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Levels
May 27, 2018 10:46:12 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by zukinut on May 27, 2018 10:46:12 GMT -5
My years old and Perfect level suffered a tragic ending. I've bought several attempting to find one worth actually keeping but haven't had any luck. I keep finding that One edge will show plumb or level and the other will be off.
They work good enough for rough framing, but I just don't trust them for anything else.
What do y'all Recommend, prefer, or use?
Will
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Post by thehandyman on May 27, 2018 11:45:04 GMT -5
Stabila
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Post by aas on May 27, 2018 17:17:50 GMT -5
+1 for Stabila
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Post by zukinut on May 27, 2018 20:11:13 GMT -5
Stabila it is. Thanks again fellas.
Will
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Levels
May 28, 2018 5:36:52 GMT -5
Post by holmz on May 28, 2018 5:36:52 GMT -5
Well the stabila laser battery door broke at the latch that holds it shut. They sent me a new door, so I have good feelings on that front.
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Levels
May 28, 2018 7:56:51 GMT -5
Post by huntsgemein on May 28, 2018 7:56:51 GMT -5
Whatever level you buy, you need to check it in the store. Personally. Just take both horizontal & vertical readings on any convenient piece of architecture, swapping the ends each time to check for consistent readings. It's amazing how even the most expensive/well repected/fanboy type brands read inconsistently when inverted.
My personal favourite is BMI's Superrobust range, that uses a big (5-chamber??) aluminium extrusion & rounded-over solid bubble vials. They're just a lot stronger than the rest, & the readings show much less parallax error with my failing eyesight. Stabilas are pretty good, too, but not in my opinion as good as the Bayerische Massindustrie ones are.
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Levels
May 28, 2018 9:47:03 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by zukinut on May 28, 2018 9:47:03 GMT -5
Not sure I can get those in the states. Gonna do some digging tho
Will
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Levels
May 28, 2018 10:16:27 GMT -5
Post by huntsgemein on May 28, 2018 10:16:27 GMT -5
Don't sweat it. Any level is OK if it's accurate, easily checked in the store with the 6 quick measures I've mentioned: 4 horizontal & 2 vertical. The BMI's are good merely because I struggle to see bubbles in low light & because they can withstand rougher treatment than the others. Formerly very important to me when I was on the tools as a sparky. Used a cast alloy torpedo level for each & every outlet & switchblock installed. I also liked to use an old Sola layout level with adjustable 300 & 1200mm (1' & 4') & center markings for correct height & vertical & horizontal alignment. Sometimes lasers too in bigger industrial & commercial jobs, or to transfer recessed lighting from floor markings/layouts to a sloping ceiling or to align a row of wall luminaires.
Some levels have lighted vials, & some even luminescent ones. The former don't last well in the worksite, whereas the latter are consistently useful in low light.
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Post by thehandyman on May 28, 2018 10:58:32 GMT -5
I have a 4' digital Stabila, lighted vial 2' digital Stabila, and a 72" regular level. I really love the digital level.
Also, I have some of the Milwaukee Redstick levels. More robust than the Stabila and about the same price point. These are the newest Redstick as they had a few accuracy issues when they 1st came out. They are now great. The vials are larger and the bubbles easier to see than the Stabila.
Empire has recently upgraded their levels and they are really nice for the price point. I like their true view blue vials and the lighted levels they offer. (owned by TTI which owns Milwaukee, Ridgid, and Ryobi)
I always check the levels regularly as well.
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Post by kraftt on May 28, 2018 12:01:27 GMT -5
I’m happy with digital levels and wouldn’t consider not owning one, I think one of the entry BMI’s uses the same module that the older Stabila’s used (the one I still use). Even if your near field eyesight is sharp lighting conditions & directional light can make vials hard to accurately read. When the span calls for a longer level I do exactly what handyman does and just use the smaller 24” digital against the longer spirt level. The audible level range tone is very useful too as is the inclinometer/angle readout. I like that it’s up to you to calibrate the electronics against what you see in the vial. I’ll shim it on a table top with a flashlight illuminating vial.
Some very old Stabila’s that lived in a vehicle developed coagulated orange crud floating around inside the vials from prolonged temp exposure - Stabila asked to see them and sent new ones back (had to pay ship).
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Levels
May 28, 2018 12:57:38 GMT -5
Post by kraftt on May 28, 2018 12:57:38 GMT -5
... speaking of BMI, just saw this for the first time. Anyone use one? ( Videos) I'm gonna try one, just need to figure out how to put a hook end on.
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Post by aas on May 28, 2018 13:26:58 GMT -5
Any level is OK if it's accurate, When new... but levels have a habit of falling over, hitting the floor and losing accuracy... and I have a habit of taking an in accurate level to the mitre saw and cutting the now useless vial off!.. I've got some weird length levels!
I've found the Stabila are the most resistant to being dropped.
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mattuk
Junior Member
Posts: 79
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Post by mattuk on May 28, 2018 17:02:04 GMT -5
... speaking of BMI, just saw this for the first time. Anyone use one? ( Videos) I'm gonna try one, just need to figure out how to put a hook end on. It’s good. I use it for marking stuff up ready to cut. I have a spare in the car, and a spare at work. very easy to transfer accurate marks using 0.5mm mechanical pencil. The tape lays flat on the edge, rather than folding the apex of the tape over. if all three were stolen tomorrow I would order replacements immediately. cheers matt
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Levels
May 28, 2018 19:31:45 GMT -5
Post by kraftt on May 28, 2018 19:31:45 GMT -5
Great to hear, thanks, I ordered one from Amazon.de (metrisch und imperial). Had the 3meter in the cart but reviews elsewhere said it didn’t roll out as well as 2m. Two meters seems plenty for what it is so I switched. That it lays flat, curved down, is also what I’m interested in it for, a while back I saved the last 5 feet of a new tape that tore off thinking it had potential. It’s convenient to leave open for some repetitive tasks but it’s too concave, doesn’t roll up easy, bulky etc.
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Levels
May 28, 2018 20:10:11 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by zukinut on May 28, 2018 20:10:11 GMT -5
When my ol trusty got damaged I got fairly upset.
I've looked at the stabila, I'm sure the digital is amazing, and I may get one, but I think I'm gonna go with the new "R" shaped style stabila. Found a decently priced 4 and 2'' set on amazon.
Keep this going tho, I'm learning a good bit about the new stuff that's out.
Thanks again Will
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