treesner Posted March 1, 2017 Report Share Posted March 1, 2017 What's your favorite 12ft or less tape measure? All the ones in store feel like plastic piles of crap. Anyone know a well made tape measure that I'll like using and carrying around all day in the shop? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
estesbubba Posted March 1, 2017 Report Share Posted March 1, 2017 Fastcap lefty right 16' 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted March 1, 2017 Report Share Posted March 1, 2017 I use a Fastcap tape measure that I like because it isn't real heavy in my apron but it is 16 ft lefty righty model. I don't know if they make a 12 foot. They make several different configurations - lefty-righty, imperial on one side metric on the other and a couple of others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted March 2, 2017 Report Share Posted March 2, 2017 I haven't found a tape that I like better than a 16' FatMax. I use them at the lumberyard and I do mean they get USED. They're robust and last a very long time. They're too bulky to walk around with one in your pocket, but I don't know who does that anyway. At the yard I keep one clipped to my pocket, and I have about a dozen laying around the shop. They are the toughest and longest-lasting tapes I've ever used. Plastic doesn't always mean low quality. Festool is plastic. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted March 2, 2017 Report Share Posted March 2, 2017 Stanley 12' if i'm in the shop its in my back right pocket 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted March 2, 2017 Report Share Posted March 2, 2017 Plastic doesn't always mean low quality. Festool is plastic. And remember our resident Festool Fetishist's opinion of those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marmotjr Posted March 2, 2017 Report Share Posted March 2, 2017 1 hour ago, pkinneb said: Stanley 12' if i'm in the shop its in my back right pocket Yeah, the Stanley 3.5m/12 ft is an excellent tape measure. I have a few from the machine shop I used to work at, verified calibrated (lol, long since their recalib date though). Small enough that they would accidentally end up in my pocket and go home with me from time to time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted March 2, 2017 Report Share Posted March 2, 2017 Stanley 12'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisG-Canada Posted March 2, 2017 Report Share Posted March 2, 2017 I use one of these and find it works great - http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=32562&cat=1,43513,43003 Works great and is small and not too bulky like lots of other tapes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miranthis Posted March 2, 2017 Report Share Posted March 2, 2017 A second (or third) on the Fascap lefty/righty. I use the 16 foot model. I like the older stanley lever locks for my outside work in 25 or 30 ft length, but the blade marking changed on those and I don't care for them as much anymore. Jeff in KC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted March 2, 2017 Report Share Posted March 2, 2017 I've got a 16' Milwaukee that is very good. Don't know about the 12' though 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treesner Posted March 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2017 A second (or third) on the Fascap lefty/righty. I use the 16 foot model. I like the older stanley lever locks for my outside work in 25 or 30 ft length, but the blade marking changed on those and I don't care for them as much anymore. Jeff in KC I have the fastcap 12ft and the belt clip fell off the first day (different design than bigger ones) I like the bigger one I think I have the 16ft but it's pretty bulky for EDC and the clip on that one doesn't hook tigh enough, if I put it on my overalls pocket and bend over it falls out. Happens all day such a pain (reason for this thread) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted March 2, 2017 Report Share Posted March 2, 2017 27 minutes ago, treesner said: the belt clip fell off the first day Interestingly enough, the first thing I do is take the belt clip off. I use a shop apron and keep the tape in the pocket so I take the clip off to get it out of the way. Strictly personal preference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janello Posted March 2, 2017 Report Share Posted March 2, 2017 13 hours ago, drzaius said: I've got a 16' Milwaukee that is very good. Don't know about the 12' though +1 Outstanding tape measure. And I usually won't praise Milwaukee, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnesota Steve Posted March 2, 2017 Report Share Posted March 2, 2017 I have a Stanley 12' and a Fatmax 16'. The stanley will fit in a pocket, but the fatmax feels lighter. I like them both, but would probably say the fatmax has a smoother mechanism. The carpet guy who measured our basement had a Milwaukee and said they were really nice and easy to use but he kept breaking the tapes as he bends them a lot doing inside measurements. But he said he just takes them back to home depot and gets a new one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheperd80 Posted March 3, 2017 Report Share Posted March 3, 2017 Ive always loved the original Fatmax tapes (the only thing stanley does right). Only drawback is theyre thick n heavy but ive been abusing one for like 3 years. And its the undisputed king of tape measure sword fighting! I also love Milwaukees small tapes. Theyre suprisingly robust and well designed. Avoid the large and/or magnetic hooks unless youre a framer. Lately ive been using the lighter duty Craftsman 16' tape (black and grey from osh) because it fits nicely in my Occidental tape and knife holder. Theyre no Fat Max but i find them nice to use, durable and relatively accurate. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barron Posted March 3, 2017 Report Share Posted March 3, 2017 Like Eric I have several. My favorite is a 16' metal cased Stanley that I used working in a lumber yard in Hawaii in the early 1970's. Still accurate. At that time the case was metal and Stanley sold replacement tapes, so if you damaged the tape you could replace and carry on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldSouthWoodCraft Posted March 3, 2017 Report Share Posted March 3, 2017 I gonna say Stanley Fat Max is about the only way to go. They are easy to find in multiple sizes, seem to stay consistent with time, and are built pretty damn well. I can attest I have dropped my 16 and 25 ft off a 2 story roof more than once. They are still kicking. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted March 3, 2017 Report Share Posted March 3, 2017 On 3/1/2017 at 7:33 PM, ChrisG-Canada said: I use one of these and find it works great - http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=32562&cat=1,43513,43003 Works great and is small and not too bulky like lots of other tapes. Tapes are related to pencils; no matter how many you have they are always somewhere else so I have a few of these in "right to left". One at the bench, one magnetically stuck to the tablesaw fence and one in my pocket. I have a belt-clip pouch I wear when selecting and breaking down material and it has a 16 footer in it along with a carpenter's pencil and some chalk but, that's all work of a rougher sort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben_r_ Posted March 3, 2017 Report Share Posted March 3, 2017 Check out the various Fastcap models and pick one of those. I have a couple and theyve been great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freedhardwoods Posted March 3, 2017 Report Share Posted March 3, 2017 Whatever tape measure you choose, this is what I use to have fast access to my tape. https://www.amazon.com/Magneto-MagK1-Tape-Holder-Kit/dp/B00FRBVMKY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted March 3, 2017 Report Share Posted March 3, 2017 16 ft FastCap lefty righty is under 7$ at my local woodworking supplier (Peachtree Woodworking is between my shop and home.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Posted March 5, 2017 Report Share Posted March 5, 2017 Check out the Milwaukee line of tapes. I think they're made with some sort of fiber material that reduces the bending, twisting and eventually ripping. My day job requires a tape and there are times when I'll use it for hours and hours checking construction work. I started with a Stanley Fat Max and it lasted maybe a month before ripping. Switched to a Milwaukee and I was surprised at how much a good tape Improved my day. It's the only Milwaukee brand tool I own and now I have one for both work and my home shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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