Why Won't My Tape Measure Retract? Repairing a Broken Measuring Tape

This is highly annoying: a tape measure that does not retract… so today, we look at a broken measuring tape to understand how it works, so that we can repair it!
Note: The spring powered retraction mechanism can be damaged due to aging of the metal spring or because someone yanked too hard on a fully extended tape measure. In any cases, rolling the tape tightly while maintaining spring tension is the only thing needed to get back a fully functional measuring tape!
► DISCLAIMER
Always make sure you operate in a safe and secure manner.
For this project, make sure your fingers do not get pinched.
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[@hughsnuts7318]

You are the man 👋 thankyou!!!

[@TheLabOtomy]

Nope, just another random gender fluid entity, thanks!

[@lindatorre]

Thank you!

[@TheLabOtomy]

Welcome

[@markwilliams2830]

Thanks for sharing.Now I can have a go at fixing two of my own now I know what to look for!

[@Nombte1Apellido1-gp2bg]

yengo rxactamentr rsr problema... intentate lo mismo...
gracias

[@moonbet93]

Me salvaste

[@XMSTeamz]

Jajajajajajaja is veey funny xD by the screw jajajaja

[@_MCRIZZ_]

I don’t think I can do the screw part

[@ellepea-vx4sh]

Tried it with my Stanley power lock. Didn't work.

[@RatsMysteryCheese]

Actually an even better way I just found out because I was to lazy to do all this, is that if you pull it out fully and then slowly retract it back in manually then it fixes itself :)
No screwdriver or taking apart necessary.

[@MattMendians]

Thank you I won’t throw it away yet.

[@TheLabOtomy]

Yes, just give it another chance

[@mongstyt9946]

I hope it works

[@mongstyt9946]

Works like a charm

[@victorjoelgonzalezflores8624]

Y no se puede poner una cuerda en vez de la cinta amarilla??

[@blairdenholm4167]

No idea what you did at the end.

[@williampmcd8548]

Thank you. Did as you demonstrated. Mine seems to have rust damage on the interior spool. Soaked it in WD40, wiped surfaces clean as well as possible, sprayed again. Still the spooling doesn't work. Suggestions?

[@TheLabOtomy]

How does the internal spring mechanism look? Still sitting tight and springy?

[@williampmcd8548]

Thank you for the reply. internal spring seems kind of bent up. I will avoid this problem in future by taking better care of my tools!

[@Mr.wither_storm]

A lot of the better brands will let you to and swap it for a new one at the store. I did it twice and didn’t need my receipt

[@TheLabOtomy]

Good deal

[@misterlyle.]

Maybe I won't cut it up and throw it away just yet.

[@TheLabOtomy]

Absolutely

[@johnb9187]

with tape extended and refusing to retract, try turning the tape/body sideways or fully upside down.

[@angelgabrielvasquezchaname813]

No hiciste nada ℹ️Ⓜ️bécℹ️l !!!

[@TheLabOtomy]

Gracias

[@FrankieRios-w5m]

Why can't you talk .. I don't get it

[@TheLabOtomy]

Car accident 7 years ago

[@solintre8354]

No sé entiende nada tu vídeo. Un fracaso

[@TheLabOtomy]

😂

[@danieliraheta5912]

Bro esta en English xD