Comments on: Best Tape Measures – Opinions Wanted!

By: Ray

Ray — Mon, 31 May 2021 16:02:52 +0000

For years I used engineering tapes at work and got very comfortable with them. Still use them for fences and other large projects. For wood work type stuff I really like the Stanley Fat-Max that I was gifted.

By: Randall

Randall — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 00:31:31 +0000

I hung drywall for ten years. During that time I used many brands of tape measures. the best and most reliable was the 25 foot Stanley. The always replaced those that i wore out over time. These were the most reliable and the blades were replaceable. the springs were the strongest. You can’t beat a Stanley.

By: Mihai Mos

Mihai Mos — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 15:31:29 +0000

After over thirty years spent continuously hands-on in home improvement business, without any hesitation the best of all is the FatMax line of Stanley’s tape measures.
They are missing one thing: an efficient built-in marking device , which eliminates in most cases the need for a separate pencil to be handled simultaneously with the tape measure. In fact I have made myself such a device, which I can use for marking everything, even ice. No kidding. Unfortunately I couldn’t find by now any manufacturer interested in it, And is patented.
Ask any professional tape measure user for the need of such a device. I did my survey on this category of users, and the result is excellent. No more to add.

By: Clint

Clint — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 08:13:01 +0000

In reply to jan. You are correct. I burned up two 16 footers in less than a year doing residential wiring.

By: Bill

Bill — Tue, 15 May 2018 07:02:34 +0000

In reply to Tom. Yes, absolutely right. I have a couple like that. They beat all the others hands down.

By: Mike Nowakowski

Mike Nowakowski — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 21:09:58 +0000

HI Guys and Gals…..40+ years a Welder/ Fabricator…Were a lot harder on our tapes than usual … I have 5 tapes that are used daily HARD…. 2..16’s,2..25’s and a Fat Max 35…( we build huge frames )….most of which are 20+ years old. I WILL NOT USE A THUMB LOCK TAPE ! ! ! ! Lever Locks are much easier because that tape MUST get out of the way quickly OR be burnt or cut.

My newest purchase is a Kamelion from Lowes….Has BOTH thumb and lever locks ( use either ) and so far works WELL and is of high Quality.

My 2 cents……Mike N from Nowa’s Arc in Springfield OH.

By: Bob

Bob — Tue, 16 May 2017 15:17:19 +0000

In reply to Mark.

Komelon-Chinese……nuff said!!!

By: Ramiro Lopez

Ramiro Lopez — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 05:00:09 +0000

My favorite tape measure was the 25′ Husky one HD use to carry. Tried using the Milwaukee 25′ magnetic after my Husky got lost on a jobsite. Had all 3 Milwaukee tape measures break on me at the same spot within a 2 month time. Will never use them again. Now I use the dewalt 25′ and it’s been working great for me for the past couple of years. I am an electrician btw

By: jan

jan — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 05:26:10 +0000

In reply to Dov scheiner.

all is junk I try everything and it not last one you really use it on the projects hard it is worth to pay little more
http://www.thisiscarpentry.com/2011/05/06/six-tape-measures/

BEST BABY ON THE MARKET MADE IN JAPAN
https://www.amazon.com/Tajima-GASFG3GLM2550BL-GASFG3GLM25-50BL/dp/B003TEAATU/

komelon is good as well …………… please notice that you are looking for the comercial grade tape with rubber coating

https://www.amazon.com/Komelon-SM5416-Gripper-Acrylic-Measure/dp/B008AGWNL0/

By: jan

jan — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 05:14:54 +0000

In reply to Justin. Milwaukee is junk after 3 to 9 months 6 tapes from 9 damaged if you use it on the job site every day it looks solid but will not last. Tajima with rubber coating is the way to go not a junk from home depot or similar store

By: Dov scheiner

Dov scheiner — Sun, 03 Jul 2016 15:41:45 +0000

If you’re debating between the klein or milwalkee magnetic tape measure go with the klien. My current tape measure is a milwalkee I hate it I should have stuck with my previous one, a klein

By: Eric

Eric — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 04:09:03 +0000

In reply to William. I'll second your Milwaukee vote. I use the 25FT with the dual-magnets and wide hook hundreds of times each work day (Weights and Inspections). The markings on both side of the tape are invaluable, the wire belt clip doesn't tear my pants pocket, and the durability is top notch.

By: cody

cody — Wed, 23 Mar 2016 13:49:10 +0000

How about a Menard tool.shop. They give free replacements when it becomes unusable.

By: Fazal Majid

Fazal Majid — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 15:35:25 +0000

I have owned a 3m-10ft Stanley Powerlock P3M/E 33-203 seemingly forever. Made in France, with inch/metric graduations, a metal case and detachable steel belt clip. Unfortunately, it seems all Powerlocks nowadays have flimsy plastic cases. I’m not sure why you would need any longer than that now that laser rangefinders like the Bosch GLM15 are under the $40 mark.

By: Stuart

Stuart — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 00:58:36 +0000

In reply to Frank D.

I haven’t tried the ETape before, but it does look interesting. Posted about here: https://toolguyd.com/etape16-digital-tape-measure/

By: Frank D

Frank D — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 00:28:49 +0000

I personally like the milwaukee 25ft. very rugged and easy to read, Home depot has a digital one i am looking into as well. does cm and in its called the etape.

By: Leo

Leo — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 08:30:15 +0000

In reply to SPT. That's really thnkiing out of the box. Thanks!

By: Tor K

Tor K — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 23:25:20 +0000

Hi guys! Without a doubt the best tape measure is Talmeter, made in Sweden.

By: fm2176

fm2176 — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 19:25:59 +0000

If I could choose any of the numerous tapes I’ve owned, it would be the old yellow Craftsmans. I still have 1 or 2 of the 25′ and maybe a 30′ left. They are pretty heavy duty, and best of all Craftsman would warranty the blade. I only snapped blades once or twice, but getting a replacement blade for a perfectly good (if scarred) case was great. Craftsman stopped the blade warranty when they came out with the red tape measures, but you could still buy replacement blades. Now I don’t even think you can find blades for most models.

I went on a tool buying spree earlier this year and ended up getting the 16′ and 25′ magnetic Milwaukees, 16′ and 25′ DeWalt, 35′ FatMax, 12′ and 25′ Komelon, a couple of the 16′ Gripline (couldn’t beat the deal with the 2 Speed Squares at Lowes), and probably one or two others. So far I find myself using the Milwaukees more than anything. They are nice all the way around, as are the DeWalts and the FatMax. The Komelons are lighter duty but still decent, while the Gripline has a funky rotating hook that makes it look and feel weird to use.

By: Evan

Evan — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 14:47:19 +0000

I would say that by far the Stanley Powerlock 25′ is the best tape measure. For years I grew up using my fathers then when I got a job at a welding shop I started buying a lot of my own tools. When I needed a tape measure I went for a Powerlock. I worked the for 2 years and it never failed. On a daily basis it beaten and abused. Anything from dropping 20′ up in the air to having hot slag landing on it was common. The durability can’t be beat. For the weight and size its perfect. The standout is pretty good too.

On the other hand while most of my tools are USA made and are snap-on, Williams, Kline, Knipex, Craftsman, and etc. I do have my share of “throw away tools” though. I won’t lie, I have several Harbor Freight tape measures. How can you not. I get a free tape measure every time I go. Keep one in every car, the garage, my room, every toolbox, and really anywhere I can fit one