Are all measuring tapes designed to fail?

[scuba_dave]

I've had I don't know how many over the years & they all fail. Admittedly they get a lot of use & don't receive the best treatment. I've tried the more expensive "Fat Max" heavy duty & that didn't last as long as some of the inexpensive ones

Recently I bought a 3 pak for $6
12' & 16' are both dead less then 6 months later
One the 1st inch broke off, 2nd one the spring went
The bigger one is still working (if I can find it)

Am I missing something?
Does this happen to everyone?

[Ohm1]

I'm pretty sure we are all on the same boat to some degree.

I say Fat Max is a waste of money! Why pay 28-32 dollars for a tape measure, then loose it. :banghead:

I normally stick with a mid grade Stanley tape measure, and it works fine--unless you get it wet, or extend the tape to the fullest length.

Yet, cheapo tape measures ($6) will not make it in the construction trade.

Just my .01

[scuba_dave]

Thanks
I knew the cheap ones were a "gamble"
But $6 for 3 was a deal...but I guess not
The one that has lasted the longest is the one least used :redface:
Its my wife's bright green "Komelon" 25'
Pretty decent thickness, self locking & is over 5 years old
I guess I need a few more so hers will last
I even bought a 100' reel tape measure for longer areas

[Fischer]

In answer to your question. Yes.

The only one that used to be good was the Craftsman yellow tapes that they would replace for free, but now they switched to the red ones that don't cover blade breakage.

I figured that once I replaced the yellow ones for the red ones, that I would keep the exchange slip and argue that the first one that I bought had a lifetime warranty, and they are going to honor it.

[junkcollector]

The tape measure has to be the most borrowed tool on the jobsite.


I say Fat Max is a waste of money! Why pay 28-32 dollars for a tape measure, then loose it. :banghead:

:argh::laugh: You got that right.



My wife's bright green "Komelon" 25'...

I bought a pack of those tapes at Lowes one time. They are actually pretty decent.
Funny thing, they bear a shocking resemblance to an "Ideal tape":

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41gxql6gjrL._SL500_AA280_.jpg

http://www.idealindustries.com/media/img/products/tools_totes/product/auto_blade_lock_measuring_tape.gif

[pushkins]

I only ever buy Craftsman tape measures now mainly because I use metric and imperial (depending on my mood on the day) and their warranty, but like Fischer previously mentioned they don't warranty the blade, (that leaves only one other part ...the spring)
The biggest culprit I found in most tapes is over extending, do it once and your on borrowed time till failure.

Fat Max is a waste of time, for that matter I don't have a lot of luck with any Stanley product.:laugh:

[CR500]

I like my tapes to have the same scale on both sides and graduations no finer than 1/16". I also stay away from "level lock" tapes because they seem to wear the numbers off.

I used some cheap tapes that Sears was giving away free a couple years ago (Companion). They really worked great, fit my requirements, and didn't wear out any faster than other tapes. They also had a smaller size housing (I hate tapes with large housings) and a spring that wouldn't give you a blood-blister if it snapped closed on your finger.

I finally needed to replace them and of course they are no longer cheap. I ended up just getting the craftsman replacement tape (I think it was $3) and refilled the Companion.

[Fischer]

Fat Max Extreme's are the worst tapes ever made. The blades are waaaay to stiff and will snap for no reason. Lost 2 of these with maybe 3 or 4 work days on each. There wasn't a nick or blemish on these blades.

Having said that, I've been using the 16' yellow Fat Max, and love it. Very light and unobtrusive on the belt or in the pouch, good stand off, which means I can run the thing down the floor or up to the ceiling once or to figure a center from a finished wall, and be done with it. No more having to pull the the tape back to get it to go down the line, or having it fold when you're running it to the ceiling. If I was to ever figure on how many times I've tried to measure the height on an over 10' wall and had the tape fall, have to retract it and extend it out, a couple extra bucks is a small price to pay.

I'll use a multitude of other tapes for longer lengths. The longer Fat Max tapes or just too heavy and big.

[junkcollector]

When I'm just messing around around home and in the garage, I find that a 12 foot tape to be just the right size. You can still measure up to 12 ft, it isn't bulky, and even fits in your pocket. I have a few Stanley "power lock" 12 footers that have been lasting quite long, knock on wood...

I have also used that 16' Fatmax tape like Fisher talks about, it seems to be a very nice tape. (I hate those huge, bulky, expensive ones.)

[scuba_dave]

I've never installed a replacement tape/spring
It also seems using that "last foot" on a tape measure will lead to problems. I try not to use that last foot, that's how I lost a 25'. I measured 25' & it would not rewind, spring was gone.
The 100' reel tape I bought is kind of a paint to use
But great for outside large projects/yard measuring
I guess I'll be checking out HD/Lowes for another tape measure. I'm down to my last 3 or 4 :itsme:

I have (2) $10 off $25 purchase coupons, that will help
I've been getting a lot of coupons from HD lately

[scuba_dave]

I picked up another 25' - a Stanley

And I found my "oldest" tape measure
Its an old cheap one that doesn't rewind the tape anymore
I should toss it, but at least I can still use it if needed

Also another one will be dead shortly I think
My son tossed my 12' tape measure in the pool
My wife was letting him play with it
Can't seem to get it thru her head that tools are not toys & not to let him play with them. He was also taking my socket wrenches & banging them on the concrete :(