Metric tape measures

[Jonathan Jung]

What do you all use for shop-use metric tape measures? I've tried many tape measures, but can't find a 3m or 3.5m that holds up. For $20 I've got a Stanley Powerlock Classic 3m on the way. Will see how it does. On a kitchen cabinet job a metric tape gets pulled maybe 1000x. Fastcap tapes don't last long at all, Starret tapes are a joke, USA-made TAP Plastics tapes read <.5mm off. Since my favorite imperial tapes are Stanley Powerlock classics, I thought I'd pay the absurd price for the metric guy. I like 3-3.5m or 12' for shop work, it's just the right size. Shame Stanley doesn't sell the 3m or 3.5m in the US.

[John K Jordan]

A quick look on Amazon shows a small 3m (dual scale) Stanley.
https://smile.amazon.com/Stanley-6992705-Pocket-Length-12-7mm/dp/B0009VX1ZQ I didn’t read the reviews. I have some dual scale measuring tapes but I don’t remember how long they are.


What do you all use for shop-use metric tape measures? I've tried many tape measures, but can't find a 3m or 3.5m that holds up. For $20 I've got a Stanley Powerlock Classic 3m on the way. Will see how it does. On a kitchen cabinet job a metric tape gets pulled maybe 1000x. Fastcap tapes don't last long at all, Starret tapes are a joke, USA-made TAP Plastics tapes read <.5mm off. Since my favorite imperial tapes are Stanley Powerlock classics, I thought I'd pay the absurd price for the metric guy. I like 3-3.5m or 12' for shop work, it's just the right size. Shame Stanley doesn't sell the 3m or 3.5m in the US.

[Brian Holcombe]

I don’t use metric really but I’m certain the manufacturers I like make metric tapes. Tajima is my current favorite for sturdy tapes and for a more delicate lightweight tape I use BMI.

[Clint Baxter]

Plus one on Tajima. I used to use Stanley Fat Max’s, (purchased from the UK), but have switched to the Tajima line since getting them.

Clint

[Derek Cohen]

I like these ...

https://i.postimg.cc/bvm2bh62/Tape2.jpg

Also 3m BMI and Festool (made by BMI) ...

https://i.postimg.cc/kXncBCKg/Tape1a-zpsiyexqh2h.jpg

Or, go for one in pewter (made by Carol Boyse) ...

https://i.postimg.cc/RF2Pdhh2/Carroll-Boyes.jpg

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Jim Becker]

I currently have one from Lee Valley (I mostly work in metric in the shop) for when my steel rules are not long enough. I've had zero issues with the Lee Valley unit.

[Bill Dufour]

I asked and Harbor Freight where everything is made outside the only Inch country in the world has no metric measuring tapes. Most of their metal measuring scales have metric and English ,but no tapes at all.
I like Starrett tapes, not expensive.
Bill D

[Frank Pratt]

I've had a couple from Lee Valley for a few years and both are very good. One has a white flat surface for jotting down measurements (I wish all tapes had that) and a rubber covering. The only thing I don't like is that it's half metric, half imperial. I'm just not a half & half guy. The other is all metric, but no rubber, so it might not survive as hard a drop.

[Frank Pratt]

Or, go for one in pewter (made by Carol Boyse) ...

https://i.postimg.cc/RF2Pdhh2/Carroll-Boyes.jpg

Regards from Perth

Derek

That one makes me smile.

[Alan Heffernan]

I have a few but my favorite by far is this one. It gets a lot of use on my CNC Router work.

[Charles Lent]

I have several combination English/Metric tapes by Stanley, and one by Klein Tools (I think rebranded Stanley) that I have had for years with no problems at all, other than loosing them occasionally, to be found much later. All are working fine and many are 10 or more years old.

Charley

[roger wiegand]

Very happy with the Tajima metric tapes. Expensive but accurate and easy to read,and are holding up very well for me

[Rod Sheridan]

I currently have one from Lee Valley (I mostly work in metric in the shop) for when my steel rules are not long enough. I've had zero issues with the Lee Valley unit.

I have a couple of Lee Valley tapes and a couple of Felder tapes, both are good….Regards, Rod

[Ralph Okonieski]

I bought a certified one similar to Derek’s recommendation and am very happy with it. It has held up well so far.

https://www.mcmaster.com/tape-measures/system-of-measurement~metric/certified-tape-measures/

[Keith Pitman]

I asked and Harbor Freight where eveything is made outside the only Inch country in the world has no metric measuring tapes. Most of their metal measuring scales have metric and English ,but no tapes at all.
I like Starrett tapes, not expensive.
Bill D


My recollection is that Liberia also uses the imperial system.

[Derek Cohen]

I bought a certified one similar to Derek’s recommendation and am very happy with it. It has held up well so far.

https://www.mcmaster.com/tape-measures/system-of-measurement~metric/certified-tape-measures/

It needs to be explained WHY this Starrett tape measure is preferred by myself and Ralph. I will mention that one I showed is NOS. I had to hunt around for this particular model (and bought two). They appear out of production, and so the one that Ralph links to is gratefully acknowledged.

The obvious point is that the tape is accurate, and that the metal tab has remained reliable. No tape, no matter how good, is worth anything if it is not accurate to begin, and then cannot hold this over time.

But this particular model has an adjustment and lock mechanism which I particularly like. It is smooth and effortless compared with all others. It is ergonomic - the button is in an ideal position. It takes little force to engage.

Of the other two I showed, the 3m BMI has a flat blade, and may be used as a ruler (there is also a 2m version). The Festool (by BMI) is just a compact 3m tape measure, which is accurate and adjusts smoothly, and will fit in a pocket.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Greg Quenneville]

I like the small Hultafors tape that Alan posted. The body has a scribe for making quick and easy knife marks. It also has the retractable inside measuring device that eliminates guesswork.

For construction work I use Stanley Fat Max 10m tapes but I am always looking for something better.

[Mike King]

And Myanmar.

[Alan Lightstone]

I use the Fastcap Flatback metric reverse one. Really like the flatback tape measures. Never had issues with them not lasting.

[ChrisA Edwards]

I'll second the Fastcap Flatback. When I made my switch from Imperial to Metric, I bought a couple of this brand, one a regular type tape and the other the Flatback, both Metric.

The Flatback is used for most of my measuring when I can lay the tape on the wood.

They've been my go to for several years now, no sign of wear, and my projects seem to fix together pretty good.

[Jim Becker]

I actually just ordered the Fastcap dual scale tape which will be very convenient to have. Although I've converted most of my work to metric in practice, the dual scale on measuring tools is helpful as my mine is still in transition to "relative" parity between metric and inches. Easy in short dimensions, but still simmering on longer ones. I had plenty of Amazon points, so it was "free". :)

[Andrew Pitonyak]

I'll second the Fastcap Flatback. When I made my switch from Imperial to Metric, I bought a couple of this brand, one a regular type tape and the other the Flatback, both Metric.

The Flatback is used for most of my measuring when I can lay the tape on the wood.

They've been my go to for several years now, no sign of wear, and my projects seem to fix together pretty good.

I will third the FastCap tape measures. I own many of them.

They have both the standard and the flatback as well as different lengths.

For example, this is a Flatback for under $14
https://www.amazon.com/PMMR-FLAT16-Flatback-ProCarpenter-measuring-graduations/dp/B000GFJ4K6

This is a good place to start. Oh, and most of mine are not the Flatback but I own both. You can also order directly from their web site:

https://www.fastcap.com/product/procarpenter-tape-measure

I bought most of mine from WoodCraft where I could handle them and choose what I wanted.