Customer Reviews

Stanley 30-986 16-Foot-by-3/4-Inch LeverLock Tape Rule

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3 star:		(1)
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This is simply the best tape measure made. Ever. This series which came in a number of lengths and widths has a very good locking mechanism that works well and is easy to use. The shape is perfect. It is a simple classic design that has practical benefits. Being square it is naturally easy to grip, control, and orient. It is no thicker than it needs to be and fits in pockets and tool pouches easily.

Nowadays tools seem to be designed by people in board rooms wearing suits. They now make nearly all tape measures round, ostensibly because it feels good in your hand or something. But this is a dumb shape because it provides no mechanical stability to stay oriented in your hand and relies instead on friction alone. To solve the friction problem these tool holders (as I call them because clearly they're not tool users) decide that some grippy rubber would make it feel nicer and give extra traction. These people will never realize how stupid their idea was because they'll never actually use the product. Instead of helping matters, the rubber makes the tool sticky so it doesn't slide into or out of pockets and tool pouches easily, an unnecessary annoyance.

So if your primary concern is a tool that works extremely well, try to find one of these tape measures. The modern approach of trendy shapes and useless rubber grips only serves to degrade the usability of the tool.

I've been using the 16' Stanley Lever Lock tape for 6 or 8 months. The Lever Lock is a great improvement over the typical top button locks because it's convenient and simple. Quick and easy to hook the tape end, pull it out, measure/mark and retract the tape without changing hand positions or having to deal with a sliding lock. But the lock needs some development because it doesn't hold the tape extended beyond about 30" anymore (might be the drywall dust exposure). I may be expecting too much of a new locking system, but I've got several button lock tapes that lock up fine after several years of use. The tape is useful, but it would be even better if the lock could be relied on for more than 6 months.

The Stanley 30-986 Leverlock is THE BEST all-around tape measure for most uses.

The 16' blade is long enough for most uses, and the 3/4" width keeps it stiff enough to extend out for several feet. The spring loaded lever on the bottom is convenient and intuitive to use - simply pull out the tape to measure and squeeze the bottom of the case with your fingers to retract it at a controlled ('feathered') rate of speed. This is much easier, quicker, and controlled than the thumb-operated 'Powerlock' series.

The 16' X 3/4" size actually fits in your jeans pockets. And its by Stanley, which usually makes tools of a decent quality, as opposed to those $3.99 tape measures at the home stores with thin, brittle blades. They used to sell replacement blades, but these days ? ? ?

Sure, if you are a carpenter, you may want the 25 or 30 foot tapes for laying out framing, and the 1" blades for longer extentions. However, unless you are wearing a tool belt, these larger tapes do not fit inside your pockets and tend to pull your pants down if clipped to your belt or waist band.

And if you only work on smaller projects, the smaller 12' x 12" Leverlock may be a better choice. If fits more easily into your pocket, purse, briefcase, etc.

The Stanley 30-986 is becomming harder to find! Usually it is only available in this bright color, occasionally in the traditional black. Stanley redesigned the Leverlock series with a rounded case that is fatter, making it harder to hold and to place in pockets. The new ones also come with an unnecessary locking button that gets in the way and activates when you don't want it to. Even though I am sure that the redesign was well intentioned to fit the hand more smoothly, they blew it. As a Professional Ergonomist I much prefer the smaller, 'squarer' case for several reasons.

I'm a guy who regularly browses through tool and hardware stores when I travel around the country. Due to globalization, marketing, whatever, I can only find the 30-986 here on Amazon and at a specific, local farm store. Unless you are a framer of houses or artwork, this is the measuring tape for you..