Decent tape measure

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FiremanT

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As I approach retirement (on sick leave and may or may not return, but unlikely ) I have a long list of jobs around the house, a lot involving woodwork.

I have never been over bothered by buying decent tapes, and in fact have a few acquired from empty houses (!). Doing pipe work I have tended to mark the tape at the desired length.


Now I have a reduced chance of losing stuff I really want an accurate and decent tape. Fat Max seemed to be popular in reviews , but later ones seem to indicate a fall in quality, with the tape breaking early and near the front of the blade.

Any comments or suggestions, please?

Thanks
 
I like the ox T020605 5m
It's small enough to hold in one hand.
5m is long enough.

There are bigger and stronger tape measures but they are more for construction use. Depends what you are doing.
At work I stick to small tapes mostly.
 
Wayners said:
I like the ox T020605 5m
It's small enough to hold in one hand.
5m is long enough.

There are bigger and stronger tape measures but they are more for construction use. Depends what you are doing.
At work I stick to small tapes mostly.
Click to expand...
Thanks.

You are correct, for my needs 5M is ample.
I am specifically looking for a tape to be accurate for woodworking - which is not my trade.

I note from looking at reviews that some are purely metric. Even though I am old school, I do find it frustrating that when using millimetres, it is difficult to use that side of the tape. So my next will be a fully metric one.

As an aside, I need a large split rule (I don’t actually know if that is the correct term, but have always used it). I bought one last year but was not great - I acknowledge that it was relatively cheap.
 
I bought an Advent tape measure which seems good quality, as ador accuracy I’m unsure but found it when looking for decent tape measures based on reviews. I believe Fisco are supposed to be one of the most accurate.
 
Wayners said:
I like the ox T020605 5m
It's small enough to hold in one hand.
5m is long enough.

There are bigger and stronger tape measures but they are more for construction use. Depends what you are doing.
At work I stick to small tapes mostly.
Click to expand...
Same, my main go to is the ox 5m metric one
 
i have loads of tapes (DIYer) - Stanleyx2 on offer at screwfix , milwakie purchased on a deal at a fair , axminster on offer - thought it was different and was alonger vice versa 8m - BIT NOT SO
BUT THE ONE I ALWAYS go for is my
Advent vise versa 5m

Vice Versa – Advent Tools

5m x 25mm Wide Blade 8m x 25mm Wide Blade FEATURES: - Class II Accurate/ UKCA + CE Approved - Dual Reading/Printed Blade - Metric Only Blade Markings - Blade Lock + Pause Button - 3 Rivet Double End Hook - Non-Reflective Blade - Multi-Position Hook - ABS Plastic Case "The...
adventtools.co.uk adventtools.co.uk
often on offer at toolstation
i find it so easy to use , no matter which way i measure , easy to see , as getting older and dont have one measurennt in metric and have to guess the other way because its imperial
 
ETAF said:
i have loads of tapes (DIYer) - Stanleyx2 on offer at screwfix , milwakie purchased on a deal at a fair , axminster on offer - thought it was different and was alonger vice versa 8m - BIT NOT SO
BUT THE ONE I ALWAYS go for is my
Advent vise versa 5m

Vice Versa – Advent Tools

5m x 25mm Wide Blade 8m x 25mm Wide Blade FEATURES: - Class II Accurate/ UKCA + CE Approved - Dual Reading/Printed Blade - Metric Only Blade Markings - Blade Lock + Pause Button - 3 Rivet Double End Hook - Non-Reflective Blade - Multi-Position Hook - ABS Plastic Case "The...
adventtools.co.uk adventtools.co.uk
often on offer at toolstation
i find it so easy to use , no matter which way i measure , easy to see , as getting older and dont have one measurennt in metric and have to guess the other way because its imperial
Click to expand...
CountryFan said:
I bought an Advent tape measure which seems good quality, as ador accuracy I’m unsure but found it when looking for decent tape measures based on reviews. I believe Fisco are supposed to be one of the most accurate.
Click to expand...

I looked at a video review of this, and am ordering one. I like the idea of both sides being marked, and the end clip looks solid.


Actually less expensive than I would have thought.

Thanks to all
 
cool, make sure it is a vice versa model - i ordered an vice versa from axminster (workshop) and what i thought was the same vice versa - BUT it is not just double sided i was sent , disappointing, i also think from various threads here axminster is in trouble , so i would not at this stage purchase from them (all there other stores have closed now - except the one in devon)
 
what ever one you get check it on a known measurement - I have some metre steel rules and whatever one I pick up in the workshop i check it esp if doing something important, the ends get damaged on them and can often be a few mm out. (the pull push auto adjusting thing on the ends can stick)
 
Magnusson 5m double-sided tape is only about a fiver from B&Q. Only problem I've had is that the magnets are a bit loose and need pressing back in occasionally.
 

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