The FastCap Square N Tape, invented by Tom Noon, is a small plastic square that you attached to your tape measure. The Square N Tape is 3″ wide and provides a 90° straightedge, notches at 1.5″ and 3.5″ for ripping 2x2s and 2x4s out of larger boards, a mark at 1.5″ for single-stud layout, and angular markings at 22.5° and 45°.
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You can attach the Square N Tape to a tape measure with the pre-applied self-adhesive disc, or ample amounts of hot glue. On the front of the square is a white erasable notepad area.
The Good
The Square N Tape worked exactly as advertised. We received two samples, one to attach to our own tape measure, and one that came pre-attached to a FastCap PS-25 Pro Carpenter tape measure.
The smooth plastic body slides along boards with ease, and the notched V-grooves are easy to find with a pencil. Small grooves that indicate 1.5″, 22.5° and 45° marking locations were also easy to find and align as well.
The FastCap PS-25 tape measure is a decent tape measure, so most of the Square N Tape testing was done with the pre-attached combo. Using the Square N Tape was pretty easy and with a really short learning curve. After getting used to it, the combo did prove to be more convenient than pulling out a try square or speed square to make short right angle markings.
The Not So Good
There are two downsides to the Square N Tape. First, all 4 of our 25′ tape measures were too big to mate with the Square N Tape without modification. I don’t even see how hot glue can be used to create a strong and aligned match-up. Our 16′ Stanley PowerLock might fit, if I can find it.
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Unfortunately, the useful height of the Square N Tape does impede the unlock action of the FastCap tape measure. Well, it does not really impede the lock itself, but it makes releasing the tape with one hand quite a physical challenge. Bringing in a second hand to help support the tape is a quick remedy, but the attachment shouldn’t interfere with normal operation of the tape measure.
Conclusion
Without a doubt, the Square N Tape is a handy device, and it does have potential to be a real time-saver. However, I could not attach it to any 3rd party 25-foot tape measures, and could not get comfortable with the FastCap tape measure and Square N Tape combo.
Despite its flaws, I still like the Square N Tape, or at least just the Square part. It feels relatively sturdy, does everything it says it can, is incredibly lightweight, and is made in the USA.
I sent a note to the inventor, describing my difficulties matching the Square N Tape to 3rd party tape measures and using it comfortably with the FastCap tape, but have not received a response. I thought that maybe I was missing something or handling the Square wrong, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.
The Square N Tape is a neat and useful design, and although I personally could not get comfortable with it, your experience might be better. It’s priced at $6 separately or $15 with a FastCap tape measure.
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Fred
Did/would you try velcro to attach it to tapes that it did not fit in your initial testing? I’d be interested in seeing if the velcro solution could be made reliably square and of course whether it could be a long term solution (dust, wear, dropping) for this potentially neat addition to a lighter tool belt.
Stuart
No, I did not try Velcro. The squares come with a pre-attached PSA disc, and hot glue is also recommended. All the 25′ tape measures I have are larger than the frame of the square. In order to attach it to such tape measures, I would need a 1/4″ spacer or so, and I don’t think such an extension would hold up over time.
Tom Noon
Check out the video on You-tube to answer any questions, keywords:
Square ‘n Tape Demo for Woodcraft
Thanks Tom
Tom Noon
Also check out the new website.. http://www.squarentape.com
Thanks Tom