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Remi...you're absolutely correct about Bob the Wiz. And if it that really is his photo, it adds a lot of credence to what I've always been told:  "A man who is bald in front is a great thinker, a man who is bald in back is a good lover, and a man who is bald all over just thinks he's a good lover!"   

Well, I'm losing a lot of hair in back but not fully bald, so I guess I'm good to go.

 I would like to be able to insert links and objects the way you do.  Can you teach me how to? 

Bob did not lose much hair, it just slid down his face to just below his nose. I cut my own hair and have for over 30 years. I just whack it down to within 1/8 of an inch of my scalp. I actually have hair, I just remove it once a week, makes it easy to groom.

I am also a Residential Appraiser and there is nothing like the Disto it is the best and can be used quite easily inside and out. Grant the 100' Tape is best for the tough Roofs  or eagleview.com. The Disto can add subtract square and is worth every penny.Very Accurate!

Try www.SkyTekImaging.com for roofing diagrams.  Better thean Eagle View.

http://www.distagage.com/

I have one on order.

I've used a Disto (don't know exactly which model) and a $100 laser measure I got at Lowes. The Disto was definitely nicer to use, but not worth the extra money in my opinion. I can get a laser measure to work almost anywhere, it just takes some practice (and sometimes 5 attempts to get the laser on the right spot). I've come up with tricks for holding it really still, so I can hit the edge of an exterior wall at just the right spot.

Just as a side note: Anybody talking about getting a "laser measure" for $30 is probably actually buying a sonic measure with a laser pointer. This is nothing like a laser measure, so don't get one and think you have a laser measure. The sonic measures work well for interior rooms that have no furniture or anything else to get in the way.

Chuck- how do you use a magnet with the fatmax?

These ones are very strong magnets, the tape will NOT fall off if you accidently bump it.  The magnet sits inside that recessed area, which helps keep it from moving if it gets hit.  You have to really yank it off.  I think I got it at Orchard Supply Hardware a couple years ago.  They are owned by Sears, so they may stock it too.

This next one is commonly sold but is not up to holding a heavy Fat Max, they will fall off and bounce off your Insured's hardwood floor, giving you something else to talk about....

 

http://www.ustape.com/servlet/-strse-41/MagTite-Magnetic-Tape-Holster/Detail

 

I carry a self winding 100' tape(clipped to my belt loop) with a release nail (A is the release nail), A new small Disto(on a tether) and a 35' Fat Max on a magnetic holster, on a tether and a small digital level that I bought at Sears.

That is what the tether is for, Bob.

I decided I needed a tether one morning as an insured and I watched my Fat Max bounce and spin, as gravity carried it downward on a collision course with the hood of his Cadillac. Those tethers that are sold for attaching fly fishing gear to a vest are great.

I see- I thought the magnet held the other (moving) end of the tape in place. I have had problems keeping the Fat Max tape hooked on a gutter or shingle when fully extended. I like the idea of the longer tape and the hook. Seems kind of dumb to be using a 30' tape on a larger roof... more possibility for error resetting the tape. I have several larger 150' - 200' tapes, but they are pretty cumbersome on top but work great for fences. The 100' tape and release looks to be just the right size.

To secure the fatmax tape to myself when on a steep roof, I have been using a retractable key fob (maybe $20 or so) that is attached to the tape w/ a small carrabiner. The other end is another carrabiner that is attached to my belt loop / tape holder. It seemed a bit dorky at first, but it is very strong (made of kevlar) and it glides very easily. Here's the link: http://www.keybak.com/securit488b.htm.

The beauty of a self winding tape and a release nail is that, a tug on the tape will release the nail and then the tape will rewind automatically. Also the unit comes with a belt hook. Perimeters, ridges and fences is where this unit shines.

You rope down a steep roof slope, hook the release nail on the end of the shingles, move across the slope, get your measurement, and pull on the tape, the release nail releases and the tape rewinds. No need to wind the tape up with a little crank.

Just don't let the tape slip down thru the cracks between deck boards. Been there done that.

Chuck- I could not find the release nail at UStape. I ordered the 100 foot tape; like it already w/o having gotten it yet- just the right size and length. Do they sell the release nail or it is from another company?

My release nail came from BenMeadows.com, which generally speaking is a company that sells forestry related equipment.

http://www.benmeadows.com/search/re...irect=true

Hi Chuck,

Any tips on where I can find the rivet puncher so that I can install the release nail at the end of my tape?  I recall that you stated a buddy of yours had one in his back pocket.  Rivet punchers in the size needed to install the catch are in short supply down here.

I'm on my second logger's tape- one 75' and a 100'.  I confess that I was just too hard on my first tape but I love having it!  It's heavy duty, but not indestructible and prefers not to get wet.  

It appears that the casing for the 75' tape can hold a 100' refill as the casings are the same size.  The verbal comment from Ben Meadows support staff is "we can't guarantee that it will work".  Have you or anyone breathing here had to refill theirs with a new spring and/or tape?