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CatDaddy
USA
310 Posts |
 Posted - 03/09/2003 : 10:44:39
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| Your tape measure is probably the single most important tool in this trade and everyone has their own personal choice when it comes to purchasing one. I know alot of you big budget - toys hounds use the Distos for measuring. No doubt they are the best but $400 doesn't fit into everyone's budget. Stanley is the predominant brand when it comes to tape measures. I believe everyone should carry a 35 footer. I see so many with 25's and you find alot of rafter lengths longer than that. What do you carry as your primary and why? |
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CCarr
Canada
1200 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2003 : 10:52:31
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| Lannie, I voted for the 100 ft tape, I use it for almost all exterior work; it's a fiberglas roll up, so it withstands the rain and snow abuses longer and better. I use my 25ft Stanley for interior work. |
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KileAnderson
USA
875 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2003 : 11:44:23
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| I keep the 100 footer in the truck to use when measuring fence lines and such, but I find that big bugger a little hard to clip to the belt and I prefer to have as little as possible in my hands when climbing a ladder so I use the Fat Max 35' most of the time. I have to buy a new one it seems every now and then. I think I went through 2 last year. I tried to take one apart and clean it, but I found it was just alot easier to buy a new one. |
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CatDaddy
USA
310 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2003 : 12:43:34
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| I have a 100 tape also. I use it for fences and barns sometimes. A couple years ago though, I purchased a rolling tape that I use for elevations, fences, and on laminated roofs. I can take that rolling tape on a roof and knock in out in as long as it takes me to walk it. I have a 35 foot FatMax. It doesnt retract as quickly as my old 35 foot Stanley but it is the best for measuring elevation heights and gable heights. Walmart has a generic 35 foot "FatMax type" that is $9.99. It roles up quicker than the Stanley. Its my backup and for the price, you cant beat it. |
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CatDaddy
USA
310 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2003 : 16:06:51
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| Come on.....I know you 25 footers are out there. Cast your vote! |
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Slew
25 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2003 : 16:52:03
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| 30 ft craftsman. After tearing up a couple stanleys I like being able to bust my Craftsman and get another one no questions asked. Also carry a 100' tape... |
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katadj
USA
315 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2003 : 17:53:28
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OK, I have 6, 25' Tapes that break every week, but i did have a gross to start.
Now I use the 35' PRO model Fatmax, guaranteed for life, if it breaks they give you a new one.
Outside, I prefer to use a 100' self rewinging Loggers tape, with a breakaway clip, so it never falls off, and you dont have to roll it up.
Then there is the big wheeled roll-a-tape for long fences runs,
AND, last but far from least, I have 2 distos, they are indispensible and I use them 90% of the time. One is for inside, small and compact, the other with a telescopic sight is used outside.
Can we vote more than once?
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CatDaddy
USA
310 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2003 : 22:12:26
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Katadj - vote as many times as it will let cha.
You have two Distos? Now Linda is going to have to buy another one to keep up with you. I think she has a Disto fetis. |
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tomgriffin56
USA
88 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2003 : 23:28:28
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| I have a Disto w/telescopic sight, 100 ft fiberglass, several FatMax 35' and a couple of FatMax 30' scattered around just in case. |
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katadj
USA
315 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2003 : 09:07:07
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Wait till Chuck enters, he has 3 distos. And more ways to measure than an astronaut.
Anyone ever use a water level? How about a helieum baloon? A protomiter?
Every situation may require some odd ball or different way of calculating, we just have to know how to do it.
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CatDaddy
USA
310 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2003 : 18:59:53
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| I had lunch with two of my independent buddies today and one brought his new Disto 5. That thang is awesome! $475 is kinda rich for my blood but I'll tell ya, I can see where that thing would come in REEEAAAL handy! |
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katadj
USA
315 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2003 : 23:19:22
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For an IA, the Disto is quite likely, one of the 3 most important tools.
They being IMHO, the Delorme mapping sytem, The Digital Camera and the Disto Laser.
Each of these items save a minimum of 1 hr per work day. Now if you wish to look at the big picture, that equals a minimum of 2 additional files per day or 14 per week. Even at the low end of 100-150 per file, (our cut) that is $1,750.00 additional income per week.
SO, if you can pay for all three in one week, then the rest of the time is additional income without expense, just a simple KISS principle.
Todays pricing is quite a bit less than what was paid: A sample of todays pricing,
Disto =$475.00
DeLorme=$150.00
Camera= $900.00
Using the DeLorme since 1995, A digital Camera since 1997, and the Disto Laser since 1999, I will never give any of them up...............
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Veee
USA
3 Posts |
Posted - 04/30/2003 : 19:15:59
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| I like the Craftsman. I love the ease of replacing it for free when it breaks. I think I've gone thru maybe 15 or so in the last 12 years in the business. The wider ones are much better, but are not as comfortable in my hand. |
Talley Construction Co. |
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ChuckDeaton
USA
373 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2003 : 07:13:55
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I carry two Distos, the top of the line with a sight and the little red one, Thanks Linda, a 35' Fat Max on a magnetic clip, and a 100' self rewind loggers tape with a release nail. For small stuff I carry a micrometer and a vernier caliper and a hole saw. How else would you measure the thickness of sheetrock or OSB decking? A magnetic protractor is handy for measuring angles. The large wheel with the kick stand is always in the truck.
After time spent examining mold files I can say that many adjusters are lax about accurate measurements. And whoever heard of learning to write a business letter? |
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kwsmith
10 Posts |
Posted - 05/03/2003 : 22:57:55
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| nearly always in the truck: 6" inside/outside micrometer for small stuff/thicknesses/diameters, 1' machinists' square w/ protractor head for angles and levels, 25' craftsman on a magnetic clip, 75' logger's tape w/ horsehoe nail, 300 ft fiberglass surveyor's tape, large wheel roll-a-tape, inclinometer with tables on the reverse side for figuring ratios of rafters to run to pitch etc, a 3' carpenter's level, and a engineer's compass. |
kwsmith |
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visitcostarica
Costa Rica
15 Posts |
Posted - 05/08/2003 : 22:57:14
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Fat Max Pro 35' 100' Stanley Turbo (love the 3 to 1) on the roll up, Calc Industries. Leave a couple generic 35s in the car, just in case.
Delorme is a my partner everyday
Digital photography, what else for electronic files? |
Done climbing roofs...try climbing into a hammock in Costa Rica http://www.visitcostarica.net |
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The Tape Measure of Choice
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