Stanley 033932 Powerlock Tape 5m Top Reader

Product Information

This tape measure was relatively durable, suffering only minor scuffs on the body after being dropped three times. With the magnetic tip and compact size, this tape measure is an affordable option for any DIY project. Many bargain footwear suppliers offer work boots for a fantastic price. But these are often not steel toe capped, do not have anti-fatigue soles and won’t protect your feet against liquids or extreme heat. In fact, some boots that look the part may as well be a pair of sandals if a hammer or power tool was to drop on your foot. Milwaukee Compact Magnetic Tape Measure: We liked this tape measure’s distinct markings and the way it displayed fractions using increasing length marks. It also has a magnetic tip that can easily attach to steel studs. However, the blade on this Milwaukee tape measure is quite narrow, which could affect how durable it is over time. Wide and Accurate Blade: The GATORTAPE measuring tape features a wide 1” / 25mm blade, ensuring exceptional accuracy for your measurements. The large, easy-to-read numbers displayed through the top viewing window enhance precision. With a standout length of approximately 2.4m, this retractable tape measure guarantees reliable results. After our drop test, the tape measure had no visible damage, and the tape functioned the same after each drop.

Having tools with excellent durability is extremely important. Not only will it mean you will not have to spend out on replacement tools when they break prematurely, but because tougher tools will do a better job. Sometimes cheaper ones can appear to work great until wear and damage suddenly make them unusable, and you are left unable to complete your task. This will lead to an extended work period as you will have to go out and buy a replacement. If you use that tool as part of your profession, it could mean the difference between hitting your deadline or not. No matter what kind of job you have or how you’re using the equipment, make sure your tools can stand up to the task in the first place. Do not use electric tools in wet conditions unless they are approved for that use. If you must work in wet conditions, always ensure you have good balance and are unlikely to slip. Overall, the DeWalt is a good buy for frequent use because it’s so easy to read—but for occasional DIYers, it might feel like overkill due to its heavy-duty design. Our testers did find that the belt clip required a little effort to use and was stiff to slide over a belt one-handed. However, we recommend the Milwaukee Compact because of its modest price, portability, and comfort. Craftsman Pro Reach Tape Measure: This Craftsman tape measure performed well in our tests, has a decent standout length (11 inches), and is compact enough to fit in any standard tool belt pouch. However, we encountered issues when it came to its recoil—it didn’t always retract smoothly.Testers said the magnetic tip held firmly to a steel stud for nearly 14 feet, making it easy to measure across long distances. However, its standout measurement was only 9 feet and 3 inches during testing, falling short of the 12-foot standout it claims.

The nylon-coated blade extends the durability of the tape measure and reduces glare. During testing, the blade had a smooth recoil that was effortless to control. However, when it was fully extended, it stopped in the middle and needed to be restarted to finish retracting. Most commonly, tape measures have numerals for inches and feet, and small lines to indicate fractions of inches. There are some, however, including the Milwaukee Compact Tape Measure, that actually indicate the fractions with numerals rather than lines, which can be much easier to read. He adds, "For most people, a 25-foot option is great because it’s easy to store and long enough to handle most measuring tasks around the house. But if your space is small, a 16-foot tape measure is sufficient for most projects you’d need it for.” You may have to pay more than the cheaper or disposable options on the market, but you will be thankful if a near miss or accident occurs and it was your PPE that reduced or avoided the injury. Work Boots A 16ft tape measure, for example, will have sixteen one-foot marks along its length and 192 one-inch marks (12 inches per foot). Each inch will then have eight 1/8th of an inch and sixteen 1/16th of an inch marks.

How to Measure for Curtains

The window isn't actually upside down - it's designed to be that way. When taking left to right measurements you don't need to use the window as you read the measurements directly off the blade. When taking right to left measurements you use the window, at which point the window is the right way up. Cheaper brands, such as those you would find in high street bargain stores, will have been mass-produced with lower grade materials which allow the low price tag. Though that may sound good for your bank account, you will soon discover you have a tape measure that slices your fingers, screwdrivers that don’t fit in the cross slot of a screw and a hammer grip that is slipping from the handle. To come up with this list, we acquired 34 tape measures and tested them in our Lab. Whenever possible, we tested the 16- and 25-foot versions of each tape measure. Since accuracy is of utmost importance in a measuring tape, we took both inside and outside measurements in four different increments ranging from 4 to 24 inches. We took note of how easy it was to read each measurement and considered how comfortable it was to use the tape measure with one hand. Even though it has fewer features than some other tape measures, this one from Milwaukee is still a solid option for most home renovators who don’t want to splurge. It has an average standout of 8 feet, 9 inches, which isn’t anything exceptional, but we think it’s enough for most uses around the house. The 1/8-inch markings are clear and not too cluttered, which helps ensure accuracy while reading the measurements.

Introducing the GATORTAPE Retractable Measuring Tape - a revolutionary tool designed to make your measurements more accurate, ergonomic, and hassle-free. Whether you're a professional tradesperson or a DIY enthusiast, the GATORTAPE is your go-to tape measure for all your measuring needs. Here's why it stands out:During testing, it had an impressive standout of more than 13 feet, meaning it extended 13 feet from the case before drooping or bending. After dropping it on concrete in our testing lab, our testers found it didn’t have any visible damage. The brand also claims the tape measure can survive up to an 80-foot drop. The standout of a tape measure is how far the blade will stretch without bending or collapsing, explains Jantz. For long distances or for measuring high ceilings, it’s always beneficial to use a tape measure that has extended reach. A long standout is also good if you are working solo: “It allows one person to measure longer distances without having to have a second person available to hold the other end of the tape measure,” says Jantz. Units of Measurement A tape measure’s standout should be at least 7 to 8 feet, but further is even better. However, standouts can be impacted by the angle at which you hold the tape measure. “Even the best tape measure, if you’re at an awkward angle, it will still kind of bend,” Guerrero says. Although tape measures are incredibly useful, you won't ever be able to get 100 percent accuracy when using one. However, for most DIY and construction projects, taking the time to measure precisely should get you results that are accurate enough. When working at heights, never leave tools lying out in the areas where they could present a hazard to the people below.