Surprise at local Home Improvement Expo

[wow]

My wife and I went to a Home Improvement Expo at a local casino. At one of the booths they had a 'spin the wheel, win a prize' displays. Both the wife and I picked up a tape measure...

[attachimg=#]

But wait, there's more! A little level vial (that doesn't display correctly. but I'm pretty sure I can fix that).

[attachimg=#]

And a place to write measurements and a teeny tiny pen to do it with:

[attachimg=#]

But here's the real surprise:

[attachimg=#]

Yep, a METRIC SCALE!!! This appears to be dead-on accurate. I have looked at HD, Lowes, and Menards for a tape measure with a Metric scale and I couldn't find any. Now I go to an expo and get two of them for free? Go figure!

 

[Kev]

I know there's been a lot of pro/anti metric in various threads, but I'm amazed that it can be a trial to get a metric tape measure in the US [eek]

 

[squarecut]

I received one from my 10 year old granddaughter for Christmas.
Printed on the plastic notepaper cover was - Grandpa # 1

Must be an item put out by a novelty company - it was one of the choices for sale at her school for presents.

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

Now, that I'm accustomed to using the metric scale for design, I can't see myself going back to imperial. Today, I set up a new table saw and had assumed that its scale would be both imperial and metric. Wrong! Only imperial! The only peel and stick metric tape that I could find was by Fastcap. $13.50

 

[tbellemare]

I'm amazed that it can be a trial to get a metric tape measure in the US [eek]

It's not that difficult, Kev.

Stabila sells Imperial or mixed Metric/Imperial tapes.

Others do also.

Tom

 

[stvrowe]

And Fastcap also has a number of options of metric tape measures.  My favorite of the lot is the True32 tape measure.

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

And Fastcap also has a number of options of metric tape measures.  My favorite of the lot is the True32 tape measure.

Yes, Steve. That is also my also favorite...has subplanted my festool tape measure.

 

[wow]

I got a fast cap 'flat' tape measure for Christmas, but it came from a specialty tool company. I, too, am amazed that none of the big box stores stock them, but I guess homeowners don't measure or 'think' in metric?

 

[dpeagles]

I picked up a stanley metric / sae tape measure last year.

found this one.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_36_0__?productId=3366976

 

[dpeagles]

Here is the one I own.

Love Metric.  Wish we would commit already.

 

[wow]

I picked up a stanley metric / sae tape measure last year.

found this one.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_36_0__?productId=3366976

Interesting. None within 300 miles of me.

 

[Timtool]

The cheap tapes you get for free are usually double units, here in Europe as well even if it makes no sense here. I guess it's just easier to produce and distribute. But in use i don't like it because when you use metric you can only measure or mark on one side of the tape.
Also all my stationary tools have both systems, even the ones made in Europe. But on those at least it doesn't have any draw backs regarding the use.

 

[Asterix]

[huh] searching for a true32 tape in Europe seems to be not that easy.

Going to LV for ConExpo in a couple of weeks. Sure i'll find one. 

 

[Asterix]

[big grin] Got two of them  [big grin]

They do make it easier to count the holes.