Last Best Small Tape Measure: Milwaukee for the Win!

Of my small collection of small tape measures (about six feet or less) I like the Milwaukee best. It is a classic design, with a rock solid tape lock, strong retraction, and best of all, no bells or whistles to get in the way.
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[@PokemanOkie]

I love the clasp keychain attachment on the Milwaukee. I've owned at least 5 of these, but they do have one flaw. The small plastic piece that holds the keychain to the measuring tape breaks after about 6+ months. If they can replace that plastic piece with something more durable it will be a big improvement. I've broken that piece twice so far.

[@america0014]

I love the Milwaukee 6ft/2m tape measure as well. Not only because of the dual imperial/metric scales, but I really like the duller yellow tint compared too the hi-vis neon yellow which is harder for my eyes to make out the scale. I removed the keyring and then removed the center housing screw, attached a magnet and screwed that center screw holding the magnet onto the housing. Now I have a 6ft/2m tape measure fridge magnet. Also I got to say the quality of the tape on my 6ft/2m is still in mint condition in comparing to my larger Milwaukee tapes which I use about the same.

[@rbfriesen]

Thanks. I’m looking for a very accurate metric tape for small woodworking. Agree that metric is just easier and helps make you more accurate

[@carsonmcdonnell1536]

I’ve had that same little Milwaukee attached to my keys for probably over a year now. My only gripes were how the rubber would stick to my pocket when pulling my keys out, and how long the keychain attached was. So I’ve since torn/cut off the rubber off and gotten rid of the stock keychain. Now it works perfect for me!

[@pieces94]

Fast Cap makes a 6’ Lefty / Righty tape measure that is my favorite. It doesn’t have metric but has the scale printed on both sides so you can measure from the left or right. No pocket clip to get in the way but it has a recessed magnet and a strong locking mechanism. Worth checking out.

[@ricker76er]

Love my Klein tape. Though I’m an electrician and it has info on the back side that others wouldn’t need. Used a DeWalt - trash. Used a Stanley (I forget the model, it cost about $20-25) - trash. Other coworkers like the Milwaukee too. I was in Menards last weekend and I was looking at the Komelons, they felt great in the hand and had a nice locking lever. They had a small bulge that fits my palm perfectly. They also had some with SAE/Metric rules. But I’m using 25’ tapes at work. I’ll have to pick up one of these small tapes for around the house. I’m always looking for a tape and can’t find one at home. Thanks for another great episode!

[@littlejack59]

Bro shits on a Stanley then starts talking about how well a bulge fits in his hand.....

[@chillywilly7454]

I buy 1 or 2 of these whenever I go to Home Depot. I have them all over the house and in every vehicle. The dual mark are definitely one of my favorite features

[@miketorre16]

cool video, i purchased the 3' Stanley, to take as a travel fishing tape measure, should work great!!!!.... Sweet Submariner!!!! 👌👌

[@cobuck4007]

Ha. I’ve had the little Milwaukee on my keychain for the past year and use it several times per day. I chose it specifically because it has both standard and metric.

[@patrickcallahan2210]

Been looking for a good small tape measure! As always your insights are appreciated!!!

[@Wqiuyr1235]

LOVE THIS THING!! It’s at my Home Depot for 2.99 bought 5 and have them everywhere! Thanks for your videos!

[@LilasTools]

Love the small Milwaukee tapes!

[@jcmartinez7527]

I want it specifically for the metric, for tuning suspension on bikes and motorcycles, everything is in metric. Thanks for the video 👍

[@Environmenthrall]

I just picked up a Crescent Nite Eye 8' tape for $2.99, and love it.

[@Bob-I-am]

I have carried that small 3 ft Stanley in my pocket every day for several years and it has worked flawlessly. Wish it had a dual metric/imperial scale. Your small Milwaukee measure looks very good, though is twice as thick as the Stanley I pocket carry. I'll have to check out the Milwaukee next visit to the store. Thanks.

[@kingarchnyc]

The best imho is the Stanley one, small enough to fit in your pocket all day without being too bulky… along with a legit leica laser and an iPhone 3d scan app, perfect for any conditions…

[@felixf5211]

Some may grin, my favorite tape measure is a point of purchase 16' Woodcraft. I like its feel and its features. It's reliable, as well. Have many others, too, but this is the one that sits on top of my box. This being said, I mostly use a 6" scale as I don't work with wood. They're strategically scattered around the shop. It does make sense to use metric when dividing. Same idea as using the thou as a unit of measure.

[@FountainCityVol]

Good video Doc.. I have both and prefer the Dewalt with the extra length and magnet. For my uses anyway.

[@Sparkjumper59]

Tape Measurers you can never have enough of them. But when you need one you can find any.

[@Wood_Slice]

I am not sure how exactly precise you need to be in your line of work but i highly highly recommend checking out the FastCap tapes. The 16’ lefty/righty (black & green), True32 same but metric mm (black/blue) or the combo inches/mm (black & yellow) they have white tapes and all fractions are listed not just the line and have a pretty good pencil sharpener

[@daveschwarz5279]

I prefer my Wiha 2m folding measure than a tape measure, it have a good straight edge/right angle , or even used it for fishing wires through ceilings.

[@chrisfyfe9212]

I like the Milwaukee 12’ , I carry the 6.5’ as a backup . The 16 ‘s and 25’s are too big and clummsy ! If I need long range , I use an LDM .

[@marshyfoxyanddino8902]

I really like the smallest one and the 3rd smallest one I have one and the other one is the same size but different color instead of the paper being yellow it is silver

[@unionse7en]

a clip is a must, its super convenient to leave the body on your belt and just grap the actual tao to quickly measure things ... then just let go....no in & out of the pocket. ALso I like narrow bodies (1/2" blades for this, lightweight max 12' or less. light and narrow means i will always have it with me.

[@ikepete]

I have multiple Milwaukee 6ft/2m tapes. I use metric measurements at work. My tool box has one and I keep one in my pocket. I think I have a 3rd one that is not in t best shape. My children are rough on tape measures.

[@TylerSnyder305]

My all time go-to tape is the original 12' Stanley leverlock 30-513. I think the smallest version they make is an 8', but I don't believe they offer a smaller body though.

[@mikemorgan5015]

My favorite tape of all time was the original 16ft Stanley Lever Lock. Not the new fat ones. They don't make them anymore, so I've had to buy a few basic 16ft Stanleys and cannibalized the tape out of them to use in my trusty lever lock. I prefer a slimmer tape for most work. I have a few wide blade tapes if I need stand out, but rarely use them. The fat tapes are just way too bulky for my taste. The Milwaukee auto lock is my current go-to 25ft tape measure. It works like the Snap On you demonstrated.

[@adamklein3540]

Have you tried the 10'/3m Keson? It stands out 5', weighs little, and the clip really works.

[@tonytooltime5373]

What makes them STUDs? I have and love the Wide 25ft Magnetic 48-22-0225M , the 25ft Magnetic 48-22-0325 , & the mini key chain 48-22-5506. Never learned what the STUD was!? 🔨👍😁👍🔧

[@Blkmermaid823]

I’m glad to see other see the benefits of metric while not bashing imperial. I try to buy tapes that have both forms of measurement. The only thing is that unless you know someone else who uses metric at a job site no one else understands you. It’s annoying to convert back into imperial. But other than that it’s really easy to do any math and also convert into different sizes of measurements. My biggest pet peeve is not being able to say a measurement measured in inches and being to easily say how many it is in feet. And the same goes the other way. It’s just nice to be able to say hey that’s about 3.15 meters big and easily figure it out on a tape measure. And then how some measurements use decimal notation for imperial that is the most annoying. So all in all both systems have there time and place but if I had to choose I would only work in metric.

[@benjaminblackmon9130]

I’m a big fan of the FastCap mini pssr

[@thirdeyesamuel886]

Great video as usual. Check out the Crescent Lufkin series (shockproof one is favorite)

[@UnhumanNewman]

I love having that mini Milwaukee tape on my service bag. I just really wish it came in metric or sae only!

[@yban4452]

Milwaukee has a 10 ft. Keychain Tape Measure with LED Light

[@Thebonesoftrees]

I use mine for playing Warhammer 40k.

[@Henry_Swanson]

I'm not a fan of half metric half SAE. I'd rather buy two tapes and grab the right one based on the need. Sometimes you have to read off one side or the other. I had a hard time finding a quality full metric tape in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

[@davidbreitwieser3591]

I hate dual markings, just give me regular inch measurements, on the cool red one with a lighting bolt, I like the fat max tape more, maybe I can put it in the Milwaukee body

[@davidbreitwieser3591]

Lufkin make an 8 foot keychain tape, inch only, and it’s nite eyes

[@itzthoneyy]

Agree

[@MarcusRefusius]

I won’t buy a Tape that doesn’t have Imperial AND Metric. And I’m an American country boy. Cheers