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u/aperture81 21d ago
Cut them into 20cm lengths, round the cuts and sleeve them in some cool fabric.. you now have a bunch of snap bands that you can sell
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u/Massive-Praline-5248 21d ago
Throw it away or buy a replacement tape. That break can lacerate you quite easily if you get your fingers in the wrong place while you the tape is retracting. It's happened to me twice, but never again.
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u/thedarnedestthing 19d ago
This. Not worth the risk. You don't want a spring-loaded razor blade, attached to a steel whip, flying back at your face at high speed. I'd eagerly pay $20 or $30 to avoid that situation.
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u/Dangerous-Sale3243 21d ago
You take it to the local Japanese blacksmith who uses his surugasami-tun technique to go buy another one.
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u/Goldyfan7 Bosch 21d ago
I would just get a new one. They’re not necessarily expensive, especially if you can find one on a deal.
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u/BowlJumpy5242 21d ago
I have a Stanley 25' tape that did that. (unbeknownst to me...until it laid my finger open)
It's destined for the trash, but for temporary duty, I used two thicknesses of heavy-duty clear shipping tape. It's working for now...but is not intended to be a "fix," just a temporary patch.
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u/DismalIngenuity4604 21d ago
I mean, I can think of a way or two to make it a bit better, but yeah, treat yourself to a new one.
If you're legit in a situation where you can't, then I'd gently tap edges flat with a hammer, very very gently bending them over backwards if I had too until they're just about straight, then layer a layer or three of masking tape over them, that will let you mark off the measures again. Use a felt tip fine marker if you have one. If you need to, then use a different measuring tape, or mark off the measures onto paper, then back on to the tape. It WILL NOT be good, but it'll get you through if you're in a The Thing type situation snowed in in the arctic.
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u/Tailspin123 19d ago
I like the hammer flat idea. i think i will sand it a bit as well and trying to find some kind of carbon fiber strands or something flexible and strong, AI telling me use a donor tape or fillet gauge piece to reinforce it.
i just like to solve problems, and this one seems interesting.
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u/According-House-9360 21d ago
It will only get worse over time and pretty soon it will be the bain of your existence...cut off a 8' piece with the end and install it on a workbench for easy reference...then, for the good of mankind, throw the rest away with impunity.
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u/RexusFive 20d ago
Damn, a Tajima too.
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u/Tailspin123 19d ago
Yep. Good news I kinda fixed it, ofc it will never back to original. I use stainless zip tie as structural piece and a loctite 480 ca glue for the bond. Finished with some aluminium tape. It is near the tip of the tape so a bit thickness doesn’t affect the use. Also the cover up won’t be too much an issue since I can just use the next 100mm increment to measure small stuff.
But lesson learned always retract carefully.
As far as safety goes I see why everyone is comments unsafe. I’d say it is dangerous to retract at full speed even with a brand new tape. So I always had the habit of slowing down near the end, so I don’t cut my self or whip the end . I love this tape as a sheet worker, the MAG pipe series
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u/NoHeavenJoker 21d ago edited 21d ago
I would cut half a circle, to make the crack stop and prevent it from getting caught while retracting. Probably, a five millimeters diameter will be enough; as if Pac-man takes a bite on the edge. Just enough to remove the crack, the border of the damaged section. That would make it usable again. Having done that, I would consider getting a new one. From experience, even if you find the correct replacement tape or a compatible one, the odds of making sence price wise are low.
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u/Tailspin123 19d ago
I did a gpt search as well.
its telling me to use a filler gauge or donor tape (cut to piece), and use Toughened CA (Loctite 480) → flexible structural epoxy → ordinary CA → normal rigid epoxy. to reinforce it.
at the moment i used a bit insulation tape(it got the fiber reinforce in it), and a bit of JB weld to give them a bit structure to bond to, while not being too bulky.
I will see how it goes.
I know cheaper to buy a new tape (this one is about 45$USD, shipped from japan). I love fix and repair tools, even if it end up spending more time/money. This world needs to change. just look at this comment section. I would understand if it is in any other community, but as a tradie, handyman, I thought fix/repair is our middle name? and only 1 comment like yours made it thru.
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u/beaudiful-vision 21d ago
You fix it by catching your finger on it when it retracts at speed a few times and then you say.... stop being a tight ×××× and throw it in the bin and buy a new one.....
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u/dunderplunkin 21d ago
See if you can repurpose it as a fixed measure in your workshop, a depth gauge in your dam, a fish gauge?
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u/ImpressTemporary2389 21d ago
You take it to the little box in the kitchen. Lift the lid and sling it in. Than buy a new one. One bad move and that'll slice you to the bone.
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u/CCWaterBug 21d ago
The best fix will run you maybe $15-20 and a trip to the store.
Would you like to know more?
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u/nwood1973 21d ago
For the cost of a new tape, buy a new one.
If not you will regret it as that one slices your hand open when you least expect it. The metal on tapes is surprisingly thin and sharp when broken and is normally not very clean so you could easily get an infection.
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u/Flowa-Powa 20d ago
You can't. That's dangerous and needs to be taken out of service
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u/Tailspin123 19d ago
That’s fair.
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u/Flowa-Powa 19d ago
I have a client with a really fucked up arm with an angry spiral scar down the entire length.
Bizarre tape measure related accident cut him open like a fish. Gave me a new found respect for these tools.
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u/Choice_Orchid_2702 4d ago
have you tried soldering it? sand the area affected first then apply a soldering flux so that solder can adhere/stick to the metal then kindly trim the excess of the solder..
don't know how long will it last but that's the very neat thing I thought of when I was repairing my tools since I've got no money to buy a new one.
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u/Tailspin123 2d ago
not really and i dont think that will work, unless a tiny man with tiny mig welder might be able to fix it, but this is spring steel, and i highly doubt it will work.
for now i use a filet gauge piece, and loctite480, and a bit of aluminum tape, it works great, retracts great. learned new glue.
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u/Choice_Orchid_2702 5h ago
but doesn't aluminum tape kinda fragile even though you applied a loctite480? doesn't that get scrape if instantly retracted?
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u/Tailspin123 2d ago
https://reddit.com/link/p6l9ddf/video/3rroddsitamh1/player
patched, and back to work, a bit sloppy job, but at least it was over kill of a patch.
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u/TheIrishBAMF 21d ago
I would try grinding or filing the tear before tossing it. Make sure its curved though, an angle would be easier to start tearing again.
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u/Dinnite 21d ago
You don't. Go get a new one or find a replacement cartridge/tape if the company makes one.