The Tape Measure of Choice
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The Tape Measure of Choice - 3/9/2003 10:44:39 AM
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CatDaddy
Posts: 18
Joined: 4/19/2004
Home base: Tornado Alley
Status: offline
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Your tape measure is probably the single most important tool in this trade and everyone has their own personal choice when it comes to purchasing one. I know alot of you big budget - toys hounds use the Distos for measuring. No doubt they are the best but $400 doesn't fit into everyone's budget. Stanley is the predominant brand when it comes to tape measures. I believe everyone should carry a 35 footer. I see so many with 25's and you find alot of rafter lengths longer than that. What do you carry as your primary and why?
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RE: The Tape Measure of Choice - 5/15/2004 12:47:49 PM
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adjusterbrett
Posts: 6
Joined: 5/11/2004
Home base: College Station, TX
Status: offline
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I like the Sears Craftsman 30 Foot tape. The reasons are simple: 1.) There will be a Sears Store in almost every large city that you handle claims in; 2.) Good ergonomics, good weight, the yellow makes it easy to find, and as durable as the regular Stanley (though not as durable as the Fat Max); & 3.) Since it is a Craftsman, it has a lifetime guarantee so that when it does eventually break, you have some recourse. I haved owned many Stanley and Lufkin tapes, but in all honesty I like the Craftman Tapes better. They are made as well (if not better) than any other tapes that I've tried (at least in their price range), but the real "deal closer" is the fact that Sears will replace them if anything happens (falls off a roof and a makes a sudden stop on the driveway, if big dog runs uses it for a chew toy, or if the tape gets caught in the wind and snaps). Stanley does have a guarantee, but it is a bit "sketchy". I personally have never seen or known of anyone who had a tape replaced by a vender that sold Stanley tapes, but I have been told told on several occasions that the damage "was not covered". I am sure that there will be others who disagree with this opinion, and that is fine. I simply wanted to finish by saying that this conclusion was arrived at from 20 yrs of using measuring tapes of all types, and for a retractible tape measure you just cannot beat a Sears Craftsman 30 footer (Model 39676).
p.s. I also advise that you buy at least three and carry two. This is so that if one falls or breaks, you don't have to go back to the truck to get another one just to finish up measuring the roof. Or better yet, by having spares you will not have to make a trip to the hardware store before going to your next appointment!!!
< Message edited by Admin -- 4/18/2010 4:37:07 PM >
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RE: The Tape Measure of Choice - 10/11/2004 7:44:46 PM
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ChuckDeaton
Posts: 181
Joined: 4/19/2004
Home base: Little Rock, AR
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The most important tool for a hurricane adjuster bent on making money is a Disto Laser. Tapes are necessary, I carry a 35' Fat Max and a 100' loggers tape with a release nail, but the Disto is the money maker. Speed and accuracy is the key.
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RE: The Tape Measure of Choice - 10/12/2004 7:33:09 AM
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okclarryd
Posts: 612
Joined: 4/19/2004
Home base: Oklahoma City, Ok
Status: offline
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You're right, Chuck,
The disto is the way to go for interior measurements and for some exterior. I use a Disto Lite and have found that I can bounce the beam off a downspout 60'-80' away if I'm careful. But, nothing beats a 35 footer. I don't use the Craftsman since they don't have a 35' tape but most Sears stores stocks and sells the 35' Stanley in yellow or chrome.
I can't imagine trying to measure a roof with a 25' tape. Well, I can as I have but, like lots of things, I don't do that anymore.
Y'all be careful up there.
_____________________________
LARRY D HARDIN
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RE: The Tape Measure of Choice - 10/12/2004 5:48:34 PM
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khromas
Posts: 606
Joined: 4/19/2004
Home base: Houston, Texas
Status: offline
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I have found that a roll-a-tape (surveyor's wheel) is the only thing to use on a roof. Accurate to the inch and you just walk the perimeter edge and run the slopes. Have a hammer loop on the tool belt that it just slides down in to for carrying. Works equally well in large rooms.
_____________________________
Kevin Hromas
_______________________________________
Definition of a LIBERAL: a person who is so open-minded that their brains have fallen out!
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RE: The Tape Measure of Choice - 10/12/2004 7:52:01 PM
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trader
Posts: 1200
Joined: 4/19/2004
Home base: Houston, TX
Status: offline
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W.W. Grainger has a very good, single wheel for about $40.00 with the discount.
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RE: The Tape Measure of Choice - 10/13/2004 7:27:27 AM
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fivedaily
Posts: 85
Joined: 4/19/2004
Home base: Frostproof, FL
Status: offline
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The wheel is only a good tool if it is used properly.
I have been on many a roofer w/ a sales man using a wheel and had vastly different results. Some do use it correctly to measure a roof, but most, in my experience, are too lazy to do it right.
One even argued that he didn't try to be too careful because he knew the difference in our measurements would help account for the waste. He was still way over the actual plus 10% waste needed for that roof!
Jennifer
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RE: The Tape Measure of Choice - 11/28/2004 4:51:09 PM
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jolama1
Posts: 1
Joined: 11/25/2004
Status: offline
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Even though I am new to this field I have been working in the roofing, construction field off and on for twenty years, I beleive that all of you have very good reasons for using what you use and it is a personal thing as to what you wind up using. I have found that the wheel measureing devices are best suited for fence lines since alot of them cam be in excess of 100 feet, I personally would rather use a tape for walls and floors. on a roof it may be A disto for sure (not much experience with one) But do you all think it would be ideal to have a disto, 100 ft, 2 or 3 30/35 ft, and a good wheel? this way all of your bases are covered.
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RE: The Tape Measure of Choice - 11/29/2004 12:03:01 AM
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phladjusters
Posts: 38
Joined: 10/25/2004
Status: offline
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Take a 100' foot measure tape, fold out the end, find you a 2 to 3 inch rubber ball, 2 inch screw and screw the ball to end of the tape stand on the peak, throw the ball.
It works all the time.
Bob.
Work hard, be honest and save your money.
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RE: The Tape Measure of Choice - 11/29/2004 9:48:58 AM
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sbeau4014
Posts: 167
Joined: 4/19/2004
Home base: Wherever The Wind Blows, USA
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for what it is worth, which probably isn't much, but any tape used to throw over a peak should probably be nylon or some material such as that. I wouldn't want to be throwing a metal tape over the peak and taking the chance there is a weather head of some other electrical item on the other side of that peak. I've never done the tape throwing myself, but it is a method that is used by a lot of adjusters. Ease of getting the job done swiftly and accurately is very important in our profession, but that should never be more important then safety.
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RE: The Tape Measure of Choice - 11/29/2004 10:34:20 AM
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phladjusters
Posts: 38
Joined: 10/25/2004
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That is true, safety is very important. Glad you pointed that out. Picture this: Damp roof, ball bounces over power line and POOF!!
Bob.
Work hard, be honest and save your money.
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RE: The Tape Measure of Choice - 8/28/2005 5:43:33 PM
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quest21
Posts: 15
Joined: 8/28/2005
Status: offline
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I didn't see the value of a disto until the very first claim I used it. No question it pays for itself in a hurricane. I thought I lost it between claims (like maybe I left it on my bumber and drove off) in FL; if I hadn't found it that day I would have ordered another. That being said, after I left FL I worked a hailstorm in Austin for 2 months and only used it once. It's only good if you plan on measuring and diagraming the entire interior on the majority of your claims. You can use the disto on overcast days to measure fences and elevations of houses. As far as roofs I'm a FatMax guy. I used to only use the Craftsman for reasons given above but I feel the strength of the FatMax outways the cost.
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RE: The Tape Measure of Choice - 8/28/2005 6:57:35 PM
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Kelley
Posts: 109
Joined: 4/19/2004
Home base: DFW to WF, TX
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Jerry and most always work together on site. We have found that if I turn my back to him I make a real good target for a disto. I measure downspouts especially on two stories w/ out disto.
Now when it come to flood or sewer backup the disto laser is a must. I don't have to drag a tape measure through all of the stuff on the floor, crawl over furniture while slipping and sliding or forget a number due to a policy holder speaking at the wrong time.
When we got the disto measurer in about 99 the price was still up there. I put some numbers to it and I knew it cut at least 20 minutes off of my measuring time so someplace about 20 claims it paid for itself and then that 20 minutes became profit.
We have had to replace the end cap several times since Jerry loves to drop it ever so often. I not keep an extra end cap in stock, I always order two at a time. We sent the unit in after Maryland and they re calibrated it for us for a reasonable fee.
I have heard of ppl using the on roofs with the triangle method but since I don't do roofs that is Jerry problem and he just sticks with the tape measure. On the ball thing we had a friend who chunked the ball over the roof line, the ball hit a satellite dish and came back and broke his glasses. Les wore trifocals so it cost him a pretty penny. Always do a walk around before you chunk.
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RE: The Tape Measure of Choice - 8/29/2005 10:16:44 AM
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345
Posts: 3
Joined: 4/19/2004
Home base: Lorena, TX
Status: offline
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Use the Disto, and also get the eye piece. You can see the beam in bright daylight and will easily read 300 feet. Also get a small camera tripod and mount the reflective surface (from Disto) on the tripod. Place the tripod at the drip line even with the facia, and you can get an accurate measurement on the roof run. Measure from eave to eave across the gable, measure the angle of the slope and /or the height of the rise and you can calculate the hypotenuse or roof run to the ridge. Wood fence runs across a yard takes less than one second, and you dont have to wade thru the high grass nor contend with the big dogs. I use the Disto about 95% of all measurements, and only carry a 25 foot tape for quick shortcuts. Use a neck strap to prevent dropping the Disto. The Disto has a 1/4 x 20 screw hole in the bottom for the strap or mounting on a tripod if you need a steady beam for a long distance or small target.
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RE: The Tape Measure of Choice - 8/29/2005 5:58:11 PM
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Streetraces
Posts: 55
Joined: 4/19/2004
Status: offline
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I love my disto. I also carry a 30 ft tape with the measurements on both side.
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RE: The Tape Measure of Choice - 8/29/2005 6:46:23 PM
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ChuckDeaton
Posts: 181
Joined: 4/19/2004
Home base: Little Rock, AR
Status: offline
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Two Distos, a 35' Fat Max, 100' loggers tape with a release nail and a Empire protractor
_____________________________
Artificial Intelligence usually beats real stupidity.
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RE: The Tape Measure of Choice - 8/29/2005 8:29:17 PM
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BStevens
Posts: 10
Joined: 3/8/2005
Status: offline
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I use a Fat Max and a Ryobi laser. What is a disto?
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RE: The Tape Measure of Choice - 8/29/2005 10:25:28 PM
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Amber
Posts: 26
Joined: 4/19/2004
Home base: Jacksonville, FL
Status: offline
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quote:
What is a disto?
Bonnie:
You can get more information from their web site. Basically, it is the mack daddy of measuring devices.
http://www.distagage.com/
_____________________________
~Amber
"If you think something small cannot make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito in the room." ~unknown
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RE: The Tape Measure of Choice - 8/30/2005 1:46:14 AM
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cdlynes
Posts: 41
Joined: 4/19/2004
Home base: North Atlanta Suburbs, GA
Status: offline
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Ok, Disto I agree is tops and helps you save tons of time. Which model are you using? The base Disto Lite5 in my toolbox. Does anyone use the fancier models? Doesn't seem worthwhile if you are using Xact or Simsol...
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