Garage Gazette
TOOLS AND THE SHOP => MECHANIC HAND TOOLS WE USE => Topic started by: bonneyman on September 01, 2018, 12:23:13 PM
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I'd like to see the old and odd ones you guys have.
The strangest one I have is a Taiwanese-made multitool consisting of a tape measure mated to a triangular blade cutter. Gotta say it's pretty handy!
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My all-time favorite tape measure is the older style Lufkin 12 footer, #22xx. I find longermeasures to be too bulky, and I seldom had need of more than 12 foot when doing HVAC service. Plus, the locking device is a pivot switch (much easier to activate than the slider locs on most measures), and it's located at the 11 o'clock position (perfect for thumb actuation). Most slide locks are at the 8-10 o'clock position - much harder to quickly lock the tape one-handed.
When I started at Ace Hardware, that was the measure I used there. At some point I laid it down and lost it, then found when looking for a replacement that that model had been discontinued. Scrounged a bit on line and found one at Amazon - old stock had two left. Then I found not on, not two, but three around town in pawn shops. Various teatures, too - never knew they were so varied. Blade is split with SAE on one edge and metric on the other edge (really helpful at the store). Latest one I bought had fractional and decimal equivalents on the blade. (Now I have 4)!
The thinner one is the one I've had awhile. The wider one is a newer version of that model. I've got two of each in different blade versions.
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My current favorite is not that old ( my first favorite was an 8ft lufkin my brother broke the end off of ) but I love my original 12ft Stanley lever lock.
I wish it was a steel case but I don't drop it much and it's strong enough.
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That Vulcan is pretty cool.
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Does the Lufkin sr36 count as a tape measure ?
I use mine all the time as a straight edge.
(https://s6.postimg.cc/3uxk429ld/IMG_20180901_134513026.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ug02zmbyl/)
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Finally got my family pic together.
One is SAE/metric, two are SAE with 16th and 32 inches, and the blue one is fractional/decimal. Never seen a belt clip tape measure like that before. (It needs some cleaning and lube, but I hesitate to pop it apart, as I've lost several tape measures due to exploding springs!)
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That blue one is an interesting design. Surprised it didn't catch on.
Although I have to say I'm geek enough to always put a leading zero on decimals and missing it like on that tape would make me a bit nutso.
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Does the Lufkin sr36 count as a tape measure ?
I use mine all the time as a straight edge.
(https://s6.postimg.cc/3uxk429ld/IMG_20180901_134513026.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ug02zmbyl/)
I have one of those. I like the design. Having worked in multiple hardware stores in the 1970's and 1980's I saw virtually all of them out there during those years. For me, the basic Stanley chrome case with the lock lever was always my favorite.
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I have one of those. I like the design. Having worked in multiple hardware stores in the 1970's and 1980's I saw virtually all of them out there during those years. For me, the basic Stanley chrome case with the lock lever was always my favorite.
The Stanley chrome 35’ were all I used when I did construction.
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Yeah, that Stanley with the yellow lock on the bottom is nice to use. Got one myself.
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Finally got my family pic together.
One is SAE/metric, two are SAE with 16th and 32 inches, and the blue one is fractional/decimal. Never seen a belt clip tape measure like that before. (It needs some cleaning and lube, but I hesitate to pop it apart, as I've lost several tape measures due to exploding springs!)
I must be an idiot, because a couple years ago I picked up an orange 33"/10m Lufkin at a yardsale and I don't use it because it makes my brain hurt.
(https://s6.postimg.cc/yf1vvv5bl/IMG_20180901_145909955.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ex78fx8dp/)
(https://s6.postimg.cc/u5x5tqccx/IMG_20180901_145922817.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/fzheyi1hp/)
Actually scratch that, actually I know I'm an idiot.
I did take algebra 1 more than once after all ;)
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Yeah, that Stanley with the yellow lock on the bottom is nice to use. Got one myself.
I love how you can just press it against the work and pull back, you don't have to worry about having to engage or release a lock switch.
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Finally got my family pic together.
One is SAE/metric, two are SAE with 16th and 32 inches, and the blue one is fractional/decimal. Never seen a belt clip tape measure like that before. (It needs some cleaning and lube, but I hesitate to pop it apart, as I've lost several tape measures due to exploding springs!)
I must be an idiot, because a couple years ago I picked up an orange 33"/10m Lufkin at a yardsale and I don't use it because it makes my brain hurt.
(https://s6.postimg.cc/yf1vvv5bl/IMG_20180901_145909955.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ex78fx8dp/)
(https://s6.postimg.cc/u5x5tqccx/IMG_20180901_145922817.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/fzheyi1hp/)
Actually scratch that, actually I know I'm an idiot.
I did take algebra 1 more than once after all ;)
Yeah, that is an odd one! Tenths and hundreths of a foot? :(
But you'll never lose it, because it's "high viz" orange! :))
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Here's some of my more vintage measures.
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Here's some of my more vintage measures.
That measurall is awesome.
This little 24" guy has been in my pocket or belt pouch every day for years.
It's a little advertising piece and I have no idea who could've made it, but it is made in the USA and has been plenty reliable.
(https://s6.postimg.cc/tgedhpjmp/IMG_20180901_153627992.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/rolemt09p/)
(https://s6.postimg.cc/s1cst1fzl/IMG_20180901_153652989.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/v87cco0fh/)
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I remembered I had this little guy.
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No pics, because I have already passed these on. Had a normal looking 24 ft. chrome tape, but, for some reason beyond me it was marked in tenths of a foot rather than inches. Also had a nice looking tape about the same size with metrics in bold across the top of the tape and standard numbers much smaller on the bottom. Not a great tool for someone with bifocals.
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No pics, because I have already passed these on. Had a normal looking 24 ft. chrome tape, but, for some reason beyond me it was marked in tenths of a foot rather than inches. Also had a nice looking tape about the same size with metrics in bold across the top of the tape and standard numbers much smaller on the bottom. Not a great tool for someone with bifocals.
I hear ya there!
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Shocking but I picked up an old Stanley in only inches. Seller here couldn't give it away for two years for not having metric. Lol!
I passed alg1the 3rd time I took it. With a c-......
I didn't even need a math credit by then.
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Shocking but I picked up an old Stanley in only inches. Seller here couldn't give it away for two years for not having metric. Lol!
I passed alg1the 3rd time I took it. With a c-......
I didn't even need a math credit by then.
How could you not buy that hella cool tape measure.
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Looks like another company is making a near perfect copy of the Lufkin tape I like.
https://www.keson.com/products/toggle-series/
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I myself have a soft spot for anything Lufkin, especially pre-Cooper Tools, but have challenged my collecting by seeking only NOS tapes. Here's my whole NOS boxed collection, all Lufkin save a lone Keuffel & Esser.
Then the Artisan tapes, my 'lookers'.
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Must be a challenge finding that stuff NOS. Any pix of the rest of them out of the box?
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I myself have a soft spot for anything Lufkin, especially pre-Cooper Tools, but have challenged my collecting by seeking only NOS tapes. Here's my whole NOS boxed collection, all Lufkin save a lone Keuffel & Esser.
Then the Artisan tapes, my 'lookers'.
Awesome.
I've got a soft spot for Lufkin, my first as a kid was a small square Lufkin with a wood grain metal decal plate on it.
I sure wouldn't mind finding another one some day if I knew what to look for , I think it was maybe 3ft.
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Nice collection, Dave! :)
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Tape measures are a consumable for me. I got probably a dozen scattered around in various states of decay. There are a few that are stashed away that are "not for daily usage"
The engineers tape is cool if you understand it. I keep one in my desk at work. For some reason no one wants t borrow it. :D
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Must be a challenge finding that stuff NOS. Any pix of the rest of them out of the box?
Pardon the delay but here's the rest minus the artisans above.
2 have stitched leather cases.
Challenge Stainless has no box but in good shape. They are nowhere near as common as the chrome and nickel clad tapes, never seen one in box.
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Thank you. Those are beautiful. A very nice collection.
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Those NOS tapes are amazing. Those must be a challenge to find.
Heres one for the Bman