Warning: Don't trust those 'professional grade' tape measures from the big box store

I popped into the Home Depot on Route 9 last Tuesday to grab a new 25-foot tape for framing, and the $35 one with the rubber grip felt solid in my hand. Got home and compared it to my old 15-year-old Stanley, and the new one was off by a full 1/8 inch over just 6 feet. I tested three different ones from the same rack, and two of them had the same problem. Has anyone else found that the quality control on these things has gone way downhill lately?

2 comments

2 Comments

jason7528d ago

Check if the hook was bent or the end rivet was loose on those ones you tested. I've found a lot of the new tapes have sloppy stamping on the hook plate that throws everything off. Did you notice any wiggle or give in the hook when you pulled it out?

williamschmidt7d ago

Did you check the hook for any side-to-side slop? I've seen the same issue on a few of mine.