electromage Posted December 12, 2015 Report Share Posted December 12, 2015 I just picked up their 25' "General Contractor", and it feels like good quality, much nicer to handle than the hard chrome Stanley. I got it home and started testing it out, and at some point it twisted backwards, as they do - but instead of just snapping back it actually ripped. I've seen Stanley and Lufkin snap a lot and never a tear like this, even with "standout competitions". Is this something that's generally bad for any tape to do, is it a defect in my copy, or does Milwaukee make junk tapes? Basically I'm wondering if I should try to exchange it for a new one or just steer clear of their measuring tapes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisK Posted December 12, 2015 Report Share Posted December 12, 2015 Wow. I've had mine for quite a while without problem. I'd be sure to return it for free replacement. My Stanley Bostitch FatMax is the bomb and I use my FastCaps constantly without problem. I like my Milwaukee but my biggest problem is its kind of heavy. Really rugged though. Make sure you contact their warranty service, Milwaukee takes the cake with that area. You'll have a new one in a couple of days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DR99 Posted December 12, 2015 Report Share Posted December 12, 2015 I have a few and that has never happened Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimboS1ice Posted December 12, 2015 Report Share Posted December 12, 2015 I have one and it just twists really bad once it gets overly extended, never had one rip. These days I've been into the dewalt tape measure, that thing is awesome, no bells and whistles, it just works but it has the fractional measurements printed out for quick measurements.JimboSent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poisonfangs85 Posted December 12, 2015 Report Share Posted December 12, 2015 I have been using my Milwaukee tape for about 2 weeks now. I am in commercial construction so it gets abused pretty good. I have had no breakage issues with it. You may have gotten a bunk tape. Haven't seen one do that right out of the gate before. The only issue with mine is that the hook slips on the edge of metal studs pretty bad. That's a pretty big issue for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerryNY Posted December 12, 2015 Report Share Posted December 12, 2015 I've beat the hell out of mine, the 16ft magnetic version, and it still works great. I'd return it for a new one, maybe you got a lemon. They have lifetime warranties I think so you can always get it replaced... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comp56 Posted December 12, 2015 Report Share Posted December 12, 2015 I have several milwaukee tapes all different lengths and like them, however one thing they tend to do is bend at the head being so large ..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigmikez Posted December 12, 2015 Report Share Posted December 12, 2015 I have a few also an I just used one of them today and still works like day one mind u they've been pretty beat up to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
electromage Posted December 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 12, 2015 Sounds like it's just a bad copy, I'll take it back to Home Depot and see if they can do an exchange first. Maybe I should grab one from the back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Jass Posted December 12, 2015 Report Share Posted December 12, 2015 I've used a buddy's Mil tape and they seem okay, but none give me the natural feel of a FatMax. I've beat the ever-living piss out of mine and aside from some delamination on the underside of my tape in the first couple of feet (does nothing anyway), they take an amazing amount of abuse. I dropped my 35ft from a 4th story scaffold, expected it to explode before I even went to look, I let it lay there all day... and aside from chipping off a piece of the lock lever, no problems. That was a few years ago and It's still going like new. Love the predictability of the standout as well, I can always tell within a few inches if it's going to pop or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewie17 Posted December 12, 2015 Report Share Posted December 12, 2015 I have used about 4 of their tapes, I prefer the straight 16'. I have one get a knick on the blade and after continued use it finally ripped off one day. That's the worst I've had happen. I love their finger saver thing under the tape. The older version tape. My next go to is a kobalt 16' its small and compact and easy to read with a similar fibre blade on it which is less reflective and easy to read. Sent from my B15 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisK Posted December 12, 2015 Report Share Posted December 12, 2015 I've got a Kobalt tape in my truck with the fiber blade in Matt gray. I love that tape. I use it all the time when I'm using my Tundra as an impromptu saw horse. Good quality tape too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nordraw Posted December 12, 2015 Report Share Posted December 12, 2015 Take it back and get a new one. If it does it again then that's a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petro0311 Posted December 15, 2015 Report Share Posted December 15, 2015 I'd take it back. I have one and it's been great so maybe a defect... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Hernandez Posted December 15, 2015 Report Share Posted December 15, 2015 I don't know if its just me but every tape regardless of manufacturer when fully extended it will get stuck and not retract back in. So I stopped pulling it out all the way and just stop at 20 feet if it is a 25 foot tape and my tapes last much longer. Theirs brands I haven't tried yet like Klein and DeWalt but I have tried a lot of others and have had the same retraction problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turner85 Posted December 15, 2015 Report Share Posted December 15, 2015 Can't speak for milwaukee but being using stanley fatmax for years and never had any premature breaks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
electromage Posted December 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2015 Thanks guys, took it back to HD and they swapped it out no problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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