Gardner Bender FTS-50B Fish Tape, Steel Deluxe - Durable 50 ft Tool

Our review of the Gardner Bender FTS-50B Fish Tape finds it best suited for electricians and DIYers who need a compact, reliable pull tool for conduit work. The single biggest reason to buy is the shatterproof reel with viewing points that clearly show remaining tape, which makes job planning and mid-job swaps simple. The review highlights the tape's comfortable form-fitting finger grips for rewind and the convenience of a refillable, non-sticky housing, making it a practical choice when durability and ease of maintenance matter most.

Key Features

• Shatterproof reel: The durable housing resists on-the-job abuse so the tool survives drops and rough handling.
• Viewing points: Four ports let users see how much tape remains, helping avoid surprises during a pull.
• Form-fitting grips: Finger contours inside the reel provide a firm, comfortable grip for controlled rewinds.
• Refillable design: The tape winds directly into the housing with no retaining tapes to snap, simplifying replacement and cleanup.
• High design strength: Built to a maximum design strength of 500 lbs, suitable for most conduit pulls when used correctly.
• Curled end: The curled end assists in fishing pulls through conduit and grabbing cable ends securely.

Who It's For

This fish tape is aimed at professional electricians, contractors, and serious DIYers who run wire through steel, aluminum or plastic conduit and want a compact, refillable tool that holds up on job sites. The viewing points and comfortable rewind grips make it useful for repetitive pulls and for situations where knowing tape length at a glance saves time.

Those who frequently need an ultra-rigid, heavy-duty tape for extreme industrial use or who want a completely metal reel might look elsewhere, but for routine residential and light commercial conduit work this model balances durability and convenience.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Shatterproof housing with viewing points gives durable protection and clear visual of remaining tape.
• Form-fitting finger grips make rewinding easier and more comfortable during extended use.
• Tape winds directly into housing, eliminating sticky residue and simplifying refills.
• Compact 50 ft length and 1/8 in flat steel tape work well for common conduit runs.

Cons

• Some users report the plastic tip can break under rough use, which may reduce lifetime on demanding jobs.
• Steel flat tape can be harder to handle in very long or highly congested conduit runs compared with specialty tapes.

Specifications

Brand	GB Electrical
Length	50 ft
Tape material	Steel flat wire
Tape width / thickness	1/8 in
Housing	Shatterproof, refillable with viewing points
Maximum design strength	500 lbs
End type	Curled end

Our Verdict

The Gardner Bender FTS-50B is a sensible, value-minded choice for electricians and DIYers who want a refillable, durable fish tape with helpful viewing ports and comfortable rewind grips. It offers good strength and easy maintenance for most residential and light commercial conduit work, though users who need extreme tip durability or specialized tapes should consider alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tape refillable?
Yes, the tape winds directly into the housing and the reel disassembles easily for fast tape replacement.

What is the tape made of?
The fish tape is made from flat steel wire designed for pulls through steel, aluminum and plastic conduit.

How much pull strength does it have?
The maximum design strength is 500 lbs, suitable for typical conduit pulling tasks when used with proper technique.