Big honkin tapes

[gfrank]

Seriously who uses these things? A landscape guy? Definately not a real Carpenter. Everytime I go the store there is a newer bigger fatter tape that takes a trailer to haul around and has a hook on the end of it the size of a ford bumper. Wahtever happened to sticking to what actually worked? I usually use the 25 ft stanley tapes that are chrome and seem to have gone out of style with all the new cool guys. By the way they dont stand out fifteen feet, but they are usually ten bucks or less and are just as accurate as they were when they just came out.

[frenchie]

Re: Big honkin tapes

I confess - I own the "extreme" one, fattest one out there, with the extra-huge hook. If you work alone, it can save a lot of walking & climbing & wasted moving around. Of course it's heavy, and the lock is too stiff to be useful. So I also have a lightweight lever-lock. They get about equal use.

[Alaskan Son]

Re: Big honkin tapes

I use the Fat Max almost exclusively except for drywall hanging. The newer ones are getting a little out of hand though. It won't be long till the make a super ultimate extreme big fat fatty with a 30ft. standout...

A roll of coil-stock with a a piece of angle iron on the end.

[Lanya LaPunta]

Re: Big honkin tapes

I use the Fat Max almost exclusively except for drywall hanging. The newer ones are getting a little out of hand though. It won't be long till the make a super ultimate extreme big fat fatty with a 30ft. standout...

A roll of coil-stock with a a piece of angle iron on the end.

Typically, I peruse forums looking for just a little bit of sunshine ... a chuckle, or something that brings a smile to my face.

This post brought about a rare bit of laughter.

Great one.

Thanks, Michael!

[Lavrans]

Re: Big honkin tapes

I confess - I own the "extreme" one, fattest one out there, with the extra-huge hook. If you work alone, it can save a lot of walking & climbing & wasted moving around. Of course it's heavy, and the lock is too stiff to be useful. So I also have a lightweight lever-lock. They get about equal use.

Funny. I picked up a Hilti PD40, and mostly just use a 16' tape measure.
That little laser box has saved many, many hours of fumbling, especially while working alone. And having to measure things more than 15'...

[David Meiland]

Re: Big honkin tapes

I have several of the 35' fat max tapes and those are the ones I like and use the most. I still have a couple of the older chrome stanleys and they are anemic by comparison, at least once you get used to extending the fat max.

[dgrotenhuis]

Re: Big honkin tapes

I've used the FatMax for years - 35' for layout and framing, 25' for trim and all-around. I take them in to my local Menards when they go bad and they are replaced for free. Haven't paid for a new one in a long time.

[Hoover]

Re: Big honkin tapes

Funny. I picked up a Hilti PD40, and mostly just use a 16' tape measure.
That little laser box has saved many, many hours of fumbling, especially while working alone. And having to measure things more than 15'...

They are small and extremely accurate. More accurate than any tape would be and so quick.

[Alaskan Son]

Re: Big honkin tapes

Typically, I peruse forums looking for just a little bit of sunshine ... a chuckle, or something that brings a smile to my face.

This post brought about a rare bit of laughter.

Great one.

Thanks, Michael!

You betcha:)

[Dick Seibert]

Re: Big honkin tapes

Funny. I picked up a Hilti PD40, and mostly just use a 16' tape measure.
That little laser box has saved many, many hours of fumbling, especially while working alone. And having to measure things more than 15'...

Lavrans:

Because of your post I bought the Hilti PD40 today, I had to go into Hilti today to give them Hell because they have never come out to certify my men on their DX 460-MX, I figured what the Hell, I've got a ton of things to measure and order; see, you kids can teach us old men some things after-all.

[glazier]

Re: Big honkin tapes

traditional style stanley 35'er is my go to tape for most things. I occasionally use a 40' fat max when I need that standoff capability and a 40' husky with a magnetic tip witch comes in handy for metal stud framed openings. the fat max and the husky have hooks which are too big, they tend to get stuck in the glass pocket when measuring glass sizes in aluminum storefront or curtainwall. I also have a hilti PD4 and an older model stabila range meter, both of which are excellent tools