JLC ’s
Go Long
Although it won’t fit comfortably in my back
pocket like my old 100-footer, the Fat Max
100-foot tape measure has a bright yellow, stainless-
steel blade and large, easy-to-read digits
with calibrations in 1/8-inch increments. With a
3:1 gear ratio, the hand-cranked retriever will
give any spring-loaded tape a run for the
money. A wrap-around rubber grip makes the
tape easy to handle. The 100-footer costs $30; a
50-foot version costs $20.
Contact: Stanley Works, 1000 Stanley Drive,
New Britain, CT 06053; 800/782-6539;
www.stanleyworks.com.
Two-Step
I’ve always wondered why the other side of a step
ladder wasn’t put to better use; the FM-1000 Series
Twin Front Stepladder answers that question neatly
with a professional line