Customer Reviews

Stanley 30-830 30-Foot-by-1-Inch LeverLock Tape Rule

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1 star:		(5)

 

 

I can reiterate much of what the other reviewers have already stated. Mine broke after only a little light use around my house. I'm not in construction and don't even use the tape all that often, and certainly not roughly, yet the retracting mechanism broke after just a bit of use. The thin tape snapped in two when the retracting mechanism failed and the tape wound itself up inside the case. I've had one of the older LeverLock tapes (one of the bright orange ones mentioned in another review), and it still works great though it's many years old and has had much more use than the piece of junk yellow egg model. I only bought the yellow one because I had misplaced the orange one and couldn't find it. Thank goodness I later found the orange one. The yellow 30-830 model is junk. Don't waste your money on it. Although Stanley says they'll replace defective tapes, is it really worth the shipping cost and hastle to send it in? I don't think so. Especially since they might end up claiming it was abused, anyway.

I've always been a huge fan of the LeverLock style tapes. The old style Stanley LeverLocks were great. I still have a neon green one that is struggling to survive. But these new LL tapes are of poor design and quality. I've owned a 30' and a 25' so far and regret wasting the money on them. Here's why:

1. The actual tape seem to be much cheaper now. My 30' tape only lasted a couple months before it tore and wound itself up inside the case. I then purchased the 25' thinking it would be a thicker more sturdy tape. It was not.

2. The new rounded, "futuristic egg" looking design is just goofy looking.

3. The actual lever mechanism is too weak. You can't even set the tape down while it's extended because it's own weight is enough to press the lever and make the tape retract. What a glaring design flaw. Stanley should be embarrassed.

4. I guess their solution to this was to add a little red button that will lock the lever and not allow it to be depressed. Maybe it seemed like a good idea to the design engineer that came up with it, but to real people using this tape in the real world it is simply an unwanted extra step in the process of trying to use this tape. That stupid button was always getting accidentally engaged and was a constant source of irritation. I ended up just cutting it off with a razor knife.

5. Why does Stanley continue to refuse to offer a "Fat Max" version of the LeverLock? Do they think us LeverLock users have no need for a wider, more sturdy tape? Are they really that out of touch?

If you can find an older style LeverLock tape maybe on ebay or something then get it. (They were more square shaped and most often seemed to be in colors of neon green or bright orange.) However I cannot recommend these new, kinda-egg shaped LeverLocks. They have no redeeming qualities at all and are greatly inferior to the older style.

The only other tape currently being made that uses an identical lever mechanism is made by Craftsman. They call them "bottom locking" tapes. Their design is far superior to this new Stanley design. The Craftsman tapes are not perfect either, but they are a much better choice than these Stanley models. I'd recommend at least checking them out.

Perhaps I got a lemon. Nearly right out of the box my 30 ft LeverLock mechanism began to fail. At first, if I set the tape down with the rule extended, the weight of itself would release the LeverLock and the tape would retract! Soon after the mechanism refused to hold the tape extended at all. I have struggled with this tape for a year now and I have cursed it nearly every time I use it. The tape increments have also worn off to the point where on the first 6 or 7 feet I cannot read any fractional markings at all. If I could give this turkey ZERO stars I would. Mr. Stanley, you blew it on this one! I'm looking for a better tape right now.

Broke within a week of moderate use. First it stopped retracting the tape - then the tape came off the inner tongue/catch. Ignore the Stanley "lifetime warranty", it will cost you more than $5 to ship it back. So it is not worth it. Spend more and get a better measuring tape. This one is a bummer. Not recommended.

I'm in construction and spent several years working as a framing carpenter. I love working with a lever lock tape. Just pull it out and squeeze it when you want to reel it in.

Unfortunately, either the tape manufactures have given up on lever locks, or; they just aren't paying attention.

First of all, a 25' tape comes up short too often so a 30' is required for most jobs. A 35' tape is even better, but lever locks aren't made in 35' lengths.

So, I have a 30' tape just like the picture. I did at least until this morning when my almost new tape broke. I pulled it out to past 30' and the "T" on the end of the steel leader sheared off. The resulting sharp edge cut the heel of my hand pretty good. I don't need stitches, but it won't stop bleeding.

It may not help, but here it goes, I want a 35', Fat Max, leverlock tape engineered to work properly in the hands of an American craftsman. Is that too much to ask?

The new style Stanley Leverlock works fine. But... And a big but... When adding the width of the case for inside measurements, you add 3-1/4", at least on the 30' rule. C'mon, you gotta be kidding me - 3-1/4"??? Every tape I ever used you add 3", except for the Fat Max and that's 3-1/2". Now we need to remember 3-1/4" for the new Leverlock. I have used Leverlock tapes for years - but no more. Now I'll need to find a new favorite tape that adds 3".