Archived from the Tools In Action forum (Test & Measurement). This thread is read-only.
As the title states, what is your favorite and/or most used level? This thread is intended to primarily discuss spirit levels, but feel free to bring up any other style if you use that kind almost exclusively. Length, brand, type; I’m interested to hear what you use and/or prefer.
I have a number of levels but find myself using 24″ and 48″ box or beam levels most of the time. Lowe’s decision to clear out Fatmax levels a couple of years ago resulted in my acquisition of lengths up to 96″, but to be honest I’ve yet to use any of those.
As for brand, I like Empire’s US manufacture at an outstanding price (particularly during the holiday sales), but my Fatmax levels tend to be my standbys.
Finally, as an aside, I just bought another 2 pack of the Empire torpedo levels. At $5 apiece you can’t go wrong, and I find them to be perfect for versatile magnets to stick on the fridge, entry doors, or elsewhere.
I have a 48” Festool lit level (Stabilla). Love it. Use it all the time.
I like my Dewalt. Box levels. 24, 48, 78.
Magnetic makes it easy on hinge side door jambs and steel gate kits, and magnified vials makes them easy to read.
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I don’t own any levels yet but the level at work that gets used the most is probably an Empire. It is maybe around 6 foot. I try to grab our Stabila’s when I get the chance because I trust their measurements more than any of our other levels but the other guys tend to favor the Empires. I wouldn’t mind getting a Stabila but they can get pricey.
I carry 24” in 48” Empire levels in my trailer as they get beat up riding around, used as straightedges, etc. I have 24” and 48” lighted Stabilas along with the 32”/78” jamber set that life at my shop but come out when something needs to be level.
The Stabilas have pissed a few customers off when they found out their houses/floors weren’t level (not my work). I will argue on behalf on my $100+ German levels or offer to check it with my laser.
Stabila is a jobsite status symbol for sure. I own 2, 4 and 6 foot empires and they are great for the price point. I’ve got a 48” stabila 196 and the reputation is well deserved.
My next purchase will be a stabila plate level. For what I do there’s nothing that compares.
No brand is able to be as accurate for as long as a Stabila because they have patented the process to ensure the levels stay accurate. Maybe another brand will find an even better way but for now I will stick with Stabila. I just got the limited edition 4 level kit which uses their more entry level style of design but I still trust it over other brands of levels.
Stabila.
Empire is good, but you have to check them before you buy.
I have had to exchange a couple that read completely different from one side to the other.
Avoid Milwaukee. Even though TTI owns empire, they didn’t share the quality.
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Most of time I use a laser level, it’s really comfortable. That’s a small box that I can take everywhere I need. But before I’ve bought a laser one, I used Stabila for a long time. It’s good, can not see any cons, despite of price. The price is too big I think.