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Any specific tape you guys use for woodworking. The one I have has gotten pretty beat up and I'm looking for a new one. I was thinking about those flat backs.
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I reject your reality and substitute my own. -
Fastcap sells one that can be read from both directions and is marked down to 1/16th. Woodcraft has them, I'm sure they can be had other places too. PatWoodworking is therapy.....some of us need more therapy than others. <ZERO> -
Big Johnson by Johnson Level.online at http://www.theFrankes.com
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"Life is short, Art long, Occasion sudden and dangerous, Experience deceitful, and Judgment difficult." -HippocratesComment
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I have the FastCap "Old Standby" model in the 16' version. In fact I have two of them. I like this model because it has a 1" wide blade in the physically small package of a 16' length. Most other brands don't go to a 1" blade until the length is 25' or more, with a corresponding increase in bulk. For shop use, 16' is plenty.
The little built-in "whiteboard" of the FastCaps is a neat feature, although I personally don't use it much. I do use the built-in pencil sharpener, though. This sounds like a gimmick but it has proven extremely handy, and it puts a sharper point on my pencil than my wall-mounted sharpener.
What I don't much like is that the blade is white; I prefer yellow. Can't have everything.
I don't own the FastCap flat-back model but know someone who does, and have played with it. It's a noodle ... okay for specialized purposes but I think it would drive me nuts if I tried to use it as my everyday tape measure.LarryComment
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I have the Fast-Cap flat back model. It's great for being able to mark since I can lay a square right across the blade and mark from there. The biggest complaint I have is the spring strength. It snaps back with a vengence. Also, you have to pull it out to hook the board, the end hook does not extend far enough to use like my old Stanley.
Now that I wrote this,, I don't think I like it all that much.
Do like you always do,,,,,,Get what you always get!!Comment
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I have a some of the Stanley 12' that are nice and small. I keep one of those handy in a couple of different tool boxes and a couple of more laying around the shop. These do the job for most of places I use a tape measure. The good news on them was that all the Stanley 12 foot tapes I have measure out the same as each other, so I don't run into any significant issues if I end up using different tape measures for some reason.
I do have one of the flat rules that is ok for some flat work, but I actually have some steel and aluminum rules that I use much more often for the same stuff.
I have a big honkin' 30 or 35 foot tape that I mostly use outside the shop. I can't remember it is Stanley or not.Comment
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i would agree that 16' is the ideal length for the shop.
Mine's so old its not sold anymore - i have 2 of them and haven't thought about a new one for who knows how long.
Loring in Katy, TX USA
If your only tool is a hammer, you tend to treat all problems as if they were nails.
BT3 FAQ - https://www.sawdustzone.org/forum/di...sked-questionsComment
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Lufkin 25foot in Orange.
If I want the "flat tape" experience, I swipe the sewing tape from my wife's sewing kit...Please like and subscribe to my YouTube channel. Please check out and subscribe to my Workshop Blog.Comment
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Often in error - Never in doubt
MikeComment
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Totally agree with you, that snap back can hurt you. It's hard to control, not very user friendly. I threw it in the forgotten box. I would not recommend this tape.I have the Fast-Cap flat back model. The biggest complaint I have is the spring strength. It snaps back with a vengence. Also, you have to pull it out to hook the board, the end hook does not extend far enough to use like my old Stanley.
Now that I wrote this,, I don't think I like it all that much.Comment
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I prefer the 16' 3/4" Stanley Powerlock II. It's a good shop size. Replacement tape refills used to be easy to get, but they are a PITA to get into the case without a hitch. I do have a few other tapes. The Blum tape in the picture is probably a collectors item by now.
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Check out Lee Valley Tools. They have one called a "blindman's tape", extra large print, and another set that can be ordered either "right" or "left" reading. Depends on whether you are right or left handed. Lots of others to choose from. But I'd like to be smart enough to design a tape that the blade would stay stiff when out to its max length, nothing more madding then to have the tape flop every time you need to measure something more than arm's length away.RuffSawn
Nothin' smells better than fresh sawdust!Comment
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I have several tape measures, which can be a problem. (when they look alike don't grab the wrong one)
My current preference, is the Fastcap Left/right tape measure (green), as I am left handed, but sometimes have to work right.
But might I ask, do you have any steel rules? I prefer those whenever possible.She couldn't tell the difference between the escape pod, and the bathroom. We had to go back for her.........................Twice.Comment
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My old Stanley 12' Lever-Lock rides the belt when I'm in the shop, and there's 16' Stanley like those in Cabinetman's pic in the truck for trips to the lumber yard.
I like the Lever-Lock because the tape stays put until you release it, without having to find the lock button without looking.
LenComment
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