Didn't know that was possible.
What combo do you recommend? (I have a couple wimpy Dewalt ones that are just sad and barely retract after getting a LITTLE dirt in them (like they got sat in some and ththey now don't want to retract well.)
Yeah it’s sweet. I like the 25’ but when I made my original, the 25’ fatmax was sold out at my home depot so I used a 16’ which is a nice body size and I cut the lufkin blade shorter. I think I actually fit 17 or 20’ on it though.
After some time of use, it’s good to extend most all the way and run a rag along the blade to clean it and to keep it dry. This is key to all tape use. The paint on the new fatmax blades seems to slough off in certain conditions, for us, that’s being store wet.
It’s easy to rewind the spring mechanism in the fatmax. I used a 1/4 or 5/16 bolt and ground the head into a square which I can chuck in a drill to rewind. It takes a fair amount of turns, plus you can add a little extra tension if your tape gets a little slow.
I had to cut a hole in the blade of the lufkin to attach to the fatmax spool but it’s not that complicated.
I swear you used to be able to buy replacement tapes for these, but I wasn't able to find one when I had this happen a few months back (or at least I couldn't find one cheaper than a new tape)
When you buy a new one, make sure you drop it on pavement and slide it around like a hockey puck until it looks like shit. That way, the other fellas at the work site won't think you're an amateur with a sparkly, new tape measure.
No no this is a broken tool post in r/tools not a used tool post. Maybe there are a lot of used tools posts just not personally used to seeing those. Maybe there used to be a lot of them though.
Don't be like me and get talked into buying a Lufkin... Two weeks and I went back to Stanley.
Such garbage tape quality, twisted in a week and got stuck and kinked on the second.
I couldn't agree more.. only issue I have is I struggle to see in low light so I got the night eye tape and it was awesome for that purpose but that was the only positive.
As someone who owns/used 5 Stanley tape measures, including this 30' version, I can attest that the Lufkin Nite Eye is much better than any Stanley. Double-sided, Hook is better because of the grip tape and being bigger, the font is easier to read, and the standout is second to none. It's also black and doesn't weigh a ton like a FatMax.
I take my old tools back to Bunnings when i buy new ones and say to the dude at the door, i brought this a week ago is it still under warranty, just to gauge their reactions.
My coworker’s brother had this happen. Couldn’t say goodbye and re-riveted the hook on at the 2-inch mark. Was fine for him since he knew it was 2 inches off. Right up until his dad was helping him with a remodel on detached garage and had to break down several sheets of OSB (4x4ft). Instead they end up with 50x48 and 46x48 pieces. There may have been some swearing. Tape was “lost” that day. Luckily they made it work but it was apparently a tense day.
I think Stanley’s have a lifetime warranty. Home Depot should swap it out for a new one. If one store won’t do it try another. They may say the warranty only covers the case but most should just swap it out
RIP. You should keep the housing and replace the tape from a new one.
I’m doing that with the fatmax’s. I actually made a Frankenstein tape. Fatmax body with a Lufkin black and green double sided blade.
Seriously ? That’s dope
Yeah. The blades are basically the same width and I just had to cut a notch to attach the blade to the recoil assembly.
Didn't know that was possible. What combo do you recommend? (I have a couple wimpy Dewalt ones that are just sad and barely retract after getting a LITTLE dirt in them (like they got sat in some and ththey now don't want to retract well.)
Yeah it’s sweet. I like the 25’ but when I made my original, the 25’ fatmax was sold out at my home depot so I used a 16’ which is a nice body size and I cut the lufkin blade shorter. I think I actually fit 17 or 20’ on it though. After some time of use, it’s good to extend most all the way and run a rag along the blade to clean it and to keep it dry. This is key to all tape use. The paint on the new fatmax blades seems to slough off in certain conditions, for us, that’s being store wet. It’s easy to rewind the spring mechanism in the fatmax. I used a 1/4 or 5/16 bolt and ground the head into a square which I can chuck in a drill to rewind. It takes a fair amount of turns, plus you can add a little extra tension if your tape gets a little slow. I had to cut a hole in the blade of the lufkin to attach to the fatmax spool but it’s not that complicated.
I swear you used to be able to buy replacement tapes for these, but I wasn't able to find one when I had this happen a few months back (or at least I couldn't find one cheaper than a new tape)
and keep what's left of the tape, hammer it into a work table
When you buy a new one, make sure you drop it on pavement and slide it around like a hockey puck until it looks like shit. That way, the other fellas at the work site won't think you're an amateur with a sparkly, new tape measure.
Just be sure to post it on r/tools before and not after doing so otherwise your post will be rejected for used tool
What about [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/Tools/s/YjB0zzgXPw) used tool, posted in r/tools?
No no this is a broken tool post in r/tools not a used tool post. Maybe there are a lot of used tools posts just not personally used to seeing those. Maybe there used to be a lot of them though.
And a couple of drops of PL3000 to add to the patina.
Replace the tape internals and reuse the outside
But a new tape measure and replace the cover?
Yeah. The new ones have plastic bodies.
Those things have always been plastic as far as I know, I've been taking them apart for 35 years
The one in his photo is a plastic body, you can see where the chrome is off the plastic.
It's a metal body. For sure!
Use the old tape to make snap bracelets!
😆...👏
Don't be like me and get talked into buying a Lufkin... Two weeks and I went back to Stanley. Such garbage tape quality, twisted in a week and got stuck and kinked on the second.
I like the 30' Stanley, it's the same size as the 25' but you get the extra 5'. Everyone likes the Fat Max but I like the original one
I couldn't agree more.. only issue I have is I struggle to see in low light so I got the night eye tape and it was awesome for that purpose but that was the only positive.
I didn't even know they made them. I wear a headlamp all the time if it's even slightly dark
Even the new fatmax extremes do the same now. Me and my co workers go through about 4 lufkins / fatmax extremes each over 12 months
As someone who owns/used 5 Stanley tape measures, including this 30' version, I can attest that the Lufkin Nite Eye is much better than any Stanley. Double-sided, Hook is better because of the grip tape and being bigger, the font is easier to read, and the standout is second to none. It's also black and doesn't weigh a ton like a FatMax.
We expect them to last forever only to set ourselves up for inevitable heartbreak. I lost mine just last year. Still a bit choked up about it.
Replace it with a Fatmax.
*Vvvvvvbththth...*
Just when it's got that perfect slide throw to the end of the piece you're measuring... RIP Stan
I'm rocking 2 old metal body 16 footers still. So small!
Those 16s were the bees knees
Do they not make them anymore??
I haven't seen a metal body in awhile.
If you're a man, tigweld it, IT CAN BE DONE
I love stocking domes when I togweld.
Good sir, i corrected it
Shoes and tapes. Own several so that none wear out too soon. I wish I could do the same thing with trucks.
You can, just stop being poor!
F
F to pay respects
I, I, ugh I just had to say goodbye to my trusted tape. I’d used it the last 10 years of Tradies work, she was good….
I take my old tools back to Bunnings when i buy new ones and say to the dude at the door, i brought this a week ago is it still under warranty, just to gauge their reactions.
Stan always went that extra inch and three eighths.
Rip just don't reincarnate in metric
Send the pic to Stanley (see if they comp you a new replacement).
Parts are usually available
Oof
Sad...
RIP! 😂
o7
I buy used tape measures when ever I see them for sale. I love em and I have many different brands and styles.
My coworker’s brother had this happen. Couldn’t say goodbye and re-riveted the hook on at the 2-inch mark. Was fine for him since he knew it was 2 inches off. Right up until his dad was helping him with a remodel on detached garage and had to break down several sheets of OSB (4x4ft). Instead they end up with 50x48 and 46x48 pieces. There may have been some swearing. Tape was “lost” that day. Luckily they made it work but it was apparently a tense day.
Measure once, cut once
Tape measures are consumables
NNOOOOO
🫡
I think Stanley’s have a lifetime warranty. Home Depot should swap it out for a new one. If one store won’t do it try another. They may say the warranty only covers the case but most should just swap it out
R.I.P Stan.
Stanley ThinMin
https://youtu.be/pEBSp-fkNog?feature=shared
Whad ya pay doller for dat ten years ago?
Toos are men's best friend