My Favourite Metric-Only Double Sided Tape Measure!
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- Опубліковано 20 вер 2024
- You can buy my tape measure here: gosforthhandym...
As you may already be aware I have a slightly nerdy fascination with tape measures. A year or so ago I was having a bit of a moan on about the design of tape measures and the lack of markings on both edges. I then found the awesome Advent Vice Versa metric only tape measure, used it for 6 months or so and loved it so much I started selling them on my little shop, along with my favourite carpenter pencils... and some other stuff.
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You can buy my tape measure here: gosforthhandyman.com/shop/ 👍 (we now ship to the US and EU too!)
Can I buy this from the usa?
Seems like a wonderfully useful tape measure... but buying it is impossible!
Shipping to The Netherlands seems unavailable?
Would you mind adding this, thanks!
Great video Andy.
My wife is sitting here sniggering at the fact that 1/ somebody made a video about their favourite tape measure and, 2/ that I'm watching it.
Remind her that Andy said you can make Backside measurements with it !
@@negotiableaffections Bugger... they only do it in 5mtr :o(
Hahahahaha, mines doing the same 🤣🤣
Brilliant. I live in the United States. A few years ago I “discovered” the simplicity and joy of the metric system. I have repented of my old imperial ways. It is nearly impossible to find metric tapes here. I am going to your site now and will gladly own your tape.
John Lowe, Photographist I agree.
We're still stuck in a half-way-house of metric and imperial over here - doing my best to force the switch. 😂👊
@@GosforthHandyman Don't bother we are leaving the eu. it's easier and quicker to say 4ft x 8ft than 2440mm x 1220mm.
@@GosforthHandyman In Canada were the same way in residential construction anyway.
Raised in the imperial system I quickly found the metric system was so much easier on the maths part of my brain, but after so many Diresta Videos...I'm liking the chunky imperial Inch, 8" is so much easier to visualise than 210mm - the debate may rage on longer than brexit!
Love my Vice Versa, like you, always had a major gripe about most tape measures being left handed, meaning that the numbers are up the correct way for someone who writes/marks left handed and holds the tape in the right hand.
I'm right handed so this has always been an issue, but now with the VV it is so natural to pick the tape up in my left hand, drop the hooks over the right end of my work, and mark with my writing hand, simples!
Another great feature of the VV is the bare channel that runs the entire length of the center of the tape, a great spot to make marks with your pencil if you do a lot of repeat cuts, and easily rubbed off when done!
Since I bought your tape Andy I don't use anything else,it's helped me greatly in moving from imperial to metric and believe me at 65 and having used nothing but feet and inches through my life,and latterly measuring and converting which is a pain,I very rarely, if at all, look at an imperial tape
Fantastic - glad you're finding it useful! If I accidentally pick up an imperial one now I get really annoyed. 😂👍
I really appreciate this. finding a tape hat is METRIC ONLY seems difficult.This is a lovely and sensible design. We NEED these in the USA, in METRIC ONLY of course.
Ok, this isn't geeky at all. Wanting the scale you are using to be on the side of the tape you need it on is EMINENTLY PRACTICAL. I totally agree with you.
I just went back to watch your video about the flappy bit on the tape measure. Can I just say your production has gone waaaaay up since then! Keep it going!
That is an awesome tape measure!!! As an American trying to use metric only for my projects, yours solves many problems. A subtle one, but confusing nonetheless, is the Stanley’s centimetre markings are before the tick marks for the first 10cm, whereas yours has them centered above the tick marks the whole tape. For someone trying to learn to use metric, this to me is much more clear to read on yours. On the Stanley, when reading say 67, the number 7cm is right above the millimetres that I am trying to read. Your eliminates one more potential error. Nice!
I received mine in the mail just today...with your name and logo. I like it!!!
Glad it arrived safe and sound - cheers bud! 👍
At last. I thought I was the only one who struggled. Definitely buying one of these. Thank you sir
Dear Mr Gosforth... promptly received my 3 tape measures...I have to say they're excellent. I particularly like the matt finish on the tape itself - no reflection - so much easier to read! Very happy customer.
Thank you and glad they arrived safe and sound! Happy measuring! 👍👍
I've standardized on a combo Metric/Imperial tape measure from Fastcap. I have about a million of them now, and can even find one when I need it...most of the time. I use both systems here, but I'm in the US. Using one style of reliable tape helps avoid misreads and mistakes. If I didn't switch between systems so much, a two-sided one would be much nicer for all the reasons you mentioned. I've just had to make my peace with them.
The one you're using is really nice. I've never seen one printed on the back -- super useful! Nice big hook, too.
Left vs Right reading: Lee Valley makes them both ways, but I've found their tapes kink too easily and get ruined.
Such a cool design! Would love a double sided imperial tape measure like this metric one is, it really bugs me trying to read numbers and markings upside down while pulling the tape from the right to the left.
Tape measure review Tuesdays?
You know the algorithm loves it.
Tape measure TEST Tuesday - now the fun begins!
Interesting.
However, the problem with the Tape Measures mentioned is that the are not Millimetre Only Tape Measures - as required for proper metric construction.
Please note this quote from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metrication_in_Australia wherin it is stated : -
"The building industry was the first major industry grouping in Australia to complete its change to metric. This was achieved within two years by January 1976 for all new buildings other than those for which design had commenced well before metrication began. The resulting savings for builders and their sub-contractors has been estimated at about 10% a year of gross turnover.
In this the industry was grateful to the SAA (now Standards Australia) for the early production of the Standard AS 1155-1974 "Metric Units for Use in the Construction Industry", which specified the use of millimetres as the small unit for the metrication upgrade. In the adoption of the millimetre as the "small" unit of length for metrication (instead of the centimetre) the Metric Conversion Board leaned heavily on experience in the UK and within the ISO, where this decision had already been taken.
This was formally stated as follows: "The metric units for linear measurement in building and construction will be the metre (m) and the millimetre (mm), with the kilometre (km) being used where required. This will apply to all sectors of the industry, and the centimetre (cm) shall not be used. … the centimetre should not be used in any calculation and it should never be written down"."
As a result of this, all (proper) building construction tape measures in Australia are "Millimetre only".
(See commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Retractable_tape_measures#/media/File:Australian_5_Metre_(millimetre)_Measuring_Tape_(Start_and_End_Sections).jpg for an example.
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Retractable_tape_measures#/media/File:FastCap_Tape.jpg may also beb of interest.)
Further, please see ua-cam.com/video/1d3gAZ-Te3Y/v-deo.html (since the Metric System is Better by a Thousand) and
ua-cam.com/video/_lshRAPvPZY/v-deo.html from 7:30 to 9:24.
I await (with interest) comments concerning this post.
I’ve been using a vice versa for years, wouldn’t use anything else, especially upside down using the hook and tape body to hold itself in place. Brilliant bit of kit.
Got 5 of the 8m FatMax's (lost one) as they are 2 for a tenner SF but was just discussing with the wife at the weekend how irritating it was marking at the wrong side of the tape due to irrelevant (for me) inch scale on one side. May just have to grab one!
I purchased a Fatmax metric only a couple of years ago. Awesome bit of kit.
I still use an original Stanley Powerlock, a Fisco A1and a Rabone Chesterman handiflex.
Hooray, a convert to metric ! I find it a much easier system to use and I am 57 years old
Most joiners in the UK still use imperial AND metric mainly because doors, timber are easier said in imperial (ie 2'6" door rather than 762mm. 4x2 instead of 100x50.)
I recently tracked down a Stanley Powerlock 3m (metric only, no imperial!) but your double-sided metric looks perfect! I wish I'd seen that earlier.
Ha! My Stanley Powerlock just broke - the centre coil spring snapped and is unrepairable. Just ordered one of yours as a replacement!
For the problem of marking a board. I would use a combination square, and use the tape to position the square, then use the square to mark the line.
Kind of late, I know, but could the change from right-to-left measurement to left-to-right measurement be because of the move from hand-saws to power-saws? You always measure from the left of a track-saw, for example.
I recently got a new tape measure that has some new to me features, including some the same as your tape. Mine has markings across the tape on the reverse side rather than along it, which is very handy for reading off vertically or across underneath things. The other difference is that it is a soft friction grip on the tape by default, and you press the button to release it for rewind. It gives smooth control of rewind and there is an extra button for release on the underside. It is matt and class II. Very pleased with it, but dual metric markings would be very handy.
I've often been frustrated with metric imperial tapes and wanted a metric only.
The only things that are imperial that I use really are sheets of ply which are 8' X 4' but I already know the metric equivalent by heart anyway 2.440m X 1.220m.
The Hultafors Talmeter is the best 3m precision tape I've used so far. Metric only, has an internal measurement feature and can measure diameters of circular objects.
Uses a
It uses a British blade
@@freespeech2261
Fres p
Free speech
Briton
Just watched your "Tape Measure" video from 2019 (a bit late, I know). I like your enthousiasm for the metric-system. I still wonder why some (mainly the USA) still use the imperial. As I said "good for you" and I hope more people come to their sences.
It doesn't mean you're on the good way (trafficwise) because the UK is one of the few countries that drive on the wrong side of the road. Maybe you can promote cars with the steering on the other side, so you can drive your car(s) on the "normal" (right) side, but ........ that will never happen I think.
Well, you'll never know what the futere may bring. Again, thanks for this "easy to understand" video about the handy and easy metric sustem (and the double-sided tape-measure, which was new for me).
Greetings from the other side of the pond, the Netherlands.
Measuring inside a door jamb springs to mind for overhead measuring.
I like using the underside for measuring especially during layout that needs to be accurate. Having the markings right on the surface that I am marking is invaluable in being accurate and means I don’t have to fuss with trying to push the tape down to the surface at the same time I am trying to mark it.
Well, you learn something new every day! I don't think my collection measures up to this!
Funny story: Me, a Canadian plumber on a jobsite with my new FatMax metric tape measure.
A carpenter comes up: "Hey, can I borrow your tape?"
Me: "Sure, it's metric though"
Him: "That's ok"
Me: "Here you go"
A minute later he returns: "Hey, there's no inches on here"
Me: "Yeah It's metric"
Him: "I though it had both, why don't you just use one with both?" (usually the only metric ones you can get here unless you special order ;)
Me: "It's annoying to use with both"
Him: "Why don't you just use a regular Imperial one then?"
Me: "I can't stand Imperial"
Him: blank stare, mind blown.
I bought a visa versa from Axminster. Best tape I’ve bought and like you only one I use now
First one I have seen for right handed users. Will be getting one with my next order from Axminster.
having metric on each edge/side of the tape is also useful because if you have the same reading on each edge you know your not measuring from an angle,you know you are straight,do you know what I mean?
Excellent observation. I will be double checking all my measures now this way!
I've had to buy another!!! My apprentice nicked mine lol. Amazing tape for marking out sheet meta as it does away with parallax error. You've omitted to say the reverse side is great for wrapping around ventilation spiral ducting etc. to measure circumferences.
Hi Andy. Ok you’ve persuaded me. Just bought 2 through your amazon affiliate link. Good deal on at the moment there (2 for £8.85 or 1 for £8.89...er...?). Thanks for all your tips. Have a great Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.
Pencil with no paint on is like camouflage in the workshop.
Before I got yours my main go to was a Stanley Fat Max, and aside from the other problems you mention, the hook on the end just constantly slips off the workpiece, whichever way up you have it.
Metric or Imperial either or for me. but I do like the idea of the measure printed on underside of tape.
Especially as it is the right way round for Right Handed Users. We have always been the discriminated against majority.
For all the same reasons you mention, I picked up a fully metric dual sided Milwaukee tape. Magnetic tip too! The 8m version is a bit cumbersome for everyday use if you don't always need that length. I'll have to buy the 5m model one day.
When you come out with metric tape measure designed for reading violin string length let me know! I'm having to take a red marker and index it at 328mm. Turns out the marker is dry erase!. The mark disappeared! SO I need a legible black field white number millimeter tape measure for violin purposes. Thanks if you can help!
Is there anyone that makes one like yours but 10Meter? My husband needs one for work. And hates having the inches and meters. Likes the clean look of yours and the finger break but needs a longer one
Must admit Andy the vise versa tape is fantastic I have one and like you find it so much better to use
Got my tape measure this morning , thank you it's a sanity saver :-)
Fantastic - thank you! Glad it arrived safe and sound!
Been using the vise versa tape for over a year now and bought it for a lot of the same reasons you went for it. Got mine from Toolstation. Didn't take long to realise that I just didn't miss imperial measurements at all. Only thing to watch is the top hooks at the end. If you don't pay attention, they will about take the end off your thumb. Lesson still not learned.
It looks just like a fastcap tape measure, although I dont think any of theirs have the markings on the back, but the body, brake, everything else looks basically the same, I wonder if they're made in the same factory or something. Great tape measures overall, I have one imperial only and one metric only, I carry both while Im in the shop.
Try factoring in only working with one hand, bloody nightmare!
This is what I’m looking for but they’re not easy to find. This guy sounds like a Geordie!
Very informative on that style tape measure. It might be cheaper at your site “versus” Amazon even with shipping to U.S. I would rather wait, and support you.
I bought the Visa Versa tape when I saw it on another English video, being left handed I find it excellent.
Not that Bosch needs any extra marketing... but have a look at their new professional tape measure. Does pretty much everything yours does. I would even suggest that its double-sided "hoook" is superior with regard to strength. However, I'd love one of your branded ones!
So I bought it. Placed it alongside a precision tool. It's 0.5mm too long. Both Push and Pull measurements. Probably means the end hook has been manufactured about 0.75mm to 1mm too small. I'm sure it saves money during manufacturing but not acceptable for me (You may see this differently). Placed my Starrett tape measure alongside the same precision tool and it was also off about 0.05mm (Less than half the line marking was shifted). I'm sure it doesn't matter to some. But to my eye Starrett is literally 10 times more accurate (without the cool features you talk about in this video). I don't want to subtract 0.5mm each time from my measurement to arrive at the actual. I'll be placing the tape measure with the inaccuracy marked on it at the side of the road. If you're in my neighbourhood come pick it up.
Keep in mind that at full length, a tape will only be accurate at the reference temperature, typically 20°C or 68°F.
Hi Andy, I am from Ireland and I was trying to buy your measuring tape from the link, but I did not see Ireland in the delivery location section.
I'm in the USA and measure everything I can in metric. The half imperial/metric is akward for the reasons you mentioned. I've look all over the internet for a tape measure like yours, all metric two sided, sold in the USA, but no luck.
I like this measuring Tape
I am team fastcap, I really like their tape measures.
Top tip : use a bit of super glue to remove any play in the clip at the end. For some reason they always make the rivets loose, and it slides by exactly the thickness of the clip itself ..... 😛😜
wforl 😂😂😂
I will put money on the fact that some people have done that. 😂👍
Doh !!!
Mine hooks off the bracket rivets sometimes when measuring flat-stock and facings so my measurements have been short when cutting. Be sure to check it's on the hook end and not caught on the rivets when measuring the workpiece
Check out Bacho metric only(grey colour).Not using anything else (apart from small 3m Hultaforce which is great as well)
I like my Hultafors for accyracy!
You sold me on getting a visa vera too!
Superior Being Great for internal measurements too!
I bought my vice versa having listened to your podcast. They are fantastic. I plan to get one of yours at MC. Also the last bit of footage of the old tape measure , my dad had one of those it was beautifully made but not the most accurate!
I've got a really nice Fisco PR8ME at the moment which I think is a near perfect mixed measurement tape, but do like the idea of having marks on both sides. Will definitely add yours to my list if I ever need a pure metric tape.
You make me wish I had a GH tape measure for my American needs! Jealous!!! :)
Then the order was sent on 3 measuring tape. Looking forward to it. Hope it's not as long waiting for these. As on the maker's knife from Giaco. Have waited 4 months now and it has not yet arrived :(
Milwaukee makes metric tape now, but here is the deal. Milwaukee tape, you're looking for 5m, 8m, etc... it's all metric, and if you see 8m/ 25, it means you're getting metric and imperial.
Noooo. When will they be back in stock please?
I like the idea of double sided tapes ,I just use nearest mark on tape as my measurement,m or imp,sounds barmy but works for me!( I do work alone, only me to confuse) I also use various lengths of pencils down to 1inch sorry 25mm for awkward access points.In the past I have also used propelling pencils for marking through thick surfaces but leads were getting a tad expensive, by the way not a chippy but a sparky which should explain a lot!,
Thanks for the tapes Andy, a brilliant idea and great quality to..now where did I put them..!
Nothing wrong with being a tape measure nerd, something I have been accused of in the past for the number of tapes I buy.
With the youngsters I instruct these days metric is the only method they know, so obviously thats what I tend to use mostly. I do however still use imperial occasionally so prefer a dual measurement tape. My tape of choice is the Stanley power lock and have used them ever since I started work more than 40 years ago, I actually prefer the coating that they put on them, it just gives them a premium feel, I guess its what you get used to really.
this was helpful i gotta say. i need to do some layout with metric measurements and don't want to convert everything went looking for a metric tape and found a bunch of crap on amazon
Your tape measure looks a decent one but you should release an 8m one, I’d definitely purchase one of those 👍
Not available yet but watch this space! 👍
The UK switched to metric when I left school and I switched for life: I eventually trained as a plumber and I have spent decades asking younger workers why they ise imperial measure when it changed before they were born. They often say it's because the construction trade uses imperial but that is untrue, from the time I trained everything was shown in mm, cm or metres: I was using 15mm and 22mm pipe in the seventies! It has been a constant pain for me that I must use dual marked tapes and worst of all the standard tape in the UK is upside down for right handed people. Why can't we have metric tapes that measure from the right so I can hold the tape body in my left hand and mark the work with the pencil in my right hand while reading the markings the correct way? I have mentioned this every year for decades. We measure pulling the tape with our right hands but actually marking workpieces requires writing with that hand: who does not know this? and yet I have never found a correct tape!
My tape can be used left or right handed. 👍
Hi thanks for the vid. This is what I was looking for. unfortunately, you are not shipping to my country for some reason :-(
I'm so glad you like my tape measure
Just ordered one from your shop Andy. Looking forward to losing it in my workshop when it arrives :-)
Since I got one of your tapes it is the only one I use
I should think so too. 😂👍
Love this - any idea when they’ll be back in stock as I’d like to support!
Watched your vids on and off for years and recently discovered Peter @ 10 min workshop and subsequently Measuring Up which I was disappointed to discover you’re no longer making. Any plans to revive it ever?
Just ordered a tape measure and a set of pencils from your site 👍 keep up the great vids mate.
I feel your pain, they seem to make tape measures for 'left' handers now! my goto tape is a vice-versa bought it about 18months ago for the very reasons you explain, (not one of yours im afraid) I still have lots of 'duel' tapes and use them if im 'rough' cutting as the 3" mark is closer than 72mm! (sorry Andy) Toolstation sell the Vice versa £8 for a 5m
I think you've linked to the cheaper one-sided Vice Versa Tape Measure on Amazon (both UK and US) - the dual sided one is nearly twice the price (and more expensive than yours)
I really like this tape measure. However, it is a bit large. I would a smaller version, around 2-3m.
Just bought one, diamond geeza
Awesome - cheers bud! 👍
Now all you have to do is find/make a millimetre-only tape measure to really take advantage of the metric system. Centimetres are horrible and lead to many errors and slow conversions to the metric system.
Got mine, love it...
The imperial is useful to have, to me. But as a secondary system. The metric should be on the top.
Do the tape measure stay upright. Those Stanley’s were on sale at screwfix and I can see why, drives you up the wall falling over.
if you think about all modern tapes are for left handed people .Which i like being a lefty
The tape fits well in my right hand as there is not a belt clip in the way and it's the hand I want to use as I have the most control over it so don't really understand how they are all left handed.
we read from left to right so pull tape with right hand mark with left had & not crossing hands to mark which i see right hand people do
Looks like it is The tape measure I will ever need. Will you be selling them at Makers Central?
Take care.
Karol
Nice one Andy, i really like using your tape its megga useful as you have pointed out,and you don't get Tape droop. I do like using the tape Peter uses as well its great for tricky inside measurements.. btw i have sent you an email about Makers Central
Only trouble with vice versa (great tape) but it's not flexible enough if you keep your tape on your belt and measure diresta style. Prefer 5m Stanley tylon for that reason. Milwaukee 8m tape very nice for long standout
Any chance you might have it in navy blue sir?
Love it Andy. Another belter.
Bits be for sale at Maker Central??
Unfortunately, your link is dead
What is the “stand out” length on your tape measure?
Got one in my makita case
3 pack and pencils bought. Glad to support you! :-)
Thank you! 👍👊
They may put the label that way now when they realized that someone watching you who may be thinking of buying one gets a free advert for that make
I am curious about the lay out of studs in metric in the us we use base 8 math for are material dimensions, I have always wondered how it works with base 10 math. Here we do our framing layout on 16 inches, 19.2 inches, or 24 inches so it matches up with our standard sheet goods dimensions of 4 foot by 8 foot. I was just wondering how you do this in metric IE how meany centimeters center to center on a framing layout .
Tape measure droop, its a well known condition that wood workers suffer. If only tape measure were made by viagra.
Another T-shirt! 👊😂
I am not sure I would like being chased around the room by a horny tape measure
Well, Andy that's another video that "measures up" ...😉 I hope you've got a "shed load" for Makers Central... 😀