manufacturers such as Festool.  If one buys the cheap mass produced merchandise then that's what you get.  I really do like Fastcaps design, it is their execution that is terrible.

Vijay
 
Vijay,

I have to agree with you about it being the designer's fault and not the manufacturers, but I was just trying to get across that it may be the same Chinese facility producing FastCap's and Craftsman's.

The nice thing about FastCap is that they're a great bunch of people at that company and they're easy to get in touch with.  It reminds me of how easy it is to talk with Christian about Festool products.  Call FastCap and ask to speak with Paul Akers or his wife Leanne and tell them how you feel about their product.
 
I've used loads of makes over the years and have seen the likes of Stanley and Stabila hike prices and dumb down product, so I now only use tapes made by BMI. The bounce well ;D and last very well. The only problem I've had in the last couple of years is the belt clip on one had the screw strip out but the tape still works and is as accurate as my steel rules (that I check tapes against) it's nice to have all the choir singing at the same scale!  ;D
Rob.

P.S. BMI measuring staffs rock!
P.P.S. Not surprisingly they are made by a German Company!
 
vkumar said:
The fastcaps have great design features, but poor execution in terms of robustness.  Any Stanley, Lufkin will be way superior in robustness. And yes despite their reputation I find the Starretts also lacking in robustness of the spring retention mechanism.

I have had a bunch of fastcaps. I dropped one from a 3 foot height on to a wood floor.  The spring stopped retracting. I took it apart and found that the center spindle that holds the end is made out of a 1/8" (probably 0.100") plastic post with a slit in it.  This post is so weak that it is pathetic.  Like I said poor execution.  I design plastic parts (and other mechanical stuff) for a living--here is one instance when the design should have been metal.

Vijay
Click to expand...

Damn,  I just bought a Fastcap all metric.  Though haven't put it through the paces yet you seem to be confirming my first impressions.  I'll also agree with a +1 for the Lufkin.  That was my other choice, but the Fastcap features won out.   
 
I use Tajma hook tapes because they are smart little tapes that are easily read.  A couple of months ago I was reading in Finehome Builders Mag that Tajima is either making a metric or a dual marked tape.  I have seen neither at my supplier but I will look a little deeper.
 
Chris Hughes said:
I use Tajma hook tapes because they are smart little tapes that are easily read.  A couple of months ago I was reading in Finehome Builders Mag that Tajima is either making a metric or a dual marked tape.  I have seen neither at my supplier but I will look a little deeper.
Click to expand...

Here is a link to a Tajima page.  The G-series can be purchased with duel scales or even just metric.  Tajima Tapes

Peter
 
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