FastCap ProCarpenter Metric/Standard Measuring Tape, 12' Length

This measuring tape has completely changed the way I work. It’s easily the best tape measure I’ve ever owned. The combination of metric and imperial measurements is incredibly convenient, and the layout is easy to read without feeling cluttered. The standout feature for me is how thoughtfully designed it is for woodworking. Everything about it feels like it was created by people who actually use these tools every day. The tape extends smoothly, retracts reliably, and feels durable enough for daily shop use. After switching to this tape, I honestly don’t enjoy using my old ones anymore. If you’re a woodworker looking for a high-quality tape measure, I can’t recommend this one enough. It’s one of those tools that seems simple until you use it—then you wonder how you ever worked without it.

One of the best metric tape measure you can buy. Not a lot of option available in the US to buy a quality metric tape measure. Accuracy is top notch. The locking mechanism is solid. The numbers are very easy to read and easy to mark on your wood.

Overall a great product, with many pros and only one cons: * Pros * - Great size; not too big, not too small, you get a good grip; - Two useful features to lock the tape: a simple push/release button where you need to continuously push the button to lock the tape. And another one, which you slide to keep the tape locked on its own. Quite useful; - Double printed: on one edge you have inches, on the other edge you have millimeters. On the same side of the tape; - Bonus: a decent pencil sharpener is available (won't fit large pencils). And a minor white plate to write temporary info on (like dimensions you just measured). * Cons * - Tape comes with a barcode sticker at the back. It's easy to remove but it leaves a very sticky substance. Which is almost impossible to remove as it's put on the rubber part of the device.

Quality is good, about what I'd expect for the price paid. There are better built tape measures out there, if you are willing to pay a little more, or watch for sales/discounts. However, the reason I bought this one was more for the features than anything else. How many times have you been working somewhere, measured an opening, only to get to the saw and try to remember if you needed to cut that board 17 5/8", or 15 7/8"? If you have that problem, this may be the tape for you. The little writing area on the side works well for jotting little notes on with a pencil, and it erases pretty cleanly. Also, it has a functional (decent, but not spectacular) pencil sharpener built into the bottom rear corner of the tape. It works all right if you are careful, but at least on my tape, you have to watch what you are doing carefully, or it can snap off the lead, leaving you with a duller pencil than you started with. I made the mistake of ordering one with standard/metric markings, which is not Fastcap's fault. I thought that it would be a nice feature to be able to grab one tape, and measure both feet and meters. In use, however, having two sets of numbers on the tape at the same time requires the numbers to be smaller and harder to read, and the dual sets of lines that don't line up make it all the more confusing. Where is DOES work good for, is to give the kids, or anyone unfamiliar with metrics, a way of getting an idea of how long so many centimeters are, compared to a scale they are already familiar with, or as a quick conversion chart from In to CM.. For daily use as a tape measure, I think you'd be better off getting one in standard, and another in metric, unless you regularly need to convert one length to another. At first I didn't think much of the belt clip, but after a couple times of using it, I am growing to like it. It has a little 'ear' at the top of the clip, that when pressed towards the body of the measure, opens up the clip. After a couple uses, it becomes second nature to just give the tape a little 'squeeze' to make it much easier to clip to your toolbelt. The negative to it is that if you clip it to the top of your jeans instead of a belt, the little ear you squeeze can dig into your skin just a little.

I am an American and do alot of woodworking and I grew up using imperial measurements. Think they taught it in school, but it was never pushed and sure not pushed in America in general. So, I have been working on switching over. There are so many good reasons to switch. This is a well made tape. Also, very easy to read, even with my tired eyes. It is also really thought out. First off, I noticed the belt clip has a spring level on it, such a great idea! I've always found it it a pain to get my tape measures hooked firmly on my belt, they solved that problem. Better yet, not only is there the normal lock button, there is another button underneath that is also spring loaded that is a quick on off lock. Another awesome idea. I am surprised another reviewer dinged it for having both imperial and metric on the same tape. First thought, then why did you buy it? But for me, it was one of the biggest reason I bought it. Since I am still in between, it's perfect because I can do imperial and metric at the same time. It will also help me GREATLY to transition between the two. It's a two in one tape and I love it. Could not be happier with this tape measure, the price is out standing and would gladly recommend! I'll be ordering the 16 ft version soon!

Awesome!! After 6 months of use. Pros: 1) White circle to write measurements on. Erases easily with an eraser or with spit and your finger. I like that it is somewhat difficult to erase so you don't accidently erase something. 2) I LOVE the "16ths" of each inch are labled 1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15 on the tape. No longer do I have to stare at the tape to ensure I know exactly which 16th I'm on. My eyes seem to play tricks on my mind with all of those tick marks .... Its like trying to read a UPC code. This tape solves all of that. 3) I love the finger brake to slow the retracting tape. 4) the built-in pencil sharpener is a fantastic idea. 5) The belt clip is firm and snug. Has never fallen off. 6) I love the small compact size. Almost half of the size of a typical 25 ft tape. Cons: 1) because its the 12ft tape and smaller size the tape is narrower and less firm. Seems to buckle on gaps > 6ft. Won't stay stiff and straight. But thats expected with the smaller size. To avoid this .... get the bigger FASTCAP and have all the same great features. Even with this con, this is still my favorite tape. 2) Improvement suggestion for FASTCAP: pencil sharpener shape makes the pencil tip very long, pointy and sharp. My pencil lead tends to break because so much of the lead is exposed. Perhaps install a sharper that would sharpen to the shape of a golf scorecard pencil.

I am so glad I finally got a metric tape. So much easier to use but it’s nice to also have both options on one tape. Very accurate and the locking system is clever. There is a little button on the bottom that lets you pinch the tape in place for one handed measuring. I also appreciate the fact that I can write down measurements on the side and then easily erase them. Overall it is a big improvement over my other tapes.

A wonderful 5 star tape measure but the 3 star rating goes for one of the worst plastic packaging schemes ever. I almost broke it getting it out of the plastic.

Very nice quality

Fantastic tape measure, wish I had known about this brand earlier

Buen producto

Menuiserie amateur

This is the third FastCap for me, not because they don't last, I love them that much that I have put them in all my tool carriers for convenience. The small "whiteboard" on the side, the inbuilt pencil sharpener, and the pocket clip that doesn't slice into your pocket edge are all winning features for me. Never going back to a normal, run of the mill tape measure again.