best tape measure made in usa

best tape measure made in usa

The Starrett Exact Plusmight have been our pick if not for its sheer bulk. 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. I spent 10 years in construction as a carpenter, foreman, and supervisor, and I'vebeen writing about tools since 2007, with articles appearing in Fine Homebuilding, Popular Mechanics, This Old House, The Journal of Light Construction, Popular Science, and Tools of the Trade. 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. Larger tangs can cause other problems as well. The following products all had to meet our high testing standards to qualify for a spot in this lineup of the best tape measures. The Tajimas and FastCaps got high marks for their compact size, but they each have their own flaws that well get to in a bit. Accuracy was a piece of the puzzle, but in reality just a very small piece. The most successful feature of the FastCaps is the erasable writing surface that sits on the side of the tape. The most basic and easiest to use is a simple right-angled foot. The PowerLock has a blade stand-out of 7 feet, 10 inches, which is on the upper side of the limit indicated by Clement and DeBoer. Its nice to have the option to jot down some measurements, particularly for the carpenter. Again, the most important characteristic of a superior tape measure is the durability of the blade. DeBoer had a similar experience with the DeWalt 16-foot version, but he didnt test the Big J. We hooked the tang over a nail and stretched the tape out to its maximum length. measurements between studs. 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 staking out an area for excavating or determining the dimensions of a lot, the DeWalt 100-foot tape measure shines. If you want a wider, tougher tape and dont mind a higher price and a bigger, harder to manage tool, the Stanley FatMax 25-foot tape measure is a great choice. The vast majority of tape measures sold in the U.S. come with imperial measurements, and many feature only imperial measurements. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. In an article in Tools of the Trade outlining the everyday carry tools for a professional framing crew, Tim Uhler explains, When its wet (winter), [a Stanley FatMax] wont last more than a month or so. Also, one of the FastCaps was off 1/32 inch in the accuracy test, and the blades of both tapes barely made it across the 7-foot mark when I tested stand-out. Compact Auto Lock Tape Measure, DTAPE Laser Measure 165ft, DT50Laser Portable Digital, Komelon 6633 Open Reel Fiberglass Tape Measure, Zabiki Tape Measure, 25 Ft Dual Side Easy to Read, Craftsman Tape Measure, Self-Lock, 25-Foot, The Most Important Things to Keep in Your Tool Kit in 2020, 6 Beginner Ways to Use a Woodworking Router, The 15 Most Useful Power Drill Attachments, Auto-lock function doesnt work as well at longer lengths, Pressure-sensitive button offers additional safety, Tape width slightly on the thin side at -inch wide, Instantly measures from one point to another, Backlit LED screen makes numbers easy to see, Fiberglass coating helps keep tape from twisting, Open reel means the tape is subject to the elements if left outside, No recurring markers at 16-inch or 19.2-inch increments. For price, there really isnt a huge range. Get the DTAPE laser tape measure on Amazon and at Sears. Following this advice often requires the use of a tape measurea flexible cloth, metal, or fiberglass ribbon of variable length with measurement markings. The stainless steel crank arm is snug without any play, and it features a 5-to-1 gear ratio, which allowed us to wind up the entire tape with just a dozen or so turns. Weve used reel tapes before that became twisted on the spool when rewinding them up, but the fiberglass tape on the Komelon has just enough stiffness to help keep it straight. The belt clip is made from polished solid steel, and the metal blade is nylon coated for durability and rust resistance. A large factor in stand-out is the width of the blade (wider blade typically means longer stand-out). 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. To check the durability of the blade itself and to simulate the destructive grinding that takes place once dirt and grit make their way into the case, we extended the tapes and dragged a piece of 60-grit sand paper, weighed down with 5 pounds of pressure, down the blade for a distance of 1 foot. Milwaukee 25 ft. General Contractor Tape Measure, Review: Going the DistanceA Survey of Tape Measures, Tool Review: Stanley PowerLock 25 Foot Tape Measure. For a tape to have a long, productive life, the most important factor is blade durability. 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. The reel tape is sturdy and durable, and we found it to be among the best models wed ever tested. Theres no locking a blade in place or wondering if it will retract too quickly and snap a hand. The tape started recoiling with even the slightest movement. Tapes below $8 or $10 arent worth the cheap plastic theyre made of, and no tape measure is worth more than $20. 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. Two other tapes tested, the DeWalt and the Johnson Big J, have locking switches that are so stiff they literally take two hands to operate. Each tape was also closely inspected and awarded points for how well its tang was attached and whether its markings were clear and easy to read. As mentioned earlier, when I pressed on the Kesons tang bumper, the seam at the bottom of the case opened up a little. 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. Im neither here nor there on this one. We tested the DTAPEs accuracy against the other tape measures in this lineup, and it came in within to of an inch. The thumb-operated blade lock is smooth, strong, and easy to operate with one hand, unlike some other more cumbersome models. We used the other tallies to determine the best-intended usage for the tape measures that excelled in our tests. 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. Still, the Stanley PowerLock tape measure rises to the top of the list due to its durability, high-precision measurements, and ease of use. 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. But they seem to have been replaced on the shelves by Stanleys. Once enough mud and grit are pulled into the case, thats it for the tape. As a framer in the Pacific Northwest, hes working in an extreme scenario, but the point is still taken. Get the Zabiki 25 ft. tape measure on Amazon and at Walmart. Nearly all of the Kobalts, and many others had this issue. The Compact Tape Measure is a perfect size, but the blade lock is really difficult and we often had to use two hands to operate it. There is certainly a place for magnetic tapes, but the kitchen drawer is not it. On the underside of the case, right where the tang sits, the PowerLock has a slightly loose piece of black plastic. 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. Its an excellent tape measure for anyone who wants to use both imperial and metric measurements. We actually heard it laughing at us. DeBoer, in the PTR roundup called the FatMax the rugged ubiquitous tape to beat.. Most tapes have some sort of protective coating, but over time, it gets worn off. Get the Komelon 25 ft. tape measure on Amazon, at Lowes, and at Walmart. Ive also written specifically about tape measures. We checked the measurements on the Craftsman tape against our steel measure, and they were spot-on as we expected. He also raises sheep and has a dairy cow that he milks every morning. Doug Mahoney is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter covering home improvement. The Zabiki comes with a 3-rivet tang for durability and features a sturdy case with a partial rubberized grip. BobVila.com and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links. However, this is only a concern if the tape is being used on a very regular basis. The tape comes with an attached stainless steel carabiner clip we discovered was perfect for hanging on a hook in the garage. It winds at an easy pacenot too quicklybut it doesnt take a long time, either. Thats not accurate enough for construction or woodworking projects. In our research, we found that many longtime users of the PowerLock wistfully long for the days of the metal case. This is a nice touch, but we also found that it had one of the weaker blade locks of any tape we looked at. Were familiar with the Stanley brand, so we were not surprised that this 25-foot tape performed exceptionally well. These can be used to hook something from underneath. The onboard pencil sharpener is also a nice touch, again, for the carpenterbut probably not useful to the home user. It seems as though they literally catch the wind and the tape comes crashing down in a really thin heap of loud, flaccid steel.. Small black triangles appear every 16 inches on many measuring tapes to denote standard 16-inch on center (O.C.) Remember, this is the key point in the durability and longevity of a tape measure. Its our pick after 50 hours of research and three annual updates to this guide. 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. 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. For the most part, these oddballs are geared to the trades. 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. At around $10, the Stanley PowerLock is one of the least expensive quality tapes on the market. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. We also didnt spend much time looking at tapes with additional gizmos, gadgets, and added functions. The tang is reinforced with three rivets for durability, and the Ryobi blade is smooth and durablewe were able to extend it to nearly 8 feet (standout) before the blade bent. Unfortunately, we found the auto-lock function didnt work as well at longer lengths. Tape width generally ranges from inch up to 1 inch. An impressive fringe benefit on this tape measureone that didnt appear on any of the others we testedis a robust magnetic tang. While this was a feature that took many other tapes out of consideration, the tang on the FatMax is designed differently. It had the toughest blade of any tool we tested, its locking mechanism and belt clip were easy to use, and it combined a stable, wide base with a blade thats a quarter of an inch slimmer (and therefore flatter and more convenient) than your typical 1-inch contractors tape. 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. We were able to extend it nearly 6 feet (standout) before it bent. Clement summed things up: Go simple. Theyre typically accurate to around of an inch, which is suitable for figuring wall space. It sure is handy, but you dont need it. Our standout test showed the Zabiki could be extended to almost 6 feet before it bent. This is an excellent feature for those who dont want to engage the blade lock by hand (some are quite stiff). Still, we didnt dock a tape for not having metrics since many U.S. DIYers and pros use only imperial measurements. Both the knobby rubber over-mold and the huge end clip made this one tricky to use compared to simpler models. First, the belt hook is a simple metal clip. Keep it clean.. 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. Stud marks make hanging pictures and installing shelves much easier, allowing you to anchor the nail solidly. Theyre useful in construction settings but are unnecessary for your everyday tasks. By pressing the button, we could stop the blade from moving; if we let up a bit on the button, the blade would retract slowly. Anything less than an inch, though, is going to be flimsy, while the fatter blades (those above the 1-inch mark) make for a much bulkier tool. If not, it wont be missed. According to the press release, [users] can connect the over-sized hook attachment for framing applications or remove it for standard applications. Although the tool likely has the FatMaxs durability, the added cost and the unusual tang put it out of the consideration here. We need to note that Stanley sells another version of this tape measure that they refer to as the PowerLock with Blade Armor. Instead, you need to pull it straight out. 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. We then moved on to various other tests that pushed each tape measure to its limit. Each one measured in standard 1/16-inch increments, so that wasnt much of a distinction either.3. We were pretty impressed. The following features are often found in quality tape measures: Graphic markings (diamonds and triangles) noting 16-inch and 19.2-inch intervals keep newly constructed walls in compliance with building codes (studs are often placed 16 inches apart). For the few that include metric measurements, the numbers are often small and difficult to see. It doesnt cover any user wear and tear, but if there is something inherently wrong with the tool, theyll give you a new one. *At the time of publishing, the price was $0. The digital tape runs on two AAA batteries (included), and in addition to determining distance, it comes with calculator functions. It also has a wider tape (1) and a greater stand-out (we got 11 foot, 3 inches). A few of the other tools had something similar with varying degrees of success. We found the tape to be highly accurate and durable. For all of this goodness, the PowerLock still has a couple slight flaws. Both DeBoer and Clement agreed that a tape measure that can stand out unsupported for 7-8 feet is more than enough for at-home use. One handling issue that we had with these tapes is that the over-mold extends down from the case and covers the sides of the tang. If youre hanging the tape in order to mark shelf heights or you have the blade locked at the right length to check a rug dimension in a few different rooms, you dont want the lock to release and start retracting every time it gets bumped. We looked at how well a tape performed for its intended usage. This durable tape measure features imperial measurements in 1/16-inch increments as well as centimeters. The case is made from heavy molded polyethylene and features a partial rubberized grip along the top and bottom edges. The purpose of these is so you can send the tape underneath something (like a closed door) and then hook it from below. 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 compared against a steel measurement tool, the Ryobi was dead-on accurate, as it should be. In short, its better to have the length and not need it than to need it and not have it. A lame blade lock can be intensely frustrating. He lives in a very demanding 250-year-old farmhouse and spent four years gutting and rebuilding his previous home. While DeBoer doesnt advocate always going for the longest stand-out, he also uses stand-out as a quality marker. The Komelon Self Lock 25-Foot Power Tape comes with precise imperial measurements on both edges of the blade, making it easy to measure precisely from either side without guessing. However, the belt clip is a wire rather than solid stainless steel, and we found it slightly inadequate to hold the tool snugly on a belt or pocket. DeBoer also picks up on the cost analysis in the PTR piece. A lot of the other wide-blade tapes were taken out of the running because of their massive tangs. We also checked the stand-out of the tapes by extending each one to the breaking point four times and taking the average. Virtually everyone is familiar with the function of a tape measure, but we wanted to know how various top models compared to their competitors. Also, if you use a standard tape and youre looking for a quick hold on the blade, it is very easy to auto-lock it by shifting your forefinger forward until it rests against the bottom of the tape. It demonstrated rigid blade standout to just over 7 feet, making it a very decent tape measure for the price point, all things considered. We awarded points for durability and the quality of materials and workmanship and noted when a tape included both imperial and metric measurements. I also completed a 3-year full gut and remodel of my 100-year-old farmhouse, during whichI had about 10 tape measures stashed all over the property (kitchen drawer, dresser drawer, mechanical room, laundry room, one in the truck, and half a dozen in my workshop). These are not spring-loaded auto-retracting tapes like their smaller cousins. It has a nice spring to it and the flare at the end makes it easy to blindly hook on a back pocket. There are very basic models similar to the now-discontinuedBosch DLR130Kthat can do distance and calculate area and volume, but others, like the Stanley TLM330, can even figure out a distance through triangulation. Somewhere along the way, most likely for cost reasons, Stanley stopped making them out of metal and started making them out of plastic. 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. It comes with a standard blade lock, but then it has something else that we found to be innovative and a little ingenius: a pressure-sensitive button on the bottom of the case. We also looked at quality, blade standout, blade lock, and the overall design of the tape. Unfortunately, neither one measured up to the success of the General Contractor Tape Measure. 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. Because of the 1-inch blade, the body of the PowerLock is a slim 1 inches wide. Fortunately, they dont require a firm grip to use, so theyre usually not too cumbersome. When we dragged the weighted sandpaper over the PowerLock, the coating showed some surface scratching, but the printing remained fully intact. The tang is riveted to the bladebut, surprisingly, it shouldnt be riveted tightly. Stuart Deutsch of ToolGuyd also reviewed the PowerLock and the only fault he had with it was that he felt the smooth design of the case and sweaty hands dont mix too well. *At the time of publishing, the price was $21. We inspected them for quality, precision, and the ability to stand up to repetitive use. Its one of the most inexpensive tapes that we looked at, as well as one of the best, combining quality and value. The Milwaukee 25 ft. General Contractor Tape Measure was our previous upgrade pick for its pro-grade durability. Because the laser needs to hit a surface in order to take a measurement, you cant really use one to figure the length of a tabletop or a board. Tape measures arent designed for constant in-hand use, so theyre not the most comfortable hand tools to grasp. Tape measures sold in the United States feature measurement increments in inches and fractions of inchesthe imperial measuring system. 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. If it was there, great. From a name well known in the building industry comes the Stanley 25-foot PowerLock tape measurea dependable and accurate choice for anyone needing to make precision cuts. Common lengths are 12, 16, 25, 30, and 35 feet. We liked this feature. As stated earlier, the PowerLock has been around for over 50 years and the one thing that has changed over time is the case. In other words, its perfectly manageable. Last, with its long 50-plus-year history, the PowerLock is also something of an icon. It features a smooth rubberized overmold, a steel belt/pocket clip, and hook-under tang forks that allow the user to snag the upper or underside of the item being measured. The weakest part of any tape measure is the blade, and the PowerLocks is more durable than nearly all the others' we tested. The flexible fiberglass blade is coated with a rust-resistant coating that gives it some stabilityit didnt flip this way and that in the wind as some reel tapes are prone to doing. In that situation, I want to be able to give the tape a tug to make sure its securely hooked. The Stanley was in the small class of tapes that held up to this abuse. If it can read the distance between you and the house and you and the second-story window (for example), it can tell you how high the window is off the ground. Get the Ryobi 25 ft. tape measure at The Home Depot and Walmart. The Komelon also features graphic notations every 16 inches and 19.2 inches, making it well suited for standard framing measurement. Still, the measurements are highly accurateslipping notwithstandingand we could use the green button to lock the blade manually. While researching for this piece, I didnt include or exclude any tapes based on this feature. 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. As mentioned in the How we picked section, for the Popular Mechanics article, I tossed one from a height of 25 feet and as I wrote then, the FatMax showed only scuff marks. Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right (the first time). 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. Still, different types of tape measures are better suited to some tasks than others. Every tape has a slightly different tang, and both Clement and DeBoer warned against large ones. The tang was very large and had a vertical piece that could hook from underneath. This means that you cant pull the tang out by coming at it from the side. Everything about the Craftsman 25-foot tape measure points toward quality, and this tool is made to stand up to high use. A detachable piece turns the standard FatMax tang into a much larger one. From this general use, we got a sense of quality and handlinghow easy the different tapes were to read, whether or not the tangs hooked on what we wanted them to, and how well the belt clips worked. Yes, its as fun as it sounds. This opens up many opportunities for measuring metal objects without needing a helper to hold the tang in place. In Clements review of it, he says, No one will accuse me of having large hands and the PowerLock fits in my hand nicely. He goes on, The squatter, rounder topped tapes with wider (1 inch) blades feel too bulky. Its not uncommon for a room in a house (or a hallway) to have a wall longer than 16 feet, and you might need to measure the square footage for painting or size up a potential hall runner. A button, located where the normal toggle would be, retracts the tape. 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 also features premarked (in red) 16-inch notations for easy stud locating, and black diamonds every 19.2 inches (another typical framing spacing). The tape comes with the standard graphic notations every 16 and 19.2 inches. For some reason, the company gave them up. Thats because the PowerLockdelivers the best basic combination of durability, ease of use, and accuracyand all for avery low price. 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 people we asked to handle the tapes had similar experiences. Its a basic tool whose pared-down simplicity makes it light, tough, accurate, easy to handle, and affordable. Maybe thats why the tape has been around for 50 years. As we said above, all of the tapes are within what we feel to be the margin of error for accuracy. We tested its calculations, and while theyre accurate, its much quicker to figure estimates on a standard construction calculator. 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. They were both comfortable to use, and ourtest group liked their size, but the blade durability was subpar, with both tapes showing wear and slight kinks after some standard use. Its big and heavy, though, making it harder than our pick to grip in a smaller hand, and thats the main reason why it can feel like overkill for occasional measurements at home. None of the Johnson tapes performed well in the abrasion test.

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