For interior use, I prefer a Malco 15' and for exterior a Malco 25'.

Michael

The Stanley Powerlocks seem to cost alot more, but atleast for me, they last alot longer, too. Mine's a 35'-- makes laying out alot easier.

I was a firm believer in Stanley Powerlocks until someone gave me a Craftsman 3/4" x 25' for xmass 3 years ago. To date I have had 7 free exchanges on the Craftsman guarantee.

I like the one that is nearest when i need to use it.

Fat Max 30'.

I have tried the fatmax 25'....Great for standouts when measuring yourself, but too big and heavy for me...I pay usually $8-10 for powerlocks and I def get my moneys worth

I was looking at that Craftsman tape recently. It costs more upfront (about $15), but then you get the benefits of the guarantee. I just wish the tape was high-visibility yellow like the Stanley, instead of faded yellow.

Recently I bought my first cheapo Workforce Slide Stop Tape for about $6 at HD...after only a few uses the "slide stop" feature isn't working any longer. Annoying. (Wondering whether I should even bother to use their "lifetime guarantee" and get another junky one).

Another example that it pays to buy quality upfront.

Even when I lose or forget a tape measure and I have to pick one up, I always buy a stanley....Id rather pay a few bucks more and know it will work for a while, then getting a cheap one. Thats probably why I have about 5 taoes right now

I bought a high visibility neon green one, couldn't find it so replaced it with a day glow neon orange one. It sticks out nearly as good as a sore toe.

My favorite is a new tape. I use Stanleys- a 25x1 for general purpose; 16x1 for interior stuff; 12x3/4 for drywall; 12x1/2 decimal scale for calculating volume; an engineers scale for site layout when the drawings are generated in tenths of a foot. (Not so common with CAD drawings these days.) If I'm breaking in a green worker, I give him/her a tape that has the fractions designated. Got tired of "14 inches plus two big ones and a little one."

Got tired of "14 inches plus two big ones and a little one."

JRRR-- Funny you say that-- Years ago, I was told by a stone fabricator in New Haven that there was a major union contractor (wouldn't tell me who it was, though) that always gave measurements on shop drawings in that very same manor!! LMAO

Stanley 35" FATMAX by far works best for me. I can extend it almost ten feet before it snaps off and it's easy to read. It's also heavy enough to throw at someone if the aren't listening. JK It's the most durable one I've had. It's fallen off ladders and roofs more times than I care to admit. I work with my tape daily and have no problem spending $25.00 on a tape measure. I've had this one for the past three years and it's still working great!

The February/March 2004 issue of Fine Homebuilding has a review of five popular tape measures.

Here is a link that might be useful: Reference to tape measure review

I wouldnt mind seeing how they rated them.

This is a neat topic for me as I worked for Stanley calling on Lowe's and Home Depot stores for about 5 years when I got out of college. The Fat Max had just come out back then and we invented a fun game to play in the big box stores during grand openings and contractor events. We'd pass out Fat Maxes to a groupf of 5-6 guys and let them try to extend them vertically to hook them on the steel beams supporting the roof of the store (we were indoors). Anyone who could actually do it without the tape popping, we'd give them the Fat Max. It was a lot of fun to watch and you'd be amazed at how long some of those guys would stand around trying. We sold a bunch too because the guys liked the way the tapes felt in their hands.

Malon

So, you lived up around New Britain, Ct.?

I bought my first fat max about 2 months ago. I was on my way out to an estimate and realized I didnt have a tape on me. When this happens I never buy the cheap ones, because they just last a week. I stopped by a home depot on the way and was just going to buy a powerlock, but I figured why not and bought a 25' fatmax. The standout is great when you have to measure yourself(which I do alot), but it is too big and heavy. Between that an a nextel you add about 8 lbs to your hip.

Either that, your you start draggin your drawers!! LMAO

Bill - Nope, never been to New Britain. Depending on what year it was I called on either all of the Home Depots in NC or about 15-20 Lowe's in central NC.

Malon

I was wondering if anyone can help me find a tape measure that is greater than the 16ft Workforce Color Rules tape measure that actually has the 16th measurment listed (not just the line markings but also shows the number (1,2,3,4, etc) I just recently purchase from Home Depot - Workforce Color Rules, and before that when a Builder's Square was going out of business I found a 35ft version. any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hi
I have always preferred a "layout" style tape- this is what I call a tape where the blade locks automatically upon extension- you must press a button or lever to get it to retract. This goes back to my framing background, where a tape that stays out is very handy. For a while Craftsman was the only brand I could find selling them- Stanley made them in the early 90's but they had disappeared of late. Recently I discovered a cheapo model at HD, and it is superb in its action. The auto lock is extremely firm and positive, so I have demoted the Sears one to backup duty.
These are basically 3/4x 25 or 30' Once upon a time stanley had a 3/4x33' powerlock that I liked. Any others are too heavy. I keep a cloth 50' tape around, and have been known to use a 1/2x12 from time to time around the house. A folding rule has its place in the toolbox also, for it can make exact inside measurements like nobody's business. Other than that, whenever possible, I'm a fan of "hold it in place and mark it"- bypasses many opportunities for error that way.
Casey

We have a Stanley 35' Fatmax and it's a little too big for my delicate lady-hands. (Kidding--I don't have man hands but they're not petite, either. But that thing is heavy!)

I looked at an OXO tape measure the other day. It seemed pretty nice. Has anyone tried them? Their line of hand tools are new, i think. I have a 12-ounce OXO hammer that I like a lot (we call it The Lady Hammer), and I just got their utility knife which I don't like much so far but mabye it's a lemon. The handle won't open the way it's supposed to most of the time, but sometimes it pops open easily.

I like the self locking tapes too but they're very hard to find. Stanley makes a version but I'm not too impressed with it. There's a company called Komelon (it's Korean) that makes a wide variety of self locking tapes that are marketed under their own name and several others. My only complain is that I've dropped the tape and bent the hook (too easily in my opinion)

I also like the 16' Stanley Fax Max. It's small enough to fit comfortably in the hand and as plenty of blade extension. Most of my work is under 16' so length isn't an issue.

Mike

Here is a link that might be useful: Komelon

Hi Mr Kaiser,
That Komelon is the one I'm using and praising above. They are sold at Home Despot.
Casey

wow! lots of older messages here...
my favorite tape is from lee vally tools (canada)...16 ft blindmans tape..in either right or left hand..

I have had the same tape measure for 23 years--Lufkin 25'x 1" Granted I am female and it doesn't get alot of use but I keep it at my computer desk so I know right where it is when I do need it.