Which tape measure?!!

[Co1]

I need a new tape. I’ve got an 8m Milwaukee tape and love the magnetic tip, but the recoil is garbage. Any recommendations?

Cheers
Col

 

[Ross Buchanan]

I like the fatmax autolock tapes. Durable, easy to read in poor light, with good stand-out, and excellent rewind.
BUT, the autolock brake becomes less effective after a year or so, and loses its fight against the rewind spring.
I buy a couple when there's a stanley promo at toolstation, and accept the fact that they don't last a lifetime- I have to have a tape I can read easily, and its a £20 consumable

 

[Ollie78]

Shinwa fit gear kiwadashi, is my new favourite. Printed both sides metric only, good quality, easy to read, nice hook. No magnet which I personally prefer, you can use any tiny rare earth magnet though.
I used to love the Vice Versa ones but they changed the hook to a great big monstrosity and I dont like them now.

 

[Doug71]

Hultafors Bit T for me, I've used them for years, I love the quick release clip and would be lost without it.

https://www.dm-tools.co.uk/Hultafors-BT5ME-Big-T-Pocket-Tape-5m-16ft-Width-19mm/P23821

 

[Spectric]

What ever one you choose make sure you have a good collection so you can have them in several places otherwise you spend so much time hunting around for it if you only have one or two.

 

[Thedog]

Yeah, that's so true. I have about 4 and never see any of them together. Lucky if I find one. Only happens to measures. Its a complete mystery how they move around by themselves

 

[maitland.selwyn]

Another vote for the Hultafors.

 

[gfisher]

My favourite is the Vice Versa from Axminster, being a slightly left-handed person that use a tape in odd orientations, it gives me a clear number

Its also the first tape measure were the 'loose end bit' made sense for super accurate measurements depending on how I had latched it. I always find it amazing when I learn something, as reminds me how little I know!

 

[Phil Pascoe]

The vice versa from Advent is excellent as well.

 

[Matthew Woodworks]

Lufkin for me 5m max - 8m jobs are for bish bash bosh builders

 

[Sideways]

Komelon from S Korea for me. Pretty widely available over here these days. A big range including hi vis coatings, metric or combi scales, front and back printed, magnetic tips, long standout models...
Axminster had them badge some for them at one point.
Magnetic tips are great for measuring clearance under girders. Just aim them upwards, let the tip stick and the tape unroll to the ground....
I think I'm up to about 8 ...

 

[Etaf]

i have a few tape measures , couple of Milwaukee and 3 stanley - then a few others aroubd
BUT the one i always tend to go for is the Vice versa , i think i got ine from toolstation, cant see it on there now
But amazon and a lot of tool stores have them

Its much easier measure anyway the tape measure is - i have found it difficult on some measurements to get accurate reading , thisis much easier

 

[bbtex]

The vice versa from Advent is excellent as well.

+1 for the Advent.
Received one as a Christmas present, I like it very much.

 

[Fitzroy]

Yeah, that's so true. I have about 4 and never see any of them together. Lucky if I find one. Only happens to measures. Its a complete mystery how they move around by themselves

they are playing hide and seek with the pencils, in my workshop the pencils have the lead at the moment.

 

[JSW]

Pencils don't have lead