Core77

Tool design details: Brilliant new tape measure hook

By Rain Noe - October 25, 2010

in Object Culture

The design of entirely new tools can be cool, but I'm much more impressed when someone takes a tried-and-true tool that's been around for ages, then markedly improves it by adding a little tiny something that no one thought of yet. Good case in point is Stanley's new line of FatMax measuring tapes.

The key difference is just a few fractions of an inch of metal added to the end hook, so not only can you catch surfaces above and below the tape, you can even hook it on the side--invaluable for when you're trying to measure off a wall corner and keep the tape horizontal so it doesn't collapse. Genius!

o

Favorite This
Q
3

Comment

Comments

bzx

14 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

i don't see how this can catch a wall corner and not collapse - any explanation please?
!Report as spam
derek

14 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

this is nothing new, in fact its not even the best design...

http://www.tooled-up.com/ShowImage.aspx?Type=3&File=FSCBT8ME.jpg&Man=FSC&Size=460
!Report as spam
Fred Welsh

14 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

This is genius. I bought an older FatMax tape because of the width of the blade. I could extend it clear up the outside of a single story house without having the tape buckle. This new hook adds to the utility. I wonder how many people will figure out how to use it though.
!Report as spam