Komelon just started promoting a new 40-foot Contractor TS tape measure on social media.
Does this size seem odd to you, or is it just me?
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Komelon says that it has a compact case that it ergonomic and fits comfortably in your hand. It features a nylon-coated blade that they say is made to last and resistant to wear.
The new Contractor TS 40′ tape measure has 12 feet of “true standout” which the brand says provides a “straighter and more accurate use of standout on any jobsite.”
Since the standout is said to be 12 feet, I’m going to assume that this tape has the same 1-1/4″ blade width as the other Komelon Contractor TS tape measures.
Here are all of the sizes in this lineup:
- 16′
- 25′
- 25′ with magnetic hook
- 35′
- 40′ (new)
I wouldn’t call a 40′ tape measure compact, or at least I can’t imagine it being very compact given the 35′ tape measures I’m familiar with.
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Interesting – is there a demand for a 40′ tape measure? Are they looking at 35′ users who want a little more range?
I’d think that a crank-arm tape measure would be a better or at least more popular choice if you need longer measuring range, or a laser distance measuring tool.
Komelon has not provided any size or weight measurements, but I would bet that this tape is a little larger and heavier than the average 35′ tape..
Price: $29.42
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Compare: FatMax 40′ Tape
Looking around, Stanley FatMax also has a 40′ tape measure before. I don’t recall seeing (spring-return) 40-foot tape measures before, but it certainly doesn’t look to be a brand new development.
What’s your take on this? “Yay more measuring range,” or “keep it, I would never use a tape measure of this size.”?
Mac
My friend always needs the biggest and best thing. This is right up his alley.
That being said…rare cases where measuring 36′ with a 36′ tape is a pia – 36 is more or less 32 max. I could see a 40′ making that easier…but like you said I’m using my steel DeWalt 100′ metal tape.
fred
I’ve seen a 40 footer from Milwaukee – don’t know how well it sells:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-40-ft-x-1-3-in-Wide-Blade-Tape-Measure-with-17-ft-Reach-48-22-0240/311012064
MM
I find that a 12 foot tape measure does the overwhelming majority of what I want it to do so that’s what I usually toss in my pocket. I’ve also got a couple 25 footers floating around. It’s extremely rare I have to measure anything longer than 25 feet, and when that happens it’s usually much longer and I use a 300 foot crank style surveyor’s tape in that case.
I have no interest in a 40 foot tape. I’d imagine it would be quite heavy to carry around in a pocket or belt. I’ve also never heard of this brand before so I’m a bit skeptical as to its quality as well.
Jared
Komelon? They’re not new. Just not a big tool company like Milwaukee, Dewalt, etc.
They have a neat auto lock mechanism on most of their tapes – I’m not sure if this one has it. Other companies have that on special models sometimes.
E.g. It locks when you pull out the tape, push the button to retract. It can be a handy feature.
Jim Felt
As a fan of several Komelon models over the years I’d guess this, like perhaps other strictly metric versions they offer, might coincide with a “native” 12 meter model?
And why not?
It’s certainly not something I’d ever consider (because Bosch lasers) but it’s no doubt sturdy and doesn’t need batteries.
Chip
Well, 40 ft is a smidge over 12 meters. So it would be trivial to offer a 12m measure in same format. 35 feet is half a meter off 10 meters, etc.
fred
There are some 10meter tapes around – like this one – but I haven’t yet seen a 12m tape:
https://www.acetool.com/Tajima-G-33-10MBW-Measuring-Tape-p/taj-g-33-10mbw.htm
Kent Skinner
I was looking for a metric only tape a while back, and this was one of the brands I had never heard of. In general, how are they?
Semi related: I’m surprised at how difficult it is to find a name brand tape that’s all metric. Starrett has one, but the reviews are terrible. I couldn’t find any other mainstream brand, and ended up with a FastCap which is OK but not great. I later found a Tajima which is fantastic.
fred
The 3m Hultafors is another option:
https://www.amazon.com/Hultafors-Talmeter-Marking-Measure-Tape/dp/B0041YQFY6
Kent Skinner
They fall into the “brand I’ve never heard of” category.
I had made the assumption that SB&D, Milwaukee, Lufkin, etc made a metric only tape and sold it in the US.
Tom
Every brand has them, but you usually need to import them. Retailers in mainland Europe should have easy access to metric-only tapes. Combination metric/imperial are more popular in Canada and the UK, but some retailers will still have metric only tapes.
Fun fact: tape measures in Europe usually print the measurements (i.e. numeric digits) in cm while tapes in Australia and New Zealand typically call out the digits in mm increments.
John Blair
Simple solution, buy from Amazon UK or DE. If you buy a couple of things, shipping isn’t really as bad as you think it would be.
John Blair
Nope. I find anything longer than I am cutting on my miter saw is pretty useless since I got the Bosch GLM50C laser measurement device. 16 footers that I carry when working. 25 footer in my tool bag on the odd chance I will want to measure something longer than 16 feet. Now shorter might be useful, if Lufkin had a 12 foot nite eye tape, I would buy that.
Don Julio
Dittos on a Lufkin 12 ft. I have the Black Widow 25 ft and it’s so easy on the eyes I’ll measure random stuff for the sheer joy of it.
Dwayne
I’ve been carrying this tape for close to 2 months now. I’m a general contractor and do anything from framing to siding to interior finish work, so I sometimes need to measure longer objects and prefer to carry 1 main tape.. It is definitely on the larger / heavier side. It replaced my 35ft Lufkin / Cresent tape from Lowe’s. I had to replace the other tape 3 times in a year, thankfully they have a lifetime warranty and exchanged them no problems. This tape has been working great, I’ve not had any problems at all. The lock is easy to use, and I like the end better than most tapes I’ve had recently. I was a long time user of Stanley fatmax tapes before Lowe’s quit carrying them, as that is the closest place for me to get tools when needed. I chanced across this tape at Menards one day and decided to give it a try. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a longer tape that doesn’t mind the size / weight.
Old as Dirt
The new Komelon 40’ tape weights 1pound 14.7ounces.
BKNY
Komelon, I bought a few packs of them one year when HD had them on sale for Xmas i think.
I bought them, cause it was a lever lock design, which I HUGELY prefer.
I have a bunch of Stanley lever locks, wore a couple out. Love the design of the lever lock. And since using them, I really dislike the general / normally open lock design you have to lock down when needed.
I’ve just started breaking into my cache of Komelon level lock, I like them.
Just recently Amazon starting selling some inexpensive tapes with a lever lock style (a button, not a lever, lock is normally on per say) they work nice, the actual tape feels a bit thinner. Stand out isn’t as good as my Stanley’s, but they work (don’t remember how the Komelon compares on stand out). Lexivon. Just pulled one out, they call theirs an AutoLock. Nice graduations.