What's a good inexpensive 25' tape measure with at least 12 foot standout?

[Jaylegger]

I just checked a 16' Stanley Fat Max 33-885 tape with the chrome/rubber body and it broke exactaly at 12 feet (spec'd at 13 feet). I also have the 25' fatter version which I believe went to 16 feet but haven't seen that one for awhile to verify. These two older models are the two best tapes I've owned without question.

 

[bcp]

How are you guys carrying these hamburger-sized tape measures? Belt hook?

My favorite, and now hard to find in a store, is the Stanley Power-Lok 12 foot, half inch wide tape. It fits in the watch pocket of my pants and is never in the way. Anything on a belt clip or pouch is always in the way, getting snagged, or getting knocked off. I've been building with them or similar for nearly 60 years and seldom want anything different. Then it is usually a 50 or 100 ft. tape.

Bruce

 

[MossRoad]

Stanley has a list of 12 with a reach of 14' on their website....

Tape Measures | STANLEY Tools

 

[MossRoad]

The next lowest reach is 11'.

 

[MossRoad]

I have two 25' power locks with fractional read. I've had them for probably 25 years. After my smaller 12' one, they are my go-to tapes.

 

[Industrial Toys]

If you can't hold onto to a tape measure, unless it's got a bunch of rubber garbage, you probably are not fit to work construction, anyway.

 

[4570Man]

If you can't hold onto to a tape measure, unless it's got a bunch of rubber garbage, you probably are not fit to work construction, anyway.

Do you ever do any finish work? The girly plastic tapes are way better when it comes to dropping one on a finished floor.

 

[dragoneggs]

This thread made go out to my shop and look at three of my 25ft tapes. The Stanley and Lufkin measured 0.90in wide and the Dewalt 1.0in wide. Extension without breaking being as careful as reasonable netted me 8ft for both the Stanley and Lufkin and the Dewalt got me 10ft.



The thinnest body was the Stanley along with a more yellow tape color. The Dewalt has a labeled fractions scale as well as the standard rule and the biggest tape 'hook'. The Lufkin lock needs to be continually be pressed to keep it from retracting and has been that way. since day one... don't know if that is by design. I find myself grabbing the yellow one if there is more than one within reach.

If I go to the store or other places where I might use a tape, these all stay home. I use an old Stanley 12ft that I keep in my truck center console that is easy to slip in my pocket.

 

[dragoneggs]

Another handy on the go app for your iPhone is called 'Measure'



Also has a built in one way and surface bubble level.

 

[Cat_Driver]

I just bought this for three reasons, it's not HUGE like the 25 footers, it's WHITE so it's easy for me to read and lastly, it has readable marking every 1/8 so I don't have to count out the eights