Black and Decker ATM100 25-Foot Autotape Auto Tape Measure

Product Information

Grade B - Very Good. A well looked after item that has had limited use and remains in great condition. The item will show some light signs of wear which may include very small scratches. Learning curve for some of the calculations, specifically calculating the missing side of a triangle

With tape measures, 25 feet is the most common length, although some are as short as 12 feet, and others are 30 feet or longer. Q. Are laser distance measurers worth the price? Tape measures sold in the United States feature measurement increments in inches and fractions of inches—the imperial measuring system. Some (not all) of the newer measuring tapes also offer metric measurements. This is handy when building, assembling, or installing materials that come with metric instructions. In addition to the other accuracy features mentioned above, a few more considerations may apply. These tapes commonly have blades made of steel. When steel is extended over long distances has a tendency to stretch, bend or even tear if it snags. This disadvantage can be reduced if the blade is made from a higher quality of steel. Getting precise measurements is essential for many projects, even ones as simple as hanging art or estimating how much wallpaper will be necessary for a specific room.This was the most complex digital tape we tested, and the Pythagorean feature might not be used by most, but overall, we found this to be a highly accurate tool, and we’d rather have the feature and never use it than need it and not have it. The Makita comes with a protective canvas case and loop for carrying it on a belt or tool pouch. Surely, you can’t look at this coiled metal easily. It’s inside the case. You have to open it with a screwdriver. Not only will you see the coiled metal but also the connection between the tape and the metal. The standout of a cased tape measure is the distance the unsupported blade can extend before it bends or sags. As a general rule, a tape measure’s standout should be at least 7 or 8 feet, although many go further.

Tape measures frequently have a metal hook (or tang) at the end of the blade that can be hooked over whatever is being measured with measurements being taken from the end of the hook. The simple bottom hook points downwards while readings are taken off the tape from above just as other types of hooks enable measurements to be taken from a variety of angles. Hooks are usually connected to the tape with rivets; more rivets usually making for a stronger connection. Long tapes, by comparison, usually employ a folding hook or anchor that allows the tape to be pinned to the ground thus giving a stable point from which to measure. BELT CLIP Most commonly, tape measures have numerals for inches and feet, and small lines to indicate fractions of inches. There are some, however, including the Milwaukee Compact Tape Measure, that actually indicate the fractions with numerals rather than lines, which can be much easier to read. The hook-under forks on the Ryobi 25-foot tape measure tang are a boon for hooking the tape beneath the bottom edge of an object, such as the underside of a tabletop. We were impressed by the rubberized overmold that gives the Ryobi tape measure a soft, nonslip surface. The tang is reinforced with three rivets for durability, and the Ryobi blade is smooth and durable—we were able to extend it to nearly 8 feet (standout) before the blade bent. He adds, "For most people, a 25-foot option is great because it’s easy to store and long enough to handle most measuring tasks around the house. But if your space is small, a 16-foot tape measure is sufficient for most projects you’d need it for.”With the wheel attached, we could accurately measure arched doorways and the rail of our spiral staircase, making this model indispensable for builders and painters who need accurate measurements even when the surface isn’t perfectly flat. All of the metal tapes were tested for standout length, or the length to which it could be extended in the air before it bent. The ones with greater standout lengths received more points. We tested the DTAPE’s accuracy against the other tape measures in this lineup, and it came in within ¼ to ½ of an inch. That’s not accurate enough for construction or woodworking projects. Still, it’s plenty accurate for calculating the width, length, volume, and area of rooms for appraisal purposes or to estimate paint, carpeting, or wallpaper. Tang. The metal end-hook at the tip of the tape measure ensures an accurate reading, but too often the tang is the weakest part of a tape measure. When shopping, make sure the tang looks and feels solid without being static—there should be a slight in-and-out movement (called “floating”) when you tug it gently. You’ll notice that when the tang hits a wall or solid object, it pushes in slightly. When you hook the tang around an edge, it pulls out slightly. The tang is designed to float to compensate for its own width, providing consistent and accurate measurement. Magnetic tangs act as an additional tool—assisting a solo measurer when measuring a metal object. Accuracy for project: While all tape measures should be accurate, finish carpenters, cabinetmakers, and woodworkers depend on a high level of accuracy. Most tape measures come with 1/16-inch increments, although a few come with 1/32-inch increments. When learning how to read a tape measure for precision, if the measure has only 1/16-inch increments, the standard rule is to say the measurement is “strong” when it falls between increments. For example, if a measurement falls between 3/16 inch and 4/16 inch, it would be called a “strong 3/16 inch” which tells the user it’s actually 7/32 inch.

The red laser dot is bright and easy to see—we positioned the tool and then directed the laser to the spot we wanted to measure, and it instantly gave us the distance.Weight: Users can expect the average tape measure to weigh less than a pound—although some of the more compact models weigh just a couple of ounces. Reel tapes can weigh in around 3 pounds, or more.