Toolsday: How to DECIDE which TAPE MEASURE to BUY 

Over 40 plus years I have used them all. What I find important is. Make sure your cut mans tape measures the same as yours. I have had tapes be off by a 3/8th of a inch.

RR I want to thank you for your detailed videos. I built a 42x42 metal building with friends and family with very limited construction experience. I could not have done this without you guys!

This is a good book. Does provide a step by step introduction to how to build things ru-vid.comUgkxhgbP-6hUnXu_QRaoHgLztgsI0YF3HqR0 , also does offer some steps. Includes pictures to give you ideas for layouts and such. If you are looking for a guide, this is not exactly what you want. But if you are trying to familiarize yourself with the way that pole barn building and other out buildings, are made, then this will work just as you need it to. A few things in this book are a barn (of course), detached garage, storage building, and coops.

Been using Stanley classic 25' since the late 70's, tried other brands, always go back to Stanley!! Never let one retract back at full speed and contact tape housing, slow it down to a crawl or put your finger in the way, been building custom kitchen cabinets since late 70's.

I have 4 35ft Milwaukee stud tapes. They are my favorite for the first 4-6 months. But they’re warrantied for life and I just have them on a rotation so I’m constantly getting a new one for free

I personally love the 25' "baseball" shaped Stanley fatmax. I believe that it performs well for my framing style because I like fast retracting tapes. I understand that my opinion differs from others such as yourself. I still love the content, and what you have to say is so informative. Thank you for what you're doing for our industry.

There is no tape measure I like better than Stanley, the out reach is great and very important to me and the way the measurements on their tapes is my favorite, besides that they last for years not months, like you said preferences are different hand sizes and types of work plays a big part in choosing a tape measure, I do remember one brand it's measurements was completely and totally washed away after I mistakenly left it out in the rain, I found at the time hard to believe but its absolutely true.

definitely the 30’ stanley power lock, best tape hands down:) Actually looks similar to the stabila, thinner and not the best stand out, but a little more square but rounded corner’s, definitely easier to hang onto. The tip probably isn’t the best but then it’s average to smaller for getting in j trim and tight spaces which is a must for me! Great vid👍👍👍

25’ fat max (without the magnet) the BEST! Nuff said! 👍

Hello from germany...my go to tape is Shinwa, Tajima and also Festool. Thank you for your great channel! Only because of your reviews i use the Diamondback Toolbelt and the lovely Martinez M1 🤪

I have a Fat Max and a Makita tape measure. I like the Stabila stuff though. I have a level from Stabila that is the best! Thanks for filming Kyle. 👍😁

I've been using Stanley fat max for 25 years. I think it's a great tape and kind of the gold standard. Recently picked up the Milwaukee wide. I have to say the feel is amazing. I love the ability to dampen it with your finger out of the way. It has ball bearings and is super smooth. The lock is superior to Stanley. Stand out is great. It shows the actual size of the body printed on it. I don't like the print/font/color combo as well as the Stanley but oh well, it's my got to now.

The Lufkin is my goto tape...I love the visibility w/ the Black background on the actual tape.

I use the stabila bm300 and i love it. The double sided marking and the belt clip is what sold it for me. The tip is also sensational.

Your comment about the hail got me to thinking, have you had midwest weather damage any of the buildings you built? Could be a good topic for a video. I'd be curious what failed.

I’ve owned 2 Fat Max autolock tapes. The 1st one broke on the very first day I used it in the field after dropping from a 6ft platform ladder. I figured it was just bad luck & bought another one. That lasted about a month when the tip snapped off retracting. My current faves are my lil Milwaukee 15ft I keep on my desk at work for when I need a quick (shorter) measurement & my Klein 25ft with magnetic tip. I’ve dropped the Klein numerous times and it’s taken them very very well. It’s built like a tank but still comfortable to use.

I have a Lever Lock tape. I love it. I pull out the blade and it locks in place until I squeeze the bottom lever, then it retracts.

getting your tip into trim is not only important but very satisfying ! !

When I was younger I stuck my tip into as many trims as I could.

I love my Milwaukee 25' Wide Blade. The finger guard is great for running rips on drywall and plywood, no more splinters or pain on the rip finger.

Fantastic timing! My toddler just pulled my FatMax out of my nail bags, and I found it in the dogs water bowl. Spoilers, at some point he must have had it in the sand box because it’s a gritty useless mess.

One thing I like to consider is markings. I really like the dewalt series that includes fractional inches in black and red. It makes it super easy to identify measurements. My go-to for compact is the craftsman 12ft with auto lock and fractions

there is also left or right hand tape, which can help to see better and make less mistakes then when reading upside down especially when running multiple times from the same direction like on a cutting station. and TAJIMA makes nice and very simple long lasting, accurate and clear to see the mm lines. thanks for the content:)

One brand that I did not see on the table that should probably be evaluated in the bunch is the FastCap. I use them exclusively in the shop. The clip is the best I have ever seen on a tape, and the built in pencil sharpener is a major plus!

I have Stanley, Milwaukee tapes usually all with fractional scale just because it’s not just me working. I have my wife an kids helping me or others. But it’s easier for me even though I’ve been doing woodworking, construction and renovation for years. I’m usually making detailed cuts or teaching kids to read both fractions and a regular non fractional tape measure.

For all metal framing, drywall and acoustical ceilings I’ve always used the Fat Max 25’. But your right after a few months don’t retract worth a crap. Think I’m gonna try the stabila tape out next. Looked like a nice tape for sure!

I know you don’t like complexity but I would love to hear your thoughts on Lever Lock tape holding mechanism.

I always bought the Stanley FaTMax but tried a Milwaukee last year, that was a pieceof junk! The last one I bought is a DeWalt, we'll see how it holds up.

youre so right about coming back (retracting) too fast, that can be annoying! also a lot of the tapes today are too fat because they all want massive standout capabilities. im a finish carpenter and i primarily use the OG of tape measures the stanley powerlock! its super flexible for bending into corners. has horrific standout though!!

I personally prefer the 25' Stanley all metal tape usually priced😅 fairly low at HD. $10.99 and my favorite. Easy to read and has the 3" add on for inside measurements. Not bulky to carry. Durable. Easy in/out. I have tried just about all of them, including 35' and do not care for any others. Not even the same all metal Stanley in 35'. I did not see that in your trial of samples. It has been around forever and 25' is my max to own. I do not bend tape for inside measurements. The Stanley 25' in all metal is excellent for all phases of your work and that 3" add on is very accurate to use. Good job my friend.

I love Milwaukee tools but absolutely hate their tapes. I'm prefer Tajima tapes and find them very easy to read, have a nice spring and don't roll over at all.

I will never buy a Milwaukee tape measure until they completely scrap that platform and change it. It’s a shame that they break so quickly. I prefer the Stanley, Lufkin G2 (non magnet), and I’ll use the dewalt tape measure for trimwork for quick 1/16” reads.

Stand out, without having to use a lock button. 30’ tape, 12’ w/o collapsing is perfect.👍👍👍 Thanks

Keep the oiled up with WD.helps protect from water.

My go-to tape is the i can find.

The lufkin night eye is my go to, it has the sandpaper like tip. I work nights and in dark spots a lot and it comes in super handy.

do yourself a favor and just get fat max, I worked as a sheet metal guy for 1 year and as a sparky for almost 7 years, been through so much hard use, even in the rain, (I will admit I dry it properly every time) I still have my first fat max I bought around 2016, what a great tape! the only thing that changed is that is retracts a little bit slower now.....

I got the Stabila 5m since 6 months and it´s probably the best tape measure I ever use.

I use a stanley 8m tape that is relatively compact (medium with), great stand-out and otherwise good ergonomics. It is also not too expensive. The best tape I've used so far. I still wear out 1-2 tapes every year though. The main lesson I've learned with tape measures is to avoid pulling out the last 3-4 % of the length

The Irwin is my favorite

Stabila BM300 Nylon Wrap 8m. Tape of my choice.

I have been really happy with the long standout MasterForce from Menards. It has the best lever lock for scribing rips. Doesn't deviate by so much as 1/64th". $15 for 16', which is my daily driver.

Great video Kyle! I'm a concrete guy and have always had trouble with grit ruining them immediately. I've had the best luck with the Lufkin G2, but I will have to give the Stabila a shot. Thanks again!

Im Drywall.. for me Fatmax top ..

Ive always used stanley fatty but got a dewalt tough series and very similar but cant change the feel of the stanley

I don’t know what it says about my maturity but there are so many innuendos here

I am trying out the Stabila tape at the moment and haven't decided whether I like the grip coat on the hook. In my experience, the most durable tape that I ever owned is Komelon Stainless Steel tape. It survives dirt and rain way better than others.

I tried the Milwaukee tapes. Stud 16 and 25 ….After 3 months both toast… Tapes cracked 6 to 8 inches from the tip ….Don’t waste your time. Back to Fat max . I do have a liking to the Tajima.. luv their chalk lines

For over the last 25 + years. I have always used stanley powerlock. I have a few of the others but I prefer the powerlock

Right before your video I got an ad saying something like “do you want to build a pole barn like this?” No sir, I want a post frame shop. Not a pole barn thank you

Stanley fat max and believe it or not Craftsman has a good one made in the USA I have the 16’ and 25’. I hate the Milwaukee tape, gave all mine away.

Surprising you didn't consider ease of reading the scale as an important criteria. Another option I've found handy is the direction that the tape is read. Ie Left to Right vs Right to Left reading. Makes a difference when you're using a miter saw all day long.

I love a Fat Max, but ours look different then yours? It's silver and the tip is much bigger/wider?

I will always miss the Stanley Fat Max Xtreme. That baby had such a wide tip, like 3/8 wider on each side than the blade. Had to pour one out when my last one of them died and I couldn't get them anymore

Pretty timely..........I was using my older model Lufkin this past weekend and the tip broke (blade broke at the tip rivets) off when retracting into the housing. Loved "I like to stick my tip........into trim"🤣

Great toolsday! Another consideration would be size or length. A shop guy doesn't need a 25'. When in the shop I use a 12-15'

If you use your finger to slow the tape down it doesn’t slam on the tip helps preserve your tape. The Stanley fatmax one is design to be rounded like a baseball and has a double spring there actually really good tapes

Currently rocking the 25 stud, not in love with it. I have similar issues with tape wear around the 1-2 ft mark, the ergonomics is spot on wide body and finger stop, the tape end is sub par old design, so far no perfect ruff frame construction tape standard. The tape needs to upgrade Kevlar gortex graphene it has to work no matter what. Homeowner proof, trade ready, handyman abusing, workhorse. 35' are rocked by lazy greenhorns that don't grab the 100 footer. Greenhorn are unaware of impending arthritis. Skinny tape same problem improper pinch point. I'm obsessed with ergonomics.

I too like to stick my tip into trim!

I have used most. I don't like. Dewalt but I love their atomic tools form factor. And I think the tape measure is the best.

Perfect timing, I just lost my 25’ Milwaukee tape… on the market for a new one

Milwaukee wide blade is my favorite. Not too bulky.

The DeWalt brand actually falls under the umbrella of Stanley Black & Decker. This parent company also owns Irwin Tools, Craftsman, Lenox, Porter-Cable, Proto, Bostitch, Vidmar, and several others.

Nice video Kyle. I was tape shopping a few months ago and was thoroughly disappointed, why do tape manufacturers put the”1/8,1/4” 3/8” etc. on something that a professional construction worker uses. Seems if you are in the trades ,you should know how to read a tape measure. I don’t need the numbers on the tape.

I am doing ground work mostly, including installation of drainage systems, septic systems, retaining walls, preparing foundations. This is quite a harsh environment with a lot of sand and water getting into the tape measures. My conclusion was that a nice tape measure was a complete waste considering that rust and sand will ruin the operation in at most a few months of use. It would require a frequent and meticulous cleaning to avoid this. If the tape is oiled to avoid rust and improve operation it will instead attract sand. My solution is to buy cheap, 10 USD, tape measures and check that the scale is correct before using them, and replace them when needed.

The problem with reducing the spring is the possibility that at some point the spring will no longer retract the tape completely.

Starrett Digital used? Love it!!! $100 for a tape is obscene?

Never listened to a man talk about his preference of tip let alone been interested in it until now

Stabila tape is my choice…. Been the most durable I’ve owned in my 44 years in the industry …UK based

Any tape in my immediate vicinity does the job for me 😅

How did I know before watching this video that Stabila was gonna take the crown....Lol. Solid opinions though. I've never had a Stabila but I do use and own several FatMax ones.

We have tape measures in our household that span 50 years, a bunch of different brands. When you measure short a few of them are slightly different. But as you go out to 10, 20 feet etc, the error progressively gets worse. The problem is, if most or all of them are off, and none of them are exactly the same amount off, which one is right? If I had a crew on a worksite, I would either buy a batch of the exact same tape measures and have them use that on the worksite, or have everyone measure theirs out in comparison to find any that are off. In the end no one really knows who's is right or wrong.

Love the tools day Kyle. Keep them up.

Did you ever use a fast cap tape measure I have 3 and love them

I’ve always used Stanley fat max , but I’ve been curious and tried out some other brands. Tried the crescent lufkin or whatever and it kinked up really quick so I gave that up . I am now using the Irwin that you had on your deck and it’s what I’m gonna be running from now on to be honest . It feels great in my hand and it’s smooth but again it’s all subjective everyone is gonna like something different .

Readability?

I buy 25' Stanleys for use in the shop. They are cheap, and work well enough. Not a fan on the jobsite though, they just dont hold up. I tried the 35" Fat Max for in my tool belt, wasnt a fan. Currently using a 35" Komelon which seems to be working well. Yes the 35s are huge, but I used to hang alot of vinyl siding and all the siding is 150" so to measuring a wall that would need 2 pieces of siding plus a cutoff, a 25 is too short, and a 30 just always seems to come up short.

as a regular user of all brands, having to measure houses for design, I noticed that the most important thing you didn't mention is the tape itself. After measuring existing conditions, with walls and other areas, to compliment my laser measure, I find every brand to be a disappointment. my key concerns is length of extension without collapsing, sturdiness, and the tip not twisting, after a number of uses, causing the tape to twist so much it is unusable and needs to be tossed. I go through tapes monthly and it is frustrating. I lean to Milwaukee mostly, since they hold up best but wish there was better

Great video as always. You explain things better than my high school teachers, keep up the good work

Just started using Klein 16ft tape. I’m pretty happy about it

I agree, LOL, (11:11) I like to stick my tip into trim also. Sorry but that was too good to let pass.

Carbon fitters Lufkin best tip

For me Stanley Fat Max 16’ , 25’ , 30’ Stanley used to make a magnetic holder that clips to a belt than you glue a metal part on your tape, another company sells it too . I could never use a lever lock tape

I have a channel Lock tape that I like, it lasted about six months through the fall and winter in Michigan. Much better than the two Milwaukee tapes I have in my toolbox that twisted at the end after a few weeks.

Hi Kyle

I don't know what it is with some of my colleagues but they're buying a new tape a month, because they misplace them. I always say to them the tape should be in your belt not strewn across the van. I started with a couple of cheapie Fuller brand tapes (I only buy 8 metre tapes) and I still have both of them, one is a spare in my van and the other lives at home, the magnetic end is nice but its a cheap tape, its nothing flash. Then me being a Milwaukee fiend I bought the 8m magnetic tape. It lasted one week before it fell apart internally. I swapped that for a FatMax and about 18 months on I still have it and use it daily. I lost it in the van briefly buried under garbage but bought that Lufkin G2 NiteEye tape. It lasted 3 months before the tape snapped at about 3 foot. I proceeded to throw that tape into the harbour and went back to the Fatmax. I will continue to use it until it breaks, but I am eyeing up a Hultafors 6m tape that has the scribing points on it and the scale for internal measurements. Its rare I ever measure past 6 metres so I'll likely have that and a 10 metre tape of some description in the van

Every time you snapped those tapes back I wonder why you don't use lever lock style so you can control speed back if you don't like the snap.

Good stuff Kyle. I was waiting to see the ones with paint on them from when first laying out a plot... I still crack up from all the flack you took on that one video. That's what those Harbor Freight tape measures are for right? Can't wait to see what's next.

I prefer a tape that locks when I pull it out and has a button to release.

Cool tool review

i've had several milwaukee tapes tear on me as well... definitely a design/quality issue

Stanley power lock ll and the Fat Max 25’ has served me well for 30+ years

Enjoying my Milwaukee tape right now. Easy to grab the tape and a good hook. Fat Max 16footer easy my second choice. I like the belt clip on my Milwaukee, as I have a metal rack on my right hip for the tape.

@rrbuildings I'm really liking the stabila. The shape fits my hand well and stand out doesn't mean anything unless it hooks onto what your reaching for and the hook grip on the stabila is great and doesn't slip off easily. Haven't ran it long enough to speak on durability but so far so good. Also any tape measure that doesn't have measurement printed on the back now is out for me, also if the hooks don't got any ears and a little wing action it's also a no go. It's 2023, all tape measure should be printed on both sides at this point. Stanley has probably sold more tape measures then anyone and they still cheaping out on back printing🤦🏻‍♂️

Irwin Industrial Tools is an American manufacturer and distributor of hand tools and power tool accessories. It is owned by Stanley Black & Decker.

Fast Cap has a tape that will compete with any of the one's you showed here and much less expensive.

As a scandinavian its the fiberglass folding ruler from hultafors thats the number one.. second is a 20m(65ft) handcrank tape that fits in you pocket, its like 5" diameter.. third is a hilti pd5 laser, forth is a stanley fatmax.. mostly uselesss imo🤷

I absolutely love the milwaukee stud. I don't have something of equal quality to reference to though because it's the first "expensive" tape measure I got, so keep that in mind. I use the fingerlock extensively, i always did so I found that feature really nice. Never used the autolock. It's bulky, at first i was disappointed, but I've grown used to it. This might apply to most bigger tape measures, but I really like how I can measure wood and set the measurer on it and it remains in place while stretching the tape. I can reach about 4m (~13feet?) (-the angle loss) which I found really impressive. When this one breaks I'll most likely get another one, about 1yr old now and it's noticeable on the spring and alot of cosmetic damage I absolutely hate the clip, it's a 2hand operation. I use makitas "universal clip holder" but the screw that holds the clip on the stud is really in the way. So tape measure holder is the way I suppose

I too like to stick my tip into trim.

The new Toughbuilt pro blade is amazing. Have owned pretty much all brands, this one is great… had it for a month so cant really talk about durability… but it looks and feels like it will outlast everything else I have.