Stanley FatMax Tape Measure Fix - ReTension Your Tape Measure..!!!

*Big Brain Tip* Save yourself some time and watch in 1.5X speed..!!
If your FatMax Tape Measure doesn't reel in anymore, DON'T throw it away and spend another $20.....just re-tension it using this trick tip!!
Thanks for watching!
Instagram@thebigbrainbuilder

[@SterlingCampbellCustomSaddles]

This worked really good! But (FYI) don’t over tighten/ wind your tape. I did and it completely wrecked my tape. If you get it back together and you hear a clicking noise when you extend it, take it apart and unwind it a little bit.

[@thebigbrainbuilder111]

Correct!!

[@SterlingCampbellCustomSaddles]

@@thebigbrainbuilder111 live and learn. Sometimes the hard way. Your video is really good though.

[@secondmanup]

Stanley 25’
As I wind the tape by hand, it will only eject the tape out, or the opposite way I want it to go, back into the case.
I looked at this method. The two sides of the spring housing square holes are connected, like an axle. Applying torque to one side applies the exact torque tho the other side(square).
Your method would mean the two side are moving separately. Needless to say I can’t get mine to work.

[@n2wata]

This worked great but I used a tap from my tap & die set instead of a whittled pencil. The tap fit the square almost perfect and got the job done. I did have to pull my tape all the way out after and it was a bit of a struggle for some reason. But it then pulled the tape all back in and working fine.

[@darylg.4270]

Works great. Though your tape might turn from a 25’ to a 20’. Finesse if you want to be accurate. I’m happy with a 17 year old tape that’s now 20’. Thanks for the tips !

[@skylane807]

CAUTION
This was working for me... BUT... I got over anxious and spun the drill motor too fast.
The spool is plastic. It overheated and the center melted to the outer part of the spool.
If I live another 70 years, I might have this problem again and will know what to do. lol

[@leonzhang3496]

accidently let spring get out of the box, confused with direction of its place in the white box 😓

[@lamdog24]

I tried to do it by hand but no luck. I think my spring break somehow or just isn't working properly. So annoying.

[@originaldanman]

If the spring or tape is broken where they contect, this won't work. If the nub is broken, won't work. I've gone through hundreds of different brands of tapes, and rarely have I had one break in where this will fix it. Then my tapes go through a rough work out, rain, dust, and cement every day. No matter what I pay for them they're destroyed in a year or less, long before they lose tension.

[@davidbelville2463]

I like your idea to use a carpenters pencil to tension the spring

[@thebigbrainbuilder111]

Thanks! Yeah, I didn't have anything else so I guess it was a Big Brain Play all in itself!!

[@andrewhutton7641]

This is but I'm going to try doing it backwards. The Stanley FatMax is my favorite tape measure, except for me the spring is too strong. The hook returned to my tape measure yesterday and snapped the blade at the first rivet. Tomorrow I'm going to buy a new one and try to dial off some of the tension. I'll probably start by uncoiling the blade. Thanks!

[@danielq.4371]

Thanks for the tip!

[@thebigbrainbuilder111]

Anytime!

[@canievision808]

Not even! yesssah!

[@JohnnyK12345]

i tried this... before watching obviously and didn't hold down on the white square.... its decoiled how can i fix that?

[@NolaDood]

Could you put the camera farther away from the tape measure next time? 🤦🏻‍♂️