Author Topic: Metric tape measure (Read 7685 times)

musik7 · « **on:** September 24, 2018, 03:59 PM »

Hello,

I am looking at getting into building European style custom cabinetry, and buying a number of Festool tools to do it with. An accessory I would really like, is a fully metric tape measure (metric measurements on both sides of the tape, no inches). I have a FastCap tape with metric on one side and inches on the other, but the drawback here is I can only take a measurement in metric from one side of the tape, which is sometimes pretty inconvenient.

Has anyone else in the US found a good source for fully metric tape measures with a selection of different styles and options? Stanley's LeverLock (see link below) in Metric would be my preference, but that will obviously be limited to what's available.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Stanley-LeverLock-25-ft-x-1-in-Tape-Measure-with-decimal-scale-STHT33281L/204675408

Thanks in advance for the help.

Andrew

ben_r_ · « **Reply #1 on:** September 24, 2018, 04:07 PM »

Isnt the FastCap True32 what you are looking for? (LINK)

Or the FlatBack verison: (LINK)

Or this one: (LINK)

musik7 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 24, 2018, 04:23 PM »

To be honest, I wasn't impressed with how well the FastCap retracted. It seemed sluggish at best, and like I constantly need to feed it back in manually at worst. I was hoping someone would know where I can get a full metric version of a Stanley, if they make them. If nothing else, one of the FastCap options could work, just not ideal in my opinion.

Dick Mahany · « **Reply #3 on:** September 24, 2018, 04:23 PM »

Quote from: ben_r_ on September 24, 2018, 04:07 PM

Isnt the FastCap True32 what you are looking for? (LINK)

Or the FlatBack verison: (LINK)

Or this one: (LINK)

The Fastcap True 32 and flat back tapes are excellent. I had a True 32 that wouldn't lock well enough and would creep as I used it. I sent an email to Fast Cap customer service and they immediately sent me a replacement tape and told me to keep the poorly locking one. Great customer service.

MFond · « **Reply #4 on:** September 24, 2018, 04:26 PM »

Witch one would you liked to have (brand etc.)?

I'll see if I find it here in Sweden and then send it to you

/Mattias

glenn storey · « **Reply #5 on:** September 24, 2018, 04:28 PM »

lee valley has metric tapes, although i think they only go up to 5 metres [16 feet]

musik7 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 24, 2018, 04:37 PM »

Quote from: MFond on September 24, 2018, 04:26 PM

Witch one would you liked to have (brand etc.)?

I'll see if I find it here in Sweden and then send it to you

/Mattias

If I could have anything, I would buy the following tape in metric. That said, I care more about the functionality than the brand.
For example, the auto-locking mechanism on this one works well, it retracts well, and the tape itself seems strong, which helps keep it extended unsupported for a further distance.

https://www.stanleytools.com/products/hand-tools/measuring-layout/leverlock-tape-measure/25-ft-leverlock-tape-measure/stht30825

Thanks,

Andrew

musik7 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 24, 2018, 04:39 PM »

Quote from: Dick Mahany on September 24, 2018, 04:23 PM

Quote from: ben_r_ on September 24, 2018, 04:07 PM
Isnt the FastCap True32 what you are looking for? (LINK)

Or the FlatBack verison: (LINK)

Or this one: (LINK)

The Fastcap True 32 and flat back tapes are excellent. I had a True 32 that wouldn't lock well enough and would creep as I used it. I sent an email to Fast Cap customer service and they immediately sent me a replacement tape and told me to keep the poorly locking one. Great customer service.

Thanks, good to know. It's always reassuring when a company goes out of their way to stand behind their products. I'll keep the FastCap ones in mind, I know I can get them here in the US.

MFond · « **Reply #8 on:** September 24, 2018, 04:45 PM »

http://www.stanleyworks.se/products/sub4/Produkter/HANDVERKTYG/Mätning+/Måttband+

...in Swedish though

MFond · « **Reply #9 on:** September 24, 2018, 04:47 PM »

...oooops...you'll have to copy the whole thing there...my mistake

RKA · « **Reply #10 on:** September 24, 2018, 04:49 PM »

Komelon makes one (you can get it on amazon in at least an 8m variation, probably more but I haven't looked). I can't tell you how good the standout is since I typically use it for 6 ft errrr...1828.8mm or less.

musik7 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 24, 2018, 05:12 PM »

Quote from: MFond on September 24, 2018, 04:45 PM

http://www.stanleyworks.se/products/sub4/Produkter/HANDVERKTYG/Mätning+/Måttband+

...in Swedish though

This one looks promising, I have the matching one in inches. I'm going to check out another possible source here in the US though, so I'll let you know what I find out.

http://www.stanleyworks.se/products/detail/Produkter/HANDVERKTYG/M%C3%A4tning+/M%C3%A5ttband+/FatMax+M%C3%A5ttband+Autolock

Thanks,

Andrew

topito · « **Reply #12 on:** September 24, 2018, 05:17 PM »

If you can get them over there, Fisco / Hultafors make excellent metric tapes with a great feel to the locking mechanism and clear metric marks both top and bottom.
http://www.fisco.co.uk/tri-lok.html
The TL3M is great when cutting ply as it has very little curve to the tape, making accurate marking easier.
The TL5M is better for general use as it has better stand off. (Still nothing like a fat Stanley tape, but much nicer to use).

hdv · « **Reply #13 on:** September 24, 2018, 05:48 PM »

I agree on the Hultafors Talmeter. I like and use them a lot without any trouble whatsoever.

See http://www.hultafors.com/hand-tools/talmeter/marking-measure-talmeter-2m3m/ for the 2 or 3 meter versions.

Their site says Big Bear Tools ships in the States: http://bigbeartools.com/

rst · « **Reply #14 on:** September 24, 2018, 06:13 PM »

I buy Hultafors tapes from Ebay, and I like Wiha folding rules, I keep their 1 meter in my carpenter pant side pocket along with two Pental mechanical pencils, a pen, and a Milwaukee marker. Always ready.

waho6o9 · « **Reply #15 on:** September 24, 2018, 06:47 PM »

Another vote for Hultafors Talmeter.

6M

clark_fork · « **Reply #16 on:** September 24, 2018, 07:05 PM »

Quote from: ben_r_ on September 24, 2018, 04:07 PM

Isnt the FastCap True32 what you are looking for? (LINK)

Or the FlatBack verison: (LINK)

Or this one: (LINK)

Readability is the key determinant. I have the Hultafors Talmeter 3M but I find I am mostly using Fastcap True 32. It has wider reading surface and easier to read fonts. It has a mostly open middle line where I can mark a dimension tic as I adapt to metric. However, it is clunky and heavy so as a job tape rather than a shop tape, it is not as stream-lined as the lighter more compact Hultafors. I would not like to carry the Fastcap all day on the job site but it is ok for shop use.

Charles959 · « **Reply #17 on:** September 24, 2018, 07:10 PM »

A review of tape measures linked from Tools of the Trade managed to overlook what for some users is the most essential feature, accuracy. One of the commenters helpfully raised the distinction between EC Class I and EC Class II tape measures. There is a useful comparison of allowable error here:

https://www.thetapestore.co.uk/knowledgebase/Articles/The_Advantages_of_a_Class_1_Tape_Measure.html

Hultaforss Fisco makes a variety of EC Class I tape measures.

thudchkr · « **Reply #18 on:** September 24, 2018, 07:26 PM »

I ended up ordering Stanley Fat Max tapes from the UK. I got both an 8M and a 5M. I also use the Fastcap True 32 a lot. It has marks on the tape at each increment of 32mm, which can be convenient.

musik7 · « **Reply #19 on:** September 25, 2018, 09:35 AM »

Quote from: thudchkr on September 24, 2018, 07:26 PM

I ended up ordering Stanley Fat Max tapes from the UK. I got both an 8M and a 5M. I also use the Fastcap True 32 a lot. It has marks on the tape at each increment of 32mm, which can be convenient.

Thanks for pointing that out, I think I'm going to buy one of the True 32 tapes. I intend to start building cabinets based on the 32mm system, so an extra mark on the tape at each 32mm interval will be very useful. Thanks to everyone that commented, a lot of good suggestions.

Cheese · « **Reply #20 on:** September 26, 2018, 10:12 AM »

Starrett has a nice selection and they probably have a better handle (a history) on maintaining tape accuracy across different production runs. I have 2 Starrett metal 12" scales. One was produced in the 50's and one was produced in the 80's and they're exactly the same.

Starrett offers imperial only, metric only and also imperial/metric tapes.

http://www.starrett.com/category/jobsite--shop-tools/tape-measures/310101#currentPage=1&displayMode=grid&itemsPerPage=24&sortBy=wp/asc

I recently ordered a few of their tape measures. Highland has them on sale and they're almost free. They're half price.

https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/starrett-exact-measuring-tape-sp01.aspx

Kodi Crescent · « **Reply #21 on:** October 03, 2018, 11:20 PM »

Another vote for the Talmeter tape. It's the only tape I've ever owned where the locking mechanism worked long term. The last time I tried to buy one, they were fairly expensive and hard to find.

gunnyr · « **Reply #22 on:** October 05, 2018, 10:53 PM »

I have carried @fastcap tapes on the job site for nearly 3 years. The last as well as any. Like @clark_fork I like the ability to write on the tape and use it like a story stick. I have several of the @fastcap tapes, I keep the True32 version on my bench and prefer to use it when working in the shop. Their Metric/Standard version has both measurements on it, useful when working in both systems for whatever reason.

I have several FastCap items and have experience great customer service from them as well.

Jim_in_PA · « **Reply #23 on:** October 06, 2018, 04:48 PM »

I use the 8m metric tape from Lee Valley.

acer66 · « **Reply #24 on:** October 25, 2020, 08:33 AM »

Old thread but I am in the market and I am torn between the true 32 and a starret KTXP106-5M-N or are there other players to consider in the US?

A bit off topic but I am also looking for a metric only combination square.

Thank you.

Jim_in_PA · « **Reply #25 on:** October 25, 2020, 10:26 AM »

Quote from: acer66 on October 25, 2020, 08:33 AM

Old thread but I am in the market and I am torn between the true 32 and a starret KTXP106-5M-N or are there other players to consider in the US?

A bit off topic but I am also looking for a metric only combination square.

Thank you.

Lee Valley carries the Starrett combo in metric, both 150mm and 300mm sizes. I actually retrofitted my existing Starrett 12" with a 300mm scale from Lee Valley.

acer66 · « **Reply #26 on:** October 26, 2020, 07:43 PM »

Quote from: Jim_in_PA on October 25, 2020, 10:26 AM

Quote from: acer66 on October 25, 2020, 08:33 AM
Old thread but I am in the market and I am torn between the true 32 and a starret KTXP106-5M-N or are there other players to consider in the US?

A bit off topic but I am also looking for a metric only combination square.

Thank you.
Lee Valley carries the Starrett combo in metric, both 150mm and 300mm sizes. I actually retrofitted my existing Starrett 12" with a 300mm scale from Lee Valley.

I was hoping for something price wise between hf and starrett but if not I have to be extra nice to my gf so santa might come through. 😉

Jim_in_PA · « **Reply #27 on:** October 27, 2020, 09:16 AM »

Quote from: acer66 on October 26, 2020, 07:43 PM

Quote from: Jim_in_PA on October 25, 2020, 10:26 AM
Quote from: acer66 on October 25, 2020, 08:33 AM
Old thread but I am in the market and I am torn between the true 32 and a starret KTXP106-5M-N or are there other players to consider in the US?

A bit off topic but I am also looking for a metric only combination square.

Thank you.

Quality is what's most important for this particular kind of tool...you can sharpen and tune a cheap hand plane, but you can't make a measuring tool more accurate if the scale is off or a square isn't square...
Lee Valley carries the Starrett combo in metric, both 150mm and 300mm sizes. I actually retrofitted my existing Starrett 12" with a 300mm scale from Lee Valley.

I was hoping for something price wise between hf and starrett but if not I have to be extra nice to my gf so santa might come through. 😉

acer66 · « **Reply #28 on:** October 28, 2020, 08:05 AM »

But I can appreciate a well made tool and will see if I can wing a starrett.
Working on my kitchen cabinets right now and decided that I am done with
fractions so I better hurry.

Cheese · « **Reply #29 on:** October 28, 2020, 11:36 AM »

Starrett makes blades for their combination squares in 150, 300 & 600 mm lengths. Those blades are available in metric only or metric + inch graduations.

For inch only graduations Starrett also makes blades in 36" & 48" lengths. ALL of these various size/type blades will fit the Starrett 12" combination square.