Is there a special name for this kind of flexible tape measure for this kind of accuracy? Milwaukee's Stud, DeWalt's XP followed by its Tough Series, Crescent Lufkin's Shockforce, and others have been pushing the durability expectations to new levels. This means that you cant pull the tang out by coming at it from the side. While this was a feature that took many other tapes out of consideration, the tang on the FatMax is designed differently. 2023 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company, We love the Miele canister vacuum so much, were giving it awayenter now, Sign up for Wirecutters daily newsletter, Stanley 33-725 25-Feet FatMax Tape Measure. She is a journalist with three years of experience researching and writing articles. We checked the measurements on the Craftsman tape against our steel measure, and they were spot-on as we expected. Also keep an eye open for at least three rivets holding the hook on, nylon coating over the entire blade, and additional coating over the first foot or so. With tape measures, 25 feet is the most common length, although some are as short as 12 feet, and others are 30 feet or longer. The Milwaukee Stud is gigantic and simply too massive to easily handle and grip. The body of the tape is exactly 3 inches long (which is printed right on the case), so if youre measuring a room from wall to wall, you can extend the tape until the back of the case touches the wall and just add the 3 inches to what you read on the tape. But there are also times when you might not want it. The tang comes with a fold-out spike that is useful for fitting over a nail or screw head, and the molded plastic case is strong and durable and comes with a partial rubberized grip. The movement on the blade is smooth, and the retraction is controlled and even. The following models all made the cutbut keep readingeach one comes with some upsides and a few downsides. The tape comes with an attached stainless steel carabiner clip we discovered was perfect for hanging on a hook in the garage. This jobsite standard has proven its durability on countless occasions, and its wider 1-inch blade not only stands out unsupported farther than our pick, it also has a tougher coating and a larger tang that can grip an object from more positions than our pick. Some of these tapes give you a little more bang for your buck with additional scales for certain applications. Length: 25 feet | Markings: Imperial | Standout: 9 feet 11 inches | Autolock: No. It depends on how theyre used. Solid housing construction combined with a generous layer of overmold to protect it stands up to just about anything weve been able to throw at it, including chucking as high as we could and letting it fall to the asphalt. The only drawback to this tape measure is that it was a bit too bulky to fit in a tool belt. The Tajimas and FastCaps got high marks for their compact size, but they each have their own flaws that well get to in a bit. GATORTAPE Precision Top Reading Tape Measure 16ft x 1inch (Scale in Inches) | Easy & Accurate Internal Measurements 613 $548 - $1995 FREE delivery Its our pick after 50 hours of research and three annual updates to this guide. This sturdy 16-foot model from DeWalt is the best tape measure for people who are tough on their tools. Accuracy was a piece of the puzzle, but in reality just a very small piece. Although this tape measure comes with only imperial measurements, it improves over some tapes in that incremental fractions are printed along the bottom edge of the blade. We tested this model out too, and even though it sounds like it would be the superior tape, it pales in comparison to its more stable sibling. Markings on both sides of the tape will be easier to read than markings on only one side. for pricing and availability. Tapes below $8 or $10 arent worth the cheap plastic theyre made of, and no tape measure is worth more than $20. Of the 16 tapes tested, only the FastCap Old Standby was off by as much as 1/32 inch. 6. Clement summed things up: Go simple. When the lock is engaged, it should be strong enough to withstand that level of pulling and tugging. Overall, this tape measure is a good value for its accuracy and ease of use. Thanks for this. That tape paid for itself so many times. Our testers found that the case was comfortable to grip, and the lock could be engaged or released with just their thumbs. Still, were based in the US, so we only looked at tapes that use the standard imperial scale. Of course not. It demonstrated rigid blade standout to just over 7 feet, making it a very decent tape measure for the price point, all things considered. Fathers Day is fast approaching us already, which is a scary proposition for anyone who hasnt really put any thought [], Too Many Cordless Impact Wrenches To Choose From? Check out our article on how to read a tape measure and we promise youll learn something new! My current favorite is a 25' Komelon Powerblade SELFLock. Instead, the tang needs to have a smooth back-and-forth movement so the tape will be accurate both on pull measurements, where you hook the tang over something like the edge of a board, and on push measurements, where you press the tang against an inside surface. It doesnt cover any user wear and tear, but if there is something inherently wrong with the tool, theyll give you a new one. #1 I just posted a question about a thing where had a picture with two tape measure for scale. The increment markings are large, bold, and easy to read against the high-visibility yellow tape. Its your call. I got one from Sawblades.com At westech a few years back, they had girls in bikinis handing them out. If youre hanging the tape in order to mark shelf heights or you have the blade locked at the right length to check a rug dimension in a few different rooms, you dont want the lock to release and start retracting every time it gets bumped. The bright yellow blade features large numbers and double-sided markings. Still, its plenty accurate for calculating the width, length, volume, and area of rooms for appraisal purposes or to estimate paint, carpeting, or wallpaper. After our drop test, the tape measure worked perfectly, suffering only minor dings and scratches to the case. During testing, the blade had a smooth recoil that was effortless to control. It has an impressive standout that makes it perfect for solo measuring. A lot of the other wide-blade tapes were taken out of the running because of their massive tangs. In an article in Tools of the Trade outlining the everyday carry tools for a professional framing crew, Tim Uhler explains, When its wet (winter), [a Stanley FatMax] wont last more than a month or so. The Komelonalso had an over-engineered protective case and was the most futuristic-looking tape we found. Because of the 1-inch blade, the body of the PowerLock is a slim 1 inches wide. Get the Milwaukee 25 ft. tape measure at The Home Depot. However, its standout measurement was only 9 feet and 3 inches during testing, falling short of the 12-foot standout it claims. We found the blade lock on the Ryobi to be snug and robustno slippage at all. The FatMax is more expensive than the PowerLock, but that additional cost gets you a wider blade with a longer stand-out and a rubber overmold that provides greater protection as youre watching it fall out of your second story window while measuring for a new air-conditioning window unit. Anyone whos been cut by a metal tape blade that retracted too quickly will appreciate the pressure lock on the LEXIVON. After our drop test, the tape measure had no visible damage, and the tape functioned the same after each drop. Whether its finding great products or discovering helpful advice, well help you get it right (the first time). They had this 25 foot tape and when you locked it a tiny green LED lit up right where the tape entered the body. The Komelon, Lufkin, and Snap-on extend their ample rubber over-mold up to the nose of the tool so that it directly acts as a bumper. Accurately measure diameter. You can also sit in a chair, but make sure your feet are firmly planted on the ground. Our team will put our hands on hundreds of additional tools at media events and trade shows throughout the year. Any tape will usually get the job done, but good tape makes an annoying task a little easier and vastly more enjoyable. But are all tape measures created equally? The Crescent Lufkin Control L1016C-02 had a decent standout measurement of more than 10 feet during testing, but testers found it uncomfortable and difficult to use. Hook catches everything you dont want it to but doesnt seem to catch what you want. About of the tapes that we tested had this feature, but the Stanley was one of seven that kept this measurement to an easy-to-use 3 inches. As Clement said, The blade of the tape measure almost always goes first. Thats because over time, grit, dirt, and debris enter the tape through the mouth and grind against the blade as it gets extended and retracted over and over. Our tester found both inside and outside measurements to be precise, and the tape is very easy to read. Best Overall Milwaukee Pro Compact Metric Tape Measure . For a tape to have a long, productive life, the most important factor is blade durability. They should be equally accuratethe difference is that a tape measure is accurate over a longer distance. The belt clip is made from polished solid steel, and the metal blade is nylon coated for durability and rust resistance. Wish I stocked up on them. After testing 34 tape measures in our lab, we chose the Irwin Strait-Line IWHT39391S as the best overall tape measure for its long standout, durability, and easy-to-read markings. The onboard pencil sharpener is also a nice touch, again, for the carpenterbut probably not useful to the home user. The comment form collects your name, email and content to allow us keep track of the comments placed on the website. The tapes suffer multiple drops from 8 12 ladders and still work perfectly. The belt clip is very difficult to operate. Tough to beat a Stanley. Ergonomics on tape measuresare less about the weight and more about how naturally they fit in your hand. For a deeper dive into laser distance measures, check out our recommendations here. If Im doing a room thats long, I like to be able to just have the one tape measure to do the measurements, Guerrero says. Wear-resistant nylon also protects the blade and offers greater durability and longevity. For all of this goodness, the PowerLock still has a couple slight flaws. It also lacked durability and became deformed after our drop test, affecting its accuracy on certain measurements. On the sides at the top of the tang are two slight horns that stick up above the concave side of the tape. Get the Stanley 25 ft. tape measure at The Home Depot, Ace Hardware, or Tractor Supply Co. For larger projects outdoors (marking plots, areas, gardens, etc. Its not the best in every single category, but it does everything well and it has a fantastic blade color for those of us with less-than-ideal vision. Fortunately, all the ones we tested were, so that wasnt an issue. Wood Glue Dispenser, 16 Oz Btl, Drip less. Instead, you need to pull it straight out. Fat Max for everything. In the Machinist community, what's the preferred tape? Both sides of the tape feature imperial measurements in -inch increments, which is standard for a reel tape. A lame blade lock can be intensely frustrating. Starrett High-Accuracy Combination Squares. We collected insights from our testers about the ease of use, performance, accuracy, and durability of each tape measure before selecting the best tape measures for your money. Its all about giving you a legitimate recommendation and our honest opinion of each product. Tape Measure with Overmold. This indicates the quality of the tang as well as its relationship with the tape blade. This is a nice touch, but we also found that it had one of the weaker blade locks of any tape we looked at. This opens up many opportunities for measuring metal objects without needing a helper to hold the tang in place. Testers said the belt clip was somewhat stiff but still workable. You certainly get better durability and features at those higher price points, but its up to you to decide whats worth it. Copyright 2008-2023 Pro Tool Reviews, LLC. Tape measures arent designed for constant in-hand use, so theyre not the most comfortable hand tools to grasp. Were familiar with reel tape measures and DeWalt products, so we had high hopes for this specific tooland we werent disappointed. Small black triangles appear every 16 inches on many measuring tapes to denote standard 16-inch on center (O.C.) While we liked the added blade durability, the loosey-goosey blade lock was too frustrating. BEST OVERALL: Stanley 25 ft. PowerLock Tape Measure. ), ribbon and laser types are most convenient. Compared to most of the 1 tapes, the tang on the FatMax is small. In searching for the best tape measure, there are some interesting ways to improve visibility. Sporting 11 feet of standout, easy-to-read fraction markings (single-side printing), and greater overmold protection than many tapes weve used, its also easy on your wallet in the sub-$15 class. Our team of experts spent an entire day testing 34 different tape measures in our lab in Des Moines, Iowa. The body is covered with a rubber material that makes it comfortable to hold and cushions the tape from damage. In that situation, I want to be able to give the tape a tug to make sure its securely hooked. The tape is a bit flimsy, so its not the best for long-distance measurements. The purpose of these is so you can send the tape underneath something (like a closed door) and then hook it from below. This Stanley Fatmax tape measure features large font numbers and blade markings that are easy to read against its yellow tape. Get the Craftsman 25 ft. tape measure on Amazon. $13 at Amazon. But they seem to have been replaced on the shelves by Stanleys. https://external-content.duckduckgo/converted/076174/076174335965.jpg&f=1&nofb=1, https://www.acmetools.com/25-ft-sta970715290&utm_content=Profit Margin 41% - 50%, https://www.stanleytools.ca/NA/product/images/3000x3000x96/30-455/30-455_2.jpg, 16 ft. As this map shows, the US is one of the only countries that doesnt use the metric system. While there are several great options, its the Crescent Lufkin Shockforce G2 Nighteye that stands out above the rest for us. Also, if you use a standard tape and youre looking for a quick hold on the blade, it is very easy to auto-lock it by shifting your forefinger forward until it rests against the bottom of the tape. It features a magnetic tip that holds the tape measure in place while you measure. Doug Mahoney is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter covering home improvement. Overall, we chose not to include it on the list because it lacked durability. I use a combo of each as a field carpenter. Weve used reel tapes before that became twisted on the spool when rewinding them up, but the fiberglass tape on the Komelon has just enough stiffness to help keep it straight. The body is 3 inches long, which is not ideal for measuring inside distances with the body into a corner. It makes sense to just learn that little trick and then have the full range of tape motion if you need it. The 16-foot tape measure had an average standout of 9 feet and 7 seven inches during testing, surpassing the advertised 9 feet of standout. He lives in a very demanding 250-year-old farmhouse and spent four years gutting and rebuilding his previous home. The Milwaukee name is nationally known for high-quality construction tools and accessories, and the Milwaukee 25-foot self-lock tape measure is no exception. With nothing more than a scratch for our efforts, its one tough measure. Junk! However, testers said the body of the tape measure was somewhat long, making it more difficult to fit into a tool belt. Measuring internal thread pitch diameter. 1 comment If you want to measure traditionally without having an object to bounce the laser off of, you need a wheel to roll across the surface instead. Taking a cue from DeBoers article in Pro Tool Reviews, we tested all of the tapes against a Lixer Tape Measure Calibrator, which checks the accuracy of both the pull and push measurements. But, they are NOT a cold weather tape measure. With this digital tape measure, determining distance is as easy as pushing a button and reading a number on the LED screen. For length, we only looked at 25-foot tapes. This is an excellent feature for those who dont want to engage the blade lock by hand (some are quite stiff). Milwaukees Stud, DeWalts XP followed by its Tough Series, Crescent Lufkins Shockforce, and others have been pushing the durability expectations to new levels. The reel tape is sturdy and durable, and we found it to be among the best models wed ever tested. Large font numbers and distinct blade markings make it simple to read. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Clement said that a 25 is the way to go because there are times when it will come in handy. What Makes a Good Tape Measure? One handling issue that we had with these tapes is that the over-mold extends down from the case and covers the sides of the tang. 2. There are very basic models similar to the now-discontinuedBosch DLR130Kthat can do distance and calculate area and volume, but others, like the Stanley TLM330, can even figure out a distance through triangulation. These tools, some as small as a pack of cards, shoot a laser point and give the distance on a little screen. You can test the clip strength in the store by simply pulling on it while its in the package. Last, with its long 50-plus-year history, the PowerLock is also something of an icon. Learn more . I have had 2(both replaced on warranty) that the protective covering on the back of the tape at the clip has come unstuck atRead more , FatMax Extreme was the best tape ever made. It has a durable blade, a functional tang, a solid stand-out, a strong locking lever, and a convenient belt hook.