1) Control the Blade's Return
Whilst this is a lesson that most people ignore, you should never, ever let your tape measure’s blade shoot uncontrolled back into the case. Not only will this damage the mechanism, the blade markings and the end hook over time, it can also cause injury to fingers, eyes or other people/objects around you.
Whilst most decent quality pocket tapes can cope with this kind of treatment for a short time, they are not designed to absorb that kind of punishment on a regular basis. Rapid rewind can create kinks or twists which can then tear or crease the blade. By controlling the blade’s return you may be prolonging the life of your tape.
The same goes for steel or fibreglass surveyors’ tapes. Whilst these rarely have an auto-return function, they will suffer from overly fast/rough winding. Take it easy and rewind your tape smoothly and steadily. This may extend the life of both the blade and the winding mechanism.
Remember, the accuracy of your tape measure (and, potentially, its calibration status) depends upon a number of components being in excellent condition. A slight bending of a Class 1 tape’s end hook, for example, may turn it into a Class 2 tape.
2) Keep it clean
It is very important to keep your tools dry, clean and free of debris. No tool with metallic components should ever be put away wet – a simple wipe down of your tape after use will keep it in tip top condition. If you use a tape in the rain and don’t dry it afterwards, any water on the blade gets pulled back inside the case. This water can cause blades and mechanisms to rust.
That said, whilst you should never soak or wash a steel tape under a tap/hose, the same is not true of a fibreglass tape. The real advantage of a fiberglass tape is that it can be rinsed off after use. By cleaning the blade after use you reduce the chance of debris being dragged into the mechanism of the tape. This helps keep the winder in first class condition and, crucially, prevents the numbers and other markings from abrading.
Steel and fibreglass tapes should be kept out of direct sunlight and away from excessive heat as much as possible in order to prevent the risk of expansion and stretch.
4) Perform Regular Checks
As previously suggested, it’s the condition of the various components that make up your tape measure that affects its accuracy. Too much play in just one of them can void the calibration or accuracy certification of your tool. As a result we would always recommend that you carry out the following checks on a regular basis...
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