Fat Max's - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

galla35 · 03-31-2009, 09:04 PM

How do you guys feel about fatmax's ive had one for less than 3 months and its junk, it doesnt recoil for ****...

And none of the stores carry stanleys lifetime warranty anymore at least not that i could find.. so what would you guys recommend i'm fed up but need a 35' tape

Winchester · 03-31-2009, 09:10 PM

I had one once. Lost it or broke it or something, never bought another one. I don't like them, and they're heavy. I don't need to compensate for anything with a beefy measuring tape and name it Fat Max or Big Johnson.

neolitic · 03-31-2009, 09:15 PM

I don't like 'em either.
Can't seem to hook the end
to pull it out one handed, but
that top and bottom hook shape
catches on everything when
I want it to retract.

Damn thing has bitten me more
than all the other tapes I've
ever owned.

Inner10 · 03-31-2009, 09:33 PM

Garbage...why?

1. FatMax is a stupid name.
2. Plastic blade armour cracks in very short time making it hard to read.
3. Its so curled accurate measurments are tough to take.

Anything Stanley that isn't a crowbar is junk...probably because you can't really screw-up a crowbar.

If anyone knows a good measuring tape let me know; I bought a greenlee and loved it until the end broke off in a month. Greenlee said they were pulled from the market due to that exact defect and I had to fight for a refund (PS dealing with greenlee is a nightmare). At the moment I like my Irwin, easy to read, imperial, not one of thoes stupid half metric jobbies, doublesided. Only thing I hate about it is its too heavy and it has a metal plate on the front...why...so when you drop it on your client's floor you can destroy their beautiful italian glass tile.

Chris Johnson · 03-31-2009, 09:44 PM

The Stanley non-Fat Max do me fine, I get a year plus out of a 35'

Vrooman · 03-31-2009, 10:14 PM

I only use fat max's...not the fatmax extreme though, they are junk. I had my 25' for over a year then it broke at 68", so I bought a 25' extreme, broke in 2 months, I went back to the regular one and it has last me 7 months so far. I need to get a 1" tape for finishing though, the hook on the tape can tilt and make your measurement out by a 1/16" in short measurements if you aren't careful.

**Ed the Roofer** · 03-31-2009, 10:32 PM

The old Lufkins when they were made of steel were good.

I used a 32 footer for years with no problems.

Here is a link for a 35 footer from Cooper Hand Tools, that makes Lufkin.

http://www.cooperhandtools.com/brand...c=037103194657

Ed

Mike Finley · 03-31-2009, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by galla35

How do you guys feel about fatmax's ive had one for less than 3 months and its junk, it doesnt recoil for ****...

And none of the stores carry stanleys lifetime warranty anymore at least not that i could find.. so what would you guys recommend i'm fed up but need a 35' tape

They are all I use. I have a life time warranty on mine because I have a file in my cabinet that says "Fat max receipts"

I keep a receipt in there and when one of the Fat Max's breaks or wears out I take on the receipt and go to the store and get a new one. I have them print out a new reciept and that one goes back in the file.

3 Fat maxes? 20? How many do you want? All you need is keep one receipt and they are all free for life.

**BuiltByMAC** · 03-31-2009, 11:34 PM

FatMax Extreme is all I use. I need the 12'-13' standout more often than not. One will usually last me a year...and yes, I've returned them (w/ receipt) for free new ones if they break too quick.

I don't mind spending $35/yr on tapes. Yes, you could conceivably return them time and time again, but I don't mind a company making a profit on their products.

When working in wet weather, wiping the blade down when you're done for the day will do wonders for the life of the tape. The rusted spots are where mine always break.

Mac

hughjazz · 03-31-2009, 11:49 PM

task makes a good tape.

If I could just stop stepping on the damn things I'd be fine

Graham J · 03-31-2009, 11:52 PM

That is all I use, and most of the guys on our crew. It is normal for me to go through a tape in about 4-6 months, under heavy use. I use only 30' tapes, since they are not that much heavier than the 25's and we do a lot of TJI floors that seem to get cut at about 28'. That is a nuisance with a 25' tape

. I like the standout feature of 9-11'. The Extremes are overkill in my opinion. If not overkill, then certainly overpriced!

Graham

BattleRidge · 04-01-2009, 12:22 AM

I use the 16ft fat max extreme. I just keep the receipts and take it back over and over. They last me about 2 months. It does pinch my hands alot but the 16fter is so small its easy to get out of my bags and to slide cut my sheetrock. I just go the the lumber yard that screwed me like 3 years ago and get a new one. Im literally on probably number 13 - 15 ish. I also have a tendancy to throw my tape. Its the only tool I throw I dont know why.Smash my thumb, tape gets it.

TempestV · 04-01-2009, 02:54 AM

I use 30' fatmax tapes. For a while I was going through them once a month, but of the two I have now, one has lasted a year, and the other a year and a half. I keep 2 around so that if one breaks, I have a spare without running to the store for a new one right away. They might replace it, but it's a pain to have to run to the store right then.

as far as the tape curl hurting accuracy, just roll it to the side, so that one edge is touching, and you have the same accuracy as any other tape. I do that on any tape, even the ones with a small amount of curl. The large curl doesn't make a difference.

I probably am going to get a stabila when I get around to setting up dedicated trim bags here before long.

neolitic · 04-01-2009, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TempestV

..........
I probably am going to get a stabila when I get around to setting up dedicated trim bags here before long.

If they make one, I'll have
to look into that.

I just saw some of their
"slim line" levels at my tool store.
Didn't know about those either,
but I'm thinking there is a
2 footer in my future.

mrmike · 04-01-2009, 06:40 AM

I bought one of those Fat Max & like others stated it is too big & bulky & I just don't like it. I have an old Klein like below, which I've had for about 10 yrs. No Gimmicks here-just quality. If I buy another it will be one of these. I don't know why the Pic shows a 12'
25' Power Tape Measure

Editor Rating:

25' Power-Return Steel Rules - Polished Chrome Case

Polished Chrome Tape Measure - Nylon-coated hardened steel blade resists abrasion and wear for long life. Built-in shock absorber to protect blade tip. True zero feature for accurate inside and outside measuring. Durable steel belt clip for convenience. Multi-riveted end hook with bottom blade protector reinforces the blade tip and provides maximum pull-out strength.

Additional features:

Oversized numbers for quick, easy, adn accurate readings.
Baked-on epoxy coating to resist scratches, rust, and abrasions.
3-rivet end hook reinforces the blade tip.
Positive no-drift lock firmly holds the blade in place at any length.
True zero feature for accurate inside and outside measuring.
16" (406 mm) and 19.2" (485 mm) stud marks.
Tape measure holders available.

Chris Johnson · 04-01-2009, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuiltByMAC

When working in wet weather, wiping the blade down when you're done for the day will do wonders for the life of the tape. The rusted spots are where mine always break.

Mac

Spray them with WD-40 after they get wet, cleans them up and stops the rust, they last a little longer.

**joasis** · 04-01-2009, 08:32 AM

I think this would be a great "gift".....

http://cgi.ebay.com/STABILA-TAPE-MEA...3286.m20.l1116

WarnerConstInc. · 04-01-2009, 08:47 AM

I hate the Fat Max crap, because it is crap.
I like the Stabila's, Hell the box was cool too!

I have been using the Komelon self lockers. Really nice tape for 7 bucks.

I have a few fast caps as well.

Quiglag · 04-01-2009, 05:17 PM

I got a Husky 25' 16' set that was on sale at HD. I like that the tape as markings on both sides of the tape, but it doesn't have enough stand out for me. I really hate the fatmax tapes, so I guess I will have to keep looking.

EricTheHandyman · 04-01-2009, 08:22 PM

I bought a Fatmax once for the long standout, I thought it would be helpful as I'm often working alone.

Turns out, the blade is so curled in order to be rigid enough, that you can't mark a piece of lumber without twisting and contorting it

Also turns out, that the blade lock is worthless, especially in the first 5 inches where the "armor" is.

It also turns out, that it weighs about 24 pounds, and if it falls out of your tool belt, it ruins your clients nice wood floor

I am now anti-fatmax.