Minnesota Steve Posted October 3, 2017 Report Share Posted October 3, 2017 A few weeks ago I saw this mentioned on Finewoodworking's youtube channel. http://www.dewalt.com/en-us/products/hand-tools/measuring-and-layout-tools/9-ft-magnetic-pocket-tape-measure/dwht33028 So I decided to buy one to try... $6 at Home Depot. And I have to say it's very handy. It's only 9' but that's more than enough for most tasks, and having that magnet really helps. I just stick it to the front rail of my table saw, and it's always there when I want to quick measure something. The tape is fairly thin and flexible, and it pulls out smoothly and the locking mechanism is easy to operate. It's fairly light, easily fits in a pocket... and I love that magnet. Going back to buy another one. This is the video from finewoodworking showing it off... he also mentions the belt clip, and while I don't tend to use one, it is just a straight bar on the back giving about 1/8" clearance so it'd easily go over the edge of an apron pocket without having to fight it like most clips. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted October 3, 2017 Report Share Posted October 3, 2017 I believe for the price, I'm going to have to try one, or two. Thanks Steve for sharing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marmotjr Posted October 3, 2017 Report Share Posted October 3, 2017 It appears it doesn't have a metric side... so that's a deal breaker for me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bleedinblue Posted October 4, 2017 Report Share Posted October 4, 2017 Hmm. For $6, I might buy a half dozen and make them my primary tape measures just because I can stick 'em everywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted October 4, 2017 Report Share Posted October 4, 2017 Take along your favorite steel rule and find a few that match up to it well. It took me a few tries to get some tapes that match up to my other rules and the small extra effort pays off. I run the Lee Valley right-to-left 10 footers at $6.95 each. I removed the belt clip and added a magnet so I guess there's some additional cost to get to the end-game. Those DeWalts are a bargain. Thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat60 Posted October 4, 2017 Report Share Posted October 4, 2017 I need a wide tape because I cant see as good as I did. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted October 4, 2017 Report Share Posted October 4, 2017 23 hours ago, mat60 said: I need a wide tape because I cant see as good as I did. http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=32565&cat=1,43513 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Eric. Posted October 4, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted October 4, 2017 I still refuse to believe there is or will ever be a better shop tape than the 16' Fat Max. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dknapp34 Posted October 4, 2017 Report Share Posted October 4, 2017 20 minutes ago, Eric. said: I still refuse to believe there is or will ever be a better shop tape than the 16' Fat Max. +1. Love those things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AceHoleInOne Posted October 4, 2017 Report Share Posted October 4, 2017 For years I have used the little guy in the picture above. I didn't really start using it daily until the case broke from dropping it (yeah it was a cheap advertising give-away). After it broke open, I removed the vinyl tape which is 3' long and about a 1/4 wide. I hang it on my dust collector when not in use . I love this thing! I'm not fighting the traditional steel blade that twists and jumps off the board...come on, it's happened to you and the worst part, wishing you had a third hand after holding the tape still to mark that pencil line. It simply lays flat across the board, no issues. -Ace- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted October 5, 2017 Report Share Posted October 5, 2017 That looks like a seamstress / tailor tape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted October 5, 2017 Report Share Posted October 5, 2017 6 hours ago, AceHoleInOne said: the traditional steel blade that twists and jumps off the board... Fat Max doesn't do that. It has a stiff blade and a substantial hook. It also has a lock so you don't need that third hand. Seriously, I challenge anyone to try a 16' Fat Max in their shop for a year then come back and tell me they prefer something else. I'll mail you a pork chop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AceHoleInOne Posted October 5, 2017 Report Share Posted October 5, 2017 36 minutes ago, wtnhighlander said: That looks like a seamstress / tailor tape. Funny, I do drape it around my neck flopping boards around between layouts. Just like a seamstress would. -Ace- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AceHoleInOne Posted October 5, 2017 Report Share Posted October 5, 2017 41 minutes ago, Eric. said: Fat Max doesn't do that. It has a stiff blade and a substantial hook. It also has a lock so you don't need that third hand. Seriously, I challenge anyone to try a 16' Fat Max in their shop for a year then come back and tell me they prefer something else. I'll mail you a pork chop. Yeah I get it Eric, I never was a fan of those big honking tapes. I like the thinner tapes that easily fit in the hand. It goes back years ago when I was welding. They fit nice in my coveralls pocket. The big boys you had to put down and I was constantly looking for where I put it last. I bet it’s a great tape. Make it a T-bone and I’ll consider it -Ace- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted October 5, 2017 Report Share Posted October 5, 2017 53 minutes ago, Eric. said: Fat Max doesn't do that. It has a stiff blade and a substantial hook. It also has a lock so you don't need that third hand. Seriously, I challenge anyone to try a 16' Fat Max in their shop for a year then come back and tell me they prefer something else. I'll mail you a pork chop. I have two of them but a free pork chop sounds inviting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted October 5, 2017 Report Share Posted October 5, 2017 9 hours ago, AceHoleInOne said: Yeah I get it Eric, I never was a fan of those big honking tapes. I like the thinner tapes that easily fit in the hand. It goes back years ago when I was welding. They fit nice in my coveralls pocket. The big boys you had to put down and I was constantly looking for where I put it last. I bet it’s a great tape. Make it a T-bone and I’ll consider it Well the fatness is definitely the one drawback. The 16 footers fit comfortably in your hand but you're right that they don't fit in a pocket. But the wide blade is also what makes them such exceptional tapes that don't have that issue with popping off the end of the board...and why they have such long erections. When I'm at the yard I keep it clipped to my pocket (all my pants and shorts have torn up left pockets LOL) but I have about a half dozen in the shop so they're always within arm's reach. I can't afford a t-bone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodbutcher Posted October 5, 2017 Report Share Posted October 5, 2017 Ive always really liked the Stanley powerlock 16' tapes. But since gee-dub mentioned a tape that reads right to left I may have to try one of those out. I finally could not have to read the tape upside down and screw up my measurements all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted October 7, 2017 Report Share Posted October 7, 2017 On 10/4/2017 at 9:56 PM, Eric. said: Fat Max doesn't do that. It has a stiff blade and a substantial hook. It also has a lock so you don't need that third hand. Seriously, I challenge anyone to try a 16' Fat Max in their shop for a year then come back and tell me they prefer something else. I'll mail you a pork chop. I prefer the old Powerlock, just because I 'm so used to them that I don't have to think about using one. They changed the ergonomics on the Fat Max just enough that it doesn't feel natural to me, but that from more than half a lifetime using Powerlocks. I do like the tape in the Fat Maxes a little better, but not enough to make me switch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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