Dewalt recently announced a new tape measure on social media, a compact 25ft model, DWHT38125S.
They advertise that it has 13ft of max reach, and a finger brake.
As a reminder, “reach” is max standout plus 3 feet. Dewalt and Stanley introduced “reach” as a replacement for “standout” a few years ago.
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Dewalt says their new tape measure has an improved grip and is 20% more compact than a bunch of their other models.
Wait a second.
That’s where I know this tape measure from – it’s the Dewalt Atomic tape measure but with a new label. See: Dewalt Pulls Atomic Branding from Home Depot Hand Tools.
Okay, so it’s not new, it’s “new.” I guess what’s old is new again now that Dewalt has ditched the “Atomic Compact Series” branding.
Or maybe there’s more to it, with updates beneath the surface, but I don’t believe so.
Amazon has it for surprisingly cheap – $12.25 but temporarily out of stock (but still orderable). Home Depot has it for $19.
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Personally, I’d go for the magnetic 2-pack tape measure deal which is $19.88 at Home Depot (I bought one for a little more than that over the summer). You can remove the magnet.
I stopped by local Home Depot the other day, and they still have dozens of the Dewalt magnetic tape measure holiday deal still in stock. If you don’t need both, give one to a friend.
Greg
I won’t use either one. I can’t stand looking at the fractions printed on the tape.
CMF
I like and appreciate the fractions.
Jong
Agree 100%
Jong
The fractions are distracting.zehen you know how to read 64th’s you know.
Nathan
They aren’t the same tape though. Right? The non atomic one had double side printing and the hash marks and fractions. The atomic is one side and just fractions? No so sure there but the single side is shown in the picture
Honestly I might buy one with the double side printing.
Matt_T
I think you’re correct. Looks like the new tape is a double sided improvement over the single sided Atomic.
The 2 for $20 magnetic version also appears to be same double sided tape.
fred
Today (1/7) Acme has a 10% off select Dewalt Sale – with code YELLOW10
Nick
My dewalt 25′ led tapes are the best tape I’ve ever had.
CMF
The standout on tapes has become a bit of a joke. How far do they want to get and to what end? When it is out 10ft or 13ft, there is so much curvature in the blade that the measurement can be a 1/2′ or more off. Either magnetic or you can clip it to something, but the standout(?) not sure what it helps with.
Hans
Super helpful when making buildings.
Joe fed
Seriously? By yourself, on a ladder, measuring across an opening, hooking on the opposite side to a stud, then pulling the tape taunt. What trade are you from? Erwin is better anyway.
CMF
I have been using these more often lately, not more than a tape measure, but more than once in a blue moon. These will keep their measure of distances that tapes sag and will be off in their measurement
https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop/tools/hand-tools/marking-and-measuring/rules/72486-lee-valley-wooden-folding-rule
Jim
The best idea I have seen – and bought – is the window to hold the tape out with a finger rather than pushing the button down. It’s a quick and easy temporary hold to get a measurement.
Shre, you can push the button down too when needed, but that window is very useful and convenient.
Stuart
Absolutely! I’m also a fan of finger brakes.