Black and Decker ATM100 25-Foot Autotape Auto Tape Measure

Product Information

Some tape measures have a magnetic hook, which is useful when measuring steel or other magnetic metal items but can potentially be a nuisance, as the magnet can attach itself to various nearby metal items other than what you want to measure. The DEWALT Tough Series has a removable magnetic tip, so you can take it off when not needed. This measure also comes with a tiny flexible tape measure that might be more useful to hobbyists than DIYers, but we found it fascinating. The tape attachment snaps on the top of the tool and houses a 5-foot-long tape. As we pulled the tape out, the Dremel displayed the distance. We couldn’t figure out a good use for it, especially since it’s so short, but it might come in handy at some point. And an included protective case for the tool would have been nice, especially to hold the attachments. Standard digital tape measures will be accurate within ⅛ to 1/16 of an inch. Q. How much does a digital tape measure cost?

Graphic markings (diamonds and triangles) noting 16-inch and 19.2-inch intervals keep newly constructed walls in compliance with building codes (studs are often placed 16 inches apart). They help the user locate the center of studs (as long as the structure was built in compliance with standard codes). Stud marks make hanging pictures and installing shelves much easier, allowing you to anchor the nail solidly. More Ergonomic Features to ConsiderLaser tape technology has significantly improved in the past decade, so we were excited to test today’s popular models. We tested basic laser measures that offer a simple distance readout as well as more advanced models that allowed us to store measurements and calculate surface area and volume. We’re familiar with reel tape measures and DeWalt products, so we had high hopes for this specific tool—and we weren’t disappointed. The tang comes with a fold-out spike that is useful for fitting over a nail or screw head, and the molded plastic case is strong and durable and comes with a partial rubberized grip. We hooked the tang over a nail and stretched the tape out to its maximum length. The flexible fiberglass blade is coated with a rust-resistant coating that gives it some stability—it didn’t flip this way and that in the wind as some reel tapes are prone to doing. Short tapes are very versatile and can be used in the home for DIY and in the construction and engineering industries amongst others. Grade C - Acceptable. The item will show signs of extended use including scratches, dents and scuffs. Once all testing was completed, the testers assigned each tape measure a score of 1 to 5 in categories of accuracy, durability, ease of use, performance, and value. These scores were added to the testing results and the numbers were tabulated to choose the top-scoring tape measures.

D-tape: Similar in look and style to a cased tape, a D-tape (diameter tape) contains an ultra-flexible blade of cloth or metal that can easily wrap around pipes and poles. D-tapes provide an accurate measurement using pi to calculate circumference (the length around a circle) and diameter (a straight line passing from one side of a circle to the other). D-tapes come in a variety of lengths, from 12 inches to 50 feet. The traditional steel measuring tape has been around since 1829, when James Chesterman patented it. These manual measuring tools provide accurate measurement when the tape is held level, but measuring a long space often requires two workers—one to hold one end of the tape and another to record the measurement. If the tape sags, there will surely be minor differences. Today’s laser measuring devices allow just one person to take measurements, and when used correctly, they can be highly accurate. For staking out an area for excavating or determining the dimensions of a lot, the DeWalt 100-foot tape measure shines. This type of tape measure is not suited to making precise carpentry cuts, but it wasn’t designed for that work. Instead, the 100-foot reel tape measure is made to obtain longer measurements, and it’s typically used outdoors—for laying out foundations or determining the length of a proposed fence line. 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 simple digital measuring tool doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles, but it does boast two notable additional features. First, the Bosch GLM 20 Blaze shows measurements in live mode, which means we could walk around and point the laser at any object within 65 feet to get a reading of how far away it was. As we moved around, the digital readout automatically changed to suit.