The levels mentioned are hardly designer brand, just run of the mill tools that any half decent trade/diy would use, you also seem knowledgeable about how to keep checking your level, i rarely bother.
Don't forget to make sure your beans are upright
Spirit levels - the choices arrh!
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Don't forget to make sure your beans are upright
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Only two things matter - sensitivity, and accuracy.
Builders levels are not that sensitive.
1200 levels last us about a year. Sometimes less if we do a lot of bricklaying. The Stabila bar levels are not that expensive (comparatively), but they are robust. If you'd ever done a lot of bricklaying, you'd understand. If not, you don't have the first clue. I'd probably get through half a dozen cheap levels in the same period. Tradesmen soon learn to stay away from tat.
We use the levels with a vertical vial at both ends. The instant there is a discrepancy when flipped, the level goes in the bin. Same when you spin the level on the horizontal.
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We have a reasonably expensive green beam Dewalt laser for the bigger site stuff, checking, pegging etc. It's my third laser level and by far the best. Absolutely bob on. My only gripe is the distance sensor can be a wee bit fickle.
I'm a brickie i use Ox pro levels 1800/1200/900/600 nice and heavy and can take a fair bit of abuse, used to spend time cleaning my levels every day, not bashing them etc, but not so fussy these days, that time now spent laying more bricks.
We balance the simplest (easiest to clean) and lightest with cost and durability. They need to be wieldy too.
Have you ever seen a plasterers or a floor screeders level.
YepWe balance the simplest (easiest to clean) and lightest with cost and durability. They need to be wieldy too.
Have you ever seen a plasterers or a floor screeders level.
my old ones usually end up with groundworkers along with the old trowels.
Yep
Why would the bubble calibration drift, except if the level were abused?
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Surely it depends on the use you want/need.
Exact precision, or pretty damn close, depending on kitchen fitting or stonework, patios etc
Exact precision, or pretty damn close, depending on kitchen fitting or stonework, patios etc
Nothing wrong with the levels i give away, apart from being tatty looking, over the years i have amassed a lot (12ish) i leave some around our work area, so ones always to hand when needed, i buy at least 2 or 3 a year and now treat them as consumables, and before anyone calls me, i spend at least double that on buckets
No way!
When I was on site they would last years. I can actually remember having two in 15 years! Stabila, box sections 1200mm one yellow the other silver. I only stopped using them when the bubbles faded and the glass blurred and scratched from cleaning so hard to see, but they were still accurate when I demoted them to ground works and screeding.
Yes, though I am pretty fussy. I spend ages testing different levels (checking the vials) before I buy them.
Its a build up of different factors. Ours are probably over cleaned (dunked whole into the bosh). Falling over. Banged. Strained. Trod on.
Hand tools do take a lot of stick.
My big level for internal levelling/plumbing of beams, frames, setting out etc is a Fatmax XL1800mm. It's bloody heavy but oddly, much easier to handle than the previous light Stabila and does not get easily knocked or blown over or slide about. Bubbles are very easy to see from all directions. Only downside is the bubble water has faded to clear after a relatively short period of time (less than 10 years) and it's not been in the sun much.
If I was buying new levels now for internal setting out, I'd get one's with illuminated bubbles.
I got a Bosch digital level a few years back and it's great for levelling when you can't see the level. Just put it on the thing and listen for the tone. Should have got one years back. Also great for setting things (like patios) with a constant fall as you can set the angle required.
If I was buying new levels now for internal setting out, I'd get one's with illuminated bubbles.
I got a Bosch digital level a few years back and it's great for levelling when you can't see the level. Just put it on the thing and listen for the tone. Should have got one years back. Also great for setting things (like patios
) with a constant fall as you can set the angle required.DIYnot Local
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