My tape measure split in half on a job yesterday

I was in the middle of laying out a pretty straightforward floor plan for a basement renovation just outside of Columbus. Went to hook my tape on the edge of a stud, pulled it out, and the whole casing just cracked right down the middle. The spring exploded and the tape flew everywhere. I stood there holding two pieces of plastic like an idiot. Had to finish the layout using a 6 inch ruler I found in my bag and a string line. Took me almost an extra hour to get the measurements right. Anyone else ever have a tool just give out at the worst possible time?

3 comments

3 Comments

verawhite1mo ago

reese124 that utility knife story is brutal, but here's something nobody's talking about - that tape measure split might have actually saved you from a way bigger headache. If the casing cracked from normal use, it was probably already weakened and could have snapped while you were leaning over a rafter or something. At least you got a funny story and a busted tape instead of a trip to urgent care.

reese1241mo ago

Dude that sucks. Reminds me of the time I was halfway through hanging drywall and my utility knife blade snapped off inside the handle. Had to finish cutting with a rusty steak knife from the toolbox. The whole room smelled like burnt toast after that.

davis.adam1mo ago

Wait until I tell you what happened to my buddy Mark. He was trying to fix a leaky pipe under his sink and the handle on his wrench just snapped clean off. Ended up having to use a pair of pliers and a bent coat hanger to get the job done, and the whole time water was spraying everywhere. He said his wife walked in and just handed him a mop without saying a word. I still laugh thinking about him soaked in dirty water with a coat hanger sticking out of the pipe.