Customer Reviews for Stanley FATMAX 30 ft. x 1-1/4 in. Tape Measure

The tape tore after only a few light uses. Now it is useless. For the price, I’m very disappointed.

After a month of normal use, be prepared for the tape to rip at the rivets. Good luck trying to go through the warranty process through Stanley as they'll give you excuses as to why they can warranty the item. Even after explaining that the product is a few weeks old with proof of purchase. I have purchased hundreds of tapes to provide for my workshop. The last couple of years have been the worst. AT these prices I'd try their competitors.

I like this tape a lot. It has a good reach (approximately 12ft), it’s crazy durable (dropped it many times from ladders and scaffolding), and the blade is tough as well. My only gripe with the tape is that it reels back slowly and sometimes needs a bit of a push to get it all the way reeled in. It may be that the tape I got was just defective. I don’t know. I still highly recommend the tape though. It has lasted me a good two years of remodeling and contracting work.

I love using my 30' fat max. It's my favorite tool but I seem to be unlucky with tape measures. I'm on my third one this year, and it's still January. The blade WILL Crack and tear if you are too rough with them or they get caught on something. Great tape, I just think it costs a little much at a little over 1$ per foot.

I don’t know if it’s new material that does get made with, but it doesn’t last a month and starts twisting and edges are ripping too

6' Stanley FatMax is one of the best pocket tapes. Small, light weight, very convenient to carry around.

They don't hold up like they used to.

No work for me, no good

Tape broke after second use. it broke when it was recoiling and doesn't extend as far as it says it does.

Terrible reach, poor retraction, poor hold when locked. Crumbles under itself during short reach attempts, and the tape itself cracked and broke as it collapsed during a failed reach attempt. Sucks.

I’ve used one of these tape measures for the past 15 years. They are not as big and heavy as the 25’ ( I always have the 25’ in my tools when needed ) Just love the reach you have when needed.

First impression is it is a hefty tape. I got this tape for around the house. When i framed i had a fatmax and loved it but that was 10 years ago. Now the plastic feels cheep and the lock and clip seems like they wouldn't hold up to daily use. As for the retrieval of the tape why even have a tape lock on the thing first time i extrnded the tape to 6 ft I had to pull it back (as you can see in the picture the lock isn't set and it's not retracting) in there is no tention on this spring. As for the promis of 14 ft reach that is a joke once it hits 10 ft it buckles. I would not buy this if you wanted something to last or hold up to daily use. I am very disapointed with my purchase.

This is a great tape measure to use for small, simple jobs around the house. It's solidly constructed and functions just like it's bigger brothers. The black that surrounds the body has a rubber feel that provides good grip. The tape itself is metal and can extend a little over 3 feet before it "snaps". Only inches and feet are labeled but the marks in between are clear, distinct, and easy to count. The hook is non-magnetic and has the play like a full-size tape measure. (The hook on the tape measure I bought was black, not chrome looking like the image, for those that care.) I don't have much use for the key chain attached, other that twirling it around on my finger between measures. That being said, I wish this tape had the clasp on the back so I could clip it onto the outside of my pocket, since it might be just big enough to be annoying in your pocket. The button to lock the tape slides and clicks smoothly, and when released the tape reels up with a good amount of force. All told, I'm very happy with this little guy and have made a couple friends jealous. You would be wise to buy it from Home Depot since most other places I saw sold it for twice as much.

I have been using this for less than a month. I try not to let the tape close at full retraction speed, but it happens. On this tape, it only happened once and the tape split as shown in the photo. Not good!!

I have had the 30' version of the fatmax for more than 10 years. It does everything I ask of it and more. I use it on an almost daily basis. I bought this 25' for my wife because she often borrows my tools and puts them back (somewhere.) It has worked well for her so far. It is a little big for her hand, but the width of the blade and the smooth workings is a real plus. I could have purchased a less expensive (read that as cheap) tape measure. The problem is the quality is so extremely different it isn't worth the price.

Easy to handle

This tape measure was handy and user friendly.

Love the 11ft standout and the tabs to hook overhead joists.

One of, if not the best measuring tape on the market, I would buy it over and over again, a very stealable, if that's a word, item, don't leave it around, the next guy is always wanting something so good as this tape.

I like the standout of the tape , could use bigger hook on top part of tape . I have had this product for about a week and am satisfied with it.

Stanley has some of the best products out there. I have always used a Stanley's FatMax measuring tape for over six years and recently purchased another a month ago. This 35' Stanley FatMax is very pleasurable, when it retracts it allows full control and retracts with ease. I have looked for this in many stores and could not find it. Home Depot carries it. Thanks a lot. I would not choose any other brand of tape measure! Yours truly, THE STANMAN

For the price and quality of this tape measure it is most definitely the best!!! Large numbers printed on tape!!!

I have been using this Stanley FATMAX 16' tape measure every day for the past 3 months. It's OK, but I have two major complaints: 1) The tape lock is hard to engage and disengage. You might say that's good that it doesn't come loose easy after it's locked, but the slider button is too stiff for me. 2) In spite of the claim and expectation that this "fat" tape would stand alone for several feet of unsupported length, my characterization of this tape is that it is "limp" and folds over too easily. See the attached photo showing how the tape folded over on its own weight when extended less than two feet with the tape held flat side vertical. Frustrating.

My second favorite tape measure the one I was looking for was fatmax auto lock on 16’ but you guys don’t carry that

Perfect size for interior trim . Lightweight but with a 10’ standout , I go through at least 2 of these every year

Yes was a great price for two!!

This tape measure is easy to read

I've been using FatMax tape measures for about 8 years, and the quality has definitely gone downhill. It seems like Stanley started using thinner metal for the tape and now they don't hold up like they used to. After the first week of normal use, it gets lots of creases and weak spots which compromises the structural integrity of the tape, making work a lot harder when I am taking measurements of 100+ inches. I'll be switching to another brand that will better fit my needs.

A standard..buy always could be improved on..there should be a protective tape on the 1st 4 '..the most used. Common failure of all tapes. If it's a Fat Max, then build it right!..oh yeah, still damm heavy..Overall, still the best...

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