How Long Does Your Tape Measure Last?

Teetorbilt

I keep up on the lasers, hoping, hoping. If $600 doesn't matter to you, you can get a decent one. The cheapies claim +/- 1/8" (not good enough for me) and I'm told that they are stretching the accuracy. +/- 1/4-1/2" is what I'm hearing from guys in the field. Good for estimating, not so good for finish work.

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You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

hrscammisa

Teetorbilt I do a lot of basement framing its all stick frame. So I did some looking around and found some lasers that you set on the floor and it will give you your height. But they also had this one you could use for take offs it will make a complete drawing of the building and then you take it back to the office and down load it to make your plans.Have you heard of it.?

Ten Fingers

25' stanley MaxSteel I have on me all the time. 35' fatmax is nice when I need more than 25', but I won't carry that boat anchor around all day to measure 8 to 16' boards.

KentWhitten

I was surprised when I got a 35' FatMax that I'd actually like it. They ran out of 30's. For framing, the extended reach like John said. I can get that sucker across the Grand Canyon!

The 35' you'd find it hard to believe,but I have had use for the longer length. Many homes in the area are like 32' wide. It's frickin' huge though! I'm still using it on my cabinet install job LOL.

This one has lasted me pretty long though. Easily 8-9 months. I love builders who say "look what a favor I did for you. I backfilled with sand!" Nooooooooooo! There goes my tape, nail gun, and hands.

hrscammisa

Hey Teetorbilt I found that site for the laser I was talking about check out the disto a6 ok its www.Distagage.com

dirt diggler

i can't believe this thread got to 3 pages

JohnJ0906

Why not? It has to rank as the #3rd most important tool each and every one of us uses!
#1 your HEAD
#2 your HANDS

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John from Baltimore
"One Day at a Time"
All replies based on the 2008 NEC

vwovw

when i first saw it posted here. i read that somebody sends there tapes back to stanely for warranty. so i did. and i just got back four new tapes. I LOVE STANELY TAPES AGAIN.

vwovw

thanks

Boogga

All our tapes over here are from China. We go through hundreds per year.

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"It's better to die on your feet than to live on your knees"

pera

i own a dozen but never find one when i need one. except my extreme fatmax 35'
i have the orange ones, i have the sears one, but i love my fatmax. little heavy but it definitely complete the toolbox.

Michaeljp86

My tapes last along time until my dad gets ahold of them then they diapear. Out of the 12 I had I think I have 2 and I just got another one a few months ago. Stanly seems to have held up really well.

shelf guy

all fat max here, i need the long standout (who doesnt?)

anyone try the new kobalt tape with the blue nylon blade?

TempestV

30' fatmax in my belt

a bunch of stanley 25' maxsteel tapes in my truck and backpack and such for day to day stuff

Michaeljp86

it looks like the fatmax is the favorite, I have one and never use it.

arturjhawk

fat max is simply the best
I use it as long as I dont lose it

Jack's Building

You guys are just too rough on your tapes. Keep them clean and don't let them slam back into their cases and they will last... Mine have.

Jack

painterofeveryt

..saw it on a jobsite,looks like it is very easy to read,big blue numbers on a stainless background.will be interesteing to see what the pros think......

Norrrrrrrrrrrrm

Did you still need your receipts? How long did it take to get the new ones?

Woz the Painter

I still like my SPINNER....