This year Milwaukee Tool redesigned their STUD Tape Measures. They also added new Wide Blade Tape Measures and Compact Tape Measures. Advances include more durability and standout that reaches as far as 14 feet! The Milwaukee Wide Blade tape measures stood out (pun intended) as the most impressive of the bunch.
Editor’s Note: Think you know everything about tapes? Check out our article on how to read a tape measure and we promise you’ll learn something new!
We’ve seen several great features with Milwaukee tapes over the years. Back in 2012, they added a handy finger stop design. They also implemented existing features Pros want, like two-sided printing and integrated blueprint scales. Some tapes had magnetic hooks, and others used a new durable 5-point reinforced frame.
Milwaukee Gen 2 STUD Tape Measures
Milwaukee improved upon the original Stud tapes with a smaller spring to reduce the size of the housing. The Milwaukee Gen 2 STUD Tape Measures are a more compact tape measure with the same EXO360 nylon coating of the original. They also include wider blades for greater standout. The newly-optimized spring also better controls blade retraction speed. That keeps the tape from pulling in too quickly and hitting your fingers.
The new Stud tapes can also deliver up to 14 feet of standout.
The new Stud tapes are tested to withstand an 80-foot drop onto packed soil. They also now come in more sizes, including a 25 ft. magnetic option.
Milwaukee Wide Blade Tape Measures
Milwaukee Wide Blade Tape Measures pioneered that new 14-foot standout and they actually do it while being manipulated. That means we were able to hold that standout while shifting the tape left and right. In addition to having a long standout, these tape measures have an anti-tear blade coating. It reinforces the first 6 inches of the blade—the part most susceptible to early failure.
Milwaukee continues the use of their 5-point reinforced frame to protect against drops. You also get the Finger Stop for controlling the retraction of the blade. Finally, the scale is printed on both sides of the blade for reading in any orientation. Milwaukee Wide Blade Tape Measures come in 16 ft. and 25 ft. magnetic options as well.
Compact Wide Blade Tape Measures
The Milwaukee Compact Wide Blade Tape Measures take what you get above and shrink the size. You still get up 12 feet of standout but in a package that makes a 25-foot tape feel like a 16-foot. These also come with the 5-point reinforced impact-resistant frame and 2-sided blade printing.
Milwaukee also makes the Compact Wide Blade tape measures in Magnetic models which add their Finger Stop feature.
Choosing the Right Milwaukee Tape
So with all these new tape measures, how do you choose? Given the different lengths, goals, and capabilities of each, we can break it down for you.
Use a Milwaukee STUD Tape Measure if You…
- Want a 14-foot standout
- Your #1 need is durability
- The primary use of the tool is for concrete, framing—heavy-duty use
Buy a Milwaukee Wide Blade Tape Measure if You…
- Want a 14-foot standout
- Your #1 need is standout
- The primary use of the tool is for trade use or light framing/remodeling
Choose the Compact Wide Blade Tape if You…
- Want a 12-foot standout
- Your #1 need is a compact size
- The primary use of the tool is for residential use
Available Models
Milwaukee STUD Tape Measures
- 16 ft. STUD Tape Measure 48-22-9716—$19.54
- 25 ft. STUD Tape Measure 48-22-9725—$23.79
- 25 ft. STUD Magnetic Tape Measure 48-22-9725M—$25.49
- 35 ft. STUD Tape Measure 48-22-9735—$33.99
- 5m Stud Tape Measure—$22.99
- 8m Stud Tape Measure—$27.99
Wide Blade Tape Measure
- 16 ft. Wide Blade Tape Measure 48-22-0216—$19.99
- 16 ft. Wide Blade Magnetic Tape Measure 48-22-0216M—$22.99
- 25 ft. Wide Blade Tape Measure 48-22-0225—$24.99
- 25 ft. Wide Blade Magnetic Tape Measure 48-22-0225M—$27.99
- 30 ft. Wide Blade Tape Measure 48-22-0230—$29.99
- 35 ft. Wide Blade Tape Measure 48-22-0235—$34.99
- 40’ Wide Blade Tape Measure 48-22-0240—$39.99
Compact Wide Blade Tape Measures
- 16 ft. Compact Wide Blade Tape Measure 48-22-0416—$13.99
- 16 ft. Compact Wide Blade Magnetic Tape Measure 48-22-0316—$16.99
- 25 ft. Compact Wide Blade Tape Measure 48-22-0425—$19.99
- 25 ft. Compact Wide Blade Magnetic Tape Measure 48-22-0325—$19.99
- 30 ft. Compact Wide Blade Tape Measure 48-22-0430—$22.99
- 35 ft. Compact Wide Blade Magnetic Tape Measure 48-22-0335—$29.99
