Best Layout Tools
Durable and Firm. Don't worry about handling your ruler delicately, made of premium quality aluminum alloy. HIGHLY VERSATILE: Amenitee® Multi-Angle Measuring Ruler slides and locks into any desired angles to save you time on repetitive measurements. No need to create a new template for each new job or remeasure the same angles over and over again- the measuring tool saves you both time and effort!
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I have had the "yellow plastic" version of this tool from Home Depot General Tools 836 Angle-izer Template Tool for years and use(d) it regularly as a carpenter. I wanted the Gold Version (I like really nice tools) of this tool but the black showed up in a Lighting Deal so bolted (see what I did there) to the computer and ordered it."
"I originally bought this tool for my husband but then had a great idea to use it for a mat (for a picture frame) that I was trying to cut It worked so well."
"This is one of those tools that you just can not figure out why it hasn't been made for longer, and why it took so long to try it out."
"My girlfriend's sister, who is a PE and civil engineer, requested this for Christmas."
"This was a gift for my father, a real crafty dude."
"Got this as a stocking stuffer for my hubby but I already used it myself for a craft project cutting fabric for lining an entertainment center."
"Got this as a gift for my husband as he had mentioned a few projects where it would be useful to have this type of tool."
"Given as a Christmas gift."
Specifications: Product Size: 7.28 (L) x 2.5(W) x 1.1 (H) Inch. Product Size: 18.5 (L) x 6.2(W) x 2.8 (H) cm. Packaging Size: 8.27*3.15*1.57 Inch. Packaging Size: 210*80*40mm. Color : Black. Net Weight: 6.49oz. Net Weight: 184g. Package weight: 9.2oz. Package weight: 260g. Original box: YES. Note: ▲Please press the key button when you pull out the measuring tape, it would make the measuring tape better and easier using. ▲Please loosen the key button to lock the reel when the measuring tape have been drawn out the length you wanted. ✔ 3-PRONGED APPROACH - combines a fine-tuned tape measure, a triple-positioned leveling bubble and a NEW laser level to provide maximum results.（Note: Laser Ranging Error,that is given as "+/-2mm at 10m and 25m";If the laser is the Vertical Level or the Horizontal Level, you shouldn't adjust the Beam.). ✔ WORKS FOR INDOOR - designed for any situation where a straight line or accurate measurements are needed, such as measuring locations on a wall, space between hangers, level the nails.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I line up the level bubble and I turn on the laser guide and just like that, i could draw a perfect line across my wall."
"Not something I will use a lot, but I was installing some drain pipe and needed an inexpensive way to check slope."
"I'm planning on using this laser level to make sure the track is level. I set it on a stool using it's own level bubble to project horizontal laser beam to a wall about 12 feet away. I tried this several times trying to use the bubble to level the laser as best I could. The reason for this is because the level bubble just doesn't provide a precise enough measurement for insuring that the level if perfectly level. Even on a sunny day you can see the laser beam against a driveway reflector. So holding that up where you expect the beam to be sure reveal the beam even on a sunny day."
"The tool is very useful and provides several neat features."
"For the price it’s a nice little tool."
"This time it worked for me right out of the box.I really like how this will help with hanging my family photos in one continuous line up the wall at a diagonal."
"Instead of paying half the price of the Laser Level on batteries I decided to re-order the Qoolek Multipurpose Laser Level Measure."
"This level is about 1-2 degrees off which is basically useless."
High impact ABS case with rubber over mold for strength; Mylar-coated blade; heat-treated spring for repeated use.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I purchased 2 of these at the same time and discovered varied printing qualities."
"After buying several newer designed tape rules and having them fail in a mater of months or even less I went back to the first one I ever used thirty years ago."
"Stanley's new stuff has started lacking in quality like tape locks that don't hold under any circumstances."
"I've had other, cheaper tape measures and they all have broke in some capacity - the tape rips and becomes dangerously sharp, the lock breaks, or the tip bends."
"I hope this 16' gives my son as good service as my old Stanley measure has given me."
"For years, this tape has been a standard for me so when I needed to put together some tools for my remodeling projects, this tape was one of my first picks."
"I know this is a great tape measure, we've had one in the house for years."
"But not smooth. Then yesterday the tip fell off and the tape wound into the body...so useless to me."
Best Levels
Stanley 43-511 Heavy-duty aluminum frame ensures accuracy and durability. Pipe groove makes it a good choice for use on rounded surfaces. Pipe groove makes it a good choice for use on rounded surfaces. Non-marring feet can be used on finished surfaces without damage. Non-marring feet can be used on finished surfaces without damage.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The level was not as accurate as the full sized one is."
"Great, solid, level; it does its job."
"Use it everyday in the field and it's just awesome."
"Just what the man in my life wanted for Christmas."
"I bought this as a gift for my fiance."
"It's a nice addition to my tools and easier to find because of the color."
"Nice and compact but do wish the magnet was stronger, seems pretty weak and barely holds itself up."
"Would be a great level unfortunately this one only has two working levels not three as advertised."
Best Line Lasers
Kit includes: (1) Compact Self-Leveling Cross Line Laser, (1) Adjustable Mounting Clamp and (2) AA Batteries. Projects bright lines; ideal for tile alignment, wall studding, windows, doors, etc.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I have two matching shelves on both sides of a credenza and I had to have the anchors (giant hook eyes) level across the whole wall, and this laser was PERFECT for that. I had done the first bookshelf before getting the matching one, and BEFORE getting this laser - and I ended up drilling and anchoring only for it to somehow still be uneven (because walls are never perfect) and ended up having to spackle all and do it over and over again. By the time I got the second shelf, I had this laser, and it took maybe 45 minutes altogether (I had to paint the anchors gold to match the chains - I'll add some pictures someday, I'm sure I'm not doing a great job describing it)."
"Nothing annoys me more than a review by someone who has just received their product and has not used it yet or has not used it long enough to give a well-tested review."
"You can turn on each laser line individually as well as switch between auto leveling or a manual "fixed" mode."
"Great product at a great price!"
"Three laser modes for a horizontal line, vertical and both at once."
"It will clamp to just about anything so on my project I needed a hight well above a standard camera tridod so I used a 8' ladder."
"This is a great little laser level."
"I've only had this a few weeks, but am in the middle of a major renovation project and have used it a ton."
Best Construction Protractors
Constructed from durable engineered plastic and economically priced, the 505P-7 eliminates calculations, reduces errors and provides greater accuracy for miter cuts. The Miter Cut Arrow and Inner Scale indicate the exact miter saw setting for an accurate miter joint every time. Direct read from the work to your miter saw with two easy to read scales.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It easily resolves to half of one degree, which is more fine than I have the need to measure a window casing."
"Made cutting trim effortless to fit around both inside and outside corners."
"Good for determining angle when walls arent really square."
"Absolutely... this is a 'must have' tool for any miter work."
"I've invested in quite a few measuring tools, so I can make sure I have accurate guidance when it comes to cutting :) Reading the dial originally was a bit tricky."
"Great tool!"
"A+++ highly recommend."
"This is the best angle finder around!"
Best Construction Rulers
Durable and Firm. Don't worry about handling your ruler delicately, made of premium quality aluminum alloy. HIGHLY VERSATILE: Amenitee® Multi-Angle Measuring Ruler slides and locks into any desired angles to save you time on repetitive measurements. No need to create a new template for each new job or remeasure the same angles over and over again- the measuring tool saves you both time and effort!
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I have had the "yellow plastic" version of this tool from Home Depot General Tools 836 Angle-izer Template Tool for years and use(d) it regularly as a carpenter. I wanted the Gold Version (I like really nice tools) of this tool but the black showed up in a Lighting Deal so bolted (see what I did there) to the computer and ordered it."
"I Just got mine in the mail today ..."
"I originally bought this tool for my husband but then had a great idea to use it for a mat (for a picture frame) that I was trying to cut It worked so well."
"This is one of those tools that you just can not figure out why it hasn't been made for longer, and why it took so long to try it out."
"This was a gift for my father, a real crafty dude."
"My girlfriend's sister, who is a PE and civil engineer, requested this for Christmas."
"Got this as a gift for my husband as he had mentioned a few projects where it would be useful to have this type of tool."
"Given as a Christmas gift."
Best Carpentry Squares
Incorporates features of framing square, tri square, mitre square, and protractor square.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"You get it shipped fast and right to your door so you don't have to park that big truck in a narrow parking space and fight the crown at the big box store."
"Durable and accurate square... An essential part of a homeowner / hobbyist toolkit."
"Does the job well, the measurements on the tool are a bit blotchy on mine, sloppy quality in that respect."
"The book is very nice and seems rugged enough (doesn't feel waterproof or anything). The square feels indestructible."
"I am just a DIYer, but it is nice to be able to learn a bit more of the easier and more accurate way of framing.The enlosed booklet provides significant detail on the methods needed to be able to correctly create the correct angles necessary for any roofing project."
"Classic tool, great price."
"I have 2 cheap ones that don't have the features this one has and I haven't used them since this one has arrived."
"Love this thing."
Best Straight Edges
This aluminum straight edge is an economical alternative to other much more expensive straight edges on the market.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Straighter than an arrow!"
"It does flex about 1/8 of an inch or more in the middle pretty easily when clamped to a piece of wood at each edge and applying pressure in the middle against the flat machined edge."
"Use this to set-up tool beds, find cups and bends in wood and mating two pieces of wood flat."
"Double checked it and found it to be a good thing to align my work surfaces with."
"Dead flat, sturdy, good price."
"Work great with making sure my table saws extensions are on same plane as saw top.."
Best Tape Measures
High impact ABS case with rubber over mold for strength; Mylar-coated blade; heat-treated spring for repeated use.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I purchased 2 of these at the same time and discovered varied printing qualities."
"After buying several newer designed tape rules and having them fail in a mater of months or even less I went back to the first one I ever used thirty years ago."
"Stanley's new stuff has started lacking in quality like tape locks that don't hold under any circumstances."
"I've had other, cheaper tape measures and they all have broke in some capacity - the tape rips and becomes dangerously sharp, the lock breaks, or the tip bends."
"I hope this 16' gives my son as good service as my old Stanley measure has given me."
"For years, this tape has been a standard for me so when I needed to put together some tools for my remodeling projects, this tape was one of my first picks."
"I know this is a great tape measure, we've had one in the house for years."
"But not smooth. Then yesterday the tip fell off and the tape wound into the body...so useless to me."
Best Caliper Gages
Specifications: Power Failure Memory: Don't worry about your power failure, with 20 groups data memory,makes your work more efficient; Long Life Customer Money-Back Guarantee:If you are not satisfied with the laser measure just return it for a full refund,no questions asked, no hassle.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It can figure square footage, volume and give you a straight line measurement within a 1/16"."
"At the same time if the measurement was wrong, you will not be able to delete it from the ongoing list of measurements - although if you keep in mind that the saving of ongoing measurements is an aid, it should not be of concern - to me it is not."
"Works fine, lightweight, accurate, Seems plenty rugged enough for home use."
"Have been testing this thing for accuracy , at least for up to 50m/160' it's good but according to instruction manual over time it'll become less accurate. (PITA). as i expect for a new item it should work correctly for the first 12 months, if it does not i will reduce the stars to match performance."
"If you want to measure an object where you have easy access to both ends, then the conventional tape measure or ruler works fine."
"This is so much faster than my old manual way of measuring, I don’t know how it works but I am just glad it works and saves me time."
"We are going to move and need measurements of walls, windows, areas where we can put furniture, etc."
"I liked using this, very easy to figure out the basics."