I recently ordered some new tools from Acme Tools, and made the impulse decision to purchase a couple of Lufkin CS8506 tape measure keychains.
I don’t think I even thought about it. I saw the price – $1.59 each – and went for it.
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Here’s where I run out of things to say. It’s a 6-foot locking tape measure that costs less than $2. It’s fairly small, but it doesn’t feel flimsy. It works.
I can strategically place a couple around the home or workshop, wherever I might need one. That might sound silly, but I have a habit of misplacing tools when I move them around. This allows me to keep one in a kitchen drawer, for example, without that tape ever being needed elsewhere. I’m sure it’ll eventually get misplaced, but that’s okay – I bought a few backups.
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If you’re looking for something from a different brand, Ben compared Stanley and Milwaukee tape measure keychains here. If you want something small, but it doesn’t have to be keychain-sized, Dewalt makes a 9-Foot magnetic-backed pocket tape measure,
Corey says
I’ve carried the DeWalt 9 on my pants belt for over a year now, and have been extremely satisfied. I’ve had to remove and rebend the clip a few times after snagging it on seatbelts, but it’s still trucking. Plenty of drops, even smashed it in a truck door once to my horror, and it’s still intact and solid.
fred says
Sounds like a great buy as stocking stuffers. I’ve given away the FatMax variety – think I paid $25 for 6 back in 2014 – but there are a bargain at less than half the price.
https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-FMHT33706-FATMAX-Keychain-Measure/dp/B01JR1ML72
fred says
Just to compare the Milwaukee is $3.97 at Home Depot – but it adds a metric scale:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-6-ft-Keychain-Tape-Measure-48-22-5506/206368564
Cr8on says
I have one, handy Lil guy. I also have the Milwaukee and Stanley ones, I like the Lufkin one most as it has the best tab. I still go for my Milwaukee since it’s my only tape with a metric scale.
Mike says
I like the Milwaukee one as it is English and Metric, really helps when precision is necessary.
Gordon says
I’m not a fan of Milwaukee’s tapes in general. But I bought my 18month old one of their keychain tapes so she would stop stealing mine. The metric scale is so useful, especially for Ikea trips. So naturally, I steal her tape all the time now.
Brian M says
I have a(Well 6) rebranded Komelon 12′ tape measure I like to use as an in-store tape measure, I like fractional and auto-lock. I leave a couple in my car, to grab if I’m going into a store. 6′ seems a little short…Normally I’d use my height or wingspan to measure 6′ as I’m 6’1″ with a wingspan of about 6’3″. I paid $5 for 6 of them on clearance but they normally drop to $3-4 a piece pretty regularly and that’s a good price for any tape. I also like having a different brand tape than they sell in stores in case of any potential confusion (Probably extremely infrequent).
12′ is small enough to not notice on your person but have a decent sized clip and is a little bigger to feel better in the hand. I want to like keychain tapes but they’re too big to put on your keychain (in my opinion) and not big enough to be comfortable to use.
George says
I carry 2 small tapes with me on my wheelchair. Both are cheap junk as I usually break or loose them. But I will go look at the Milwaukee one as it has metric scale on it. Thanks for the info !
John Blair says
I was excited until I looked at the picture and saw that it was the yellow tape. I love their black tape versions!
Framer joe says
M12..stubby,folding light, ? Have any? Used them?
Jon says
I must admit I have bought my three children (5,5, and 2) each a Lufkin 6′ for Christmas last year and I can’t count the number of times I have “allowed” them to help me by letting them go find their tape measure so I can use it. I think we are down to one that they can still find so thanks for the reminder to get some more for, me, ug them