Dan S Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 I used to like Fastcap, but I have come to love the 10' LV cabinetmakers tapes. They are accurate, cheap, and fit well in the palm of my hand. http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?cat=1,43513,43003&p=32562 I have several in the shop and just leave them by the machines that require measuring. Every now and then I calibrate the tapes to make sure they all read the same. For stuff that matters I use relative dimensioning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wouldwurker Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 I guess I could have searched that.... Lol Are there tape measures with machinist quality accuracy? I know WW doesn't need that type of accuracy it's just the OCD in me. I never knew that the slop at the metal hook of the tape was there for a good reason...drove me (and my own nutso OCD) bananas until I realized its purpose. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 @ Eric, apologies, mine are not Fat Max, they are just Stanley. Same company tho.. What I like about them is that I get the same simple measurement on both sides for the tape. I have a tape that has metric on one side or actually writes the fractions on one side of the tape.. Phew! Okay, good...I was thinking I was gonna have to go out and find them and make them MINE! I would prefer a 12' but I think the 16' is the smallest they make in the Fat Max line. I like the Fat Max because of the wider, stiffer blades...they don't flop around like the regular ones and they're a joy to use. Try one out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 Steel rulers for me FastCap tape rarely comes out of the drawer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodger. Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 Thanks for that... what a elegant idea... just picked one up on Amazon for ~6 bucks... http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001737NYU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Enjoy! Glad I could help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChetlovesMer Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 I have several Fat max tapes. They are all for different purposes. But Fat Max are the only ones I buy. (Although thanks to this thread I've just learned about Fast Cap...may have to give them a day in court.) I even have one for my 4 year old to use when he's "helping" me on a project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barron Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 My favorite is a16' Stanley Powerlock purchased in May 1974 while working at a lumberyard in Kailua, Hawaii. It has a metal case and at that time you could buy replacement tapes if you damaged the tape somehow. I just checked it against a Starrett ruler and it's dead on. However, I mostly use it for breaking down boards. I use a metal rule and story stick for finished work. As noted above, just use the same measuring device for the project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trip Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 DIY – Fat Max Shop – FT (constantly use the dual SAE/Metric scale) Kitchen utility drawer – Starrett… The FatMax and FT need no explanation… However, the Starrett is a bit of a mystery… I’m not exactly sure how much Starrett kit I’ve got personally, but it’s certainly thirty+ items. We’ve got two or three hundred at the office… Every single piece of kit they make is a work of art…. Except the tape measure… Go figure… I realize a tape measure is only supposed to ‘get you close’ and the machinist’s scale gets you the measure, but that Starrett tape measure is not a thing of beauty – it’s not even very well made… Maybe someday I’ll call Athol, MA to see if it was some sort of April Fool’s joke that got out of hand…. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 1"x25" Powerlock for me, with the little belt clip removed. Any time they are on sale in HD for less than 8.88, I buy one or two. Right now, there is one on the console in the truck. One in each of the pockets behind the front seats. One in each end of the toolbox on the truck. In the shop they stay on all the saws, drill press, and probably at least a dozen just laying all about. I've been using them for probably as long as they've been made. The 30s have a spring that's distractingly too strong. I don't have to think about using these tapes. They fit perfectly in my modified toolbelt pouch for it, and can find it's way home without me thinking about it, or touching the tight fitting leather on it's way in. When we are starting a build with critical measurements, we check the ones we are going to use, one against the other, and toss any outliers. The FatMaxes are just too big to change to with the many thousands of reps I have in handling the ones I don't have to think about, and I've have to make another pouch-just not worth the trouble to change, and why I keep buying them, in case they ever stop making them. Sort of like my hoard of Berol Mirado number 4 pencils. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 I never knew that the slop at the metal hook of the tape was there for a good reason...drove me (and my own nutso OCD) bananas until I realized its purpose. Vinn, ok I guess I missed it. Why is the slop there for a reason? Definitely curious Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
estesbubba Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 The 16' green Fastcap lefty/righty for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mzdadoc Posted November 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 Thank you all!!! I just need to work on my OCD issues..... Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 Vinn, ok I guess I missed it. Why is the slop there for a reason? Definitely curious It compensates for the thickness of the hook so you get an accurate measurement whether you're butting it up against something or hooking it over something. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post TerryMcK Posted November 20, 2014 Popular Post Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 It doesn't matter what tape you use - you could even use the one from a sewing basket - I agree the Stanley 16' Fatmax is a good one. Just as long as you use the same one for the duration of the project. You could even paint the sewing tape lime green to match all the festo stuff. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan S Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 What are some of you guys doing to your tape-measures that makes them inaccurate? I've never seen a tape that was inaccurate that didn't have something glaringly wrong with it, like the blade being kinked, or the tip being bent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 If you alternate between interior and exterior measurements a lot, or let your tape retract with force...the rivet slots in the hook will elongate. Edit: This lead to the "burn an inch." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 It compensates for the thickness of the hook so you get an accurate measurement whether you're butting it up against something or hooking it over something.I'll be damned. Who'd a thunk it. Didn't know this. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 I really doubt a tape needs to be all that accurate in a wood shop. If your looking for truly accurate measurement down to the gnats ass a tape is not the right tool for the job. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 The main thing that makes one read different that others, is if it's been dropped on the hook, and the hook bent. I've never seen one where the hook slide wore out, but it is amazing that something can be made that simple, accurate, cheap, and still work for so long. I am in the habit of always catching the retraction with a finger though, and not just letting it slam home. I can see where that could wear on one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mzdadoc Posted November 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 Here is the tape I bought at Menards and its dead on with my Starrett and Woodpecker rules. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan S Posted November 21, 2014 Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 If you alternate between interior and exterior measurements a lot, or let your tape retract with force...the rivet slots in the hook will elongate. Edit: This lead to the "burn an inch." Ok yea that makes sense, it also explains why I don't have a problem. As a kid, grandpa and dad made me treat a tape measure just like I would a micrometer or caliper i.e. with care. letting the tape slam back into the case was a big no no. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted November 21, 2014 Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 Absolutely Dan, but many of us have trained that new guy who wouldn't listen. Makes me nervous to share a good tape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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