American here. I've been woodworking in metric for years; it simply makes minute measurements far more simplistic when doing fine woodworking. In construction, there is usually more flexibility for the measurement to be in inches, but I still prefer metric for builds as well. As for the hook on the top, it makes it easier to read a measurement that has to be pulled from the bottom of the material, while you are standing above. Good review.
I'm an American who is a devout convert to (small) metric length (i.e., nothing larger than my meter stick -- or as I like to say, my yard-and-3-inch stick). I now loathe Imperial units for small measures unless they are whole integers of inches, which is fine. Kilograms, liters, and kilometers are out, but I do love to work in millimeters and centimeters. I see Festool has (that's American-ish for Brit-speak "have" in this context) got a new supplier for its tape measures. I have several of the older version which I really, REALLY wanted to like. Alas, it was too delicate and every one eventually got un-sprung. I tried to fix them, and they worked fine for another few months before becoming un-sprung again refusing to retract. They went into the recycle bin. R.I.P. It looks like the new Festool tape will be more durable. Too bad it lacks the clear window and hairline cursor on the top which made the former model so handy, but a retractable tape measure which refuses to retract is pretty useless. It was just not up to the Festool quality we've come to expect. I think I'd like the new model, but for now, I'm very pleased with the offerings from Fastcap.com, especially the "True32" version, which is really useful for anyone into the 32mm system for cabinet making.
Nice review! Nice tape ! Please remember there are 50 something's that are still 5'8" high who when pitch a roof work in imperial but when fit a kitchen use metric . But drink pints . I know I'm in a bizarre. World I work with legacy. Of both measurements love your revewiws thank you !.
I have one and it’s not a bad tape. I also have a previous festool tape I still new in the box. But my go to is tajima class 1. Great review keep buying 😊
@@The-Splat the class 1 measure holds up very well used daily. Clear to read on a white background. I like it. Possibly easier to read than the festool one.
I’m from the US and woodwork in metric. It’s a far superior system and I’ll never understand why the US refuses to adopt. I use the 32mm system to build cabinets. Also I love Festool but Fastcap make the best tape measure and they have a lot of variations of tapes.
Very surprised you've never seen a tape measure with only metric measurements. I've owned maybe 30 or more over the years and ALL have been metric only. The Imperial measuring system is enough to drive anyone batty! Thank goodness Australia went metric a long time ago.
You do realise you use non metric time multiple times a day everyday if your life. Even the second was being measured by clocks hundreds of years before the metric system was introduced. Strangely most people are happy with 60 second minutes, 60 minute hours and 24 hour days. Be consistent and advocate for metric time!
Simple anecdotal review from a guy(carpenter by profession) who has been through 2 of them: Both of them while initially having auto-stop feature lose it over the course of 6-9months. Which sucks as it lacks the manual lock so you have to pinch it with your fingers from then onwards. One of them I dropped in the water while on the other the tip/first 2 cm broke off. And I'm someone who cares for his tools a lot and uses them very carefully. First 6 months the tape is great but overall for 20€ I'm not happy but having a hard time finding an alternative of a tape that's 19mm wide, light weight, has scales on both sides and auto lock
On the job site everyone must have the same set of tape measure 📐.. so everyone can sync.. but hey 👋 it’s not a perfect world. I use Japanese carpenter measurements, imperial measurements, and metric measurements. Everything has its place.. but consistent tools to read as a group is good communication. Even it there are three main measuring systems.
@@LukePighetti it is the cultural measurements used in our tradition woodworking or weapon creations. Before the Meiji period and far before the British empire trade invasive scenarios.
@@LukePighetti yes , it’s from a much older Chinese measure 📐 system from the mainland of China. In fact much of the Japanese traditional tea houses were Chinese in origin. The Japanese really liked and brought over Chinese interiors to Japan 🇯🇵 . Along with that came certain tools 🧰 and the measurement system .. including the older bai, shake, and other older terms…. You can see it on a Japanese long carpenter’s square.
Surprised by metric only and no wings? You must live under a rock. Too funny. As for Imperial measurement...it is witchcraft. My favourite is when you hear an American say 0.75 of an inch.
