TAPES & MEASURES

Possibly the most stylin’ tape measure we’ve ever had. The plastic case is approx 3” x 3”, and comes in assorted bright colors like red, green and yellow, but we won’t make you choose. We got it—we’re good at this type of thing. Inside is a rolled up 16-foot classic yellow metal tape with an end grab. Has a locking button on the side, a locking switch on top, a wrist strap and a belt clip. Go ahead, show up at a club or art gallery with a tape measure on your wrist. You always did want to start a trend

Electronics. The best thing that ever happened to calipers. Save your eyesight and measure accurate outside and inside dimensions with this digital instrument. Powered by an included button-cell battery, it measures up to 6 inches in .001 increments or 155 millimeters in .01 increments. Hardened stainless steel, 9-1/4" x 3" OA, with a locking vernier, it comes with a nice sturdy storage case and extra battery.

But how big? Our handy stainless steel ruler with built-in drill gauge measures 6” in 0.1” increments and 15cm in 1mm increments, plus it has a set of (13) drill gauges from 1/16” to 1/4” in 1/64” increments.

We love a classic-style bubble level. Then again, who doesn’t! Our 3" aluminum single-bubble level from Empire is for use with a line reel, it has hooks at each end to hang from, but can also be used without. Vial is made of high-impact acrylic in high-vis yellow and body is durable aluminum. How ya gonna level the playing field, or that 2x4 over there, without a good, reliable level? Stick with the classics.

This 3-5/16” dia double-sided wire gauge wheel measures from 0-36 AWG on one face and from .005" to .325" on the other. Not sure how to use this gauge? Just strip a bit of wire and slide it through the gauge slots, not the holes, until you find the smallest one it'll fit through. It’s for non-ferrous metals, which is pretty much all of what you run across anyway, unless you’re Ferrous Bueller.

From Helix®, this 18" long aluminum U.S. Standard triangular architects' ruler/scale has color-coded facings and is divided into 3. 1-1/2, 1, 3/4, 3/8, 3/16, 3/32, 1/2, 1/4 and 1/8 inch per foot. Yes, you can use it even if you're not an architect.

Banish plastic calipers. Replace them with these brushed stainless steel locking calipers. They measure spans up to 5" in 1/16" increments and 125mm in 1mm increments which may or may or be darkened, and these are real beauties. Terry's buying a pair to use as a paperweight and have them on his desk, just in case calipers go the way of the slide rule and micrometer. Figures he owes it to his future grandkids to introduce them to these cool tools.

Sometimes, in a world of electronic measurement, you just feel like using a well tooled solid brass instrument--like this old-school vernier caliper. Has 4” x 1/16” and 100mm x 1mm scales that can be pulled apart to double as a depth gauge. Also very satisfying just to hold in your hand. Plus, it fits in your pocket!

Whenever we drop in on our tailor for a fitting, he's got a tape measure hanging around his neck. So much more attractive than wearing a metal on his belt, we think. More useful too, when measuring humans. Now you can be a tailor too, with our tailor's tape measure in a soft fabric-like PVC material. Measures 60" (152cm) x 3/4", marked in 1/8" increments on one side and 1mm increments on the other, with metal tabs on each end. You'll get (3) in some combination of white, light blue and yellow.

This is the aluminum chalk-line reel familiar to carpenters everywhere. In the classic 4-3/4" x 3" diamond/teardrop shape with approx 100 feet of string and a folding crank to rewind it, but no chalk, which is available in good hardware stores everywhere, and most likely in the bad ones, too, come to think of it.