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Like many of you I got in a rut where tape measures were just tape measures. Then along comes the Lufkin® Control Series™ Tape Measure and I can see the difference. Click image to enlarge

Lufkin® Control Series™ Tape Measure

Making it easier to be accurate

Text & Photos by Tom Hintz

Posted – 6-6-2013

Lufkin® has always been a leader in measuring tools, including retractable tapes. Now with their Lufkin® Control Series™ Tape Measure they have once again stepped up their brand to make on-the-job measuring faster and more accurate.

The Basics

The Lufkin® Control Series™ Tape Measure (# XL8525) shown in this review typifies their never-ending quest for the perfect balance between form and function. The bright orange case has been designed to fit the hand more comfortably. It is wrapped in a soft rubber-like overmold that substantially improves your grip even with dirty hands or gloves. All that rubber also protects the tape measure mechanism from the knocks of the job site or shop.

The body of the Lufkin® Control Series™ Tape Measure has a tough spring-steel belt clip that holds it fast to a belt or pocket edge. They also built in a D-ring at the rear of the body to provide another carry option.

The Lufkin® Control Series™ Tape Measure has a unique access opening under the tape where it exits the case. Lufkin® calls this opening the “Drag Strip” because the natural placement of your finger fits this opening and lets you apply a dragging pressure on the tape itself. This makes adjusting the length with one hand possible where before you either used two hands or pressed the release button and hoped you could stop it in the right place.

The tape itself (left) is very easy to read and it extends out around 10-feet and still holds itself up! The "Drag Strip" (right) sounds so simple but makes a big difference when measuring with one hand. Click images to enlarge

The 1-3/16" x 25' steel tape has been redesigned for an extended stand-out of 10’. That makes it much easier to reach across an open space to take accurate measurements over greater distances. The blade features ultra-clear printed scales and information. To protect that clarity the entire tape is clear-coated. The finger-operated lock button is easy to move, virtually eliminating the measurement errors induced by operator force trying to lock conventional designs.

The all-important tape end features a 4-rivet end hook that dramatically increases it toughness. That translates into a tape measure that stays dead-on accurate longer under the stresses of constant use on the job or in the shop. The end slides on the rivets an amount that equals its thickness to make inside and outside measurements dead-on perfect.

In the Shop

During evaluation the Lufkin® Control Series™ Tape Measure proved to be very easy to use in terms of working the tape and reading the markings. The printing is first rate in terms of clarity but it is also large enough to be read from farther away. That means less contorting yourself to read the measurement.

The grip on the body is very comfortable and fits the hand surprisingly well for what appears to be a modified square. The rubber overmold really does provide a solid sense of grip. The body is also sufficiently wide for the Lufkin® Control Series™ Tape Measure to stand on its own when that would be helpful.

The “Drag Strip” is a surprising addition that turns out to be very useful. A touch of finger pressure lets you “meter” the tape to retract at a controllable rate with one hand. Freeing up a hand is always a good thing on the job site or in the shop. I honestly was not impressed with this “Drag Strip” when I first saw it but having used it in the shop changed my perception 180-degrees. This really is a good idea that enhances the usefulness of the Lufkin® Control Series™ Tape Measure.

The rubber overmolds give you a great sense of grip even with gloves one. Click image to enlarge

Conclusions

With a street price hovering around $15.00 (6-5-2013) the Lufkin® Control Series™ Tape Measure is as good of a value as it is handy in the shop. The traditional quality we expect from Lufkin® means that with no-brainer level care the Lufkin® Control Series™ Tape Measure will last a very long time.

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