Convenience and accuracy are embodied with these handy tape measures from STANLEY.
THE LESS WEIGHT in your tool belt, the better. For tradies looking for a professional, rugged, lightweight and compact tape measure, STANLEY’s new Control-Lock range (5m, 8m and 10m) has plenty of features without adding extra weight to your lower back and hips – things like a very efficient and clever finger brake which either slows or stops the retracting blade. It works really well, giving maximum control and protection when extending and retracting the blade.
With a 25mm blade width and an impressive reach of 3.5 metres, the high-quality STANLEY Control-Lock tapes have been designed and built for strength, resilience and exceptional reach, making them the cat’s whiskers for use on the professional Australian job site. The first eight centimetres of each blade have been treated with BladeArmor coating for optimum resistance to abrasion or breakage. This transparent coating reinforces that key area where most wear-and-tear damage normally occurs
In another cool addition, each STANLEY Control-Lock tape comes with a detachable magnet to adhere to metallic surfaces, like metal framework and venting. A multi-catch hook has been added for ultimate practicality, versatility and ease of use. The yellow 25mm blades are crisp, firm and easy to see in a wide range of lighting conditions, from full sun to low light. A rubber over-moulded case protects the blade from drops and knocks to offer greater durability and lifespan.
TEST #1 COMFORT
For our testing purposes we had the 8m and 5m tapes on hand, and if the 8m is anything to go by, the 10m is also set to impress. Both measures felt great in the hand and worked exceptionally well. You’ll barely even notice one on your tool belt. The 5m in particular is a little pocket rocket. It almost looks a little toy-like until you pick it up and feel the quality of its build and components. It would be perfect for tradies who don’t like to use tool belts at all, as they easily fit into a shorts’ pocket or clip to the waist of pants. We visited a couple of different sites to test the Control-Lock tapes. The first was a site that had plasterboards up and was almost at finishing-off stage. The second site was all steel frames and concrete without any roof covering.
TEST #2 USABILITY AND READABILITY
Putting the Control-Lock tapes to use over the large steel-framed building site was a great test. The end hook held on exceptionally well over the long spans we measured. Over 6m distances, the 8m tape came into its own. The action of the extension and retraction was beautiful. Our various tradies who tested the tapes loved the size and feel of the performance. They felt great to hold and fit naturally into the hand. The finger brake worked well at stopping the end hook from coming in too hot and doing damage to either fingers or finished material like soft timbers or plasterboard.
As you first extend the first 8cm of the blade, you will notice the BladeArmor, which protects this critical section. It helps stop the blade splitting and adds to the life span of the tape. The double-sided blade print made it easy to read measurements in all situations and positions. It was a piece of cake to obtain precise readings
in the outside and indoor low-light areas we tested. These tapes would be perfect for users who didn’t want or need the size, bulk, or weight of the STANLEY FATMAX® range, but still wanted the other features STANLEY is renowned for, like quality and durability.
THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY
As part of STANLEY’s global sustainability pledge, the Control-Lock series packaging has been redesigned and uses an eco-friendly clip card that will significantly reduce the amount of plastic introduced to the waste stream. Across the range, this new packaging innovation will eliminate 20,900 pounds (9510kg) of PVC per year globally. •