Why does this bull5hit keep happening to my tape measures?

[unclebilly]

Every time a grab a tape measure, I have dozens, this is what I am dealing with.

Why?

[masraum]

The only time I get something like that is if I try to extend it a REALLY long way out without being held. And I think all of mine would right themselves if twisted like that near the tip.

I'd only expect to see something wonky like that if the measure was twisted enough to get a permanent bend/crease in the tape.

What brand of tape measures are you using?

[unclebilly]

I have several brands. They all seems to turn into this…

Would the twist be opposite if I lived in the southern hemisphere.

[A930Rocket]

I get tapes that do that sometimes. I think it gets Bent and creates a memory in the tape. It’s so frustrating, I end up throwing them away.

The best tapes were the Stanley Fat Max or something like that. They were a little bit wider and more stable when extending it

[pwd72s]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6517aSbzlyE&ab_channel=ProjectFarm

Tape measure testing, anyone?

[speeder]

I haven’t seen that. My pet peeve is the angle/grabber thing getting loose in the rivets making it impossible to get an accurate measurement.

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by speeder

I haven’t seen that. My pet peeve is the angle/grabber thing getting loose in the rivets making it impossible to get an accurate measurement.

The grabber is designed to be loose...pushing it, the grabber slides, taking it's width from the measurement. Pulling it, the measurement is accurate. This is explained early on in the project farm video.

[herr_oberst]

Do you let your tape "slam home" or do you catch the end with your free hand and let it finish reeling in softly? I "catch" and not one of my dozens of tapes has the twist yours shows - BUT, I mostly do small-ish stuff, less than 6 or 8 feet, and I rarely have to double the tape. I wonder if doubling the tape is causing the twist?

[speeder]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

The grabber is designed to be loose...pushing it, the grabber slides, taking it's width from the measurement. Pulling it, the measurement is accurate. This is explained early on in the project farm video.

I think that I actually knew that at one time but it got erased somehow. Thanks!

[Steve Carlton]

Looks like you’ve been measuring something that’s bent too many times.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6517aSbzlyE&ab_channel=ProjectFarm

Tape measure testing, anyone?

Good info. I've watched a bunch of his videos. His voice/enunciation and how it seems like he is nearly yelling, bugs me a little, but not enough to not watch.

He doesn't test Lufkin (my favorite) or Starrett tape measures.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by speeder

I haven’t seen that. My pet peeve is the angle/grabber thing getting loose in the rivets making it impossible to get an accurate measurement.

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Do you let your tape "slam home" or do you catch the end with your free hand and let it finish reeling in softly? I "catch" and not one of my dozens of tapes has the twist yours shows - BUT, I mostly do small-ish stuff, less than 6 or 8 feet, and I rarely have to double the tape. I wonder if doubling the tape is causing the twist?

Good call. That sounds like a possible/reasonable cause for what he's seeing. I do often/usually let mine retract on its own, but I also usually "aim" the tape measure so the tape retracts straight and doesn't bend or whip around (like the retracting power cord of a vacuum with a retractable cord).

[masraum]

Stop using a tape measure to try to measure your girth. Just use it for length. For girth you're better off getting a micrometer or dial caliper.

[pwd72s]

A Lufkin in my garage...agreed, well made. But then, I've never subjected it to any of the project farm tests.

[Rusty Heap]

I recently bought a Dewalt 25'.


super stiff extra wide. Even printed on BOTH sides of the tape with measurement marks.

https://www.dewalt.com/products/hand-tools/measure-and-layout-tools/tape-measures

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Rusty Heap

super stiff extra wide. Even printed on BOTH sides of the tape with measurement marks.

[1990C4S]

These are great value.

https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/measuring-marking/tape-measures/25-ft-x-1-in-quikfind-duralock-tape-measure-60408.html

I keep at least four on hand and they get used a lot. I've never worn one out.

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by unclebilly

I have several brands. They all seems to turn into this…

Would the twist be opposite if I lived in the southern hemisphere.

I live on a small Pacific island that's floating around in the southern hemisphere ocean and it hasn't happened to mine. I own lots of tape measures because I lose them, buy another, then find the missing one. And all are fine. They rust a bit. Something to do with living near the sea.

[stevej37]

I have at least 8 diff tapes that are all over 10 years old.
Never had one do that. (almost all are Stanleys...a cheap brand)

[wdfifteen]

I find it after someone "helps" me with a project.
I don't know what they do that causes it.