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The retractable tape measure that broke on my first job last Tuesday...
I picked up a new retractable tape measure from the hardware store for $18 last Monday, and it snapped right in half the next day on a small fence repair gig in Bakersfield. The metal tab popped off when I tried to hook it onto a corner board, which left me guessing the rest of the measurements by eye. I ended up having to borrow one from the homeowner, which felt embarrassing since I was supposed to be the professional. I figured I'd just superglue it back on, but the spring mechanism inside totally unspooled and now it's a tangled mess. Has anyone else had a tool fail that fast on a gig? I'm thinking of just switching to a basic metal folding ruler instead.
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finley_smith3mo ago
Oh man, did you try pulling the tape all the way out before it snapped? I had the same thing happen with a Stanley tape last summer, but the whole casing cracked when I dropped it off a ladder. The spring went everywhere, like a metal spiderweb across the driveway. That superglue trick never works on the tab either, I've tried it three times now and it just pops off again the first time you put any tension on it. Honestly, a folding ruler might be the move for fence work, especially if you're measuring in tight spots where the tape keeps bending. I switched to one for my deck project and it saved me a lot of cussing.
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patricia_hill603mo ago
My husband fixed a broken tape tab with a little piece of metal from an old keychain. He drilled a tiny hole in the tape and used a paperclip to attach it. Worked like a charm for months until the tape itself wore out. I never had luck with glue either, the tape pulls too hard. Maybe try something like that before giving up on the tape completely.
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mason.drew3mo ago
Wait, did you mean you drilled through the tape itself to attach the metal piece? I thought you meant the tab, but if you drilled the actual tape that would ruin it for measuring. I've found that sanding the tab rough and using epoxy holds way better than superglue if you ever try glue again.
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