Tape measures - some show and tell

[Bill Houghton]

My latest find, from a commercial estate sale firm that charges sane prices.  This one's interesting for two reasons:

1.  At some point prior to the reorganization that led to a new name, in 1973, there was money in the budget for custom-ordered tapes.
2.  The tape is marked in 16ths on one edge and 100ths of a foot on the other, I assume for checking plans.

[international3414]

cloth tape

[Bill Houghton]

cloth tape

That's pretty nifty.  You can measure the fish you caught, to see if it'll fit in the fridge, and the cloth tape ensures it won't rust; just don't let anyone see the measurement, so that you can continue to lie about how large a fish you caught.

[turnnut]

 Bill that is strange, I googled  NWYS and it comes up Northwest youth service ??? 

[Bill Houghton]

Bill that is strange, I googled  NWYS and it comes up Northwest youth service ???

The picture's a touch out of focus.  If I'd done a better job on the picture, you'd see it reads, "California Div. of Hwys," as in "highways."  This was the name for the roads crew folks for many years, a department/division that moved around quite a bit as government got reorganized.

[Twertsy]

Bill, I'm pretty sure I have one just like your dad's but branded Firestone.

[turnnut]

 thank's Bill.

[Northwoods]

cloth tape

For Mama when she makes shirts and dresses for herself and the young' uns.

[wvtools]

I need to post some pictures of some of mine.  I just did a quick count, and I am up to 525.  Nowhere near my zig zag collection (around 800), but it is getting close.  I have a couple that are used to set dynamite charges that are interesting.  I also like the figural ones, like golfball and seashell shapes.  I have a bunch of new in the box refills, which I probably should not have counted separately.

[Yadda]

I have a bunch of new in the box refills, which I probably should not have counted separately.

Your tape measures.  You're allowed to count them any way you want.

[Bill Houghton]

...I am up to 525.  Nowhere near my zig zag collection (around 800)...

OK, I fold.  I don't even have that kind of shop/storage space, much less the time to gather that many!

[Yadda]

I need to post some pictures of some of mine.  I just did a quick count, and I am up to 525.  Nowhere near my zig zag collection (around 800), but it is getting close.  I have a couple that are used to set dynamite charges that are interesting.  I also like the figural ones, like golfball and seashell shapes.  I have a bunch of new in the box refills, which I probably should not have counted separately.

For the record I would love to see some pictures of your collections.

[Plyerman]

I need to post some pictures of some of mine.  I just did a quick count, and I am up to 525.  Nowhere near my zig zag collection (around 800), but it is getting close.  I have a couple that are used to set dynamite charges that are interesting.  I also like the figural ones, like golfball and seashell shapes.  I have a bunch of new in the box refills, which I probably should not have counted separately.

For the record I would love to see some pictures of your collections.

Same here!

[wvtools]

...I am up to 525.  Nowhere near my zig zag collection (around 800)...

OK, I fold.  I don't even have that kind of shop/storage space, much less the time to gather that many!

I have been collecting them for 26 years.  I also have bought large volumes of tools for my Ebay business, and I can cull out all the tape measures and zig zags that I do not have.  You would be surprised how little space it takes up.  I have some 12 drawer microfiche cabinets that most of the thinner and smaller ones can fit in.  I will take some photos of my cabinets when I upload some photos of my collection to this thread.

[wvtools]

Bill,

If it makes you feel any better, I am jealous of your highway department Lufkin one.  Odd Lufkins are some of my favorites.  Have you seen the Donut ones?  They always go high on Ebay.  I finally bit the bullet and bought one a few years ago.

John