Side by Side Comparison of: Stanley vs Stalwart vs Alvin

These are one of those items that you'll lose before you break it. You'll hand this down to your kids and they will hand it down to theirs. I've had other, cheaper tape measures and they all have broke in some capacity - the tape rips and becomes dangerously sharp, the lock breaks, or the tip bends. Buy one of these and forget about needing another.

As a carpenter in a custom cabinetry shop I use my tape measure all day every day. Ill admit this isnt my favorite tape (I love Milwaukee brand tapes for my personal tool kit) but for as much use and abuse as my work tools get I need a cheaper version since they wear out and need replacement more often. This stands up to lots of use and lots of drops at work every day for many months before the tape wears out.

Got this one for my son and it appears well-built and durable. My 10' Stanley Powerlock is smaller and narrower, and the mylar is starting to wear off, but the True-Zero hook still works and the lock as well as spring retraction are still great after 30 years. I hope this 16' gives my son as good service as my old Stanley measure has given me.

After buying several newer designed tape rules and having them fail in a mater of months or even less I went back to the first one I ever used thirty years ago. They lasted my dad decades and they seam to be built the exact same way as they were thirty years ago. Its really difficult to find quality products these days and especially difficult to find quality products that are made in the USA.

I do a large amount of work with tape measures in aerial lifts over others' heads. Before purchasing this, I would bring up my 30' Stanley tape, but I find it to be unnecessarily heavy (dropping tools is a big no, and yes it is attached to me via a tool leash) and I rarely needed that length of tape. Since, the majority of the measurements I take are <10', so this is the perfect combination of length with a lightweight body. The only downside is that the tape is thinner, so it has a shorter standout length (roughly 2'-6" - 3'-0"), but I expected that for a tape of this size. Lock works fine. In order to accommodate my tool leash, I've attached a metal keyring to the pocket clip. Solid construction, as usual from Stanley.

I can get it to extend to a little over 7 feet before it snaps. Solid tape, just as good as any Stanley one you buy in the store. Comes in a good strong plastic packaging that will protect it from scuffs.Heads up though! If you're looking at the picture and expecting to get a white cube on the side to write your name on it. The one i received does not have this. Otherwise, got what i expected.

A good wrench. just a little play but the set knurl is firm.

I used this wrench to complete an assembly of an exercise bike that came with all the parts of the bike except for the primary tool needed to assemble it. Savages!!!!Well, this wrench worked and now i somehow managed not to workout on the bike although i spent days trying to assemble it. I lack dedication, but not for that steak and cheese sandwich, cause i 'm always down for a sandwich

Works well as intended. Only using for household construction of bed frames and assemble yourself furniture, light duty items. deconstruction is much easlier to just smash but insure it will work just as good. Long enough to beable to grip the handle nicely but not too long where you can easily over tightened items causing them to strip or break

I put together a small travel tool box withthis box http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000I0YKEE?redirect=true&ref_=cm_cr_ryp_prd_ttl_sol_22These pliers http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NNFSNS?redirect=true&ref_=cm_cr_ryp_prd_ttl_sol_21These screwdrivers http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FK6ZN6?redirect=true&ref_=cm_cr_ryp_prd_ttl_sol_31and a few other odds and ends including a small wrench set.I've used this wrench several times and it has really served me well. For the money it's worth putting getting a few of these.

For conventional household repairs, this adjustable wrench just plain gets the job done without getting in the way.I was hesitant on buying this size because I was afraid some nuts might require a larger opening. That's probably true - in my heart of hearts it's a tiny bit on the small side, and I'm sure some day I'll come across a nut that this won't fit for, but this'll get you through 90% of cases in my opinion.The slightly smaller size also lends itself well to a smaller person's hands - say, a woman or tween - to be enabled to perform some maintenance themselves.

I just got the wrench and it feels solid. The adjustable jaw has inch measurement on one side and the other side is in millimeters. There is a slight play in the adjustable jaw but it is acceptable. It is made in China.

Got one of these it lasted 4 days and quit retracting but got a new one sent on warranty and it still working just fine must have got a defective one

Just a good solid tape measure. Nothing fancy it just plain works.

Great tape measure. I wish it were a little lighter but if it were it would probably be less well-made. My wife keeps "borrowing" it. this would make a nice gift for anyone who likes to constantly remodel their home or, like me, makes frequent trips to hardware store but doesn't need a full size tape measure 24/7.

Works flawlessly. This is a classic tape measure they never fails me. Can't go wrong with it. Hey it's also not made of plastic garbage.

I know this is a great tape measure, we've had one in the house for years. But I wanted one of my own. 25 feet seems to be the sweet spot of sturdy tape and max distance you need for 99.9% of tasks.The ONLY reason I removed a star was for the packaging, which I know probably works great for a display or hanging in an aisle - But I was so worried I was going to break the clip in the back while removing the plastic. My wife thought I was over reacting, and normally she'd be right, but I've worked for a packaging company for almost 15 years and know my products. And even though this item is not classified as blister or clamshell packaging, it comes pretty darn close. And if you ever wondered why someone came up with hassle free packages it's because of stuff like this.

It is just a tape measure. No frills of any sort. It does exactly what I need it to do. It measures as accurately as any tape can in human hands. The only reason I gave it 4 stars is that we use several dozen of these in our plant and they just aren't as sturdy as they used to be. Or as I remember them being. The tapes can, and do, frequently tear and break. I just wish they'd build them a little sturdier, but other than that, it works fine. If you're doing light use work, like house work, or even framing and roofing a home, this will do ok, but in our work environment where it is used dozens or hundreds of time per day, it just doesn't hold up as well as it used to.

good size

Best wrench for the money! This is a toolbox staple never failed me! Every household needs one of these!

not the best adjustable I've ever owned (adjustable bit is looser than I'd like), but for most jobs it gets the job done

Stanley is a reliable brand. That was a big deciding factor in this purchase in addition to the price. I am giving it four stars as I am partial to non-grip handles which this product does not offer.

I bought this not having a specific job for it but within a week of getting it needed it to remove the license plate bolts on my car. It worked so much better than what we had in our toolkit prior to getting it. I recommend buying a crescent wrench to anyone that doesn't yet have one. The size of this one was prefect for me, a 25 year old female.

It has metric and standard measuring scales on the side which is pretty cool. You can fit it to a nut or bolt and then see what size normal wrench you would need.The adjusting mechanism is a little loose feeling and flimsy, but it works fine I suppose. I don't see much use for a higher quality wrench unless you're planning to use it every day for 20 years.

Crazy-heavy and rather unwieldy. But I should have known that going in...

its ok, but the tape is alot heavier then it looks, and the tape itself is of lower quality then the fat max version, i use this for working with 8x4 ply wood, and it works fine, but it wont last, most the other carpenters use fat max, but they dont make a 12 foot fat max. but i do like that it as a pocket clip, where the 6 foot fat max i have is nice and light but it doesnt have a pocket clip.

I do not like that the measuring tape color is now a dark yellow rather than a regular-colored yellow. The tape color went from roughly the color of French's mustard to the color of dried up mustard that you sometimes get around the cap!Aside from the dark yellow color (which makes it slightly harder to read measurements), the tape is fine.

It should last for some time for my household use but the case is plastic. I suppose I didn't read the description thoroughly but I was thinking it might be metal housing, therefore a very sturdy product. I wouldn't expect this to last very long for someone in construction. It seems that one drop could completely bust the housing.

Im a furniture builder and I have his lil 12' metal brother for about 15 years, with occasionally WD-40 it held out that long.The spring system is starting to fail now.So I got this one, but you can't compare them, this on is a plastic housing, and the tape itself isn't as sturdy neither.Time will tell...

I purchased 2 of these at the same time and discovered varied printing qualities. The printing on one is nice and crisp while the other is not. They both will work but obviously one will be my go to while the other one is my blurry back up.

Nothing fancy here. It works well but it does lose its set width within a couple turns. But honestly not bad at all for the price. I bought 2 for my bicycle repair kit and they are perfect for that sort of stuff.

heck never remember buying this but looks good

does not provide good grip.

This is a gift, Stanley built, so good for many years of use.

The Amazon description says, "Origin: USA" This wrench is attached to a card hanger that says simply Made in China. A Channellock set, purchased at the same time says "Fiercely Made in Meadville, PA" with an American Flag. The downside to the convenience of shopping Amazon is that seeing the actual item/packaging with the current "Made in..." info is delayed until delivery. (A new fav is this euphemism: "Designed in the United States" engraved on a piece, and no mention of where it is made.) (Can't find a way to post the image of the card it hangs on.)

This wrench is cheap but it does the job on things that arent too tight. On really tight fixtures it doesnt work very well and just tends to slip. Probably not idea for a professional but good for the normal person to have around.

This is not what Stanley has advertised. Don't be fooled, it does not have the 32nd gradients on it.

The tape measure snapped after a year of use. Worked perfectly fine as a tape measure, until it didn't. I was retracting the tape one day after taking a measurement in the attic and the tape broke off near the end. It looks like the manufacturer's warranty requires mailing it back, so it's not worth the trouble or expense. Recommend either buying from a manufacturer with a useful warranty or from a store that allows returns for warranties.

I could not imagine what could be wrong with such a simple device as this tape. But it happened that you cannot measure something without help if you try to hook one end - it does not remain hooked. Also, the lock barely holds the tape in place. A poor workmanship.I am reducing the rating to two (it was 3 previously) because the inability for the "tooth" remain in place and need for the help from somebody is really annoying. The thing is cheap in making.

I liked the size and length...and price was fine. I use a tape to measureoutside dimensions for roof sales...and it was okay.I immediately noticed the the tape lock was awkward and stiff. Hard tounlock and lock. Not terrible. But not smoothThen yesterday the tip fell off and the tape wound into the body...so useless to me..

poor metal in tape, bend too easy

Contrary to both description and reviews, the case is NOT made of metal.People can;t seem to tell the difference between chrome colored plastic these days.That said, The classic Stanley rule inside this plastic case is still the easiest to read on the market.

This is not a good wrench. Both wrench faces have dinged up over the use period. The adjustment screw binds up at about the 3/4" adjustment, even after I pulled it apart and cleaned up the screw and track. I currently am in the market for a higher end adjustable wrench. The only reason I gave it 2-stars is because it has worked for me here and there when needed. But for the most part, every time I grab this wrench to us it I think "This thing is such a piece of junk..."

Works ok... but the adjustment screw always changes position.I would not recommend it for serious users, only for mild use.

It was broken when it arrived

I decided to purchase it seeing a lot of positive reviews and 4.5 star rating but I suggest you shouldn't take it into consideration while buying a measuring tape online.. The tape is weak and bends after 4 feets, moreover even withing 1-4 feet it doesn't feel like a solid product. It's better to try and buy a different tape in brick and mortar local hardware store.. You'll pay maybe $10 more but will be able to measure things properly by YOURSELF. This tape deserves 0/5

Broke after 3 months at the 2" mark, so the rest of it rolled up inside.

The tape I got was American made but was still defective. The tape hook moves as it should but must be offset because the measurement is off a fat 16th. Making the tape measure useless for trim work and worthless to me. I am unable to return it because I waited more than 30 days before I even opened it to use it. Never have had this problem with a Stanley tape before

Ordered two of the 25-Foot tape measures a few months ago and barely used them at all. They are Stanley brand with the metal casing as pictured. However, one of these tape measures just literally fell apart in my hands randomly as I was normally extending the tape to measure something. First the tape seemed to jam up and would not retract itself, so I decided to gently pull out the tape to its full 25 feet to see if that would help... and then the tape just pops right out of the metal case and gets this black grease all over my hands.I see from other reviews now that this has happened to other people too. Seems like there's some serious quality control issues going on with this seller and their stock. I've always heard that Stanley tape measures are supposed to be good quality and the professional choice so I doubt this is a problem with the brand itself. I would advise choosing a different seller or just not buying this from Amazon at all, as Amazon seems to have quality control problems with a lot of items.

I had to replace this after 5 uses and it was not "power usage". I was measuring a kitchen and had the tape under the refrdgerator. When I released the lock it got momentarily snagged and game out missing 7" of the tape. It simply snapped off. I would have expected considerably more durability than this from ANY tape measure, but surely more from the Stanley name.I have bought the Fat Max as a replacement - we'll see how that goes

I was disappointed with the quality of this product. It has some uneven sharp edges, which make it difficult to work with if I don't wear gloves.