Steel Tape Measure

It's a small thing, but I did get something accomplished today.

It was an old half-inch by 10 foot steel tape measure that someone had caused to jam, so that the tape would not return into its casing. You can't leave something like that lying around; the edges of the tape are darn sharp. If you aren't careful, they can cause a nasty cut. So you either discard it or fix it.

I decided to do the latter.

Took it apart, tried a number of times to rewind the spring. Not an easy job for someone with large clumsy fingers. Not much to hold on to. Got nicked a bit. Wrist still painful because of the carpal business. Tape got twisted along its ten-foot length, but luckily no kinks or wrinkles. This thing is American-made, Craftsman by Sears. Had it for maybe thirty years. They don't make them like it anymore, I don't believe. Most of these come from China nowadays. Plastic parts for the case nowadays. Flimsy. Nothing like the solid metal of old. This tape is worth repairing.

Long story short -- I did it. Took me some thirty minutes start to finish. Time well spent. The thing is good as new. Might last another thirty years. Be an antique by then. Great-grandkids can then sell it on eBay to a collector of good old American craftsmanship.

If eBay is still around, that is.