Tape measures are one of those things, like safety glasses, that I like to have near every work station. There’s nothing worse than running around the shop looking for a darn tape measure! So I have about five of them floating around. Most of mine are the FatMax tape measures you see pictured left. Not because it’s the best tape measure out there but because that’s what Home Depot had when I needed a new one many years ago. Since then, I tried to buy the same exact brand and model in an attempt to have as much consistency as possible. Whether that truly makes a different or not, I’ll probably never know. So how many tape measures do you keep in your shop? And I’m also curious what your favorite tape measure is. Perhaps one of these days I’ll break away and get one of these new-fangled tapes with all the bells and whistles.
This poll was created by Tom Iovino of TomsWorkbench.com.
I have at least 5, and I tend to buy more on a regular basis. My theory is that some day I’ll have so many that I’ll be able to find at least ONE when I need it. Over the years I have spent a completely ridiculous amount of time saying things like “where did the @#$% tape measure go? It was just here a second ago.”
I have like 5 inside the house, maybe 2 in my car and God only knows how many in my workshop lol
You should do a poll on Metric vs Imperial, what do you use when building a project. I find Metric much easier to work with. No awkward fractions to deal with.
I think I got about 10. Mostly Fat Max, some freebies and a couple regular Stanley. Found 3 in my work van today, carry one to two in my pick up, a few in the garage, and at least one or more in the shed.
Measure twice, cut once.
I only have 4 tape measured. But I have at least 10 stainless steel rules. In standard and metric. No Whitworth. Yet.
DD
I have quite a few tape measures, but I have triple that number in pencils, and still find myself reaching for one!! It’s funny how they disappear in the shop while you’re not looking.
I guess I have been lucky enough just to collect my tape measures over time. Sadly I am sure I have lost several as well. That all being said, I seem to often find a use for a ‘soft’ (flexible style) on several projects around the house.
I don’t know how many I have, but it’s always one less than I can find.
Went to HD last week and was in one aisle that had stanley 25′ tape and a 16′ tape for 8.88
Was in another aisle and a single 25′ tape was 9.88. Guess you got to shop around. 2 for 8.88 can’t beat that. I like the 16′ tape for shop work.
I grabbed one of the neato blue tapes from Lowes and love it. So I bought a big one and a little one and that’s all I use. I find myself grabbing the steel rule or small Incra rule more often anyway. 2 is enough for me!
Do you have to know where all of them are? I must have over 20 of them laying around here on the farm. Even with all of those tape measures, I inevitably have a hard time finding one when I need one. Must be time to buy another one!!
What’s the best, most accurate tape measure?
I must have 6 or 7. Three are not actually mine, although I grab one every so often. Three are my triplet 4 year old grandsons. They also have an old brace and an eggbeater drill. Gotta start them young.
I use three regularily… A Fast Cap Lefty / Righty, Story Pole, and Flat Back Story Pole, all 16′.
The others in my collection include tapes that live in my truck center console, a 25′, 35′, and 100′ for longer work, and two that my wife is allowed to use.
I really like the scratch pad and sharpener on the Fast Caps.
I carry one in each vehicle we own cuz’ you never know when you’ll run across some wood you want to measure before you buy. There is also one by each piece of equipment in the shop and on all 3 work benches. You just have to make sure they all are accurate with one another (tapes do vary!)
I don’t know how many I have, they seem to disappear. So rather then spending an hour looking for one. I go to home depot five minutes from my house and pick up the cheapest one I can find.
After forgetting to take a tape to an untold number trips to the lumber yard or home center, I now keep one in both of my vehicles. I just have to remember to leave it in the vehicle after I use it – rather than take it back into my shop clipped to my belt!
1 Regular one
1 Taylor-style
1 20 m
Makes 3 and they are all i need. :)
The Swedish Talmeter, made by the Swedish engineer Ture Anders Ljungbergs 1954, is outstanding. It has now been bought by Hultafors and slightly improved. I often use it as a handy measurement stick (transfer tool) but they are also very precise if you want to set a certain length. I cant understand why people buy any other tape measure than a Talmeter.
http://www.talmeter.co.uk/howto.asp
http://www.shop4tools.co.uk/ac.....easure.php
Ok, how many do I own, or how many can I find in my shop at any given time?
I actually forgot one when I voted, but the problem (lately) has been I can’t seem to find any of the three I have. I thought they were in one of two tool boxes, but when I open those boxes… guess what?
I have had some difficulties in measuring parts for various jobs I’ve had recently without the measuring tape. Fortunately one has been within the dimensions of my adjustable square (which I do not include as a tape measure), so I’m covered there.
But this also brings up the question of what other measuring devices do you have in your shop? I do not own, but I have access to, a framing square. I also have a Harbor Freight level with markings on it (accuracy of the markings I have never verified), and a folding rule, as well as the previously mentioned square. Do those count, too?
Mine are mainly retractable back scratchers. Once in a while I get something measured.
I have various Fastcap tapes that I love for different tasks along with some Stanley’s.