Do You Need a Specialty Tape Measure

Tool Talk
#1

Over at the Toolguyd site a recent post about a new Kobalt laser distance measuring instrument got me thinking about the trusty tape measure and less used carpenter’s folding ruler. I thought it might be interesting to take a look at some of the different kinds of tape measures that are or were available on the market. This is not meant as an endorsement of any brand or style – rather its just what I could easily find. If I missed your favorite – just add a link. So here goes:

Adhesive-backed tape

Caliper Tape measure:

http://www.leevalley.com/en/HARDWARE/page.aspx?p=58730&cat=1,43513

Compass – Tape Measure

https://www.amazon.com/Big-Horn-19641-Rotape-Compass/dp/B003NE5BDG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1476915001&sr=8-1&keywords=rotape

Depth Tape

https://www.amazon.com/Keson-DG5018-Fiberglass-Depth-Measure/dp/B000FU0G3G/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1476916403&sr=8-2&keywords=DG5018

Surveyor’s Rope

Pencil/Pen – Tape Measure Combo

https://www.amazon.com/QUICKDRAW-Self-Marking-Foot-Measure/dp/B01KBP5JW2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1476915396&sr=8-1&keywords=tape+measure+pencil

https://www.amazon.com/PENCILMAN-Marking-Tape-Measure-measurements/dp/B00D3UHTCG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1476915327&sr=8-3&keywords=tape+measure+pencil

https://www.amazon.com/Swanson-SVPS16M1-16-Feet-Magnetic-Proscribe/dp/B00KG38R56/ref=sr_1_22?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1476959137&sr=1-22&keywords=dual+tape+measure

Tape Pencil Holder

http://www.toolup.com/CH-Hanson-03001-Pencil-Boy

Tape with pencil sharpener

https://www.amazon.com/FastCap-PSSR16-FastPad-Standard-Measuring/dp/B0001GUE3G/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1476915327&sr=8-14&keywords=tape+measure+pencil

Lefty-Righty

https://www.amazon.com/FastCap-PSSR25-Lefty-Righty-Measuring/dp/B0001GUE3Q/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1476915327&sr=8-8&keywords=tape+measure+pencil

Sewing Tapes

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Retractable-Tape-Measure-3pc-Set-Mini-Ruler-Tailor-Sewing-Cloth-Craft-60-1-5m-/281920963845?hash=item41a3cc8505:m:mypddtqkoRz6llmn_0KzgHA

BMI Tape

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Body-Mass-Measuring-Tape-Fitness-Tester-Weight-Loss-Muscle-BMI-Calculator-Chart-/222224581569?hash=item33bd9e03c1:g:4boAAOSw6n5Xt7X4

https://www.amazon.com/Body-Measuring-Locking-Push-Button-Retraction/dp/B018SY17AQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1476916540&sr=8-2&keywords=EAM-400B

https://www.amazon.com/EMI-Body-Retractable-Tape-Measure/dp/B00ELV0ZNG/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1476916540&sr=8-1&keywords=EAM-400B

Key Chain Tape

https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-FMHT33706W-Keychain-2-Inch-6-Feet/dp/B00BZX2CY8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1476916421&sr=8-1&keywords=key+chain+tape

https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-39-130-4-Inch-PowerLock-Tape/dp/B00002X2HB/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1476961236&sr=1-1&keywords=076174391305

https://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-MILWAUKEE-Keychain/dp/B01DE8YBSQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1476961345&sr=1-1&keywords=48-22-5506

Diameter - Engineer’s Scale

Diameter Tape

https://www.amazon.com/Wheeler-Rex-71-Diameter-Tape/dp/B00D7SJS50/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1476916728&sr=8-1&keywords=662933103458

https://www.amazon.com/Lufkin-W606PM-Executive-Diameter-Millimeters/dp/B000ZU92PE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1476916785&sr=8-1&keywords=W606PM

Talmeter

Non-Conductive Tape/Case

Brick-Mason’s Tapes

https://www.amazon.com/21-465-10-Feet-Economy-Modular-Spacing/dp/B00AKHKJXQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1476917166&sr=8-2&keywords=modular+brick+spacing+tape

Pocket Tape

https://www.amazon.com/Lufkin-Inch-Foot-Pocket-Size/dp/B00002N5L9/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1476917210&sr=8-1&keywords=W6110+tape

Magnetic Hook Tape

https://www.amazon.com/Etronic-12-Foot--8-Inch-Measure-Magnetic/dp/B00TOFFEKI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1476917467&sr=8-1&keywords=3G-PORU-KHZW

https://www.amazon.com/Swanson-SVGL25M1-25-Feet-Magnetic-Measure/dp/B00OO19HO6/ref=pd_sim_469_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=X32784XM32HHR4JWHJNN

Stud_squared Tape Measure

https://www.amazon.com/Johnson-Level-1812-0025-StudSquared-Yellow/dp/B0057K1KQQ/ref=sr_1_3?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1476928828&sr=1-3&keywords=stud+square+tape

Self Locking Tape

https://www.amazon.com/Komelon-SL2825-Self-25-Foot-Power/dp/B000BQKXLE

Lever-Lock Tape

https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-STHT30812-Lever-Lock-Tape/dp/B00UTGOLNC/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1476930792&sr=8-4&keywords=level++tape+measure

Story Pole or (April Fool’s day ?) Tape

http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?cat=1&p=65358

https://www.amazon.com/FastCap-PSSP16-Standard-Story-Measuring/dp/B0001GUE1S/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1476928262&sr=1-1&keywords=PSSP16

Burn One Tape

https://www.amazon.com/FastCap-PS-Burn1-ProCarpenter-Measure-Pencil/dp/B00TU5834Q

Flat Back Tape

Board-Foot

The one I know is from Rich Lumber BFR-0016

http://www.woodworking.org/WC/GArchive02/3_25taperev.html

Metric-Inch

https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-33-158-4-Inch-PowerLock-Tape/dp/B00002X2GG/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1476928844&sr=1-1&keywords=33-158

32mm system Tape

Center-Finder

Roll-a-Blade

http://www.thegangbox.com/product-p/771.htm

Engineer Scale Tape

https://www.amazon.com/Komelon-SL2825-25-Foot-Engineer-Scale/dp/B0016A72F4/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1476929362&sr=1-1&keywords=SL2825IE

Stainless Steel Tape

Timberframe Tape

http://www.cshardware.com/tools/tools-and-accessories/tape-measures/fc-ptf-30.html?gclid=CJ_JgPmm6M8CFYtahgod4mcCqQ

Logger’s Tape

https://www.amazon.com/Spencer-Loggers-Tape-Model-975DC/dp/B00X52Q7SY/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1476929656&sr=1-1&keywords=975DC

https://www.amazon.com/Forestry-Suppliers-Metric-Fabric-Diameter/dp/B00J9KB8AI/ref=sr_1_89?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1476931228&sr=1-89&keywords=tape+measure

Long Tapes

https://www.amazon.com/Champion-Sports-Measuring-Tapes-400-Feet/dp/B0008MFBZE/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1476929633&sr=1-1&keywords=710858007631

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Empire-300-Fiberglass-Open-Reel-Tape-Measure-6830-New-/222095034144?hash=item33b5e54720:g:p4AAAOSwARZXmnmq

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200-Foot-Big-Geared-Nyclad-Clad-Steel-Tape-Durable-Steel-End-1811-0200-/322057554465?hash=item4afc204a21:g:r~wAAOSwAvJW~Dlx

https://www.amazon.com/Starrett-530-100-Closed-Steel-Measure/dp/B001TLUIMY/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1476929983&sr=1-1&keywords=starrett+100+foot+tape+measure

https://www.amazon.com/US-Tape-66322-Diameter-75-Feet/dp/B00DP3IX3A/ref=sr_1_4?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1476931406&sr=1-4&keywords=75+foot+tape+measure

https://www.amazon.com/US-8-Inch-50-Foot-Auto-Rewind-Protape/dp/B000M67U64/ref=sr_1_184?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1476931492&sr=1-184&keywords=tape+measure

Long-Standout Tape

https://www.amazon.com/DeWALT-Metal-Impact-Polyester-Coated/dp/B00R7U83DC/ref=sr_1_5?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1476930243&sr=1-5&keywords=long+standout+tape+measure

Oil Tank Tape

https://www.amazon.com/Lufkin-S1293F590-50-Foot-Gauging-Stainless/dp/B000ZUA532/ref=sr_1_79?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1476931284&sr=1-79&keywords=tape+measure

Pipe Rap-Around

https://www.amazon.com/Firepower-1423-1406-Rap-Around-Measuring-36-Inch/dp/B00GHN90U0/ref=sr_1_3?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1476930535&sr=1-3&keywords=pipe+tape+measure

https://www.amazon.com/SEPTLS496WW17-Flange-wizard-Wizard-Wraps/dp/B004GZACG2/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1476930742&sr=8-9&keywords=pipe+tape+measure

Digital Tape measure

https://www.amazon.com/eTape16-ET16-75-DB-RP-Digital-Measure-Metric/dp/B015XON8DI/ref=sr_1_4?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1476930807&sr=1-4&keywords=digital%2Btape%2Bmeasure&th=1

Tape Measure – Level

https://www.amazon.com/Qooltek-Multipurpose-measure-Adjusted-Standard/dp/B00PQ4PJYC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1476930872&sr=8-1&keywords=level++tape+measure

Toy Tape Measure
https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Resources-Pretend-Play-Measure/dp/B0009K6KEG/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1476959523&sr=1-1&keywords=specialty+tape+measure

https://www.amazon.com/Pinocchio-Measure-sewing-inches-centimeters/dp/B01JR1PL9C

1 Like
#2

I recently ran across these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000O9NY14/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XVEJWS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

#3

Do I need ? Maybe not but I do appreciate when the right tape makes a job easier.
Measuring spaces on metal framed (industrial) buildings is very easy when you can push the blade up and have the magnetic tip grab the face of a steel roof member so you can measure clearance above ground.
Try to do that with a laser held perpendicular to the floor, spot on a 2" wide target way above you and not have it drift off while you try to read or lock the reading :smiley:

#4

wow Fred.

SOme good idea in there. I was going to mention to anyone that gets on a project that requires metric. suck it up and buy some metric measuring tools. machinists already know this.

I work on aircraft for a living and some of them are laid out and measured in drawings in metric. I bought a metric tape measure for this purpose - already had a few scales. But I needed to measure a few meters at a time occasionally. Best 30 or so dollars I ever spent.

If you can get a dual unit you can read - so much the better.