THE STORY OF THE STANLEY MEASURING TAPE
Some tools are so familiar that we hardly think about them—until we realize just how often we reach for them.
At CS Woods, the Stanley tape measure is one of those tools.
We use them all day, every day. Measuring slabs, checking dimensions, laying out cuts, verifying finished pieces, measuring furniture, and answering the never-ending question: “Exactly how big is that?”
A good tape measure is one of those simple tools that just works. The Stanley has been a trusted part of American workshops and job sites for generations, and we've always relied on them around the warehouse.
So it was a little bittersweet to hear the news this year that Stanley Black & Decker was closing its longtime manufacturing plant in New Britain, Connecticut—the company's last manufacturing facility in the city and the plant that produced its iconic single-sided tape measures. The company cited a structural decline in demand for single-sided tapes and the growing popularity of double-sided versions manufactured overseas. The New Britain closure affected approximately 300 workers and marked the end of nearly two centuries of Stanley tool manufacturing in its hometown.
For those of us who have spent our lives working with our hands, it's a reminder that even the most familiar tools can have a history worth appreciating.
There is something satisfying about a well-made tape measure. The weight in your hand. The solid case. The smooth extension and retraction. The familiar yellow blade. And, most importantly, the confidence that when you pull it out, you can trust it.
It's a simple tool doing an essential job.
And because we love the tools that help us do what we do, we keep a pile of Stanley tape measures here at CS Woods for you to check out when you visit the warehouse.
Come wander the aisles, find your perfect slab, grab a tape measure, and start imagining what that incredible piece of wood could become.
Sometimes the most important tools are the simplest ones.
THE EPOXY SPIN
In the shop, precision matters—and sometimes the smallest tools make the biggest difference. Lately, one of our favorites has been the humble magnetic stirrer, quietly spinning away while doing some seriously important work. When we’re mixing two-part epoxy like West System 105 with 207 or 209, getting the ratio right is only half the battle. Properly incorporating those components is what ensures a full, reliable cure and the performance we expect in every fill. The magnetic stirrer takes the guesswork out of it, creating a smooth, consistent mix every time without introducing excess air.
It really shines when we start adding pigment or sawdust for color matching. Achieving a rich, even tone by hand can be tricky—but with a steady spin, the color disperses beautifully and consistently throughout the epoxy. No streaks, no surprises—just a clean, uniform result that blends seamlessly into the slab. Plus, there’s something undeniably satisfying about the quiet hum and rising RPMs as it does its thing, making the workflow smoother and the results better.
We carry West System epoxies, along with Liquid Glass, EcoPoxy, and a range of pigments right here in our Denver showroom. If you’re working with slabs or tackling a project that calls for epoxy, this is one small upgrade that can make a big difference in your process—and your final result.
THE HUMBLE STRAIGHT EDGE
Some tools are flashy. Some are expensive. And some become so essential that you hardly notice how often you reach for them.
At CS Woods, one of those tools is the straight edge.
When you're working with live edge slabs, very little starts out straight. That's part of their beauty—but it's also part of the challenge. Whether we're creating a clean glue joint for a bookmatched table, flattening a surface, checking a slab for twists and dips, or laying out cuts, a reliable straight edge is critical. We also cart this tool to the job site! Among other essential duties, it shows us just how straight or un-straight the wall is when we template and install.
Our straight edge tools are a pair of aluminum alloy concrete screed straight edges: a 8-foot version and an 10-foot version. They're lightweight, durable, and long enough to bridge the natural variations found in large slabs. We use them every single day in the shop. It's one of those simple tools that quietly but clearly tells us where we are - and where we are going.
The next time you see a perfectly joined bookmatch or a flawlessly flat tabletop, there's a good chance a straight edge played a role in making it happen.
Now we're curious: What's your favorite straight edge—or favorite shop tool in general? Is there a simple tool you use so often that you couldn't imagine working without it? Let us know!
More Coming Soon!