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Metric Measuring Tapes
Many people have complained to the UK Metric Association that they find it almost impossible to buy metric-only tapes in Britain. Indeed many people have resorted to visiting builder’s merchants on trips abroad in order to buy them. UKMA has therefore contacted tape manufacturers in Britain to find out what metric-only products they offer.
The good news is that tape suppliers in the UK offer a range of excellent metric only products. Although these products are frequently not seen in British retailers, on this page we list examples of such products so that you can order them either order through your local retailer or search for them on the worldwide web.
The following manufacturers have kindly provided us with information (in alphabetical order):
Axminster Power Tool Centre
Axminster Power Tool Centre offers a range of metric-only soft grip
tapes.
The blades are clearly marked with centimetre and millimetre metric
graduations. The cases feature a belt clip and a friction brake, which slows
down the return. The tapes are available a choice of three lengths: 3m(16mm
wide), 5m(19mm) and 7.5m(25mm wide). The tapes may be purchased by Freephone
0800 371822 or via their
website.
Draper
Draper offer a metric-only 5 metre soft grip tape product which can be ordered from retailers or on their website under the part number EMTSGM.
Fischer Darex
Fischer Darex manufacture metric only Mylar coated steel tapes in chromed cases are supplied with chromium belt clip, lock button and wrist strap with clear black markings in mm and red markings every 100mm for ease of reading. The tapes are offered in 3 m, 5 m and 8 m lengths. Each tape, irrespective of length, is 25mm wide ensuring excellent reach and rigidity when needed without bending or buckling. These may be purchased from Axminster Power Tool Centre by Freephone 0800 371822 or via their website.
Fisco
Fisco offer a wide range of metric-only products including the pocket tape shown below. Pocket tapes are offered with 3-, 5- or 8-metre lengths. All their short tapes can be ordered as either metric-only or dual branded (imperial on the upper edge). Metric only long tapes are offered in 20- and 30-metre lengths. Additionally an innovative 10-metre Brickmate tape combines a metric scale with special scales that help working with brick courses.
Fisco’s potential list of retail stockist runs into many thousands, however, their largest wholesaler Toolbank has a very useful website which allows end-users to search under a brand name, products etc they can also order on-line for direct delivery or collection from their nearest/preferred retail stockist.
Stanley
Stanley offers a 5 metre metric-only pocket tape as part of their Powerlock range that can be ordered with the part number 33-194 through their stockists.
Stanley also offers metric-only tapes with 20 m and 30 m lengths. These include the 34-105 Longtape, the 34-133 FatMax, the 34-296 (all of which are 20 metres long) and the thirty metre 34-134 FatMax.
York Survey Supply Centre (YSSC)
York Survey Supply Centre offers ABS-cased metric pocket tapes.
The tapes feature carbon spring steel blades, a non-slip blade lock and a belt clip. The blades are marked in black every centimetre and red every 10 centimetres. The tapes are available in 5 metre (width 19 mm) and 8 metre (width 25 mm) sizes. The tapes may be ordered using the YSSC website
If you are a tape manufacturer or supplier offering metric-only tapes in Britain and not listed here please contact ukma@metric.org.uk. We would be pleased to add your company to the list of manufacturers featured here.
Acnowledgements
Pictures and information reproduced curteousy of:
Axminster
Draper Tools,
Fischer Darex,
Fisco,
Stanley tools,
York Survey Supply Centre
Axminster tool centre are the sole distributor of Fischer Darex measuring tapes.