Tape Measure

The absolute very first tool that every tradesman needs is a great tape measure.  If you only show up with one tool—let it be a high quality tape.

Don’t waste your money with a tape that is less than 25′. If you are a carpenter, especially an exterior carpenter, get a 30′. Occasionally I see managers carrying 12′ tapes. I don’t know—it seems goofy to me. At least 50% of everything that needs measuring is greater than 12′.

My personal favorite for years has always been the Stanley Fat Max. It operates smooth and has great staying power.

Recently I stood in Home Depot and did a quick experiment and I think the record for staying power has to go to the Dewalt.  What I did was see how far I could reach the tape before it “broke”.  For my study I used 25′ tapes. The Milwaukee went a mere 111″. The FatMax went 130″. Most impressive was the Dewalt that was able to reach a full 154″ before it fell to the floor.

I put the Irwin in my suggestions because Irwin has been pretty innovative in their hand tools as of late. I didn’t see it on the shelf at Depot, but someday hope to be able to check it out.