Home DIY

I've had one of these for nearly 30 years!

https://www.thetapestore.co.uk/fisco-tkc5me-tuf-lok-tape-5m-16ft

Stanley power lock. All day, every day.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/stanley-powerlock-5m-tape-measure/96157

Not to be dramatic, but I fucking hate these tape measures. Proper flimsy tape and the first 5-10cm always get knackered.

Edit: the power lock are Mylar coated but the cheaper yellow ones are just nylon coated and it makes a massive difference in my experience.

Fatmax pls

https://www.screwfix.com/p/stanley-fatmax-5m-tape-measure/31529

I have one of these in 10m double metric, but I think it’s probably a bit big in the hand.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/stanley-fatmax-pro-5m-tape-measure/32477

Cheers. I thought it was you with the tape fetish, but wasn't 100% so didn't @ you.

Looks like Stanley power lock it is. I quite like them. Unfortunately my other no longer measures accurately from zero after letting my kid play with it.

Main thing is, that it fits in the mini under-the-sinktool box. I have also ordered a lazer one.

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Stanley power lock. All day, every day.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/stanley-power­lock-5m-tape-measure/96157

One of these almost took my finger off when I was a kid. It's all about rubberised these days.

There's quite a few of us in this thread tbh, lol.

Also, avoid these:

The internal measure feature is good, but the mechanism feels shitty.

I don’t mean to be rude but are you aware that the clip on the end is supposed to be a bit loose?

lazer one.

Game changer

No offence taken.

My eldest bent it so it's no longer accurate. You can make it work but it's a bit of a hassle.

That’s grand. Fatmax is my choice.

Crescent is very good:

https://ffx.co.uk/Product/Get/Lufkin-L1116Bcm-0037103333452-Shockforce-Night-Eye-Dual-Sided-Tape-Measure-5M-Width-30Mm--Metric-Only

The 8m Stanleys available in a twin pack are pretty good for the money - https://www.screwfix.com/p/stanley-8m-tape-measure-2-pack/2086h?_requestid=410706

I do want a decent double metric tape (not enough to have looked hard for it, in fairness), but keep feeling the FatMax is probably a bit bulky

I once got a 5m metal fat max on an Amazon special for £4, I wish I bought ten of them…

FYI, this is the correct tape

Fatmax. I don’t have large hands but it’s fine - the width makes it a lot stiffer (ooh err).

Screwfix do two stanley for £10 in a double pack. That's what I buy now as I have lost too many fancy tapes. The fatmax one is class tho i will say.

Lovely tape chat, so easily influenced I went and got this little one with a 5mpowerlock, (the tylon ones look worth a go at half the price). despite its christmas cracker appeal it'll go far,,, yep 2meters

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Had one of those in my desk drawer for years. Perfect for basic 'what size is that internet thing' questions.

Absolutely love these and have been meaning to buy once since my last went walkies.

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Cheers for all the recommendations. I've added them to my notes and edited the above post with a pic of the mini tool box.

On a more DIY related note, how viable is it to lift 6yo laminate flooring and relay it?

Same goes for lifting carpets.

I want to put insulation under our 1st floor floor.

Missed the new chat.

I ❤️ the keychain ones too.

Have one in the car and gave one to my folks in France. One of the first things I do when I get there is put one in my pocket along with my No.8. Opinel.

For pocket tapes I always carry a Rollfix one, no key chaining, but also nothing to snag on and super dependable.

Finding >100mm drywall screws is a PITA! Most suppliers just laughed when I asked. Are most folk cutting in the PIR boards between the framing? Then a skinny sheet of PIR overboard the whole thing before plasterboard?

Putting a new PIR insulated board ceiling in a new bathroom, below original ceiling, just want to insulate the F out of it. CLS frame built below original knackered ceiling (which has its own 400mm + of rockwool above that in attic but nothing else), 100mm pir board, vapour barrier, plasterboard, 145mm screws through the whole sandwich into CLS. Some clever fire + IP65 rated LED down lights let into the PIR board (only go in around 40mm and the 100mm is overkill IMO).

Extractor going through whole sandwich as well, will lag the extractor pipe up to roof life with a spring loaded baffle and moisture trap + drain, and a favourite, mount the inline extractor on some old bike tyres to a joist in the attic, makes it basically silent inside the bathroom and very easy to access to service/replace it in the future.