Tape Measure?

[lumbajac]

Wondering which tape measure folks are using with their Festools?  Standard or metric or combo?  I recall a similar post to this and had bookmarked a particular tape I liked - the FastCap Procarpenter.  However, there's about 6 or 8 options to choose from, which turns out to not be easy for me to decide upon.  I like the traditional since that's what I've always used.  However, I'm looking to get into built-ins and smaller cabinetry projects using Festools.  The 32mm system maybe in my future.  With that said, the standard/metric combo is looking good and the "story pole" tape is looking even better.  When it comes down to it I could see buying a couple different versions as they are relatively inexpensive, but I'd rather just buy 1.  Which 1 is the question?

I'm wondering what most people find to be the most efficient tape.  I'm guessing there's a lot of different choices based upon personal preference and working style so maybe responses will lead to more confusion.  Regardless, input would be appreciated.

A video demo of all versions is at:  http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=19588  or just search for Fastcap Procarpenter Tape Measure Series in YouTube.

Thanks.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Metric of course.  [wink]

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I have a couple of the Fast Cap purple tapes, the all metric ones.
I use those for trim work mostly.

Other wise, I really like the Komeleon tape's.  They lock when you run them out, remind me of the old stanley lever locks.

 

[Brice Burrell]

I've got a few Fastcap tapes, the combo, flatback and the true 32. I use the combo the most out of all of them. I use imperial for carpentry and metric anytime I'm building anything out of ply.

 

[peter halle]

I use several brands including the FastCap.  I have likes and dislikes of all.  I will eventually buy the Fastcap true 32 tape.

My general feelings are:  I don't like a tape that is metric on one side and imperial on the other.  There are times when I need to mark on the top of the tape and it is the wrong measurement system.  I prefer all metric or all imperial.

I don't care for the story pole tape at this point.  I have always made my measurement marks close to the edge of the board, and typically measure from left to right when using Festool.  The puts the blank part of that tape on the bottom and closest to the edge.  Just me - arghh.

The Flatback versions have firmly attached hooks.  No inside measuring with them - as they designed.

I have bought a couple of the new Stanley Bostich Fat Max tapes.  They have huge hooks on them.  I really see those as for framers.  The hooks will not work in some interior finish conditions.

Hint:  Once you find a tape that you really like, buy 5.  Tapes are like shoes for men.  You hate going shopping for them, you try them on, you buy a pair.  You break them in, get used to them, and then wear them out.  You go back to buy the same thing, and they are no longer available.  And there is nothing that can replace the old faithful.

Maybe I went to long and gave 3 cents worth.  Sorry! [scared]

Peter

 

[bonesbr549]

I have quite a few actually.  I have some fast caps.  My go to is generally my Festool tape and if it's not handy a Starett (pardon the sp).  Fast caps are good on big items, but for the smaller stuff (less than 8ft) I like a smaller tape.  One thing though, once I got one, I use it for all measurements.  Funny things can  happen when you mix them. 

 

[ajones]

I use several brands including the FastCap.  I have likes and dislikes of all.  I will eventually buy the Fastcap true 32 tape.

My general feelings are:  I don't like a tape that is metric on one side and imperial on the other.  There are times when I need to mark on the top of the tape and it is the wrong measurement system.  I prefer all metric or all imperial.

I don't care for the story pole tape at this point.  I have always made my measurement marks close to the edge of the board, and typically measure from left to right when using Festool.  The puts the blank part of that tape on the bottom and closest to the edge.  Just me - arghh.

The Flatback versions have firmly attached hooks.  No inside measuring with them - as they designed.

I have bought a couple of the new Stanley Bostich Fat Max tapes.  They have huge hooks on them.  I really see those as for framers.  The hooks will not work in some interior finish conditions.

Hint:  Once you find a tape that you really like, buy 5.  Tapes are like shoes for men.  You hate going shopping for them, you try them on, you buy a pair.  You break them in, get used to them, and then wear them out.  You go back to buy the same thing, and they are no longer available.  And there is nothing that can replace the old faithful.

Maybe I went to long and gave 3 cents worth.  Sorry! [scared]

Peter

Not true Peter I have been buying the same tape measure for 25-30 years the quality has improved ie;mylar coating but its the same tape buy them two at a time.
Yes old faithfull don't seem comfortable with any other tape and its a 30ft stanley

 

[Michael Kellough]

A good tape measure is really handy but finding one is nearly impossible.
In thirty years I've owned several dozen tape measures and only a few have been accurate.

My basic benchmark for accuracy is that the tongue be set correctly to read the same for both
inside and outside measurements. Few pass that test. Then I check if the outside measurement
matches a precision rule. Even fewer do. Lastly, I check to see if the increments remain consistent
through the length of the rule. More failures.

FastCap has some cool ideas (well, actually the story pole idea is the only good one I can think of)
but the accuracy and quality control on those things is among the worst I've found. I have all they
make except the True 32 and none of them pass the tongue test. All of them have inconsistent
increments, farther apart in some stretches and closer together in others. I hate the button on
the bottom that makes it impossible to set the tape down without it falling over.

At present I have two tape measures that I cherish. One is a 26 year old Rabone Chesterman
Imp/metric on which the tongue end broke off a long time ago. It was such a good tape
(the only accurate one I had at the time) that I took the thing appart to get the tape back out
and I taped the end back on. Even with that rudimentary repair it's still the only accurate
combo tape I have.

My daily use tape is a $4 WorkForce Color Rules thing form Home Depot. There must have been
a mistake made when it was assembled because it passes all my accuracy tests. If you offered me
$100 for I'd turn you down. The advice to buy extras when you find a good one makes sense but
don't assume they're all good. I guess that if you buy 10 and are as picky as me you'll only keep one.
I have another just like it but it doesn't pass the tests.

For less critical work I like the Komeleon tapes. I too like that they stay out automatically
and while the tongue is well protected from bending when dropped by a rubber bumper in the case
it's kind of wasted effort because it (the tongue) isn't any more accurate than other tapes and the bumper
makes it more difficult to latch the tongue onto the edge of the work without pulling it out by hand first.

Can you tell I just drank a cup of coffee?  [tongue]

 

[peter halle]

Michael,

Great post.  Can I buy you another cup? [big grin]

Peter

 

[mastercabman]

I do use the fastcap.It's ok.But some version have a very strong rewind.WATCH YOUR FINGERS!!!!OUTCH!!!!!
No matter how much you spend on measuring tape,they allways get damaged.So i stopped buying those expensive one.

 

[lumbajac]

Well, even more diversified opinions than I expected. 

Might just stick with my 30' Stanley Fat Max from my framing belt!

Will consider everyones thoughts and probably won't be buying just one as originally planned.

Thanks.

 

[MarkF]

I like the Mesopotamian version of this one:
http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=65357&cat=
[big grin] [big grin] [big grin]

Seriously....
I hate tape measures for anything other than very general measurements.  Story pole, Bar Gauge (I use this kit and a few pieces of different lengths of QS Ash: http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=32585&cat=1,43513,43553 ), Incra rule with the holes for .5mm pencil, or make test cuts in a piece of scrap if it absotively has to be dead on.  Parallax error gets me every time with a tape or rule.

 

[Jonhilgen]

I like the Mesopotamian version of this one:
http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=65357&cat=
[big grin] [big grin] [big grin]

Seriously....
I hate tape measures for anything other than very general measurements.  Story pole, Bar Gauge (I use this kit and a few pieces of different lengths of QS Ash: http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=32585&cat=1,43513,43553 ), Incra rule with the holes for .5mm pencil, or make test cuts in a piece of scrap if it absotively has to be dead on.  Parallax error gets me every time with a tape or rule.

I really need one of those!  I'm doing a wall to wall bookcase install and that would come in handy for scribing/marking/measuring the faceframes.

 

[jvsteenb]

I think they were a limited time offer  [big grin]

Must confess however, that I think a couple of those would come in handy now and again  [embarassed]

Regards,

Job

 

[jvsteenb]

My goto tapemeasure is a simple 5m (16') Stanley Powerlock. They're sturdy, the locks work OK and IMHO you can hardly go wrong with one of them.
Every once in a while, my toolshop has them for sale and you can buy 10 for 100 Euro's. So you can swap the bunch after a couple of years without breaking the bank, and still have a tapemeasure handy whenever you want one - tapemeasures are by far the most elusive and misplaced tools in my experience. Buying 10 at a time, I just manage to have one handy in most circumstances.
The hook works OK, and while they may not have astronomical precision, their lack of it is at least consistent across a batch.
I TRY to use one tapemeasure for a single ( part of a ) project - but that should be considered a "statement of intent" rather then an ironclad rule.

I have a 10m ( 33' ) version, I believe it's a Fatmax. Comes in handy now and again but I don't really like it.
Whenever the measurements go over 15', I'll try to use my laser measurer whenenever possible.

regards,

Job

 

[MarkF]

I think they were a limited time offer  [big grin]

Must confess however, that I think a couple of those would come in handy now and again  [embarassed]

Regards,

Job

This was an April Fools Joke that backfired.  They are still selling them:  http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=65359&cat=51&pb=1#pb
I have a tape measure from Fascap that has a space on one side for doing the same thing with standard measurement markings on the other side.  It doesn't do Cubits though [smile]

 

[Jonhilgen]

Was referring to the bar gauge... [tongue]

 

[RONWEN]

Was referring to the bar gauge... [tongue]

I've got a few of those -- very, very handy & much better than measuring.

 

[Winchester]

Other wise, I really like the Komeleon tape's.  They lock when you run them out, remind me of the old stanley lever locks.

ditto on that

 

[Rob-GB]

Here in the UK we have a pretty messed up system [eek]
While we are supposed to be part of the metric system we still have way too many imperial measures to deal with.
Having worked in Greece, Germany,France and Spain I have adopted metric: though being English I had to be at odds with mainland europe's system ;D
It's a cultural thing I'm sure [big grin]
I work in millimeters, mainland europe works in centimeters and 75% of the UK stays mired in feet and inches ???
So I do my bit to re-educate people who work with me..... I only use all metric tapes ;D so they have to use them too!
I usually bulk buy them on trips to France as they cost a premium here that is close to obscene.
As for accuracy, if it is critical then I use steel rules; for most carpentry a tape is accurate enough, just use the same one for measuring up the job as the one used in cutting up!
While in Germany I got used to using a folding rule (metric) but copied the other guys in marking the rule with a pencil rather than relying on the scale [blink]

Now for a real cat among the pigeons [eek] [eek] [eek] I read that the official unit of measurement in the USA is supposed to be metric  [scratch chin]

(P.S. most Brits who work in metric use Millimeters, it makes sense as 105mm is = to 10.5cm while on some dimensioned drawings the . can be missed or not clearly printed. By the way 1mm = 0.79375 of an inch/ 1/32nd of an inch  which is pretty cool accuracy wise with timber)