DeWalt 100 ft. Fiberglass Long Tape

Why I reached for this long tape

I brought the DeWalt long tape to two very different jobs: laying out a 60-foot fence line on a sloped backyard and pulling diagonals for a modest deck. I wanted something that could live in the truck, handle wet grass and mud without rusting, and be readable in both fractional inches and decimal feet so I could follow site drawings without constantly converting. A 100-foot fiberglass blade in a compact, crank-style case ticked those boxes.

Build and layout

The housing is ABS, and it feels tough enough for jobsite abuse without being brick-heavy. The crank folds in tight, so it doesn’t snag in a bag, and the case wipes down quickly after a muddy pull. Inside, the 1/2-inch fiberglass blade is the star of the show. Fiberglass is the right choice for this category: it won’t rust, it’s less likely to kink than narrow steel, and it tolerates moisture and grit better. At 1/2 inch, the blade is a good balance between readability and weight. You’re not suspending this tape in midair; you’re dragging it across ground or along a surface, so stiffness isn’t the priority—wear and stretch resistance are.

The blade printing is double-sided—fractional inches on one side and decimal feet on the other. That’s a very practical combo. I measured post layouts in inches on the fly, then flipped to decimal feet to match a site plan’s callouts without doing math.

Readability and units

Markings are sharp with good contrast. The fractional-inch side uses clear graduations without a forest of tiny hashes that slow you down. On the decimal side, tenths and hundredths are easy to pick up quickly, which is helpful when you’re calling numbers to a helper at the stake. One limitation: this is SAE-only. If you regularly measure in metric, you’ll need another tape or a conversion workflow.

In the field: rewind and handling

DeWalt uses a 3:1 geared rewind, and the speed boost is noticeable. After a 70-foot pull in wet grass, I could crank the blade back in quickly without feeling like I was turning a fishing reel forever. The ergonomically shaped crank is comfortable and doesn’t bite into your palm, even with gloves on.

Like most geared rewinds on fiberglass tapes, it works best with a bit of tension on the blade. Let it go slack and crank hard, and you’ll get some “flop”—loops that try to fold over themselves. The integrated blade feeder helps keep things tracking straight, but it isn’t magic. The best practice is simple: keep a light pinch on the blade near the feeder and maintain mild, steady tension while reeling in. Do that, and the tape spools cleanly without chatter.

Under heavier tension—say you’re pulling uphill with some brush in the way—the gears can feel a little notchy. I didn’t experience skipping teeth, but I wouldn’t abuse the crank the way I might a steel survey reel. Treat it like a measuring tool, not a winch, and it holds up fine.

Anchoring and hook system

At the business end, you get two options: a grade-stake loop and a foldaway hook. The loop is great for wrapping around a rebar pin or a wood stake when you’re working solo. The foldaway hook is handy on lumber edges when you’re laying out long rips or checking diagonals on framing.

The loop-to-blade connection is reinforced, but it’s still the point that takes the abuse if you yank it hard against a snag or over-tighten at full stretch. I had one moment where the loop started to walk on me when the blade snagged a root and I pulled reflexively. It didn’t fail, but it was a reminder: set the anchor and pull straight, avoid sudden jerks, and you’ll avoid premature wear at the termination.

Accuracy and stretch

DeWalt rates accuracy to ±1/16 inch, which is within expectations for this class. In practical terms, across 50–80 feet, I saw repeatable measurements that matched a steel tape reference closely enough for fence lines, deck layouts, and trench runs. Fiberglass will stretch a bit under high load, especially when wet, so if you’re doing layout where 1/8 inch matters over long runs, pull firmly but don’t over-tension, and verify critical diagonals twice. For everyday construction tolerances, it’s more than adequate.

A quick note on standout: this isn’t a rigid, standout-style tape. You’re dragging it along a surface or the ground. If you need unsupported standout for overhead work, this is the wrong category of tool.

Durability and weather

Fiberglass and a rust-resistant coating mean you can work in rain, dew, or mud without babying it. After several wet pulls and a dusty day on decomposed granite, the printing remained intact and the blade wiped clean with a rag. Grit inevitably finds its way into the case on any open-reel or feeder-style long tape; a quick blast of compressed air or a brush-out keeps the feeder and gears smooth. The ABS housing shrugged off a couple of drops from tailgate height without deforming.

The wear point to watch is the first few inches near the hook/loop and the rivets there. That’s where kinks start if you rewind without tension or let the blade twist as it enters the feeder. Guide it with your thumb as you crank, and you’ll dramatically extend its life.

Ergonomics and day-to-day use

The reel is compact and easy to carry. There’s no belt clip, but I don’t miss one on a 100-foot tape; it rides better in a tote or by the handle. The handle and crank are glove-friendly, and the crank folds in securely so it doesn’t snag cords or straps in a bag. The case edges are rounded, so it doesn’t gouge other tools when tossed in a bucket.

One thing I appreciate: the blade isn’t overly springy, so it lays flat on grass and uneven surfaces. That makes solo measurements more manageable because you can step the tape around obstacles without it corkscrewing.

Shortcomings and quirks

• The geared rewind prefers a guided hand. Reel it hard with slack and you’ll get flop and potential twists.
• The anchor connection can be stressed by yanking; it’s reinforced, but it’s still a consumable point on any fiberglass tape.
• SAE only. If your work toggles between imperial and metric, this won’t be your do-it-all tape.
• The plastic gears feel notchy under heavy load; fine for normal pulls, not ideal for abusive site conditions.

None of these are dealbreakers in normal use, but they’re worth knowing so you can adapt your handling and avoid premature wear.

Where it fits

This long tape is well-suited to:
- Deck and fence layout
- Hardscape and landscape runs
- Utility and conduit trenches
- Room-to-room cable pulls
- General site takeoffs where decimal feet are convenient

If you’re on a survey crew or doing daily layout in rough terrain with constant high-tension pulls, a heavier-duty steel tape or a pro-grade open reel with serviceable parts will live longer. For everyone else—from remodelers and handypeople to homeowners tackling property-line projects—this strikes a good balance of speed, readability, and weather resistance.

Maintenance tips

• Keep light tension on the blade during rewind to prevent twisting and kinks.
• Brush or blow out grit from the feeder and gears occasionally.
• Don’t store it wet; wipe the blade and let the case air out to preserve the printing and internals.
• Inspect the first foot of blade and the hook/loop rivets periodically; early attention prevents failures.

Recommendation

I recommend this DeWalt long tape for light to medium-duty jobsite use and homeowner projects that demand reliable 50–100 foot measurements in all weather. It’s fast to reel, easy to read on both carpentry and site work, and the fiberglass blade shrugs off moisture. Treat the rewind and anchor with some care—maintain light tension while cranking and avoid yank-heavy pulls—and it holds up well. If your work punishes tapes daily or you need metric markings, look elsewhere. For most builders and DIYers, this is a practical, affordable 100-foot solution that earns its spot in the truck.