Taking Care of Your Tape Measure

23rd June 2015

Those used to buying ultra-cheap, poor quality tape measures from the bargain bins of their local DIY superstores will most likely gloss right over this article. However, for those (like us) who believe in accuracy, quality, reliability and usability... who believe in buying the right tool once and having it last... well, for those people this article should be of interest!

As with all tools the way to make your tape measure last as long as possible is pretty simple. Take care of your tools and they will take care of you. The following few steps should prolong the life of your tape...

Control the Blade’s Return

Whilst this is a lesson that most people ignore, you should never, ever let your tape measure’s blade shoot uncontrolled back into the case. Not only will this damage the mechanism, the blade markings and the end hook over time, it can also cause injury to fingers, eyes or other people/objects around you.

Whilst most decent quality pocket tapes can cope with this kind of treatment for a short time, they are not designed to absorb that kind of punishment on a regular basis. Rapid rewind can create kinks or twists which can then tear or crease the blade. By controlling the blade’s return you may be prolonging the life of your tape.

The same goes for steel or fibreglass surveyors’ tapes. Whilst these rarely have an auto-return function, they will suffer from overly fast/rough winding. Take it easy and rewind your tape smoothly and steadily. This may extend the life of both the blade and the winding mechanism.

Remember, the accuracy of your tape measure (and, potentially, its calibration status) depends upon a number of components being in excellent condition. A slight bending of a Class 1 tape’s end hook, for example, may turn it into a Class 2 tape.

Keep it Clean

It is very important to keep your tools dry, clean and free of debris. No tool with metallic components should ever be put away wet – a simple wipe down of your tape after use will keep it in tip top condition. If you use a tape in the rain and don’t dry it afterwards, any water on the blade gets pulled back inside the case. This water can cause blades and mechanisms to rust.

That said, whilst you should never soak or wash a steel tape under a tap/hose, the same is not true of a fibreglass tape. The real advantage of a fibreglass tape is that it can be rinsed off after use. By cleaning the blade after use you reduce the chance of debris being dragged into the mechanism of the tape. This helps keep the winder in first class condition and, crucially, prevents the numbers and other markings from abrading.

Keep it Cool

Steel and fibreglass tapes should be kept out of direct sunlight and away from excessive heat as much as possible in order to prevent the risk of expansion and stretch.

Perform Regular Checks

As previously suggested, it’s the condition of the various components that make up your tape measure that affects its accuracy. Too much play in just one of them can void the calibration or accuracy certification of your tool. As a result we would always recommend that you carry out the following checks on a regular basis...

• Ensure the hook does not have too much or too little play in it. Despite what some people think, the end hook of a pocket tape should always have a small amount of play in it. This allows the tape to maintain the same level of accuracy when taking both internal and external measurements. Any tape with zero movement in the hook is not fit for purpose. Similarly, a tape with far too much movement will also be inaccurate. Simply compare your tape against a high quality, accurate steel rule to ensure it remains within the stated tolerance levels.
• Check the numbers and other markings are clear and not worn. It is a little known fact that it is the quality, fineness and clarity of the tape’s markings that helps determine its accuracy. If the printed graduations have blurred or worn away slightly then this tape is no longer in calibration and should be replaced immediately if being used for anything other than estimation tasks.
• Ensure that the edge of the blade is straight, sharp and not worn or damaged. Any variation in straightness along the blade’s length can lead to inaccuracies and, in some case, nasty cuts. If your tape is nicked or cut it will need replacing.
• Check the blade for kinks, tears or bends. A kink, tear or bend in a steel tape measure will almost always lead to inaccuracies. Unfortunately there is no way of straightening these tapes out sufficiently to return them to their original state of calibration/accuracy. In such cases a replacement tape will be needed.

Don’t Drop Your Tape!

This might sound obvious but tape measures, even the incredibly durable site tapes, are not designed to be dropped repeatedly. Like any mechanical object, repeated impacts will cause damage and will inevitably shorten your tape’s life.

Written by Ian Johnson