FastCap
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T. Cox
A flat tape SHOULD be easier and more accurate to mark boards for cutting than a curved tape that has to be tilted to contact the board. Unfortunately, the material they used to make this tape’s blade is unsuitable. It permanently buckled in several places after little use.
Alfred
The tape measure has a great feel and build quality, but it's just not accurate. I saw other reviews mention this and thought maybe those were one-offs, but add me to that group. As shown in the photo the one I got is about a 32nd long. Considering even the cheapest tape measures are usually spot-on, this is pretty ridiculous from FastCap.
I'm definitely not a precision woodworker and this tolerance is well within my not-so-great skillset, but my tape measure shouldn't be adding to my mediocrity. Aside from the accuracy, which is a huge issue, the tape measure seems really well-built and I love the flatback style - it makes laying out cut lines much easier. I ended up 3D printing a shim to fix the accuracy (luckily it's inaccurately long so a shim is an easy fix). But I can't recommend this product when it misses the main thing it's supposed to do.
SUP
Never had a tape that was flat. Only drawback of this is that it is very flimsy, not meaning inferior metal, just not stiff like I'm used to. It's great for laying things out on a flat surface. It has the usual tape lock but also has a temporary button type underneath to hold the tape in place. It has a scratch pad to write measurements on and erase when done. And it has a pretty good pencil sharpener built in. Plus the usual belt clip.
John Doe
You know why they call it "old standby"? Because it'll standby by on your bench while you use a different tape measure. Somehow it measures off 1/16" in BOTH directions, whether it's an inside dimension or an outside dimension.
The tab on the end doesn't move at all. Somehow BOTH inside and outside dimensions are wrong despite the tab not moving. At least they're both off by "almost" 1/16" so it's almost usable. Normally the tab is supposed to move just a little bit so that you can measure inside and outside dimensions accurately. Even the cheapest harbor freight tape measures can do that. Ouch.
TheOne
Who invented a tape measure that can only work on corners? This is stupid. Also, the image is NOT the one actually sent. The one I received has a single side, standard rule.
Edgar
Great measure tape (it has a small board, pencil sharpener and the best is FLAT...that makes sense .
R B
I loved the idea of flat tape, it makes it easier to mark on the work piece. I have the habit of checking a square with a square, and checking a ruler or tape with a high precision ruler.
This was no exception;
I checked it against a square, it was off, I checked it against a 1x2x3 block, it was off, then to see exactly how much off, I checked it with a caliper. It is 1/64" off from hook.
Mark to mark, it's on the dot, but from hook to mark, it is off. I would send it back, but I do need a flat tape and if I exchange it I worry that I will get the same thing.
So I am keeping it and I will add 1/64" thickness to the hook to compensate for the deviation.
DukeNukesEm
I’m a custom furniture maker, tending to work in tight tolerances. But out of the box, this tape is nearly 1/32 out of tolerance... perhaps not a big deal to the weekend warrior in his garage, but as a professional, doesn’t make the cut.
This tape seems like a great idea as it’s flat, clear to read, has a sharpener! But it’s inaccurate!
I’ve had the same fastcap tape for 6 years, and it’s held up surprisingly well. It took a lot of abuse, even got run over before the spring finally gave out...
I really like the fastcap brand of tapes, even reccomending them to students in classes. Perhaps this one was just a dud. I’ll send this one back, and just get the same one I already have!
Gary
The flatback design certainly makes it easier to mark measurements more accurately. Being able to write on the tape is a real plus when repeating the same measurements like a story pole. The rubberized cover makes it easy to hold on to. Unlike other FastCap tapes the nose clip is fixed so you need to subtract about 1/32 inch for an inside measurement (see enclosed photos showing this nose clip issue for inside and outside measurements.) I see this as only a minor issue and does not detract from its other features.
