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

[newbury]

<snip>One time my brother in law had the tip snap off a fairly new tape, caused by letting it roar back into the case at top speed repeatedly. So too cheap to buy a new one, he punched new holes and refastened the tip at the 1" mark. Amazing how often he managed to cut stuff short.

Do yourself a favor and put that thing out of YOUR misery. I had one with a tear, and wrestled with it for a while, it went in the trash. There is enough on my mind when doing a project without dealing with junky tools.

I like to cut a section of a damaged tape and fasten it on a workbench or wall so I can measure inches real easy.

Sometimes I put on my old tool belt, just drop the tape in a pouch with other stuff I am using. Other times I might leave one at the miter saw, one at the circular saw/sawhorses, one where I am working etc. You have to train yourself to leave them where they are, otherwise you quickly end up with all your tapes in the same place! The 25 ft powerlok fits in a back pocket and I do that sometimes too.

Like I wrote I've got a lot of the HF freebies and with a lot of "shed"

I also try and leave them spread around, but I have noticed that about once or twice a year they all tend to group up and I'll have half a dozen or so within arms reach.

 

[newbury]

Well HD put their Milwaukee Model # 48-22-0425 on sale for $10 w/ free shiipping.
Advertised as 15' reach, 12' standout. It does do a 12' standout if I'm careful, just tested. But it's about 100 degrees out side so I'll test it's action when it cools down.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...Measure-with-15-ft-Reach-48-22-0425/311019359

 

[EddieWalker]

The picture of the Stanley Fat Max steel tapes showed back up on FB.

 

[Diggin It]

Ehhh, what's a quarter inch between boards?

 

[/pine]

Looks like it's pretty obvious the lower tape has been altered...IMO this is typical FB BS...

 

[MossRoad]

Looks like the top one is missing 1/4"

 

[/pine]

Correction, previously meant the upper not the lower...again, typical FB BS...

 

[dragoneggs]

I always check a tape that I am not familiar with. Those rivets eventually can elongate the holes.

Probably too obvious to mention but... Measure something short, starting at 1in mark and compare that reading with using the end hook. Check both outside measurement dimension and inside measurement dimension. The hook needs to move by only the amount of its thickness.

 

[Oldpath05]

Wonder if these Bosch digital measures are any good, supposedly they have excellent standout... https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bosch-B...RrMyyrwtwDknqGYlM0hoCw3YQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[dragoneggs]

Wonder if these Bosch digital measures are any good, supposedly they have excellent standout... https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bosch-B...RrMyyrwtwDknqGYlM0hoCw3YQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Sure got glowing reviews! Might have to pick one up.