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The Resources Issue
Feb-Mar 2025
The Panel Decides: Tape Measures Tool Review
What is the best tape measure for electricians in Australia? Our panel puts a selection to the test!
In this Article:
Tape measures for electricians put to the test.
Our panel use them and rate them.
Read this before you buy!
The Tools
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CABAC – Blue Monkey 8m (CTM825) |
HAMER – 8m (TM32-8) |
KLEIN TOOLS – 9m A-86000 |
| RRP Check in-store | RRP $37.29 | RRP $40.45 |
THE LOWDOWN:This tape measure has a range of handy quick-reference markings, a GPO height guide and even helps convert building wire size dimensions from cross-section to diameter. It also indicates repeat stud centres and standard light switch height, while the double-ended hook ensures easy use. |
THE LOWDOWN:
This tape measure has a comfortable, impact-resistant grip and comes fitted with a belt clip and lanyard. Importantly, the coated blade is 32mm wide, which ensures a 3.1 metre standout, and measurements are printed on both sides. |
THE LOWDOWN:This 9m tape measure is protected by a thick and durable protective nylon coating, and also features a strong magnetic double hook, easy-to-read bold lines in a metric measurement scale, and a retraction brake. |
The Panel
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| John Blake
from Rohr Electrical Experience: 6 years |
Eden Fairbank
from NSW Health Experience: 15 years |
Nathan Lenord
from Rohr Electrical Experience: 5 years |
The Verdict
CABAC – Blue Monkey 8m (CTM825)
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“Simply the best.” – Eden |
| John:
Useful markings I loved all the markings – the switch height, GPO height, the standard wire template, etc. It’s very light and small for an 8m tape. The hooks were big and handy, but it was a bit flimsy, and I don’t think the stand-out length was that long in reality. |
Eden:
Simply the best I loved this tape. It’s easy to grasp, compact and lightweight. The powerpoint templates, height references and stud finder points are an absolute game-changer. A perfect tape measure for every tradie!! |
Nathan:
Feels flimsy I liked the colour and design, and also that it had templates for GPO cutouts and multiple markings for powerpoint heights, switch heights, battens, trusses, etc. |
| VERDICT: Good features
RATING: 6.5/10
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VERDICT: Brilliant
RATING: 10/10 *TOP PICK*
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VERDICT: Pretty good
RATING: 8/10
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HAMER – 8m (TM32-8)
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“Well-built.” – Nathan |
| John:
Not for me It seems well made, and has a solid feel to it. But once I realised the measurements were in centimetres and inches, I deemed it useless as my brain only operates in millimetres! It’s a good junk drawer tape measure. |
Eden:
Functional Option This is a very basic, no-frills tape that does the job. I was impressed with the double-sided numbers, durability and 3m span before bending. It’s missing a lower brake and the lock button isn’t as smooth. Basic and functional but has no extra sparky features. |
Nathan:
Well-built The measurements are all in inches and centimetres, which was annoying to convert all the time. But it’s well-built, strong, and easy to read. It was a good size and wasn’t too big overall. The measurements ruined it! |
| VERDICT: Not for me
RATING: 2/10
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VERDICT: No frills choice
RATING: 5/10
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VERDICT: Doesn’t measure up!
RATING: 4/10
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KLEIN TOOLS – 9m A-86000
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“Best of the bunch.” – John |
| John:
Best of the bunch I loved that it could stand out to 4m, and the magnetic tip was handy, especially when wiring sheds. It’s a solid product and definitely the best made out of the three. A solid product and good value for money. |
Eden:
Heavyweight option This tape was slightly too large for my liking, and a heavy weight on a tool belt. The magnetic hook is phenomenal and the underneath pause tape button was a godsend. I would like the tape to be more compact and add a hand strap. |
Nathan:
Stand out It’s very well-built, definitely a tough tape measure with measurements on both sides of the tape. It also has a 4m standout with a magnetic tip, which was very useful. Although it is quite big and bulky, it was very well-built and strong – and my top pick! |
| VERDICT: Solid choice
RATING: 8/10 *TOP PICK*
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VERDICT: A contender
RATING: 8/10
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VERDICT: The best option
RATING: 9/10 *TOP PICK*
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Find a tape measure up to the job in your local Gemcell Member branch
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