The QuickDraw is a 25′ tape measure with self-marking feature for quick and easy layout work. It uses a steel roller wheel to transfer graphite pencil marks to your workpiece.
Each graphite cartridge can be used to make up to 1000 pencil marks, and refills are available. The cartridges look to be 0.9mm pencil lead refills, and so you might be able to buy them separately. The company says they’re “4D” graphite refills, but you can probably get away with HB refills or whatever you can find for cheap.
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Additional features include 9-foot standout, 3-rivet “contractor-grade” hook, “Tru-View” indicator, and nylon blade coating for greater durability.
Here’s a faux magazine cover promo with a couple of marketing claims the company makes about their tapes:
And here’s a video that shows you how it works:
Price: $20
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More Info(via QuickDraw)
First Thoughts
The QuickDraw tape looks to have an interesting design, and I cannot help but appreciate that it works with what looks to be standard 0.9mm graphite pencil lead refills. The 9-foot standout is a little short compared to premium 25′ tapes, but isn’t at all bad.
This is definitely a “try before I buy” type of tool, but it doesn’t seem to be sold at any local home improvement stores.
What do you think – gimmick or useful innovation? I’m leaning more towards useful, but I’m also not a carpenter or contractor that uses a tape measure and pencil all day to lay down measurements.
NCD
Not convinced………..
Nathan
not the worst idea I’ve ever seen – would like to see it tested.
like the view window idea – sort of – I mean most of the time I roll out past the where I need to be so I can see clearly. so that might be handy.
I assume there’s something that turns off the mark wheel – that’d be necessary
would also be nice to have a widget to put on the end so as to let the end glide/slide down the edge of a panel so as to make a good line. IE cutting a 2 ft piece of ply – set near one edge – roll tape – lock tape. glide down sheet – and it makes the line for you.
Stuart
My understanding is that friction turns the marking wheel. Slide the tape left/right, and the wheel leaves a pencil line as it rolls against the workpiece.
pencil neck
Looks pretty good to me. Price point isn’t too bad as well. If it is a well built item, then I suspect they will move a lot of them.
But why did the loudness wars spill over into a product demo video?
ktash
Loudness, sexiness wars, ugh! This type ad just makes me suspect how well-built useful the tool actually is. If I have to order online, I’d like a demo of the window, an explanation of how it works, how to refill it, etc. How much are the refills, will I be able to buy them in a year? Also, where’s the metric version?
Peter Norris
I agree I can work with imperial or metric, but you need both measurements or at least metric in the UK ??
Blythe M
1000 marks doesn’t really mean anything until they define what a “mark” is
Dan
Looks good to me…..just might give it a try.
Jerry
It sounds like it could have potential, IF the mark is easy to place accurately.
mike foley
I look forward to NOT looking for my damn pencil! Sign me up!
Pablo
I wish Hultafors made their Talmeter in imperial, then I could recommend it to everyone. Right now it’s metric only, but Google it up and watch the YouTube video, it’s quite awesome.
Mr Michael L. Veach
as you stated, it would be a try before buy for me. The idea is fantastic.
Szymon
neat idea. for sure would like to hold one and try it out before putting some money down on it.
at the same time $20 price point isnt all that steep for a product that doesn’t really deliver what it promised.
i am sure we can all find a tool in our shop/bag that cost the same or more that we did not end up loving it but it looked great before the purchase.
as for the 1000 “marks”
there might be some fine print defining what a single mark is.
but to the general person who might be buying this, the high number of a 1000 will appeal well and they will bite and end up buying it
as far as we know a single mark may consist of a single milimeter (1 meter)
which is only just over 39 inches.
i would say that they average mark for any carpenter or worker, a single mark will probably measure about an inch. resulting in only 39 or so marks
Psykorok
Stuart I saw these and bought one at IBS and I have to say that the price point is fair and it performs excellently. It is designed by the same guy that did the fatmax, and is fairly solid. I do miss some of the design features of milwaukees new ones but for the convenience of not hunting down a pencil it is worth most any trade off. I will probably believe the 1000 marks claim because the graphite itself doesn’t contact the workpiece. Instead the wheel just nibbles on it. If you have a chance to try one out I do recommend them.
greg
As a right hander carpenter, measuring over head, to your left, trying to hold the tape straight, and make an accurate mark with your left hand. This takes the hardest part out of the equation. I’d have to test it in the field to verify, but I’d buy it.
ktash
Ok, so their website does have some further info, showing how to reload it and there is a metric version, apparently. This one has choral music in the background. How about talking instead?
John
Brilliant. I hope they’ll sell a 4-pack, because I have found that I need that many tapes to be able to quickly locate one when I need it. Now, what am I going to do with all the tapes that I already have?
Kent
Their advertising sucks; when I want to see pictures of women in tiny shorts, I’ll surf the ‘net. I *like* pictures of women in tiny shorts, but when used for ads, it usually screams of “crappy product, but we’ll distract you with boobs so you won’t notice”.
It looks like it may solve a problem or two. Interesting.
dane
Hey guys, I’m the inventor and I’ll do my best to answer any questions you have:
1000 marks means a minimum of 1000 1/4″ marks. The wheel tracks perpendicular to the blade, so if you’re using a chop saw , it’s all you need. It is more typical to get 2000+ marks as you will find out. For the record, I didn’t design the FatMax, but I did design the Levelution System Level. Also, I worked my way through college as a contractor, so my design decisions are based on experience, and a desire to raise the bar…
caroline
I would like to buy one of these but im in the UK. How much would shipping be please
Mary Seager
So would I but it seems to be unavailable on Amazon.com and doesn’t appear on Amazon.co.uk. I thought I’d got my son-in-law’s birthday present sussed! Please could Dane tell us when/if this product is likely to be available or whether he has been ‘bought out’ by a huge conglomerate….
MaryE, UK
Jerry Ross
Suggestion:
The lead container will be a problem; i.e. can’t locate it when you need it.
I suggest that you extend the container to the length of a standard pencil and put a pocket clip on it so that it can be carried securely in a shirt pocket where it can be readily be found.
Or alternatively, continue to sell the lead in the present container but market a pencil-sized container that the leads can be transferred to.
Jerry Ross
Robert Widmer
Hi Dane,
I’m with Flex-Ability Concepts and would be grateful to have the manufacturer or their representative contact me regarding bulk purchases. We manufacture curvable framing used for making curved walls, etc. I would like to look in to using these tape measures as give-aways at distributors open houses and trade shows. Could you put me in contact with the right person?
peter
contracting work, it may be fine. Am dubious on furniture/cabnitry work. Through the vidio’s I only seen a close up of the line once. And it looked pretty fat. Would like to see more of the line mark on promo vidios
Corrie
I’m in the UK and my husband would like one of these for his birthday in Feb 2016. Where can I purchase one please?
Martin
Please,
Metric?
UK?
Cheers