Fat Max's

J.C.

I'd also be interested in a good tape measure if anyone ever finds one. I never understood why anyone would buy a FatMax tape. It's like carrying around a brick. I've also tried the MaxSteel tapes because I read a few good reviews about them and think I must have gotten a reject because I couldn't find a single thing to like about it. I hated that thing. I'm currently using a 25' Stabila that I've had for a few months. I'd say that it is okay but it's certainly not in the same class as their levels. I thought everything Stabila makes is made in Germany but their tape measures are not, they're made in Taiwan. It sure would be nice to be able to buy a good tool that is still made in the US by a US company.

TBFGhost

Tajima.... altho its stand out of 8 feet only makes it a "finishing" tape to some... But I like the high contrast white tape, smooth rewind and it is confortable in my hands and I don't have big hands...The red ones are $20...a good chunk of change, the yellow is $11. Each comes up to 30 feet....I use 25'.

I can't tell you how long they last, but I had my red 25' for 6 months when it got lost....Was in a basement theater with dark walls, dark trim, black ceiling and a dark red carpet...SOMEHOW I lost it in there....I spent 15 min looking for it. It must have been right in front of me but I couldn't see it...so its gone.



I also like these Stanleys I found at my Lowes....the prices started out at 4.95, but it up to 8.95 now....I should have bought a bunch, they are decent tapes...

BCConstruction

The best tapes i have ever used have been the Fisco's but as far as i know they dont have a US dealer.

http://www.fisco.co.uk/products/short-tapes.php

Just found that Sears do the Fisco Big T's so they might do others.

Inner10

You would think that someone would create a decent tape seeing as it is such a popular tool!

I like all features of my irwin except its heavy as a brick!

Stanley fatmax as stated is sh!t.

Stanley lever lock wears out fast then retracks by itself.

Greenlee broke so easy they pulled em from the shelves.

My best tapes are the cheapest ones, luftkins and other no-names.

Greg Di

I love the Tajimas too. I have had the red one since March and have beat the snot out of it and it's still going strong. The yellow Tajimas are good too, but I find them too grippy and they don't fall into my pouches as well.

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Joining_heads

I have been using the Yellow Tajima for awhile now. Sure, the standout isn't of fat max caliber but the tape can take a beating. The rubberized shroud around the hook really protects it from getting bent during a tumble.

willworkforbeer

I use the same tapes, 8 years though? Business must be slow.

I did just buy a set of Fat Max plastic sawhorses, I love em. Pricey but nice.

CScalf

I use craftsman tapes, no big issues, and the warranty is good, just lie and say no i don't use it for construction

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KennMacMoragh

Never had any problem with the fatmax's

samthedog

In Norway these tapes are marketed under the Hultafors name:

http://www.hultafors.no/www/live/gem...x?TreeID=23990

They are good but extremely expensive. I don't use them because they are at least 2 - 3 times the price of the Stanley power lock.

samthedog

jtpro

To me brands of tapes are like any other tool you either hate 'em or love 'em.

I've been drinking the fat max kool aid since they came out. Yeah I've gone through a bunch at times due to various reasons but when I tried a regular stanley or lufkin I destroyed them quicker. The blades just seemed wimpy to me.

I know guys that go out and buy a case of $5-$7 tapes because of theft,loss or abuse.

As far as weight it's like my DeWalt circular saw they both are heavier than some of their competition but, once I got used to them they seemed "normal" to me.

Of the 35' ones I've used never liked them for retracking worth a shiz' I try to stick with 25' ,30' maximum if possible.

I use fat max x-tremes now and for me have been the best so far but thanks to other's suggestions I will be looking at some others at stores to see if the blades seem tough enough for me.

Inner10

Nice!

I'm gonna get the girlie to pick up a few for me; the first thing that breakes on tapes without abuse is the belt-clip...and as far as I'm concerned onece it breakes its usless.

cbfx3

I used the regular old 25 foot silver stanley for years.. my fave was the "ergonomic design" version that was smaller than the regular one. Tried a Fatmax when they came out and kept breaking them but I swear them seem to be better these days than when they first came out. I am so used to the rigidness now that a regular stanley seems weak and flimsy to me now. I keep a regular stanley in the box for smaller trim stuff though. IMO for the framing that we do I have to have a 35' Fatmax

WNYcarpenter

I Like the fatmax...it's sturdy and doesn't seem any less reliable than the other tapes I've owned...The smaller blades are too weak.

I keep two, one for dirt, or rain work and one for finish.

I also like the plastic shell and the large area on the back so I can write 5 or 6 measurements on it.

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hughjazz

That's funny.

first thing I do when I buy a new tape is remove the belt clip.
I hate 'em.

willworkforbeer

Since I've done mainly punchout and remodeling (dont wear a toolbelt for fear of hitting stuff) no way I could live without a clip.

Inner10

The clip snaps on nicely to my electrician's pouch so I know where it is when I'm wearing my belt. When I don't have my belt my toolbox has a similar clip set-up...if they ain't got a clip they are as good as lost to me.

neolitic

I hate the Fat Max.
I can't get it to hook unless I pull
the blade out first, but the "top hook"
catches everything when I retract it.

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pizalm

I love the clip, never used the clip on a tape till I got a new pouch in April with a clip for it and it's so much nicer having it right on my hip then around my back.

And I don't think I could work without a fat max, anything else I've seen is to flimsy and equates to being a pain.

music_man185

i know i'm resurrecting an old thread, but i'm just wondering where do you guys buy your fatmax tapes that allows you to return them when they break? i usually buy mine at lowes because thats the most convenient place locally. i love the fatmax tapes. for years, its all i use. i like the "beefy" feel of them that most people dislike them for. but mostly, i like the standout. the 11-13 foot standout really comes in handy when pulling a measurement on a scaffold or walkboard. such as measuring for a T+G ceiling. however, all that does come at a price. they are not the most durable. mine usually break around the 3-5 inch mark. the durability varies and depends on how you use/misuse the tape. some i get over a years use out of, some just a couple months. i've never tried returning a broke one to lowes, so if they accept them and allow for a new one, that would be great!