Mzdadoc Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 Are there Starrett quality tape measures out there or at least high quality measuring tape? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cancelleri Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 http://www.amazon.com/s?rh=n%3A553284%2Cp_4%3AStarrett Starrett Tape Measures are made in China I believe. Honestly, I love my wide tape 30' Stanley tape measure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mzdadoc Posted November 19, 2014 Author 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raefco Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 Have you tried a folding rule, as a mason I could not live without one. I go through tapes at the rate of about 1 a week so I buy cheap ones for work, I have a couple vintage stainless steel 6 foot tapes that I leave in the shop, the problem is the numbers are very small and the blades are thin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cancelleri Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 Machinist quality? Sure, they're accurate but no, you won't find that in a tape measure because most tapes measure in as small as 1/32. The majority of machining is measured in thousands. Get a Stanley FatMax, 1" blade, 25' long. Or buy a folding ruler if you're worried about accuracy. When it comes to large items you're not gonna get caliper accuracy. Measurements are relative, if you measure 5' 9" with 1 tape, you're get close to it with another, you might be off a bit because over time the tape can stretch, could be the hook in the font being a bit loose or off. just always use the same tape for measuring on a project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 No need for an expensive tape measure. Find one that works for you and that you like. Use it all the way thru a project and you'll be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 If you're after accuracy, the best way is to use the same tape for every measurement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 Kev and Richard have the right idea ! If you use the same tape through an entire job and don't drop it on the hook( and bend it ) you will be just fine. I check a tape measure against an accurate engraved blade on a combination square. I use a 10 x magnafiying loupe to check closely. I have compared a General Instruments, Products Engineering, and Starrett blades and can't tell a difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilgaron Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 My precision got better when building things when I stopped trying to measure accurately and based parts off of other parts as I went instead. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodger. Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 I typically use relative measuring, but a tape is a must have for me regardless. I use a "self centering" tape, meaning that every measurement has its 0.5 underneath it for quick mathematics. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 The best tapes are the free promotional ones they give away with purchase at Harbor Freight. I have enough of them now that I don't have to search for one anymore. They're everywhere in my shop, like tribbles on the NCC-1701. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 The best tapes are the free promotional ones they give away with purchase at Harbor Freight. I have enough of them now that I don't have to search for one anymore. They're everywhere in my shop, like tribbles on the NCC-1701. Ooooh... A Star Trek fan I see... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cancelleri Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 WTN your argument is logical. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 Ooooh... A Star Trek fan I see... I was once bedridden for 12 weeks after an off-roading accident. This was back before satellite TV was available to tbe public, and we lived too far outside town for cable, so I had two broadcast channels to pick from. I'm pretty sure I saw every episode of the original series at least three times. By the last round, I could recite the script along with the actors. When you are unable to sit up or get out of bed for any reason ( I stress, ANY reason), you learn to take whatever entertainment you can get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 The 16' Fat Max is my favorite shop tape. If you're patient and pay attention, you can get them on sale for about 10 bucks. I have about a dozen of them laying around. I've tried a million different tapes, but the Fat Max is king! No need for more than 16' unless you're doing construction. The blade is the same width and has the same stand-out as the 30 footer...just less bulk and less weight. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstroDave Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 I typically use relative measuring, but a tape is a must have for me regardless. I use a "self centering" tape, meaning that every measurement has its 0.5 underneath it for quick mathematics. untitled.png 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 The 16' Fat Max is my favorite shop tape. If you're patient and pay attention, you can get them on sale for about 10 bucks. I have about a dozen of them laying around. I've tried a million different tapes, but the Fat Max is king! No need for more than 16' unless you're doing construction. The blade is the same width and has the same stand-out as the 30 footer...just less bulk and less weight. I have a 16 but, prefer the 12s in the shop.. I have quite a few of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstroDave Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 Oh nevermind... must have the "Green" one... pretty cool little tape... 25 bucks not so much me thinks... http://www.amazon.com/Festool-495415-Imperial-Metric-Measure/dp/B002UKRNG2/ref=pd_sbs_indust_8?ie=UTF8&refRID=1SKPD563948B2BQDM87Q Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 I have a 16 but, prefer the 12s in the shop.. I have quite a few of them. They make a 12' Fat Max? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 Yep.. I have a few.. Crap... I think.... Damn... Now you got me thinking... Bastard! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CessnaPilotBarry Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 I think I've used examples of them all, including Starrett and Stanley, my faves are the $8-$9 FastCaps with the pencil sharpener in the case. I have several versions, including the flat back that'll go around corners. The one I use most in the shop is a 16' version, standard / reverse reading, with the green trim. If you poke around online, they're CHEAP from some sources. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 I like the fat max and the Lee Valley cabinet makers tapes. If your looking for accuracy use only 1 tape and reference from that one tape measure. A story stick for your project will also help with accuracy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimV Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 I used Fastcap, Old Standby and love it. No one touches this tape measure and I use it extensively for my furniture builds only. I won't even use it when doing carpentry work, that's how much I like it. http://www.fastcap.com/estore/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=112&idcategory=12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim DaddyO Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 My favorite is a Lufkin that automatically holds the tape extended, you push the button to let it reel in. Opposite of what is normal and it makes more sense to me too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev 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.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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