Rapid Roger Posted September 25, 2015 Report Share Posted September 25, 2015 I like the smaller sized tape measures 12' or less. I have a Komelon 12' Self lock tape that I use most of the time but, I don't like the fact that for a "righty" like me who holds the tape in my left hand to mark distance with my right hand, the numbers are upside down and it is easy to make a fractional mistake when reading it.I also have a Flat Back tape with the very flexible blade and is handy at times but, it has a wide blade and is 16' long and a bit big and heavy to put on my belt which is my favorite place to carry it. Some of us are just never satisfied!I remember seeing 12' tape blades with the numbers printed in the correct "left to right" on both edges but, I'll be darned if I can find one these days! Rog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
estesbubba Posted September 25, 2015 Report Share Posted September 25, 2015 I remember seeing 12' tape blades with the numbers printed in the correct "left to right" on both edges but, I'll be darned if I can find one these days! RogYou must have missed my post above:http://www.woodtalkonline.com/topic/19895-tape-measure/?do=findComment&comment=216438 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Adamec Posted September 25, 2015 Report Share Posted September 25, 2015 Fastcap left rightyhttp://www.rockler.com/fastcap-procarpenter-lefty-righty-tape-measureAre those the push-to-release tapes or the push-to-lock tapes? I've got a Komelon I picked up at either Home Depot or Lowes that's a 12' self-locking (push-to-release) that I love to use, but reading it is kind of a pain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisG-Canada Posted September 25, 2015 Report Share Posted September 25, 2015 I like the 10' Lee Valley tape. http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=32562&cat=1,43513,43003 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPCV_Woodworker Posted September 26, 2015 Report Share Posted September 26, 2015 I still use dollar store tapes - stop in, grab a few liters of Coca Cola for a party, round out to an even dollar amount with tape measures Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim DaddyO Posted September 26, 2015 Report Share Posted September 26, 2015 I am partial to the Stanley Lever LockIt stays open naturally and retracts when you squeeze the bottom in. I don't like fumbling with a button so the tape stays open. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted September 26, 2015 Report Share Posted September 26, 2015 I might like lever locks in the shop. I hated them on the job because you have to fully depress or the friction burns the coating off prematurely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodger. Posted September 27, 2015 Report Share Posted September 27, 2015 I use a half scale tape. This helps when looking for centre points - normal scale on top of tape, half scale on the bottom in red. Pretty handy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodger. Posted September 27, 2015 Report Share Posted September 27, 2015 I bought the festool tape and it has never been used as the spring is junk and it drives me crazy.WHAT?!?! BLASPHEMY!!! ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted September 27, 2015 Report Share Posted September 27, 2015 I don't remember ever using a lock of any kind on a tape measure. I doubt the button on my Powerlocks have ever been engaged. A finger under the tape controls position and speed of retraction without thinking about it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene M.T. Posted September 29, 2015 Report Share Posted September 29, 2015 Whichever one I can find is my favorite!!! Actually I've become fairly fond of the Home Depot brand HDX. They have 1/32 markings throughout the entire length of the tape versus only having the first foot as other brands. I work with sheet metal so I need the 32's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hurricane Dry Posted September 30, 2015 Report Share Posted September 30, 2015 If your working in metric the Fastcap True 32 tape has all the standard 32mm spacings and associated points marked . This does speed up layout work for line boring for hardware and adjustable shelves.i sometimes switch to metric for accuracy. I find it easier to go straight to a measurement like 1568 mm than 5' 1 47/64 th . I agree totally. Metric is easier to build with. I use a fastcap 32 for building. Easy to read black on white and even has feet measurements so you know the lumber sizes. I still think in inches as far as design goes. So a fastcap English/metric is great to have when designing things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hurricane Dry Posted September 30, 2015 Report Share Posted September 30, 2015 I worked with a truly excellent supervisor in a shipyard. He was just lazy enough to figure out the easy way to do something and smart enough to know that Half measures caused more work than they saved. He issued his workers lufkin tapes Because they called out the fractions or listed them in decimals. Saved a bunch of steel. He got the idea when he saw a worker with a tape foldedup about thirty times. The guy couldn't read a tape so he pinched the mark and walked back to the fab shop with 39 feet of tape folded up. If the tape slipped before he marked his cut he had to start over and walk all the way back to the yard. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weithman5 Posted September 30, 2015 Report Share Posted September 30, 2015 my favorite tape measure that i use is the one that i can find. i usually misplace thembut my favorite tape measures are ones that my father's company had with the company name address,phone number on the side. i think i have two of them still stashed where they won't get used. of course i don't know where that is either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobInAustin Posted September 30, 2015 Report Share Posted September 30, 2015 I'm another Lefty/Righty user and love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstroDave Posted August 12, 2016 Report Share Posted August 12, 2016 http://imperialblades.net/quickdraw.html A little different... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted August 12, 2016 Report Share Posted August 12, 2016 12 minutes ago, SplinteredDave said: http://imperialblades.net/quickdraw.html A little different... I received one for Christmas from someone who totally disregarded my wish list. As far as the measuring goes, it's probably as good as some. The marking part is more of a gimmick, it works but is geared more for construction than woodworking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstroDave Posted August 12, 2016 Report Share Posted August 12, 2016 Just now, K Cooper said: I received one for Christmas from someone who totally disregarded my wish list. As far as the measuring goes, it's probably as good as some. The marking part is more of a gimmick, it works but is geared more for construction than woodworking. I thought the same thing wrt what it's "geared for". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted August 12, 2016 Report Share Posted August 12, 2016 On 9/25/2015 at 10:13 AM, ChrisG-Canada said: I like the 10' Lee Valley tape. http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=32562&cat=1,43513,43003 +1. I have three of the R to L versions in the shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac Posted August 12, 2016 Report Share Posted August 12, 2016 I've got two basic 1"x25' stanley powerlocks and also a Lufkin 25'. Performance wise, I think they are the same, but I have to say, I like the bright orange Lufkin, as I have an annoying tendency to set things down and not be able to find them. My shop isn't particularly messy, but its also not that big, which means it gets a bit crowded and pencils, squares and tape measures have a tendency to go into hiding when I turn my back on them for too long. The orange makes it a little easier to find the Lufkin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
21meyer Posted August 12, 2016 Report Share Posted August 12, 2016 I have 3 of these in my shop and love them. They are imperial and metric. I use metric as often as possible. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted August 12, 2016 Report Share Posted August 12, 2016 Metric is the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac Posted August 12, 2016 Report Share Posted August 12, 2016 4 minutes ago, Llama said: Metric is the best. Hey, I thought there were no politics allowed around here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted August 12, 2016 Report Share Posted August 12, 2016 Just now, Isaac Gaetz said: Hey, I thought there were no politics allowed around here! America is best!! Long live the inch!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted August 12, 2016 Report Share Posted August 12, 2016 America is best!! Long live the inch!!! That's what she sa.......nope, I just can't do it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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