tape measure recommendations

[afish]

Im another one that uses either an imperial or metric tape for what Im doing.  If its construction related its generally a FatMax.  If its cabinet building I really like the True 32 (Blue) tape from Fast cap.  The only "dual" tape I use is the True 32 stick on rule for my tablesaw, it has both imperial and metric.  The true 32 helps keep me from making reading errors as my eyes and memory aren't what they used to be. 

 

[Sparktrician]

I prefer to work in metric, and when I do, it's one of two Hultafors Talmeter tapes; one in 3M and one in 6M.  The 3M tape is pocket size and has no belt clip.  The 6M tape comes with a clip-on holster arrangement.  When I have to work in imperial, I use a 16' DeWalt Bostitch tape that has proven to be both accurate and sturdy. 

16' imperial tape was mis-identified earlier as a DeWalt.  It's really a Bostitch.

 

[mkasdin]

There is no "one" tape measure.

Laser measure device
100' Tape
35' Stanley Fat Max Chrome
25' Stanley Fat Max Chrome
Lots of Fastcap tape measures in standard, metric, and standard/metric.
Luftkin's too.

Order many, be happy

the laser measuring devices are very good. I have an old Hilti and the red laser is dying. It goes about 75 feet instead of 300 plus. Not real happy about that, it was an expensive purchase. But it’s extremely accurate within 1/8” over a long distance and 1/16” close. I’ve leveled ceilings with it.

 

[rst]

I'm with Sparkie, I also use Hultafors Talmeter tapes if I'm building cabinets.  I work in a lot of trades so I use various measuring devices...Wiha 1 meter/imperial folder lives in my carpenter pants pocket, 8' imperial folders, Irwin Night Ezes and Milwaukee 16-35' retractables and a Leica D-8 that I got for a great price years ago, accurate out to about 400 meters, has 4 power magnification, 5 second delay and all kinds of functions.  The newer ones are really cool...bluetooth download to phone, tablet and computer...close to a grand though.

 

[xedos]

Metric / Imperial tapes are really useful in the USA where job sites are still “roughed in“ using imperial inches and feet by all trades. 16” on center framing , 8,9,10,12 foot ceiling heights, 36” counter height , ect.....  The metric becomes useful when constructing and marrying Euro cabinetry into these structures.  Converting back and forth is confusing and a waste of time.  Carrying two different tapes is a waste of space and resources and time if I forgot the right one.

 

[aloysius]

Metric, imperial-heck I happen to own a tape measure that is in Pi.  It is great for measuring pipe, the diameter of a tree, etc.  It measures Pi to the 1/100th of an inch.  I have had it for over thirty years, and have never seen another one.

Extremely common in the Forestry industries.  I think I might have a couple of old ones from the 70s & 80s myself still somewhere. 

They're called "Diameter Tapes", as they display the given diameter for a measured circumference.

Great for determining the diameter & cubic volume of logs, etc., but essentially redundant if not actually useless for "measuring" pipes that are only available in standardised & easily identifiable diameters anyway.

 

[Charles959]

That Hultafors model mentioned by Doug S is EU Class 1 certified. These accuracy classes are seldom mentioned in American discussions of tape measures. I asked Starrett about theirs the last time JLC Live! was held in Providence, and was told that some of their models meet that standard, and some do not. The distinction was not in their product literature at the time.

Fromhttps://www.thetapestore.co.uk/knowledgebase/Articles/The_Advantages_of_a_Class_1_Tape_Measure.html :

As an example let’s compare a class I with a class II tape. EU guidelines state a class I tape up to 2m in length must be accurate to within a margin of 0.3mm. Under the same guidelines a class II tape of the same length should be accurate to within 0.7mm

 

[bertv]

BMI, (Sola or Hultafors) TAL and the Festool branded tape measure (made by — can’t remember). The latter whenever I am able to locate it, because it is a shifty one; keeps running away from home.

 

[Claimdude]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ELMSX0...-362948022.1603287550&tag=shopperz_origin3-20

Starrett imperial and metric 16' tape measures in silver cases. My Fastcap and DeWalt haven't been used since I got my first Starrett several year ago.

Jack

 

[Banana]

Like everyone else here I have, and have tried, too many tapes and i'm still searching.  But I will say the ‘BMImeter’  (2m only) is worth having around or throwing a few in tool bags or systainers.  They come in very handy as a supplement to traditional tape measures.  If I lost them I would immediately replace them with same.

I do like the Tajima’s (imperial / metric) when new, but of all the tapes I have tried they have been the shortest lived - in my case.

 

[DeformedTree]

I think if I could have the fastcap mm tape, installed in the Komelon tape body, it would be getting in the right direction.  I love the markings on the fastcap, but everything else about it is bad.

 

[demographic]

I've been using Fisco big T dual scale tapes for a few years now.
Decent belt clip that stays on the belt and then the tape clicks on and off the belt clip.
The body of the tape is 100mm as well and it has little pointers so you can just add 100 mm to an internal measurement for pretty decent accuracy.http://www.fisco.co.uk/bigt.html

 

[DeformedTree]

I've been using Fisco big T dual scale tapes for a few years now.
Decent belt clip that stays on the belt and then the tape clicks on and off the belt clip.
The body of the tape is 100mm as well and it has little pointers so you can just add 100 mm to an internal measurement for pretty decent accuracy.http://www.fisco.co.uk/bigt.html

Who came up with this logo? It's a red arrow pointing down? Was this person not very optimist on britain's manufacturing future?  Did focus groups not like a blue arrow pointing up?  [unsure]

 

[usernumber1]

I've been using Fisco big T dual scale tapes for a few years now.
Decent belt clip that stays on the belt and then the tape clicks on and off the belt clip.
The body of the tape is 100mm as well and it has little pointers so you can just add 100 mm to an internal measurement for pretty decent accuracy.http://www.fisco.co.uk/bigt.html

Who came up with this logo? It's a red arrow pointing down? Was this person not very optimist on britain's manufacturing future?  Did focus groups not like a blue arrow pointing up?  [unsure]

kitchen company started it in 2011 and new logo rebrand in 2014. arrow's supposed to point at the product. they let everyone download and use it, so i'm sure you can rotate any way you want
https://www.designweek.co.uk/issues/january-2014/a-new-identity-for-made-in-britain-by-the-partners/