fiberglass tape measures...

[ALICE CHRISTENSEN]

A paper towel is the solution to the glove problem. I wrap a paper town around the tape and pull it tight both winter and summer. It not only pulls the tape tighter it helps keep my hands cleaner and I don't get "tape burn".

Thanks Jo Ann, great idea! That sounds like it would help keep my tape clean too. I can only imagine what all it has been dragged through!

 

[Steve Owen]

I have never used anything but a metal tape. I find that they are accurate and durable. Rust is not a problem if you use WD-40. I consider them a disposable item, but one may last me anywhere from twenty minutes to five years - LOL. The electrical conduction thing could be a problem if you are careless. I have heard from others that fiberglass stretches, but I will take the word of those who posted here that it does not (how would you know on way or the other?) but as for tape sag, it is just not a problem for me... I can pull the metal tape tight even if all 100' is out. Getting caught in decks, etc. is just a hazard of the business.

My main complaint about the metal tape is that it is cold in the winter, but then, I'm kind of particular and rarely schedule outside work when the weather is bad (one of the many advantages of having more to do than you can get done).

 

[Ken Miller]

If you ever use a Sokkia 100' fiberglass tape with the appraiser's hook, you'll never use anything else. It's like they are made for us.

They are! That's why they have the word appraiser's hook in the description.

 

[Judy Whitehead (Florida)]

My measuring hint is.....one of my trainees always carries a small 25' metal tape in his pocket (in addition to a fiberglass tape) - to measure those areas where you can't hang a tape - such as an indentation in the entry, a bumpout in the garage with junk in the way, etc. It is small and you can step on one end and push it to the wall you want the distance to.

 

[Ken Miller]

The proud owner of....

a New STANLEY 100' Fiberglass Reel Zip-Line Tape Measure courtesy of eBay. Not bad for $14.97, shipping included, compared to $22 plus shipping elsewhere.

I have a Lufkin 100' fiberglass tape and it works great. Its only downfall is the puny hook. I keep a 25' Stanley tape measure on my hip for making small one handed measurements such as the length of a porch or an addition that sticks out only a few feet or so. Its much easier than measuring with the 100' tape for smaller distances.

 

[BOB PADRICK]

Errata

Metal tapes are nice in that they can be small enough for a large pocket-I used to keep a 50' metal tape on hand just for that reason-but boy are they heavy.

Don't step on them on edge-if they are laying flat, no problem-but on edge, they can splinter and break. They also can kink/wrinkle a bit.

Lightning-I live in the lightning capital not of the US, but of the world. Metal tapes get left in the car on cloudy days.

The older fabric tapes used to stretch-but they are not generally available in long lengths anymore. The fiberglass tapes are designed specifically not to stretch.

When I used to work for the property appraiser's office, some of my co-workers used to literally wear the print right off of the tapes, generally between 6" and two feet.

A few really stubborn co-workers there used to cut and drill out the hooks that came with the tapes, and replaced them with nails filed down to remove the point and bent to leave around 3" of hook. Lotta work, that, but he rarely had it slip, and never had to walk back to get it to drop.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

"We didn't have a Walmart in our area then." you poor thing

I'll bet Jo Ann's husban has seen a steel surveyor's tape "flipped" ...probably has a couple lying around.