FastCap ProCarpenter Flatback Tape Measure

I bought my Fast Cap flatback SAE tape a few years ago. I have not used it much, although, it is a great concept and every woodworker needs one. We have treated this tape well and given it the good care that all our tools deservel. I recently also bought a Metric version of this tape. The problem with my SAE flatback tape is that it was not durable. It recently refused to recoil back into its case. No adult in my family could fix it. There are no children. In desperation, I finally had to toss it. I have ordered another one, mainly because my 49-year-old daughter uses it every time we woodwork together, usually about 2-3 times per month. I consider it a necessity and so does she. It's just that good. But, I wish it had lasted longer. Because of the short life of this tape, I consider it only FAIR. Go ahead and buy one, it is a nice tool, but, you may be throwing it away sooner than you think.

I got tired of trying to do layout work with the standard tape measure so bought the flat measure and have been extremely pleased with it. Something that is very handy is the ability to clamp the tape to a board while doing layout with say an Irwin clamp without damaging the tape. In addition to the usual upside lever lock which is very smooth to operate, unlike some of my other tapes, is the brake on the bottom side easily activated with the forefinger to temporarily hold the tape at any length without locking it. Great feature! The photo on the Rockler site of the back side of the tape is not what I received which is OK by me. I like the belt clip on the tape I received as it can be levered with the thumb to partially open it - avoids the struggle to get it on a thick tool belt. On the tape I received, the pencil sharpener is built in on the side. I should have bought one before this.