Which level to buy?

[Dontiler]

Hello :hurray:
Can anyone recommend good spirit level? does anyone used digital spirit level? If so are they any good?
Looking for 600mm and 1200mm
Thanks

 

[Rich]

I use a self levelling and about 5000 spirit levels or every size (and keep buying more). I like Stabila and the stanley fat max. Neither are cheap but I think a levels worth getting a decent one. Havnt used the digital 1s so coulnt say.

 

[Aston]

hi don

i dont use a digital level but stabila have always been renowed as one of the best brand of levels since i can remember...all my levels are stabila

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

hi don

i dont use a digital level but stabila have always been renowed as one of the best brand of levels since i can remember...all my levels are stabila

Same here Ed, Stabila all the way. I have the self leveling laser and every size from 2m down to boat level. All Stabila. Good kit hav'nt seen better

 

[DHTiling]

I had Stabila but recently bought the Fat max ones in silver..

 

[mikethetile]

ive always bought stabila with the lifetime guarantee, they also have little rubber stops that stop the level moving when marking a wall

ive bought a 1000mm fat max and i find it an easy level to use and read

 

[hillhead]

Stabila here too,love the 96-2 range.I also have a fat max 1800 level- great too

 

[White Room]

All my levels are stabila, if it ai'nt broke don't fix it

 

[JFRWhipple]

How to buy a level that's level.

Stabila on my side of the pond too.

I have broken down and purchased levels from Husky and Stanley.

I meet an old timer in a Home Depot one day years back when I was buying a new 2' level. This guy comes up to me like this
"Son, you know what your doing there?"

I'm like ya.

"You know how to pick the right one?"

I'm O.K. Thanks and I grab a little Fat Max.

"Didn't see you check that level Son, how do you know it's good and wasn't dropped by some kid yesterday."

Now I'm interested and ask him to show me what he's talking about.

He takes down 6 2' level all from Stanley and starts staking them on top of each other. A little adjustment with a shim on one side (levels stacked on display) and 5 of the 6 levels read true.
We get rid of the one that isn't. Now the 5 he starts flipping end to end and rechecks them all. One more failure - for some reason the level read different when flipped 180.
Down to 4. Tested them all upright and flipped them and they are all good.
He says "Any of these 4 are good"
I was blown away. Who would have thought to check a new level for level....

My boys check my levels everyday. We make note of sight reference spots we know are true to make checking a 10 second job. If a new level comes onto my sight I check, Plumber, Drywaller, Framer anyone. If there level is crap I ban it from the jobsite. If I see it the next day I spray the viles black or pink depending on how much I like my sub.
next time your at your building store try it. Try it with your levels you may find you have a few extra straight edges now...
Good Luck

 

[mikethetile]

i have always done this on buying a level, its how i was taught

your work is only ever as plumb as the level your using

i got pulled on site once by a site agent looking to stop money he was sighting in doorlinings and mine passed as I string a line through and work to that
he then checked for plumb and said they are in line but out of plumb

I was shocked and got my level out of its case and checked it
it was spot on , i showed him and told him his level was shot

he asked how i knew it was his and not mine,............ because i check mine daily

i showed him the 180% bit and his level failed

he left muttering about not being able to get decent tools and chucked it in a skip

some numpty lifted it out and took it home