When we positioned the tang against metal, we were able to pull the tape measure backward to extend the blade, and the magnetic tang held firm. Clement used the term headache and DeBoer called themunwieldy. What happens is the tangs are so large that they catch on everything except what you actually want them to hook onparticularly the ones with top hooks that extend above the tape. The PowerLock is easy to use, durable, affordable, accurate, and capable of doing its job without additional features that arent necessary for around-the-house work. If youre more concerned about the tool being comfortable to hold and use (rather than durability), wed steer you back to our pick instead of this. Stanley has a 25-foot auto-locking version of our upgrade pickFatMax with a unique tang-extension system. Small black triangles appear every 16 inches on many measuring tapes to denote standard 16-inch on center (O.C.) Both sides of the tape feature imperial measurements in -inch increments, which is standard for a reel tape. 
In the PTR round-up, DeBoer writes, believe it or not, we found the Stanley PowerLock to be the epitome of how a tang should moveforward and backwards with almost no lateral movement. For a Popular Mechanics article, I threw tape measures off a garage roof onto an asphalt driveway to test for durability. Its an excellent tape measure for anyone who wants to use both imperial and metric measurements. We checked the measurements on the Craftsman tape against our steel measure, and they were spot-on as we expected. With a wider tape, longer standout, and tougher parts than our pick, the FatMax balances rugged performance with a body thats (just barely) not too big to be manageable. The horns are small enough so that you really dont notice them during normal use and they dont get hooked on things you dont want them to. They help the user locate the center of studs (as long as the structure was built in compliance with standard codes). Keep it clean.. The two Tajima tapes, the G-25and the GP-25were nearly identical, despite the price difference. I actually found it more difficult to press the button and maintain pressure on it than to just slide my finger forward and stop the tape the way everyone else does. We inspected them for quality, precision, and the ability to stand up to repetitive use. For the diagonals, we planted the tang at the lower corner, extended the tapes, and then bent them over with a twist in order to read the upper corner. The hook-under forks on the Ryobi 25-foot tape measure tang are a boon for hooking the tape beneath the bottom edge of an object, such as the underside of a tabletop. The following products all had to meet our high testing standards to qualify for a spot in this lineup of the best tape measures. DeBoer pointed out that the blade also rubs the point of entry every time it retracts. Learn more. Get the LEXIVON 16 ft. tape measure on Amazon and at Walmart. For this guide, we only looked at tapes with traditional locking buttons. Tape width generally ranges from inch up to 1 inch. Ive also written specifically about tape measures. Of the tapes we tested, only the Johnson Big J had a significant amount of metal in the case and at no point did we get the sense of any significant added durability. When we finished checking measurement accuracy, we pushed a bright green button, and the blade retracted smoothly. The theory is that you can easily press a finger against the tape to control how fast it retracts as well as brake it and hold it at a certain length. Because of the 1-inch blade, the body of the PowerLock is a slim 1 inches wide. First, the magnets are usually so powerful that they stick to everything, so dont even try to take a measurement near your refrigerator. We awarded points for durability and the quality of materials and workmanship and noted when a tape included both imperial and metric measurements. Copyright 2022 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Oftentimes, Im taking a measurement on a horizontal surface like a tabletop and I lock the blade so I can work with both hands.
The largest portion of our tape measure testing consisted of using the tools as we completed a number of carpentry projects. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. For each of the tests we performed, we awarded points between 0 and 4, depending on how well the tape measured up. We extended each one out to its maximum lengthsomething that may not happen in general usebut it was necessary to test how the ends of the blades were connected and whether pulling on them would pull them out of the case. He ended by saying, Overall, I highly recommend Stanleys PowerLock tape measures, especially given that theyre cheap enough to replace if or when theyre dropped too many times., This last point he makes is worth emphasizing. For the few that include metric measurements, the numbers are often small and difficult to see. Of all the tapes tested, the GP-25 was the most expensive, but it only housed a 1-inch blade. DeBoer also picks up on the cost analysis in the PTR piece. Duck Max Strength is the best all-purpose duct tape. Lengthy measurements, such as across an entire lot or from a curb to the back of the house, require the use of a long reel tape, and thats just what the Komelon 300-foot open reel tape measure is designed to do. Tape measures arent designed for constant in-hand use, so theyre not the most comfortable hand tools to grasp. Compared to most of the 1 tapes, the tang on the FatMax is small. Clint DeBoer, Review: Going the DistanceA Survey of Tape Measures, Pro Tool Reviews, June 14, 2013, Mark Clement, Tool Review: Stanley PowerLock 25 Foot Tape Measure, MyFixItUpLife, December 24, 2011, Stuart Deutsch, Stanley Powerlock Tape Measure Review, ToolGuyd, December 26, 2008. In our testing, we found that the 1-inch blades were the easiest to use overall, even if it meant sacrificing some stand-out. By Andrana Lefton and Glenda Taylor | Updated Mar 18, 2022 2:01 PM. After dropping, extending, and scrubbing the blades of 19 different tape measures with 60-grit sandpaper, we found that the best one is the classic 25-foot Stanley PowerLock Tape Measure. Any quality tape can handle a normal 4-5-foot fall, and the heavy-duty construction ones, most outfitted with a rubbery padding, can go from four or five times that height. It doesnt cover any user wear and tear, but if there is something inherently wrong with the tool, theyll give you a new one. An impressive fringe benefit on this tape measureone that didnt appear on any of the others we testedis a robust magnetic tang. More thoughts on those in a bit.). The Johnson JobSite, Johnson Big J, and Keson tapes also had bumpers, but when they were pressed, they actually forced open the seam along the underside of the case. DeBoer had a similar experience with the DeWalt 16-foot version, but he didnt test the Big J. And while were interested in performance here and not historical status, the fact that the PowerLock was good enough to be packed on the Apollo 11 lunar landing mission means that its probably good enough for your kitchen drawer. In short, its better to have the length and not need it than to need it and not have it. Accuracy is important too, but all of the tapes we looked at fell within an acceptable margin of error. Its a basic tool whose pared-down simplicity makes it light, tough, accurate, easy to handle, and affordable. The tool features a 3-rivet tang and a solid-feeling lock button that doesnt leave the user guessing which direction is locked and which is unlockedits labeled. When compared against a steel measurement tool, the Ryobi was dead-on accurate, as it should be. But again, those tools didnt fare well in other categories. *At the time of publishing, the price was $21. In the industry it has become a bragging right to have the tape with the longest stand-out, with some tapes claiming to go as far as 13 feet. BobVila.com and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links. Both the knobby rubber over-mold and the huge end clip made this one tricky to use compared to simpler models.
Theres no locking a blade in place or wondering if it will retract too quickly and snap a hand. There are tapes that will make a mark for you, tapes that have telescoping measuring rulers, and others with centering scales that show you the center point of any measurement. You can always engage the manual lock if the tape doesnt automatically lock when you pull the blade out.
From what we could tell, in most ways its identical to the G-25 (same blade, same size, same tang, almost the same locking switch), so it appears that the additional cost is because of the spaced-out over-mold aesthetic. wood timber slim wallets wallet In the PTR piece, DeBoer explains them by saying, people either love or hate auto-locking tapes. As long as your tape has a smooth, easy-to-use locking switch, an automatic locking tape is really unnecessary. Finally, everyone has different hands, so in order to test general ergonomics I gave the top contenders to my wife and some other friends to play around with and considered their feedback. Last, with its long 50-plus-year history, the PowerLock is also something of an icon. Still, the Stanley PowerLock tape measure rises to the top of the list due to its durability, high-precision measurements, and ease of use. As Clement said, The blade of the tape measure almost always goes first. Thats because over time, grit, dirt, and debris enter the tape through the mouth and grind against the blade as it gets extended and retracted over and over.
All 300 feet of lime-green fiberglass tape are neatly wound around a center spool and held in place by strong molded polyethylene arm supports that keep it snug and evenly wound. Common lengths are 12, 16, 25, 30, and 35 feet. It seems as though they literally catch the wind and the tape comes crashing down in a really thin heap of loud, flaccid steel.. Getting precise measurements is essential for many projects, even ones as simple as hanging art or estimating how much wallpaper will be necessary for a specific room. Those looking for a quality compact tape measure need look no further than the LEXIVON 16-foot tape measure, which comes with both imperial and metric measurements and graphic markings to denote 16-inch and 19.2-inch standard framing measurements. Real estate agents, appraisers, and engineers often find laser tape measures worth the money. After reading what we could, talking to our experts, and taking years of experience using tape measures into account, we found that the most important features of a tape measure are blade durability, case durability, tang (the metal hook at the end of the tape) size, stand-out, and ease of locking lever. Ironically, that was also one of the only tapes that marked increments of 1/32. We tested its calculations, and while theyre accurate, its much quicker to figure estimates on a standard construction calculator. With its ergonomic locking lever and durable blade coating, it was a contender, but the fact that its as tall as the PowerLock and as wide as the chunky FatMax made it difficult for smaller hands to grasp and use comfortably. The belt hook is a standard but functional design. We didnt consider any Craftsman tape measures because, well, theyre no longer made. The tape is covered with the same coating that encases the PowerLock, but it also has the additional industrial thermoplastic covering over the first 4 inches. Yes, its as fun as it sounds. It was dead-on accurate when we tested it with the Lixer Calibrator, meaning both the push and pull measurement are right where theyre supposed to be. On the sides at the top of the tang are two slight horns that stick up above the concave side of the tape. If it was there, great. Get the Milwaukee 25 ft. tape measure at The Home Depot, on Amazon, and at Walmart. The LEXIVON tape is only 16 feet long, but its just the ticket for small jobs that dont require a longer measure. Nearly all of the Kobalts, and many others had this issue. Its blade is a quarter-inch slimmer than most contractors tools, so its easy to lay flat for marking measurements, yet still stiff enough to stand out unsupported for nearly 8 feet, which is plenty. Unless youre working with steel studs or metallic electrical conduits, theyre a problem. DeBoer said that he primarily uses a 16, but he feels safer knowing that he has a 25 close by.
The ones with greater standout lengths received more points. Fortunately, they dont require a firm grip to use, so theyre usually not too cumbersome. For price, there really isnt a huge range. First off, know that there are four basic varieties to choose from. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Virtually everyone is familiar with the function of a tape measure, but we wanted to know how various top models compared to their competitors. The Milwaukee tape measure features a 3-rivet tang with hook-under forks that allow the user to snag the topside or the underside of the item being measured. If you want a tape measure with a proven track record of durability, one that can withstand a true jobsite beatdown, we recommend the Stanley FatMax. This is a nice touch, but we also found that it had one of the weaker blade locks of any tape we looked at. We were able to extend it nearly 6 feet (standout) before it bent. *At the time of publishing, the price was $0. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. While we liked the added blade durability, the loosey-goosey blade lock was too frustrating. is the most common. Milwaukee 25 ft. General Contractor Tape Measure, Review: Going the DistanceA Survey of Tape Measures, Tool Review: Stanley PowerLock 25 Foot Tape Measure. We used the other tallies to determine the best-intended usage for the tape measures that excelled in our tests. It has a durable blade, a functional tang, a solid stand-out, a strong locking lever, and a convenient belt hook. The tape had the longest standout of all, just under 9 feet before it bent, and the tool comes with a self-lock that kept the blade from retracting until we depressed the retraction button. Better versions were found on the Starrett and Tajimas, but those tapes had other issues covered below. We were pretty impressed. They also sell tapes that have no rigidity in the blade, so they lay flat on your workpiece. Once locked, the tape didnt budge as we bounced it on its own weight. In other words, its perfectly manageable.
A couple of them commented on how light the PowerLock was compared to the others, especially the 1-inch tapes (the PowerLock is 13 ounces, tied with the Keson for the lightest tape tested). The following models all made the cutbut keep readingeach one comes with some upsides and a few downsides. It demonstrated rigid blade standout to just over 7 feet, making it a very decent tape measure for the price point, all things considered. With this digital tape measure, determining distance is as easy as pushing a button and reading a number on the LED screen. Of the 16 tapes tested, only the FastCap Old Standby was off by as much as 1/32 inch. Subscribe now for unlimited access. He lives in a very demanding 250-year-old farmhouse and spent four years gutting and rebuilding his previous home. We also found that the durability of the PowerLocks blade extends beyond a resistance to grit and debris into kinking and general abuse as well. Any time you consistently need long measurements, one of these can save you a tremendous amount of time. The solid feel of the tool and the smooth locking lever were also noted as high points. The Stanley blade is coated with a Mylar polyester film, which our testing proved to be superior to most of the other tapes. In DeBoers article, he looked at 12 different tapes with all but one between $8 and $20 (the $2.50 Pittsburgh Quikfind received a terrible review). To earn a spot in our lineup, each of the tape measures had to be accurate and precise. The tang comes with a fold-out spike that is useful for fitting over a nail or screw head, and the molded plastic case is strong and durable and comes with a partial rubberized grip. We tested this model out too, and even though it sounds like it would be the superior tape, it pales in comparison to its more stable sibling. Get the Ryobi 25 ft. tape measure at The Home Depot and Walmart. In fact, the PowerLock is one of the least expensive tape measures that weve looked at. This durable tape measure features imperial measurements in 1/16-inch increments as well as centimeters. The amount of movement should equal the thickness of the tang to ensure accuracy for both styles of measurement.2. The tang features a fold-down spike that can be fitted over a nail or screw head, and the Komelon comes with a separate bright orange spike for pushing into the ground to determine the origination point. My experience is that tapes below $8 or $10 arent worth the cheap plastic theyre made of, and no tape measure is worth more than $20. Theyre typically accurate to around of an inch, which is suitable for figuring wall space. The PowerLock comes with a 3-rivet-reinforced tang for accurate measuring, and the blade features imperial-only measurements in -inch increments. dremel For all of this goodness, the PowerLock still has a couple slight flaws. The purpose of these is so you can send the tape underneath something (like a closed door) and then hook it from below. Unfortunately, we found the auto-lock function didnt work as well at longer lengths. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. The measurements are imperial and only in -inch incrementsbut thats par for the course for this type of tape. We hooked the tang over a nail and stretched the tape out to its maximum length. With the DTAPE Laser Measure, theres no hooking a tang over a nail head or recruiting a helper to hold the end of the tape. If not, it wont be missed. All of the other tapes were either perfect or off on one of the measurements by 1/64 inch or lessnothing most people would notice. We also looked at quality, blade standout, blade lock, and the overall design of the tape. CRAFTSMAN Tape Measure, Self-Lock, 25-Foot, DEWALT Tape Measure, Closed Case, 100-Foot, Milwaukee 25 ft. Still, the measurements are highly accurateslipping notwithstandingand we could use the green button to lock the blade manually. The body of the tape is exactly 3 inches long (which is printed right on the case), so if youre measuring a room from wall to wall, you can extend the tape until the back of the case touches the wall and just add the 3 inches to what you read on the tape. Get the DeWalt 100 ft. tape measure on Amazon, at Tractor Supply Co., and at Walmart. But we agree with Clements opinion: A tape measure is a beautifully simple machine and should not be muddied up with stuff that other tools can do. (We did, however, look at the FastCap tapes, which have pencil sharpeners and an erasable writing surface, due to their reputation in the construction industry. Taking all this into consideration to name the tool that gives you the best value, the other tapeswhich often cost moreall fell short compared to this one. The thumb-operated blade lock is smooth, strong, and easy to operate with one hand, unlike some other more cumbersome models. nextec craftsman battery led flashlight capacity built This jobsite standard has proven its durability on countless occasions, and its wider 1-inch blade not only stands out unsupported farther than our pick, it also has a tougher coating and a larger tang that can grip an object from more positions than our pick.
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