what's with all the cheap measuring tapes?

[Fred Paul Jones]

Not to worry there is more wire at the store. So measure it with a micrometer, cut it with a torch and weld it in place.

[racinjason44]

Just figured I would do a little quick see on three tape measures I had sitting on top of my tool box. They are all the same temp, about 50 degrees F. I checked them against a POS framing square, just as some kind of standard. Pictures and specifics as follows:

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...4/CIMG1075.jpg

The contestants. The Lufkin is well used, it was retired after its one year tour of duty at a bridge fabrication shop. The 33" tape is a cheapy. I think I paid something like $10 or $12 for a four pack of various sizes. The other one is my favorite, the Stanley lever lock. I have another one just like it at work. The one at home is only a couple weeks old, and hasn't seen a lot of use.

The Lufkin:

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...4/CIMG1076.jpg

Cheap tape:

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...4/CIMG1078.jpg

Stanley:

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...4/CIMG1079.jpg

Slight differences. The Lufkin and the Stanley are pretty close. The cheap one isn't off a huge amount, close enough for 99% of stuff I would use a tape measure on. Of course, this is only over 24", I don't know how much more it would vary over a longer distance.

[dbennett48]

In general,it really does not matter which tape you use. You must use the same tape for everything you are doing. Like measuring and cutting a board. If you use one tape you will be OK. Just DO NOT switch tapes in the middle of a job.

[Static-XJ]

Originally Posted by dbennett48

In general,it really does not matter which tape you use. You must use the same tape for everything you are doing. Like measuring and cutting a board. If you use one tape you will be OK. Just DO NOT switch tapes in the middle of a job.

I completely disagree. Don't use tape measures that are not accurate. Get rid of them.

I mainly work with customer supplied drawings and blueprints. How am I supposed to hold ±1/16" with a tape that has its hook bent back 1/8"?

And a tape with a hook that has been bent back is going to measure 20ga differently than 1/2" plate.

If you use only know accurate tape measures then loosing or breaking your tape measure halfway through a job will not be a huge deal. Grab another tape measure and keep working. Otherwise you have to go back and remeasure everything done to that point with the new tape.

If the hook is bent you won't be getting accurate push and pull (inside/outside) measurements. There could be a significant difference between the two ways of measuring.

[burnandreturn]

A million years ago I was measuring some stock and when I was done I let the tape roll back up as fast as it could. It hit the end of the tape and the end piece pretty hard. My father walked over and took my tape and threw it in the trash and told me I just ruined a good tape. Of course I took the tape out and checked it and it was just under 1/2 millimeter too long. Lesson learned.

[Marcel Bauer]

I am a fabricator and for my in-coverall-pocket tape I have almost always used Lufkin Classic (after they started calling them "Classic") LC316 (3/4" x 16'). Used the same style of Lufkin since 1975 I think.

I have other larger and smaller tapes in my toolbox, but use the Lufkin the most often.

When I shop for a new one however, I ALWAYS take a scale with me to verify the tape. I always find one that is short, one that is long and one that is just right. They can vary by 1/32" in either direction, too much of a built in error for me.

When I have to be within 1/32" I can't have my tape eating that up for me even before I start work!

I need a new tape, and I don't even know if they make those anymore...

Accuracy is the most important thing for me, but I liked the ergonomics of that tape design.

[kenklingerman]

I'm surprised how many guys are talking about issues with the end/hook of the tape. I'm in the habit of ignoring the end of any tape or scale. I start at the 1" mark or 1' mark.

too many things can be off at the end of a tape or scale.

I had a machine shop teacher once take a scale out of my hand and place it at the 1" mark for example and said "in my class nobody uses the end of a scale"

[LooseNuts]

for small stuff that i can hold on the 1" mark i always do. but you cant always do that and thats where the hook on the end comes into play. i dont do anything that needs to be within 1/16" thoguh.
all the guys on the crew im with use stanley fatmax or lufkin

[jnoon]

Haven't been here in yearrs, boy lots of reading to catch up on.

one thing I did not see mentioned about measuring tapes and that is missing numbers. Have a friend who fabricated a a building with 12 columns and only after a survey did it come to light that the building was a foot short.
He checked all the columns with the same tape he used throughout the project and their length was correct, inspector checked the same column and his number was 12 inches shorter.

Turns out the high end tape was missing the 16 foot series of numbers ( just a little blob), Tape was returned and new one checked and it was missing the same number.

After this I always pull the tape out and make sure all numbers are present.

john

[EpitomeofChaos]

Next time your buying in store grab a combo square to check if the tape is calibrated, and if you want it to stay on the money get into the habit of slowing the tape down and catching the tab with your finger so it doesnt crash into the body. The tab is made to slide in and out 20 grand or so and abuse will throw it off.

[983-over]

Originally Posted by Fred Paul Jones

Not to worry there is more wire at the store. So measure it with a micrometer, cut it with a torch and weld it in place.

I know this is a welding site but, my carpenters say:
Measure it with a micrometer,
Mark it with chalk,
Cut it with a chain saw,
Pound it in place,
Caulk to fit,
Paint to match!

No problem!

[mb_welder]

Stanley or bust! I have a Lufkin and it is great! As all of the tapes at work are required to be calibrated, I have yet to find a metric tape (that is metric all the way without inches on one side)

It drives me nuts when companies provide drawings in inches and then randomly switch to metric! Stanley makes a good imperial tape and I have yet to find a company that makes a decent metric one!

Accuracy can be trivial, depending on the part...unless pins are size for size and ISO 9001 is breathing down one's neck! Common sense goes a long way, like any other trade. Fortunately after I fit something, I have the option to allow a quality tech to check over my work!

[shovelon]

Originally Posted by EpitomeofChaos

Next time your buying in store grab a combo square to check if the tape is calibrated, and if you want it to stay on the money get into the habit of slowing the tape down and catching the tab with your finger so it doesnt crash into the body. The tab is made to slide in and out 20 grand or so and abuse will throw it off.

So true!

You can also take the screws out, open and unwind the spring a turn or so. That way it does not snap back so hard. No harm in having it stop a couple of inches shy, as you can just push the rest in.

My choice is Starret tapes. We calibrate them when new and if off return for replacement. It they go out after a few months we can rebend the hook to adjust.

[cornemuse]

As a gradechecker, I measured mainly dirt, thick & wide. You'd think, How close can you measure dirt? Closer than you think. Anyway, I always used lufkin rulers & tapes, the 6' folding ruler 99% of the time. Everything is done in feet & tenths & hundredths of feet. (except the state of Calif. ie Caltrans. Those wizards decided we all would be better off with metric.) The use of decimal feet has carried over into most of what I do. If something is dimensioned in inches, I go with inches. However, from 'scratch' I generally go with 10ths & 100ths, 1.75' is still 1' 9", etc. The Brits changed to decimal for a good reason, no more hap'pence, or farthings, or 'I want 10 (pounds), and it has to be guineas! Try decimal (engineers tapes) see what you think, , , -corne-

[ironmangq]

Snap-On makes or sells an all metric tape. Not sure of the quality but I know its out there

[RLNCOAL]

Originally Posted by ironmangq

Snap-On makes or sells an all metric tape. Not sure of the quality but I know its out there

As well as Lufkin

[cornemuse]

When I said 'mertic' I was refering to the Brits going to a decimal based system. Its a lot faster to add/subtract 100ths of feet than inches. 0.1/100' = 1/8" (actually 1/8" = 1/96th of a foot). Easy to split 100ths, = + - 1/16". etc.

[fredschrom]

I have developed a fancy for he Komelon magnetic tapes recently the one I like is:

http://www.komelonusa.com/products.a...&product_id=40

I used my original so hard I have worn the lettering off the tape, just bought another ouch. Funny part is I hate made in China usually but this is not a cheapie, well made and I really love the mag tip at times. Best bang for the buck though is a old school Stanley powerlock 25 footer. what are they 10-12 bucks, I own and have used the new more expensive versions ( fat Max etc ) and I still like the the original power lock better. Lufkin makes good tapes also.The measuring device I miss most though is in my old job I have a Starret 18 and 24 inch steel rule, pretty much "the" reference rulers, spendy though. I still use my Starret 6 inch pocket rule, something like 25 years on it and counting probably the best investment I ever made.

[nadogail]

I prefer my Fat Max, I like how it sticks out for measuring lengths. The cheapies (often free at Harbor Freight) are the ones I loan to others.
Lufkin makes a good tape, in my opinion they are as good as any other. The cabinetmakers supply shop I visited had a display of at least a dozen types of tape measures.

[soutthpaw]

I have an aluminum case one with magnetic tip from Lowes. (Kobolt) brand. Lifetime warranty. Its been exchanged once already after it stopped fully rewinding. No reciept, and no questions. Like Craftsman warranty..

[mckutzy]

I almost cried when I lost my last good Lufkin, it fell off my belt hook tape holder on a job site. I think I spent, about $40 on that. I knew it was a good tape thats why I bought it.
On the first day of my latest job, I didnt have all my stuff with me, the boss gives me a "new" tape. He say "here keep this, I got a ton of them". Later I find out he bought 1000 for a buck each. They are pretty bad, I refused to use them at all. Now I have a dewalt brand. It was a bit cheaper but still pretty good.

[shortfuse]

This is somewhat related to tape measures, etc. Today I was in Home Depot and happened to spend some time looking at their selection of squares, rulers, etc. (only the steel ones). I noticed a lot of new stuff with blue packaging (I'm a little color-blind, so it looked blue to me) that didn't look familiar, so checked them out. I think the brand was "Empire" or something like that. They had small squares, rulers, pocket rulers and some other stuff. The stuff looked like a bunch of cr*p. The measurement lines were uneven, not uniformly stamped, some deep some shallow, the numbers were erratic and not uniform. The finish on the metal was poor at best, was still grainy and cheap looking.

My first guess was that they were a new bunch of chicom trash, but reading the back of the package they were from INDIA. Now we have a new bunch of low grade, cheaply made hardware that makes the chicom stuff look pretty GOOD! I can't believe HD has stooped so low to make a $, that they have to market that stuff to us. I think I have seen better tooling on rulers, etc. at Dollar General than the HD "Made in India" trash.