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

[lennyzx11]

I use a Milwaukee 25 ft most of the time. Got them on a two for one sale at HD for 14.97 last year. Work well.
I have a Stanley FatMax that has ALWAYS been a PITA with the lock on it. Hard to latch and release.
I just went shopping for a new tape last week.
They had magnetic ends, wide hook ends, auto lock, writing on the back side of the tape, and a place on the bottom to put your finger to brake the tape coming in.
I looked at them so long, i had the store clerk on me constantly.
I finally told him I had to measure a body.
I ended up getting a Milwaukee Autolock. I want to see how that works as I build a couple of decks next month or so.
And the body?... well I really really am thinking of doing this...

Lenny

 

[shovelmike]

I've used the Stanley powerloks exclusively since the early 80's. I used to change the blade but after they switched to plastic cases that didn't make much sense. The only one I had fail from sticking was after I dropped it into a new concrete sidewalk. I cleaned it off best I could but it started sticking. Otherwise the failure, after much use, is when the mylar coating comes loose and gums up the inside. 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.

That's funny, doubtless cost him much more in wasted lumber than just throwing the tape away and buying another.

 

[shovelmike]

Is there any hope at all for a tape that has a tear?

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.

 

[Ford850]

I don't know how you guys use those fraction labeled tapes. I can't get used to them and would rather have a bright tape with clear markings so I can see the fraction lines without all the numbers and labels in the way.

 

[Darryle]

My high dollar Milwaukee will barely get to 10ft consistently

 

[downsizingnow48]

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

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.

 

[Ford850]

I had a 25' Stanley Powerlock for decades. It finally wore out and I bought another one to replace it. The lock on the new tape got weak and within months it couldn't hold the tape at all. Figuring I got an odd lemon, I bought another Powerlock. It failed within a few months too. Of all things to fail, on a tape measure named POWERLOCK, the lock should be a strong point of the tool. They both sit on a shelf as a reminder to me, and I'll never waste money on that POS brand again.

 

[dragoneggs]

Oh here is another plus for the Dewalt 25'. It has a couple 'ears' extending to the sides and top that allow you to grip on the side edge and bottom for measuring. Haven't seen any other brand have that handy feature.

 

[Darryle]

Oh here is another plus for the Dewalt 25'. It has a couple 'ears' extending to the sides and top that allow you to grip on the side edge and bottom for measuring. Haven't seen any other brand have that handy feature.

The Milwaukee magnetic version I have has those along with a magnet. It's a handy feature. I have used this tape daily at work now for a couple of years and the lock has yet to get loose.

 

[747driver]

Like everyone else here the pile of broke tapes is haunting ! I picked up a DeWalt 35' recently. Nice tape and the magnetic end is a plus for those longer pulls. Other tape i use for construction is the Stanley 25' fat Max....although the lock mechanism can have its moments !. I also do alot of woodworking/cabinet making. I use a 12 or 16 ft tape. But when i do a project i only use the tape i started out with. You would be surprised when switching tapes can give you different measurements ! A 1/16th of inch can make waste of good hardwoods !!!