Kinky tape

i thought that subject line would get a few clicks. i have a trusty 300' keeson steel tape that's been run over a few times with a few kinks in it, any tricks i could do to get that puppy to lay flat again and not twist over? thanks

Thin gauge steel like that once it has a crease in it...man I am not sure there is much you can do. If you work it too much it is liable to break.

DB wrote on Dec 17, 2006:Go to #1

i thought that subject line would get a few clicks. i have a trusty 300' keeson steel tape that's been run over a few times with a few kinks in it, any tricks i could do to get that puppy to lay flat again and not twist over? thanks

You can get a new tape measure, and use it when your darn sure the lot is blocked off as good as possible, when the cars come you run screaming while jumping up and down and flailing your arms as if your a crazy person. For anyone that does actually stop you calmly explain your attempting to save your $100+ dollar tape measure. For those that don't stop, if you had the lot block reasonably well, I would bill for the $100+ dollar tape measure. Second option, buy a surveyor rope type tape. Bill Feldman sells them custom pre-marked any dimension you want, http://www.bigfootlayouttools.com Robert sells the pre-marked tape as well I believe. And there are other sources for the same tape no markings online. The surveyor rope tape In my opinion is only good for lots where you have to contend with traffic. I could never get one to lay without a multitude of twists in it, mine are pre-marked both sides, but that only works out if the lot dimensions are as they are suppose to be. That is fairly rare from my experience. If you are doing layouts and putting forth the extra effort to divide up the given space evenly amongst the spaces, then premarks only get you in the general vicinity of where you intend to place your marks. If they only have the markings on one side, you have to reach down and roll the tape over. That tends to show in layout and sometimes adds additional steps to correct said "show". All that info is probably more than most want to hear or read. That being said, I have several different tapes in my arsenal, I believe the surveyor rope has it's place, I wish it was marked feet and inches both sides or tenths both sides. I use vinyl clad steel and steel 99% of the time though because it lays flat and straight as a chalked line if you learn how to snap it to your advantage. One less step in your process if you are still chalking...