Customer Reviews for Milwaukee 8 m/26 ft. Compact Tape Measure

The part is good. For me. I need metric and SAE. Too many things I install are metric. Thanks Milwaukee

The metric units are not printed correctly, and missing several measurements. I emailed the manufacturer who has not responded.

This review is for the Milwaukee model 48-22-6626 26 foot compact tape measure, which I got a chance to try out. The tape measure has a plastic housing with rubber protective strips; it feels good in the hand and is quite solid, coming in at 15.5 ounces according to our kitchen food scale. It feels really solid. There is a place to attach a lanyard (although the lanyard isn’t included in the package). See photo. The housing has five screws holding it together and has the standard belt clip which is held on by a single screw. The tool measures 3.13" long, by 1.65" wide, by 3" high. Size is claimed to be up to 30 percent smaller than tapes with comparable blade length. They’ve managed to get an extra foot of blade into a housing that is smaller than my 25’ “standard” tape measures. There is a tape lock mechanism, the standard “thumb” type (see photos). The lock is easily set and released, no undue force required. Milwaukee claims up to a 9 foot standout for the blade (standout is the term used for how much tape can be fed out before it “breaks” and falls to the floor). I can consistently get the claimed 9 feet with the unit I received, no problem. The blade is marked in inches and centimeters (see photo). The foot increments are in black, with the 16 inch increments in red. The blade is 25mm wide (0.98 inches). The blade hook is attached to the blade with 4 rivets, 3 solid and one hollow (see photo). The blade has a nylon coating which should help with blade strength and longevity. In my usage the tape feeds out smoothly and, as noted, has a good standout. Measurements are easily read. Blade retrieval is smooth, but Milwaukee cautions not to allow ‘high speed’ blade retractions. I’ve encountered no issues, but I don’t let the tape run wild during retrieval on tape measures; once or twice on other tapes I’ve done that and been slapped by the incoming blade so I stopped doing that. Tape measures have become, to me, expendable items. They fall off of ladders and break or “grow legs” and walk off on their own or I leave them but forget where; there never seems to be one where I need it when I need it. Therefore I have several tapes in my various kits, and I frequently buy the “bargain” tapes because, not being a pro, I figure I’ll lose it or break it before the mechanism gives out, even in an inexpensive unit. Milwaukee has, I think, managed to bring a quality tape measure to the market place at a very reasonable cost so I may have to change my ways when considering tape measures. This thing just feels that good in the hand – and it’s only a couple of bucks more than the ‘el cheapo’ units I tend to buy. From my (admittedly amateur) standpoint Milwaukee has hit a home run with this unit. Note that you’ll want to check the model number if you’re considering this tape measure – Milwaukee has similar but higher priced models on the market. The unit is not made in the U.S., but Milwaukee offers a limited lifetime warranty on the tape measure and Home Depot offers their standard 90-day return policy. HTH Regards, Jim

The Milwaukee 8 m/26 ft compact tape measure packs a lot of features. Removing the tape measure from the display card involves popping a tab on the back of the card then sliding the tape measure upward while depressing a plastic ballon on the card sticking through the belt clip. The tape is 1” wide and has a bit of a dull finish that reduces glare. The arching used to strengthen the tape is a bit deep but not so deep as to make measurement reading or marking difficult. I was able to consistently extend the tape 106” without support and without the tape collapsing. I was even able to extend it 108” (9’) a couple of time. This is great feature for those times when you’re working alone. The tape displays measurements in both metric and SAE scale. Both scales are easy to read. The SAE highlights the number that corresponds with every foot of measurement in a black balloon with a pointer indicating the point of measurement. Each 16” is marked with a red balloon that has a pointer to indicate measurement. On the metric side, every 10 centimeters is displayed with a red number while every 40th centimeter is enclosed in a red balloon that lacks a pointer indicator. The hook moves back and forth to adjust for taking inside or outside measurements. The hook also has some hooks pointing up making it easier to score material. This is a quality tape measure. It is compact and feels heavy for its size, but it didn’t weigh down my pants. This really y is a good tape measure.

I really wanted to like this tape measure. It feels both sturdy and compact and I was thoroughly impressed with the fit and finish. The tape extends smoothly, the lock is firm, and the retracting spring is nicely balanced. The blade is wide and has a textured coating that cuts down on glare. Overall I would be very happy to buy another tape from this lineup. But I found this specific configuration infuriating. I work primarily with Imperial measurements but do have some European tools that are Metric so I hoped this would be a nice all-in-one tape. The problem is that the measurement scales are on the two opposite sides of the tape. What this means is that you're struggling 50% of the time with the wrong scale being on the side you're trying to read. I can't think of a better solution to implement this feature but I can say that after two weeks of using this level it's going to go into a drawer somewhere because I'm continually frustrated with using it.

I have found the metric scale useful in my small scale woodworking projects for transferring measurements. It's easier to remember 35 cm. than, say, 13 3/4 inches. This measure is well built and handsome. I find it easily in the clutter of my workbench.

Hook and leaves a little to be desired. It will work though.

It is good, normal compared to long measuring tapes that do not bend when extended. this one bends, but not that bad

Great product to mesure European and Mexican products

Great measuring tape, sturdy, and conveniently with both metric and imperial numbers

It's a fine tape measure. Nice and red, with the Milwaukee brand. But it works just the same as any other basic tape measure that's half it's price. Further, the advertised standoff of 12' isn't accurate in my experience. I can get to about 8 and 3/4 ft before it gives.

Smooth, sturdy, and simple. This one is called "5m/16ft" because one side of the tape is marked in metric.

This was perfect for my project and super fast shipping too.

It's hard to find a metric tape measure in the US. This is a good one, but the bottom of the tape doesn't have any markings which kind of sucks.

I've been using the same tape measure for 20 years and it finally broke. Looking at new ones, I was surprised to see that most don't have metric. Having metric is very useful (even in the USA) so that is why I bought this one. Compared to my old tape, it feels much better. Smooth and durable.

I travel, so I need something lightweight, but tough to handle drops with the longer reach. This feels like it fits the bill… At first appearance seems great.

Rating provided by a verified purchaser

got it returned quickly at desk. very friendly. thanks

Its okay, doesnt hold very well. very sharp, get a more expensive one and save your money

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