RE: The Tape Measure of Choice
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RE: The Tape Measure of Choice - 8/30/2005 10:43:27 AM
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ChuckDeaton
Posts: 181
Joined: 4/19/2004
Home base: Little Rock, AR
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I have the bottom of the line Disto, most used, and the top of the line, least used, but used in high dollar construction as it does math. Nothing like it for measuring a partially papered, partially painted room with partial wainscoting.
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RE: The Tape Measure of Choice - 8/30/2005 10:48:38 AM
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ChuckDeaton
Posts: 181
Joined: 4/19/2004
Home base: Little Rock, AR
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What model Ryobi laser do you use. Please post a URL.
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Artificial Intelligence usually beats real stupidity.
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RE: The Tape Measure of Choice - 8/30/2005 12:51:40 PM
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BStevens
Posts: 10
Joined: 3/8/2005
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Interesting that I've never heard of a disto before. Know I'm still new but no one I know has ever mentioned it. Now, I'll be asking about it.
The Ryobi I use is EMTP006. This is a great device for interior digital measuring. Definitely saves time and time is money. You do have to be careful with it because sometimes it will give you a wacky reading. Overall, well worth the $35. Bought it at Home Depot or Lowes.
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RE: The Tape Measure of Choice - 8/30/2005 1:40:46 PM
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JimF
Posts: 1305
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I carry and use the laser Trimble Spectra HD150 which is comparable (and in my opinion, actually better than Disto) with the Disto in features, cost and accuracy. Some of the features which Trimble provides caused me to switch over to their units from being a former Disto user.
More information can be found at the Trimble website as follows: http://www.trimble.com/
You can have your Disto as long as you leave me my Spectra.
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RE: The Tape Measure of Choice - 9/10/2005 6:59:20 PM
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PropertyDamage
Posts: 7
Joined: 9/10/2005
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I prefer the Stanley Fat Max also just because I can get that 11' without it folding on me. I also use an ultrasonic measure for those sewage backup claims or rooms that look like a furniture warehouse, so much better and faster than a tape.
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RE: The Tape Measure of Choice - 9/11/2005 10:07:10 AM
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comadjuster
Posts: 16
Joined: 8/31/2005
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Fat Max, loggers tape and a disto for me. Time is money, don't buy toys
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RE: The Tape Measure of Choice - 9/11/2005 2:28:14 PM
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RobertV
Posts: 493
Joined: 4/19/2004
Home base: Boerne, TX
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quote:
... I also use an ultrasonic measure for those...
Accurate, dependable, reliable, defensible are all words I would NOT associate with ultrasonic. Get off you wallet and buy a real tool or get of your butt and use a real tape. Ultrasonic is only fair to you and your fee bill, not the carrier or the insured.
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RE: The Tape Measure of Choice - 9/11/2005 9:29:44 PM
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doppler
Posts: 75
Joined: 7/12/2005
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Stanley 35' is the only rooftop tape for me. The Disto sounds interesting and I will probably buy one asap. As for the Fat Max, the name speaks for itself. It is too heavy and won't retract at all. You have to practically feed it back in yourself. I went a Home Depot to find a Stanley and had to settle for a Fat Max. I used it once threw it in my toolbox. If anyone want's it I'll give you $5 to take it.
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RE: The Tape Measure of Choice - 9/11/2005 9:59:32 PM
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JimF
Posts: 1305
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Many of the larger insurance carriers will not allow adjusters to use ultrasonic measuring devices because they are not accurate. The reinspector trainers for the State Farms, Allstate, Farmers, Nationwide will either send an adjuster home or give them a bad write up if they catch you with such devicess. Just a word of warning to the new and newer adjusters.
Use a tape, use a Disto or use a Trimble, but please throw away the cheap junk like ultrasonic.
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RE: The Tape Measure of Choice - 9/12/2005 6:01:05 PM
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rhking
Posts: 125
Joined: 11/13/2004
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I've been using a small wheel measuring tool (from Lowes ($29.95) - called an 'executive wheel' - I think) for roofs and it has been great. It folds up to about 1ft. in length and the wheel is about 4 inches in diameter so it is really compact and handy. I haven't used it indoors yet but I'll bet that it will work just as well. Just a thought, my laser 'tape' (B&D) has worked well for me. I double check occasionally and it is pretty spot on. I have, however, had a couple of them that are **** (i.e. Stanley). But, you generally get what you pay for so a more expensive unit may be better.
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RE: The Tape Measure of Choice - 11/14/2005 5:25:40 PM
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RoofMonkey
Posts: 80
Joined: 10/14/2005
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I just found a Stanley FatMax 100' tape at Home Depot, it has 3:1 gearing on the wheel. That could be handy. At $20 it's not too bad, I just hope it lasts more than 3 weeks.
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RE: The Tape Measure of Choice - 11/14/2005 6:16:07 PM
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Linda
Posts: 24
Joined: 4/19/2004
Home base: Houston, TX
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You really don't want to get caught using a wheel with a re-inspector. Regardless of what you may think, every time they bump over a shingle, it changes the measurement. They are not made for measuring roofs. You can get away with them on fences but you couldn't pay me to measure a roof with one.
As Chuck and Cat Daddy, who started this thread, know, I use a 35 ft and my Disto. That's all I need. I have the Disto glasses and target plates. Haven't found anything yet I couldn't measure with them. I told Chuck a long time ago to put a magnet on that nail!
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RE: The Tape Measure of Choice - 11/16/2005 6:18:59 PM
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just tim
Posts: 2
Joined: 11/16/2005
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I think I have used every measuring device known to man.
I am now down to using only 4.
1. Hilti PD30 laser measures up to 650ft. with laser and accurate to 98%
it has proved to be 100% over 40ft. and I use it for all interior measuring. So far I have not bee hit by the re-inspectors (well at least no for measurments. The cost however is about $500.
2. Ranging 100 is an optical measurer that is used by lining up an item in a view finder. Bringing the item into clear focus gives you the measurement. This is not absolutely precise but is good for measuring across items I can't get over, such as creeks and rivers. It is accurate at 100 ft +/- 2 ft. Not very good but sometimes the only tool that can be used and is better than a guess. Cost is about $84.
3. Measuring wheel. I have used many but find the one with the 1ft. wheel much more accurate as it is not subject to jumping when you go over bumps and hills. It is 100% accurate dependant on ground conditions. Costs can vary but $50. seems to be about the cost of a good quality one.
4. Fat Max 35ft. Although these tape measures do have some retracting problems they can last a lonfg time, if cleaned and a new replacement tape can be purchased and installed when they wear out. Accuracy is 100%
It seems like the more I look and spend on fancy devices, the more I appreciate my good old fashioned metal tape and Fat Max is my choice.
Sometimes there is no simple way and draging out the tape measure seems to be the one I always return to.
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RE: The Tape Measure of Choice - 11/16/2005 7:02:27 PM
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RoofMonkey
Posts: 80
Joined: 10/14/2005
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I tell you what, I picked up the Stanley FatMax 100', and it is one heck of a tape. I attached a golf ball on the end and gave it a whirl on my next inspection. The 3:1 gearing zipped that tape up so quick that the golf ball almost smacked me square in the nerts.
Whew. So yeah, it's a great tape, but hold it out to the side when you're reeling that thing up. It'd be kind of hard to explain that to worker's comp without them laughing at ya. :)
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RE: The Tape Measure of Choice - 11/16/2005 7:11:01 PM
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mh0825
Posts: 582
Joined: 8/31/2005
Home base: Gainesville, FL
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quote:
ORIGINAL: RoofMonkey
I tell you what, I picked up the Stanley FatMax 100', and it is one heck of a tape. I attached a golf ball on the end and gave it a whirl on my next inspection. The 3:1 gearing zipped that tape up so quick that the golf ball almost smacked me square in the nerts.
Whew. So yeah, it's a great tape, but hold it out to the side when you're reeling that thing up. It'd be kind of hard to explain that to worker's comp without them laughing at ya. :)
Golf ball? Tennis ball sounds safer.
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RE: The Tape Measure of Choice - 11/16/2005 11:05:36 PM
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RoofMonkey
Posts: 80
Joined: 10/14/2005
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My roommate took my Stanley laser out on a flood prelim. After using it for the perimeter and ext/int floodline measurements, he got back, handed me my Stanley, asked me where I bought it, then got on the computer an ordered one right then.
I showed it to another buddy of mine, he ended up comparing it to his tape for 10 minutes and then bought a Disto Lite while I was there. He's a 10yr vet and he'd never seen one!
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RE: The Tape Measure of Choice - 11/17/2005 1:44:09 PM
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just tim
Posts: 2
Joined: 11/16/2005
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Thanks for all the great information I keep finding here.
I am new to this site. I work alone doing storm claims in Canada.
There are so few of us that I may only run into someone in my business a few times a year.
It is great to read about all the concerns, troubles and especially the great advise I find here from people in the same business.
Thanks folks.
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RE: The Tape Measure of Choice - 11/17/2005 9:15:35 PM
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Big Bob
Posts: 185
Joined: 10/4/2005
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Roof Monkey, I thought you were going to keep that roommate of yours off the pewter. Dunk his tooth brush in the toilet again. Thanks.
To all:
Fat Max 35' do not waste $ on any other belt clip Tape. It truly has no LQorK.
I have tried to black out the word FAT on the tape with permanent marker with no success. I will try epoxy paint next time I have a project requiring same.
The last thing a guy my size needs is the word FAT clipped to his belt. I walk into to a room with my FAT MAX clipped on the belt and the giggles start.
Vanities, Vanities, all is Vanities.
Live long and prosper. AND don't go down a ladder faster than your feet.
If you don't have time to laugh, then time is running out on you.
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RE: The Tape Measure of Choice - 11/18/2005 4:05:06 PM
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okclarryd
Posts: 612
Joined: 4/19/2004
Home base: Oklahoma City, Ok
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Hey, Bob
I went out and got me one o' them Fat Max tapes. I don't like it. The return is terrible and the tip has cut me twice. I'm goin' back to Sears and get me another couple of their 35ft tapes at $16 ea. I figure I can keep the Max as a paperweight to keep all my claims from blowing off my desk.
No, I won't loan you my Disto.
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LARRY D HARDIN
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