Tape measure

[Smiffy]

My Stanley fatmax xtrrme went under a 5t roller today. It's held up surprisingly well but I do need a new one. It's metric only and makes it a lot easier to use. Before I order another one is there anything better. I tried Milwaukee but it died in a couple of days. The Stanley was nearly 2 years old.

 

[6feetdown]

My Stanley fatmax xtrrme went under a 5t roller today. It's held up surprisingly well but I do need a new one. It's metric only and makes it a lot easier to use. Before I order another one is there anything better. I tried Milwaukee but it died in a couple of days. The Stanley was nearly 2 years old.

I've tried a few different milwaukee ones and found the more expensive 1s definitely last longer.
I still like Stanley power max the old style.
Bought this 1 a month ago but keeping it for tidy work at moment. Like the belt clip too

 

[Lancs Lad]

I've tried a few different milwaukee ones and found the more expensive 1s definitely last longer.
I still like Stanley power max the old style.
Bought this 1 a month ago but keeping it for tidy work at moment. Like the belt clip too

Good tapes them fisco owned by Hultafors now
Made in Britain which is a bonus

 

[6feetdown]

Good tapes them fisco owned by Hultafors now
Made in Britain which is a bonus

Yeah class 1 too

 

[DaveDCB]

Toolstation have stanley 5m & 8m on offer both for £9.98, I like the fatmax ones but they are very big and heavy and the oversize end of the tape isn’t always helpful when measuring into corners or small things!

 

[Smiffy]

Toolstation have stanley 5m & 8m on offer both for £9.98, I like the fatmax ones but they are very big and heavy and the oversize end of the tape isn’t always helpful when measuring into corners or small things!

I have had dozens of those little Stanley ones but they never last very long before all the paint flakes off.
I like the big tapes with really wide blades that that stand out for miles plus the Stanley very nearly survived the roller and. I don't do intricate work so that's rarely a problem.

 

[DaveDCB]

You’ve Answered your own question I think

 

[Smiffy]

You’ve Answered your own question I think

I probably have, just wondered if there is any better. And being tight as they have gone up again in price since I last bought it.

 

[LKSF]

I always used to use Lufkin, don't know if they're as good as they used be, but might be worth a punt.

 

[Brendan]

They do those waterproof tapes, know a lad with one looked fairly smart l. No idea on the longevity though as he just does soakaway testing so the tape isn't really being used.
Bought a few of the ox ones but they aren't great and won't get anymore, the paint don't stay on, it doesn't take much for them not to go all the way back in and the button is a bit awkward.
Cheap Stanley ones not too bad but no tapes seem to last

 

[6feetdown]

They do those waterproof tapes, know a lad with one looked fairly smart l. No idea on the longevity though as he just does soakaway testing so the tape isn't really being used.
Bought a few of the ox ones but they aren't great and won't get anymore, the paint don't stay on, it doesn't take much for them not to go all the way back in and the button is a bit awkward.
Cheap Stanley ones not too bad but no tapes seem to last

Is that the 1s with the holes in the case ?

 

[Brendan]

Is that the 1s with the holes in the case ?

Yes and grey in colour not sure which one he got but not sure how it would handle dirt or wet mud. It's generally the water and bits of wet mud that kill my tapes from going back in, even trying to wipe them as they retract they eventually leave 500mm of tape sticking out

 

[6feetdown]

Yes and grey in colour not sure which one he got but not sure how it would handle dirt or wet mud. It's generally the water and bits of wet mud that kill my tapes from going back in, even trying to wipe them as they retract they eventually leave 500mm of tape sticking out

I nearly bought 1 a few weeks ago but someone on here said they weren't very good

 

[Gecko]

On the subect of tapes, I just bought a few 'cheap n chearful' tapes to stash around the place.
Didn't realise it when purchasing, but these have a ratchet instead of a brake. Every other tape I've used, you run out the tape and lock it in position.
These ones, the tape runs out on a ratchet and stays where ever you get to.
Then you press the button to release the ratchet and it retracts.

 

[DaveDCB]

I’ve had afew of them in the past… finger catchers when they fly back!!

 

[kabin man]

I see the newer fatmax tapes have a gap below the casing as a 'finger brake' this may be useful..

 

[William127]

I see the newer fatmax tapes have a gap below the casing as a 'finger brake' this may be useful..
View attachment 69809

Got an 8m milwaukee with that, it's my 'good' tape, bit bulky though. The 5m is a nicer size if it's long enough.
Mainly I have 8m Fatmaxs, the ones that are normally on the counter in screwfix. Reasonable price, decent quality, fairly tough.

When it comes to tape measures though, unless you're doing something really precise, quantity over quality! They just disappear

 

[Smiffy]

I see the newer fatmax tapes have a gap below the casing as a 'finger brake' this may be useful..
View attachment 69809

Really like the look of that and it says 5m outreach. But not sure on 30 quid to under a roller again

 

[SatS]

anyone got one of these ? https://store.reekon.tools/products...tfc8KJtjllqdUxLRM6BxocEQhTOW0kwOLZ9R4hu3xbJut

 

[Smiffy]

anyone got one of these ? https://store.reekon.tools/products...tfc8KJtjllqdUxLRM6BxocEQhTOW0kwOLZ9R4hu3xbJut

I think I would rather get a leica disto for that money