As long as you use the SAME tape for the entire project, it'll be work out perfectly. That's including a $2 one from Harbor Frieght. When you start changing tapes in the middle of projects is when slight variances start to show. Stick. To. One.
Carpenter here. Something about lufkin measures, and I've tried multiple models. They've always measured a bit off compared to stanley or dewalt, etc, measuring tapes. Usually just 1/64th-1/32nd compared to american-made. Might be something to do with the ends of lufkin measures being too loose and not accommodating for an accurate amount of play when measuring outsides and insides. Cutting cabinet parts and panels to perfectly accurate on my nearly-new stanley tape measures, and a couple dewalt tapes, I get them spot on the line and accurate within 1/128th of an inch with stanley/dewalts. With the multiple lufkins in the shop, the cuts always seem very slightly under using lufkin tape measures because of the end play, so reading those tapes it makes my cuts seem that far out compared to american tape measures. The difference and variation within a 32nd doesn't exactly matter because it's within our standard, but it irks me when I want things to be perfect and we don't have a more proper metric as to which tape measure brand correlates to the exact measurements without whipping out a pair of calipers. It's pretty nebulous with how tape measures correlate to the size of materials on a finer scale carpentry-wise. As far as I'm concerned, I trust the stanley fatmax and dialing in my cuts to measurements based on their tapes for work in north america. Great and informative video nonetheless
I'm a DIY/handyman guy 55 years old and doing my own shit for years. I've used many many tape measures over the years and they all have their pros and cons as far as I'm concerned and they certainly got incredibly innovated over the years. With that said I just ordered a 16 foot pro Carpenter standard reverse, although I'm sure some of the old-timers will find this gimmick for me. It's a game changer. Anyway, that's just my two cents.
One feature we like to look for in a tape is for the case to be used for a standard, easy read measure for inside measurement. Only a few will have the case read for inside measure as, 3" including the case. Cases marked for odd measures are hard to convert for direct inside measure.
Yes, I have the 16' Stanley Leverlock. LOL I recently purchased two different versions of the FastCap. I also have the ToughBuilt ProBlade 35-ft Magnetic Tape Measure.
I remember our tapes were made of metal and could put out the tape to at least 10 or 12 feet with out withering, but I'm an old drywaller. As far as woodwork I like a steel rule. I enjoyed your reviews well done.
The tape measures with the measurement variations could over longer distances be even further off. I use FastCap 12 and 16 foot ones primarily for woodworking and Komelon 25 foot for construction/diy. .
All of my tape measures are 25', and used for both construction and woodworking. 16' tapes may be okay for some construction like drywall or flooring; however, they are generally too short for construction when doing layouts. Visibility is a big factor for me. The FastCap tapes have the least contract being black and white, so they are mostly a hard pass for me. I do have a Flat Back, because it can accurately measure around circles and curves. I mainly use DeWalt and Craftsman tape measures, which are the same except for the case color. I'm pretty sure SB&D installs the same tape in both. They are black on yellow, and have the 1/8ths written out. I do have a 25' FatMax, but the problem with it is that... well, it's fat. Very bulky compared to almost all other tape measures on the market.
There is (was) a tape measure out there that was great for woodworkers. The front was a regular tape but the back measured board feet. I don’t know if it is still available but I can’t find it on line. It is great when you go to the lumber yard to buy lumber.
I always prefer a self locking 12’ or 16’. Performax from Menards and Bauer from HF are my first grabs. I have several other more expensive and they are just too bulky and not self locking.
16' fatmax autolock for me. Meets my criteria. Durable/protected blade for drops, the blade has (side grab), wide blade for diverse use (particularly sideways), fine marking lines for accuracy, and 16' for hand feel. I use a bosch blaze professional laser measure for anything over 12' or so, or for measuring square footage.
I use my fatmax down to the 32nd ezpz. For the record thats what +/-, heavy/strong/light mean in my business. Tight is right, keep it looking clean gentlemen! And ladies ofc, just never seen one in my trade...
For woodworkers why don’t any of the tap measures have a board feet scale on the back of the blade. There was one sold a while back but no longer available. This board tape measure is real handy when buying lumber . And I think most wood workers would like it if was available
I think the best tape measure is going to be subjective to the person using it. I have the komelon high visibility 16' tape measure. I make the least amount of measuring mistakes with it, and it wasn't included in your tests :D
I like the Fast Cap tape measures, but have found they aren't all accurate. I do like the left/right and the flat back. What's important is the tape you start with is the tape you need to end with in woodworking.
All of them are horrible. Fastcap are innacurate. Fatmax were good 20 years ago. All of them have have flaws. I but tapes made in Japan or Germany now. I'd pay $80 for a new (older) Fatmax
As long as you use the SAME tape for the entire project, it'll be work out perfectly. That's including a $2 one from Harbor Frieght. When you start changing tapes in the middle of projects is when slight variances start to show. Stick. To. One.
I love my self locking Bauer from HF.
This does not apply when doing layouts from a drawing. Accuracy is king in layouts.
Carpenter here. Something about lufkin measures, and I've tried multiple models. They've always measured a bit off compared to stanley or dewalt, etc, measuring tapes. Usually just 1/64th-1/32nd compared to american-made. Might be something to do with the ends of lufkin measures being too loose and not accommodating for an accurate amount of play when measuring outsides and insides. Cutting cabinet parts and panels to perfectly accurate on my nearly-new stanley tape measures, and a couple dewalt tapes, I get them spot on the line and accurate within 1/128th of an inch with stanley/dewalts. With the multiple lufkins in the shop, the cuts always seem very slightly under using lufkin tape measures because of the end play, so reading those tapes it makes my cuts seem that far out compared to american tape measures.
The difference and variation within a 32nd doesn't exactly matter because it's within our standard, but it irks me when I want things to be perfect and we don't have a more proper metric as to which tape measure brand correlates to the exact measurements without whipping out a pair of calipers. It's pretty nebulous with how tape measures correlate to the size of materials on a finer scale carpentry-wise. As far as I'm concerned, I trust the stanley fatmax and dialing in my cuts to measurements based on their tapes for work in north america.
Great and informative video nonetheless
I'm a DIY/handyman guy 55 years old and doing my own shit for years. I've used many many tape measures over the years and they all have their pros and cons as far as I'm concerned and they certainly got incredibly innovated over the years. With that said I just ordered a 16 foot pro Carpenter standard reverse, although I'm sure some of the old-timers will find this gimmick for me. It's a game changer. Anyway, that's just my two cents.
Love my standard fastcap
One feature we like to look for in a tape is for the case to be used for a standard, easy read measure for inside measurement. Only a few will have the case read for inside measure as, 3" including the case. Cases marked for odd measures are hard to convert for direct inside measure.
You raised one of the most important topics on RUclips.
this video was very helpful especially since i never heard of fastcap and will now be purchasing one for my shop
Yes, I have the 16' Stanley Leverlock. LOL I recently purchased two different versions of the FastCap. I also have the ToughBuilt ProBlade 35-ft Magnetic Tape Measure.
Fast cap is such an innovative company!
I remember our tapes were made of metal and could put out the tape to at least 10 or 12 feet with out withering, but I'm an old drywaller. As far as woodwork I like a steel rule. I enjoyed your reviews well done.
The tape measures with the measurement variations could over longer distances be even further off. I use FastCap 12 and 16 foot ones primarily for woodworking and Komelon 25 foot for construction/diy.
.
All of my tape measures are 25', and used for both construction and woodworking. 16' tapes may be okay for some construction like drywall or flooring; however, they are generally too short for construction when doing layouts.
Visibility is a big factor for me. The FastCap tapes have the least contract being black and white, so they are mostly a hard pass for me. I do have a Flat Back, because it can accurately measure around circles and curves.
I mainly use DeWalt and Craftsman tape measures, which are the same except for the case color. I'm pretty sure SB&D installs the same tape in both. They are black on yellow, and have the 1/8ths written out.
I do have a 25' FatMax, but the problem with it is that... well, it's fat. Very bulky compared to almost all other tape measures on the market.
I switch between the regular fastcap and the komelon, but I will be ordering the fastcap autolock right now
The FastCap FlatBack should also allow one to measure around curved objected too, such as rounded archways for example.
True, forgot to mention that!! Thanks
There is (was) a tape measure out there that was great for woodworkers. The front was a regular tape but the back measured board feet. I don’t know if it is still available but I can’t find it on line. It is great when you go to the lumber yard to buy lumber.
How could a tape measure BF?
It has a Scale on the back that shows the length of the board and a scale running parallel that shows the board feet for the width of the board length
I always prefer a self locking 12’ or 16’. Performax from Menards and Bauer from HF are my first grabs. I have several other more expensive and they are just too bulky and not self locking.
16' fatmax autolock for me. Meets my criteria.
Durable/protected blade for drops, the blade has (side grab), wide blade for diverse use (particularly sideways), fine marking lines for accuracy, and 16' for hand feel. I use a bosch blaze professional laser measure for anything over 12' or so, or for measuring square footage.
I use my fatmax down to the 32nd ezpz. For the record thats what +/-, heavy/strong/light mean in my business.
Tight is right, keep it looking clean gentlemen! And ladies ofc, just never seen one in my trade...
For woodworkers why don’t any of the tap measures have a board feet scale on the back of the blade. There was one sold a while back but no longer available. This board tape measure is real handy when buying lumber . And I think most wood workers would like it if was available
I think the best tape measure is going to be subjective to the person using it. I have the komelon high visibility 16' tape measure. I make the least amount of measuring mistakes with it, and it wasn't included in your tests :D
I like the fast-cap but lefty nighty tape way too busy!
I like the Fast Cap tape measures, but have found they aren't all accurate. I do like the left/right and the flat back. What's important is the tape you start with is the tape you need to end with in woodworking.
Very helpful.
A prime purpose of the flat blade tape if to measure on a curved or for the perimeter of a round surface. You didn't mention that benefit.
Komelon SelfLock 16 is 35 bucks on Amazon. That's ridiculous.
All of them are horrible. Fastcap are innacurate. Fatmax were good 20 years ago.
All of them have have flaws. I but tapes made in Japan or Germany now.
I'd pay $80 for a new (older) Fatmax
You don't have Komelon tape on there. They are better than all the rest and probably cheaper to. Check them out.
Komelon is right smack in the middle! Lol. 10:40
Komelon was my favorite for a long time before I found FastCap, still a strong 2nd