| Review by davidroberts | posted 1317 days ago | 3039 views | 0 times favorited | 18 comments | ![]() |
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- FastCap PS-FLAT16 Flatback 16' Tape Measure
- Brand: FastCap | Category: Measuring Tools

While walking around the local Woodcraft store, I saw a display of Fastcap brand measuring tapes. One really caught my eye. It’s a “flatback” tape, as you cannot see on edge in the middle picture. It measures 16’ long. I have a lot of longer boards and sheet good to measure and I though what a great idea. Later I ordered a few things from Woodcraft and to make the $50 free shipping, I included the tape. It sells for $8 and is very well made. The thumb lock allows you to lock the tape in the reel so you won’t snag the end and jerk it out. It also locks in place for hands free measurement, and has a convenient “brake” button on the bottom. It is scaled to 1/16th and is o’ so easy to read. Probably the easiest tape I own to read. The tape also has an 1/8” wide clear opposing edge to markup as a story stick. The end is very sturdy and is secured with three rivits. The end doesn’t move. I though about this, and the reason is, the tape is truely a limp biscuit. It has no rigidity. It’s like pushing a string. You only measure with slight tension on the tape. So there is no need for the end to move. I’m all about the measurement, and this tape has become my new best tool. You can also measure a circumference. BTW, Fastcap is a unique company. They use other peoples ideas, pay them a royality, and produce and sell the products. I didn’t know anything about them until I ran across this tape. Check them out at www.fastcap.com
-- david roberts, spinning Tales from Topographic Oceans, no, really.





















18 comments so far
GuyK
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346 posts in 2248 days
#1 posted 1317 days ago
David, I have to agree with all that you have said. I have been using this tape and another Fastcap tape for years. I find them to be very accurate. Also Fastcap has a good customer relations department. I had a issue ( my problem, I dropped it ) with one of my tapes and needed a replacement. To make a long story short they where very helpful in getting me a replacement.
-- Guy Kroll www.thelandsathillsidefarms.org
_bp
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18 posts in 1436 days
#2 posted 1317 days ago
Isn’t the hook supposed to move to account for it’s thickness when making inside edge vs outside edge measurements (pushing the end up against something vs hooking over something)?
Peter Oxley
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1423 posts in 2043 days
#3 posted 1317 days ago
bp – I think the point davidroberts was making about the hook is that it doesn’t need to move because this tape only takes outside measurements. You can’t push against anything because it isn’t stiff like a “standout” tape.
-- http://www.peteroxley.com -- http://north40studios.etsy.com --
Tim_456
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153 posts in 1764 days
#4 posted 1317 days ago
One thing to mention as well about all of their measuring tapes is that you can write in pencil on the white circle on the outside and on the tape itself. It can get kind of dingy when being used but it’s a nice feature when you can transfer the measurement without remembering (and forgetting;) what the value is. I think mine also came with a pencil sharpener built in, minor but a nice touch and use of dead space.
I use their traditional versions with the cupped taped because the “pushing string” gets very annoying to me but I have several and use their brand exclusivly.
Thanks for the review!
Frankie Talarico Jr.
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356 posts in 1525 days
#5 posted 1317 days ago
We got these tapes for those of you not around a woodworking store. They are highly accurate,and you can get them here. www.getneds.com/tape
Great tool for the outside curve of any project. Two styles to choose from…..check it out.
-- Live by what you believe, not what they want you to believe.
Chris
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1850 posts in 2160 days
#6 posted 1316 days ago
I have this specific FastCap tape and I love it; it’s my favorite. i get easily annoyed by the curved tapes when layout cut lines on stock; this solved that issue for me.
-- "Everything that is great and inspiring is created by the individual who labors in freedom" -- Albert Einstein
jack1
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1806 posts in 2196 days
#7 posted 1316 days ago
I have so many tapes now but what the heck, one more can’t hurt…
-- jack -- ...measure once, curse twice!
a1Jim
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87175 posts in 1746 days
#8 posted 1316 days ago
New to me Thanks
-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/
treeman
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208 posts in 1619 days
#9 posted 1316 days ago
I’ve had mine for about a year and I love it for layout. One of the best things is you don’t have to “tilt” it to get the mark on the board. The other side is used for a story stick so you can transfer exact measurements to similar pieces.
I also have their “righty” “lefty” tape that measures from either end of a board and the numbers are always upright. I like this one a lot too.
MattinCincy
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128 posts in 1322 days
#10 posted 1316 days ago
I guess I’ll have to get one and try it – everyone seems to like them. I always thought they seemed a little big in my hand, though. I like my small Stanley 12 footer for shop use.
Matt
-- Wag more, bark less.
araldite
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187 posts in 1573 days
#11 posted 1316 days ago
I looked at this a few months ago and decided it’s not good for inside measurements and passed on it for that reason.
-- Failure is the road to success if you learn to learn from your mistakes - Vince, Greenville, SC
davidroberts
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952 posts in 1655 days
#12 posted 1316 days ago
Jack1, I counted 7 in my arsenal including the Stanley mini me on my keychain. Three actually work. I’m blessed to enjoy the $10 and under pleasures in life, ha.
araldite, your right, it’s a one trick pony.
Mattin – I have a little Starrett 12’ I use alot. But one side is metric, which has always bugged me. I think that’s the reason it was on sale. I didn’t notice at the time.
treeman – that righty lefty is another great idea. i’ve already hinted to santa about stocking stuffers.
Cessna and Tim 456- Dang, I forgot about that little feature. Yep, the flatback has one. She’s a beaut.
And one other item, if you let the tape slip hard back into the reel, it will bend the end a little. I’m just saying.
-- david roberts, spinning Tales from Topographic Oceans, no, really.
Brad_Nailor
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2449 posts in 2126 days
#13 posted 1315 days ago
These fast cap tapes are nice..I have the flat back in my home shop…but….I bought one a few years back that was a story pole regular tape with a pencil sharpener built into the base to use while working in a cabinet shop. I really liked it till I dropped it a few times and it broke..the tape locked up and wouldn’t move….I fiddled with it and got it to work a few more times and then the return spring failed and the tape wouldn’t retract. They dont really stand up well to real world use/abuse! My Stanley fatmax has been dropped hundreds of times…even from ladders, and still works like a champ!
-- http://www.facebook.com/pages/DSO-Designs/297237806954248
Rabbet
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35 posts in 1310 days
#14 posted 1310 days ago
I’m a Stanley guy but… this tape works great. I like the fact I can measure the circumfrances or odd shaped pieces.
VanessaG
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6 posts in 1460 days
#15 posted 1303 days ago
Hmm, thanks all for the comments, I am going to get myself one of these!
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