Milwaukee is coming out with a new line of tape measures for 2015 that they say was designed with general contractors in mind. The new tape measures are said to be optimized for layout applications.
Compared to Milwaukee’s existing line of tape measures, the new tapes have wider bases that increase their stability. This makes it easier to place the new tape measures onto flat surfaces with less chance that they will tip over or roll off when making measurements.
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Additionally, the new tapes have a different hook design that is said to be better for scoring materials, such as drywall.
The new tapes will carry over numerous features from the initial designs, such proprietary nylon bond blade protection, a 5-point reinforced frame for increased drop protection and durability, and a wireform belt clip.
As with their other tape measures, Milwaukee says these will be the most durable tape measures in the industry.
As for whether the magnetic tape measures will stay or be replaced by these new ones, Milwaukee hints that the preceding ones will continue to be aimed at mechanical, plumbing, and electrical contractors, while the new ones will be aimed at general contractors and remodelers.
The new line will launch in February 2015 with two models – a 16′ tape and a 25′ tape, and additional sizes and styles will be released in following months.
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New Tapes for February 2015
- 16′ Tape Measure (48-22-5516)
- 25′ Tape Measure (48-22-5525)
Additional Models That are Coming Soon
- 30′ Tape Measure (48-22-5530)
- 35′ Tape Measure (48-22-5535)
- 5m Tape Measure (48-22-5705)
- 5m/16ft Tape Measure (48-22-5616)
- 8m Tape Measure (48-22-5708)
- 8m/26ft Tape Measure (48-22-5625)
- 10m Tape Measure (48-22-5710)
Pricing
The new 16′ tape is priced at $14, and the 25′ at $18. This is substantially lower than what the magnetic tape measures are selling for, which is $20 and $25, respectively.
It is worth pointing out that there are still special bundle packs available, although supplies are probably running low by now.
Buy Now(16′ via Home Depot)
Buy Now(25′ via Home Depot)
You cannot order these tapes yet, but they should be in stock by the time February rolls in.
First Thoughts
The new tape measures have appeal to them, but I don’t think they’re going to cannibalize sales of the magnetic tape measures, or the non-magnetic first-generation tapes that are still somewhat difficult to find.
I could give or take the magnetic hooks of the Milwaukee tape measures I own. I rarely use the magnetic functionality, and even so I just need that feature on one of my Milwaukee tapes, not all of them.
But the finger friction hold – that’s something I don’t want to give up. For quick measurements and adjustments, it’s far easier to use my finger to stop the tape than to lock it down with the slide lock. I don’t use this feature all the time, but it’s something I would miss.
I get it that these tapes are wider for increased stability, but wider also means bulkier.
The lower price point will definitely affect the popularity of these tapes. $14 for 16-footer and $18 for the 25-footer are better prices than $20 and $25 for the same-length magnetic tapes in non-holiday-promo times of the year. I think that the lower price point will eat into sales of other brands’ tape measures, such as Stanley and Dewalt.
As mentioned in our discussion of Tools of the Trade’s survey results, Stanley and Stanley FatMax are dominant players in the tape measure business. If you want to compete with them, you need to have like-priced options.
Although I’m not happy to see that these tapes lack the finger-hold feature, which was probably done to further improve flat surface stability, I like that Milwaukee carried over their nylon-bonded blade protection feature. The 5-point reinforced case design is also appreciated, although I’m pretty sure that tapes are damaged or broken more often than tape measure cases.
As I said, I can see the appeal of these new tapes, although I will probably stick with my Milwaukee magnetic tapes for most general purpose uses.
Jerry
If Milwaukee would leave the finger hold, and switch to a normal clip, it could possibly become my favorite tape. I often work with steel sheet metal, and all those magnets do is make the tip try to grab where you don’t want it, and hang on to shavings.
I really liked the old Stanley Leverlock, and similar Craftsman, but Sears discontinued their version, and Stanley’s new version is ‘new but unimproved’. I prefer auto lock tapes, with a bottom release lever, but the finger hold notch is an acceptable alternative.
Stuart
The Craftsman tapes were excellent, but it seems Sears was taking too many losses. The tapes were considered consumables, but the housings were replaceable under Craftsman warranty, and so a lot of users broke their tape measures when the tapes needed to be replaced. I’ve never heard official reasoning as to why Craftsman stopped making tape measures, but more warranty exchanges than new purchases is what I’m thinking.
Mike
ACE Hardware still has the Craftsman versions for sale, likely leftover stock. I’m not sure what happens if the warranty actually needs to be used.
KL
I welcome these honestly. The present tapes just have too much muchness, to quote the Wizard of Oz. I’m a metal fabricator and the magnetic tip is as much of a problem as it is a benefit. The winged end is just too much for me too, I actually trimmed mine down. And the 25′ is just damn heavy and bulky for a 25′ tape. I also wish Milwaukee would crisp-ify their lines and make the measurement at the start (left) of the line rather than the end (right) of the line. Clearly, tapes are very personal, I hope I like this one more.
M. Hatter
I think you’re confusing Oz’s Munchkins with Alice’s muchness 🙂
Tom
I bought a Fastcap for more precision work recently:
http://www.amazon.com/Fastcap-PMS-12-12-foot-Standard-Measuring/dp/B000GFDFAG/
This has the biggest innovation that I have seen in years: you can simply write your measurements on it. No more forgetting a measurement by the time I get to the saw!
I also much prefer the markings on the tape on this model, which actually prints the fractions. Every once in awhile I mix up a fraction when using regular tapes.
This isn’t going to be as rugged as a typical tape, but for carpentry work, I don’t think that it can be beat.
KL
Ugh, to me printed fractions are like automatic transmissions or traction control: “Here, you’re not bright enough to figure it out so let us do it for you.”
Jon
Yeah, because traction control and automatic transmissions are nothing but dummy devices. Wow.
Tim Drutowski
I’ve been waiting for these since the first ones were first shown can’t wait!
Iron-Iceberg
As a tile setter the original tapes stunk. The first picture shows why. The original would just fall over when placed on he floor. Man that was a pain.
Then the wings on the hook end made it where you can not get an accurate measurement on an angle cut to a wall. I had to clip those off. And the magnet just stuck to all kinds of things you don’t want to.
I think they where designed by a group sitting in an office spitballing ideas to stick on a tape measure. Hope the new one is an improvement.
Tyson L
I recently switched to the Komelon self lock with fractional markings. By far my favorite tape of all time. It’s neon green so you don’t lose it, and they are $7 at Walmart. Loaded up on them, and put one every where I use them. The best part about self locks, you can lay it out, line up your saw, clamp, retract the tape, and make your cut… All without drawing or marking a line.
John A
I was at my Local HD today and found only 2 of the holiday special 16/25 ft. deals on a display rack near lumber, not in tools.
Basically the 25 ft. came with the free 16 ft., couldn’t resist.
Jon
If the wireform clip is anything like the one on their fastback knives I’ll pass. Absolutely the best utility knife with the worst clip. That thing doesn’t stay tight for even days, much less months as it should. And the screw got loose from needing to remove it in order to tighten the angle of the clip, so I put in some removable Loctite but it held tight enough that I stripped the screw head (who in the world would design such a thing with a phillips drive???) and now it’s just stuck. I don’t even have an easy out that small. So frustrating. If they made it out of thicker gauge and more appropriate grade wire it would be great. As it is it’s just exasperating.