Best tape measure

U

User Name

Senior Member
Location
USA
Occupation
Electrician
Hey guys, I know not really an electrical topic, but as electricians, we use tape measures daily, hourly, maybe ever few minutes. For years I haven't found the right tape measure. I'm curious what all you guys swear by?

I got to have a magnet on it, I've burned through some many Kleins it's crazy. The magnets always break and get stuck somewhere. Milwaukee are good otherwise, but the magnets are usually weak compared to the rest. I tried Rack-a-tiers and after they warrantied the first 1 after like 3 uses the next ones magnets fell off after after a few months. Newest I picked up dewalts new magnet tape, magnets good, the tape is wimpy as hell.

I swear I'd pay $100 or more for a tape measure that would last.
 
electrofelon said:
I really haven't found Anything that beats the fat max. For me it's all about stiffness and long Standout. they don't have a magnet.
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I’ve been using the Milwaukee magnetic wide blade for a few years now, I’ve found the standout is just as good as fat max , but I feel the magnet is stronger than the fat max magnet and holds up better as well
Up until maybe 2.5-3 years ago all I used was fat max magnetic
 
I didn't know the Fat Max had a magnetic now, I'll definetly give that a try, I know those are good tapes. Milwaukees definetly seemed to last the longest of the ones I've tried, but maybe their magnet is better now and I should try them again too.
 
User Name said:
I didn't know the Fat Max had a magnetic now, I'll definetly give that a try, I know those are good tapes. Milwaukees definetly seemed to last the longest of the ones I've tried, but maybe their magnet is better now and I should try them again too.
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Fatmax has been available with a magnet for quite a while , unless I’m mistaken they’ve had magnetic option for at least 6-7 years , and I’ve never had a issue with the Milwaukee wide blade magnets , I tried the magnetic Milwaukee stud once and lost the magnet within a week , but not the wide blade magnets, I could be lucky idk , but I tend to abuse my tapes and they usually split /snap before there’s any problem with the magnet
 

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electrofelon said:
I didn't either. Is this an option or do they all have it? I guess I haven't bought one in a few years but I'm about due to replace my 16-footer
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It’s looking like the 25’ and 8m/26’ versions are the only magnetic options I was not aware of that but makes sense because only fatmax I’ve ever purchased was a 25’
But like I said I’ve since switched to Milwaukee wide blade and my everyday carry tape is a wide blade 16’ magnetic but I have 25’, and 25’ magnetic in the truck
 
Jaybone812 said:
Fatmax has been available with a magnet for quite a while , unless I’m mistaken they’ve had magnetic option for at least 6-7 years , and I’ve never had a issue with the Milwaukee wide blade magnets , I tried the magnetic Milwaukee stud once and lost the magnet within a week , but not the wide blade magnets, I could be lucky idk , but I tend to abuse my tapes and they usually split /snap before there’s any problem with the magnet
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Kinda glad I asked now, seemed like a silly idea but this latest dewalt tape rubs me the wrong way, and I'm a HUGE dewalt guy.

I didn't know milwaukee had two different mag tapes, I've always got the "stud" tape. Going to get both the Stanley and the Milwaukee wide blade both for sure.
 
User Name said:
Kinda glad I asked now, seemed like a silly idea but this latest dewalt tape rubs me the wrong way, and I'm a HUGE dewalt guy.

I didn't know milwaukee had two different mag tapes, I've always got the "stud" tape. Going to get both the Stanley and the Milwaukee wide blade both for sure.
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Yea I’m not a fan of the stud, one it’s just too bulky and like I said I haven’t had good luck with the magnet ,if you’re looking for a 25’ here’s the link for the Milwaukee one you want 1 5/16” wide 17’ standout
Your friend has shared a link to a Home Depot product they think you would be interested in seeing.



www.homedepot.com

Milwaukee 25 ft. x 1-5/16 in. Wide Blade Magnetic Tape Measure with 17 ft. Reach 48-22-0225M - The Home Depot

Make easy measurements and visible marks on any surface by using this extra ordinary Milwaukee Blade Premium Magnetic Tape Measure with Standout.
www.homedepot.com
 
Strathead said:
Not really, they are always there. I usually have a clump of Duct seal stuck to my tape measure that I can use to get the shavings off of nut drivers, but hard to pull it off to lean the tape measure end.
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Idk I’ve never found it to be a issue and I do quite a bit of commercial as well and metal shavings are everywhere from drilling the steel, not saying it’s pleasant to have to do have to do it , but I’d rather have to constantly wipe off the end then not have the magnet
 
Jaybone812 said:
Idk I’ve never found it to be a issue and I do quite a bit of commercial as well and metal shavings are everywhere from drilling the steel, not saying it’s pleasant to have to do have to do it , but I’d rather have to constantly wipe off the end then not have the magnet
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At this point if I had to give up the magnet I'd probably quit 😆.
 
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