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
Sep 20, 2018 at 3:06 pmI’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
Sep 20, 2018 at 4:42 pmSounds 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
Sep 20, 2018 at 4:45 pmJust 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
Sep 20, 2018 at 4:44 pmI 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
Sep 20, 2018 at 10:00 pmI like the Milwaukee one as it is English and Metric, really helps when precision is necessary.
Gordon says
Sep 20, 2018 at 10:02 pmI’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
Sep 20, 2018 at 11:17 pmI 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
Sep 20, 2018 at 11:21 pmI 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
Sep 20, 2018 at 11:38 pmI 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
Sep 21, 2018 at 12:22 pmM12..stubby,folding light, ? Have any? Used them?
Jon says
Sep 24, 2018 at 9:10 amI 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