No one thinks twice when they see
electronic switches or controls on power
tools. But hand tools are another story.
Except for electronic levels and stud
finders, hand tools are pretty much the
way they've always been. Until now,
that is. Recently, two companies introduced
electronic tape measures, bringing
high-tech to one of the most basic
of hand tools.
Starrett's Digitape
The best-known example is Starrett
Company's Digitape, an electronic tape
that comes 16 or 25 feet long. I had a
chance to use the 25-footer. Except for
the digital display and mode buttons on
top, it looks and feels the same as a
standard tape. A series of black stripes
run down the center of its inch-wide
blade.