Stanley 33-885L 16-Foot FatMax Xtreme Tape Rule with Blade Armor

List Price: $19.99 Discount Price: $19.90

Features:

• Tape rule with first 6 feet reinforced with BladeArmor coating for maximum durability
• 13-inch tape standout; 16-inch stud center markings simplify framing jobs
• Mylar polyester film extends the life of the entire blade
• Heat-treated spring provides long life and smooth blade recoil
• Stanley's limited lifetime warranty; measures 1-1/4-inch-by-16-feet

Accessories:
Measuring, Marking, and Layout: A Builder's Guide	Old House Journal

Customer Reviews:

Blade Armor?! Hah! [Posted on 2007-10-07]
The tape has excellent standout but for the most part it is not extremely useful. I've used a ton of Stanley tape measures and it seems breaking within the first couple of inches is what usually makes me have to trash them. The irony of my experience with the "Xtreme" is that it broke in a few months right there in the blade armor. Since you have to practically take out a mortgage to buy one of the longer tapes in the "Xtreme" line I don't think I'll ever be using one of these again. These seem substantially heavier & bulkier than equivalent length tapes as well

16' Fat Max [Posted on 2007-10-16]
I work as a focus puller in the film industry. A significant part of my job entails measuring distances between actors and the camera. This can be done using a variety of measuring tools, one of which is a steel tape measure. The 16' Fat Max is an ideal tool for this job. It is smaller and lighter than the 26' Fat Max, which makes a difference when clipped on to your belt. And as I wouldn't use a steel measure for any distances longer than 10' feet, the 16' is all I need. Fat Max tapes stand out firm, with little sag, offering a more accurate measure of distance. And the imperial markings are big and easy to read, another big plus. All in all, a must buy for any focus puller.

Not Happy  [Posted on 2007-11-10]
Well mine lasted a month , the blade tore at 55" . Its "cheaper " than the 25 Fat Max, in more ways than one. On the other hand, it was great while it lasted.

it's the one I carry on me .......... [Posted on 2008-04-06]
I love this tape because it works for over 90% of my daily measuring. I gave it 4 stars only because previous reviewers are right in that I had one tear and ultimately break as well. But I did replace it with another, so ..........Well, draw your own conclusion.

Best you can get [Posted on 2008-05-16]
I like this tape far more than the other FatMax Xtreme tapes because its narrower, and therefore doesn't stick off your belt an unreasonable amount, which the others do (fat fat fat). It is equally thin to the FatMax yellow tapes, and actually a bit thinner than the 25'. Additionally, it's far lighter and smaller than its larger counterparts. I do framing, but I rarely measure boards more than 16'. That's what the 100 ft tape is for. I don't understand carpenters who buy a 35ft tape and carry that monster around with them. That said, there are definitely scenarios you need more length, but I'd just keep a regular FatMax 35' or the 100' as I said before. The stand out on this tape really is 13', and I love how that enables me to take measurements in large, high interior spaces. It also makes me look good when people say, "wow, is that how you're supposed to measure??" My tape is now more than a year old, and it shows some signs of wear. However, given the amount of use and number of falls (big and small hard and soft), it still works perfectly fine for me. As for the blade armor, it seems to be doing its job. I noticed that it's the first thing to look worn, but then it just stays at that level of wear for the rest of the life of the tape. I'm pissed they don't sell this at Lowes/HD very often because it's the only Xtreme tape I'd carry. Guess I'll have to plan in advance for its inevitable demise.. Like many of my other tools, I'm now convinced this is the best and it annoys me to use anything else. It also makes other tapes seem dinky and awkward to me if they are anything less than FatMax.

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