Favorite Tape Measures for Cabinet Making, DIY and Remodeling

I recently discovered my new favorite tape measures for cabinet making and DIY projects. They are made by FastCap and I purchased them on Amazon.  I purchased three different tape measures and I like them each for different applications. 

Overall Features

All three of these measuring tapes have some really functional “on board” features

1. Built-in Pencil Sharpener

2. Integrated “wipe off” note pad

If you need to make a note, there is no need to find a piece of paper, cardboard, a receipt, a scrap of wood… FastCap tape measures have a “wipe off” note pad so you can write directly on the tape measure.

And when that cut has been made you can either use a pencil eraser or just rub the face clean with your thumb. I don’t know what it’s made of, some kind of matte vinyl I guess but you can write and erase on this over and over and over…

3. No-Guess Labeling

This baby has excellent labeling.  It labels the tic marks down to the 16th of an inch!  You know how many times I’ve heard: 13 plus a hair, 7/8 minus a tic…?  No more ladies and gents.  Red marks are 16’ths and the others are exactly what they say they are.  This is the first tape measure I’ve seen with 16th’s labeled.

Tape Measures for Cabinet Making, DIY and Remodeling

Lefty/Righty

The Lefty/Righty Standard Measuring Tape is great because when I’m standing at the miter saw, sometimes the material I’m cutting extends to the right and sometimes to the left, and no matter which direction I’m measuring I can easily read the measurement because the numbers are facing me on both sides of the tape.

Metric/Standard Tape Measure

The Metric/Standard Measuring Tape has standard (Imperial) measurements on one side and Metric on the other.  This is especially helpful for me when using my Festool miter saw stand because the built in tape measure on the extension wings are metric.  I use the stop blocks all the time but need to know where I need to set in – in metric terms.  Also, when I’m trying to help someone across the oceans wide (ehem-Kristy), it’s useful to be able to figure things out in measurements I’m used to but see the metric measurement as well so I can explain in terms that their brain is used to.

Flatback Tape Measure

The Standard Flatback Tape Measure lays flat on the surface so you can precisely transfer your mark to your material.

It’s not always the big, expensive power tools that make cabinet building, DIY, and renovating easier -sometimes it’s the little gadgets that make all the difference!