Tips/Techniques Measuring tapes

[slow-poke]

I have spent a fair bit of time over the last week or so sprucing up the deck at home. Lots of tape measuring.

At home I have three measuring tapes I use most often. Two Milwaukee and a Lufkin.

The 25' Milwaukee:
- Only graduated in inches
- The belt clip is almost knife sharp so it will scratch surfaces if slid.

My small Milwaukee is my go to tape for smaller lengths no downsides.

The Lufkin is also pretty decent.

So what is your favourite tape measure?

 

[Dan Dubeau]

I carry a 9' in my pocket at all times on the job. Everybody makes fun of me for my "baby tape", but when we're in a tight spot and need a measurement on a piece of equipment, my tape is out and on it before they get the words out of their mouth....I have a 25' in my tool bag, but it's too bulky and awkward to carry all the time for what we do, and most measurements are under 2-3' anyway.

I like a dual scale inch/mm, and a wide blade for the bigger ones. I honestly don't have a lot of brand preference. Fatmax, and Milwaukee are both good. I have that exact Lufkin somewhere too. Leverlocks are nice too. Somebody snaked mine on a job a few months ago.....

At home I have dozens of various tape measures, stored in a few key locations around the house, shop and barn. Over time they will all migrate to other spots, but when I'm in clean up mode, I'll move them all back to where they belong. I've found it's one of those tools I'd rather have quantity over quality for the most part, but there are jobs and projects where I only use and stick with a good one for the duration. The rest of the time, close enough is good enough for most things like rough cutting stock, or checking clearances etc.

 

[slow-poke]

I carry a 9' in my pocket at all times on the job. Everybody makes fun of me for my "baby tape", but when we're in a tight spot and need a measurement on a piece of equipment, my tape is out and on it before they get the words out of their mouth....I have a 25' in my tool bag, but it's too bulky and awkward to carry all the time for what we do, and most measurements are under 2-3' anyway.

Exactly the same for me, that's what I like about the little Milwaukee that I use so often.

 

[Ishmael]

I used to work in a place where we all had to wear jacket, tie, etc., but I always carried a little 6' Zippo tape in my pocket, and it was used quite often.
One day a statue for the lobby was being delivered, and a colleague raced into the office shouting, "Quick! We need a tape measure to see if the statue will fit through the door!" He was flabbergasted when I reached into my pocket and threw him the tape.
BTW, the statue didn't fit, but that's another story.

 

[Chicken lights]

I like the FatMax for work, and the Lufkins for pickups or shop work. No real reason, I guess, other than choices are limited to stay away from the metric system. There's a newer FatMax in my carpentry belt, again, no real reason other than the old one worked and survived.

And yes, like the above posters, it's very handy to have a tape in your pickup. Same reason the big truck has one by the drivers door

 

[Bandit]

I like them bylinqul, as there is always something in imperial or metric, and you need to know the other, or someone else does. Useing 25 mm. to the inch or other way round only gets you so close, the longer you go.
You never can find a tape, unless you never let anyone else have one. Even then, need at least 1/2 a dozen, or maybe a baker’s dozen around.

 

[slow-poke]

I like them bylinqul, as there is always something in imperial or metric, and you need to know the other, or someone else does. Useing 25 mm. to the inch or other way round only gets you so close, the longer you go.
You never can find a tape, unless you never let anyone else have one. Even then, need at least 1/2 a dozen, or maybe a baker’s dozen around.

My 23? Year old neighbour was helping me with the deck, he is about to start his final year in commerce. Several time I asked him to read the measuring tape while I held the other end. His response every time was "it's weird.... emmmh 111.16?"

It's an imperial tape measure, and every time he's basically asking me if the measurement is correct. I'm speechless. Then he goes on to explain that he was taught the metric system and so he never really "got" fractions.

Now I'm beyond speechless, don't they use terms like interest rates are going up a half percentage point in commerce?

How can someone not understand fractions?

I looked up when do they teach fractions in Ontario school and the website states they start teaching fractions in grade 1.

Anyways I'm in my 60's and have been working 11 hour days. After three, 5 hour days he tapped out telling me he is exhausted and has never worked so hard in his life and needs time off to rest.

Hopefully he will go learn fractions. I'm glad he's not my son.

 

[David]

My 23? Year old neighbour was helping me with the deck, he is about to start his final year in commerce. Several time I asked him to read the measuring tape while I held the other end. His response every time was "it's weird.... emmmh 111.16?"

It's an imperial tape measure, and every time he's basically asking me if the measurement is correct. I'm speechless. Then he goes on to explain that he was taught the metric system and so he never really "got" fractions.

Now I'm beyond speechless, don't they use terms like interest rates are going up a half percentage point in commerce?

How can someone not understand fractions?

I looked up when do they teach fractions in Ontario school and the website states they start teaching fractions in grade 1.

Anyways I'm in my 60's and have been working 11 hour days. After three, 5 hour days he tapped out telling me he is exhausted and has never worked so hard in his life and needs time off to rest.

Hopefully he will go learn fractions. I'm glad he's not my son.

My teenage kids tap out about 30 mins into anything moderately physical. I'm 59 and can go all day unless it's very aerobic then the blasted PE in my lungs does me in.

 

[Martin w]

Lufkin Black Max. Hard to find mm/inch. I like the white blade and black numbers.
Mostly in the shop I use the cheapo tapes from Hafele Hardware. They are about 6 bucks and we go thru lots throughout the year.. They have a white blade as well, and are 32mm system marked.
Martin

 

[Martin w]

Lufkin tapes used to have a lifetime warranty. I sent a few for repair 25-30 years ago. Always got a brand new one in the mail. Not sure if they still do that or not.

 

[Susquatch]

That's funny to read that others carry a pocket tape too. I carry a thin Stanley locking 10ft in my left rear pocket all the time. It has soft rounded corners and doesn't stress the fabric or my ass. It's always there, always ready for use - even at weddings and funerals. Sadly, it is only Imperial. If I could find the same smooth compact tape with both metric and imperial, I'd be happier. I bought a 3 pack so I'll never be without.



My second favorite is small yellow Craftsman 12ft. It can be pocketed too but not nearly so discretely. Like @Dan Dubeau I have one every place I need a tape measure. The home shop, the bedroom, the back room, the pool shed, and of course in the truck, tractor, and gator. I remove all the clips from them. I don't use the clip anyway. Easier to just put it in your shirt pocket. These are only 12 ft, but they are bilingual with both metric and imperial. The lock mechanism is way better than most.



In the shop, my moto is go big or go home. I have a big 25ft Stanley Fatmax X-treme that will easily reach 12ft without collapsing. That sturdy stickout is handier than most might think. Of course, as a farmer I also have two 50 footers including a Starrett I didn't remember I had cuz it was hiding in a stupid drawer. Need to add that to my growing Starrett tool list!




I also have a big 100 yard rollup tape measure but I rarely use it since I built myself a GPS RTK guidance system.

Of course, no discussion about tape measures is complete without discussing laser measures. I was given a Milwaukee Laser 10 yrs ago that is nothing less than amazing. It will accurately measure to a 16th at 50ft! And add dimensions, calculate square footage and volumes too. All non-contact without a tape! Very nice! Perfect for measuring rooms and home dimensions.



This technology is not standing still either. I saw one on Amazon just recently that was the same size but had 100 yard range and included two plane levels.

 

[whydontu]

Is it legal to leave your house without a tape measure? I feel naked without my tape measure and my Leatherman Micro.

On a job site the Lufkin gets the nod, it reads imperial on one side, and diameter inch on the other. Is that chunk of pipe 4” IPS, 4” DWV, 4” hydro duct? Are those failed pipe grooves too shallow? Lots of arguments avoided by use of the correct tape measure.

 

[Susquatch]

Useing 25 mm. to the inch or other way round only gets you so close, the longer you go.

25.4 is exact no matter how far you go.

 

[Dan Dubeau]

Is it legal to leave your house without a tape measure? I feel naked without my tape measure and my Leatherman Micro.

On a job site the Lufkin gets the nod, it reads imperial on one side, and diameter inch on the other. Is that chunk of pipe 4” IPS, 4” DWV, 4” hydro duct? Are those failed pipe grooves too shallow? Lots of arguments avoided by use of the correct tape measure.

View attachment 68221View attachment 68222View attachment 68223

I love that pi tape. I need to track one down. I picked up a larger one a few years back, but a pocket one would be awesome.

 

[Susquatch]

and diameter inch on the other. Is that chunk of pipe 4” IPS, 4” DWV, 4” hydro duct?

I love that pi tape. I need to track one down. I picked up a larger one a few years back, but a pocket one would be awesome.

My little Stanley has diameter on the back side. Ya, it's useful. But it isn't the reason I love that little tape. I'd rather it had metric on it.

https://a.co/d/8Akcn0T

 

[Chicken lights]

lol My 23? Year old neighbour was helping me with the deck, he is about to start his final year in commerce. Several time I asked him to read the measuring tape while I held the other end. His response every time was "it's weird.... emmmh 111.16?"

It's an imperial tape measure, and every time he's basically asking me if the measurement is correct. I'm speechless. Then he goes on to explain that he was taught the metric system and so he never really "got" fractions.

How can someone not understand fractions?

I looked up when do they teach fractions in Ontario school and the website states they start teaching fractions in grade 1.

Im hearing the same thing, that they aren't being taught fractions. I said what about a quarter, it's the actual name of the coin. Nope, apparently it's a 25 cent piece now. I said what about a quarter tank of gas? Nope, that's 25% full now.

I never thought of cookbooks until now. What about 1/2 cup or 1/2 pound of butter? Or distance, is it 50% of a mile up the road? That seems so silly to "not get fractions"

 

[Susquatch]

That seems so silly to "not get fractions"

They wouldn't get any of the boss lady's delicious pie with that kind of attitude. Well, maybe a sliver, but certainly not half a quarter...... LMFAO!

 

[Tom O]

I’ve always carried one from Canadian Tire but now it seems it has a friend for up to 5’ 10”

I have also carried a pill container for hell probably 50 years

 

[SomeGuy]

Komelon self locking ones, 100% ... yes the self lock wears out eventually and doesn't hold great, but not having to fight the return all the time and just pressing the button to retract makes it super easy to use. I've given up using regular tapes.

 

[jorogi]

At home I have dozens of various tape measures, stored in a few key locations around the house, shop and barn.

Hey, me too ! Just don't know where exactly.