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Spirit Level for DIY work

Halo Jones

Halo Jones

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Hi All,

I am just embarking on some major DIY work and it is clear that my trusty old stanley spirit level is no longer so trusty. So, I am looking at getting a 1.5m, 0.6m and 0.15m spirit levels. Which brand(s) can I trust without breaking the piggy bank?

Cheers,

H.
 
Even with Stabila you need to select the more accurate ones. They're not all perfect. To do this, remove any packaging, and place on any near-horizontal surface. Note the position of the bubble. Then turn the level around (180 degrees), and the bubble should be in the same position. If it isn't, reject it. Do the same with the vertical gauges.
 
Don't get the cheapest one either. I use the mid range one I think I paid around £100 for an 1800 and 600 in a bag. They're doing a few set deals to celebrate 125 years making levels.
 
I have a wickes one which is spot on and was very cheap (compared to £100 for a stabila anyway). Mikes test can be done in store if they are not packaged. I also selected one in which the lines were the same distance apart as the size of the bubble - makes it much easier to get level. Ih ate it when the bubble is smaller than the lines are as 'level' is then subjective to where between the lines the bubble sits.

Steve
 
Halo Jones":3l3xp857 said:
So, apart from not being able to inspect before I buy, would this set be ok?

http://www.mad4tools.com/stabila-70-2-s ... AiYf8P8HAQ

As far as I can tell 0.5 mm / m appears to be the standard acceptable error (seems a lot to me!).

H.
Click to expand...

Well it seems very good, when you take into account this on the website you link to:

"STABILA certify the accuracy of every level and guarantee they will maintain their accuracy for life."

In my book that equates to a level for life. If it goes out of level I guess they replace it, and then presumably the same for the next one...

Terry.
 
That set is the cheaper diy grade of level that stabila do. If you look after it and don't use it often it will be fine. As I do carpentry for a living I need professional tools that last. Hence I usually go for the mid range stabila levels, they are the ones with ribs and are much stiffer than those you have linked to.
 
chippy1970":2pzur5ez said:
That set is the cheaper diy grade of level that stabila do. If you look after it and don't use it often it will be fine. As I do carpentry for a living I need professional tools that last. Hence I usually go for the mid range stabila levels, they are the ones with ribs and are much stiffer than those you have linked to.
Click to expand...

Don't get it. If they are guaranteed for life, surely durability is not an issue, if it breaks claim a new one under the guarantee. Or is it that the ones you use start off more accurate?

Terry.
 
I don't think the cheaper ones are guaranteed for life , I might be wrong ?

Anyway let's say they are if I used the cheap ones they would bend or go out of level every week. I couldn't keep sending them off each week for replacement that would be a waste of time.

Entirely up to you I'm sure that range will be fine for you for diy use.
 
chippy1970":19inbgvy said:
I don't think the cheaper ones are guaranteed for life , I might be wrong ?

Anyway let's say they are if I used the cheap ones they would bend or go out of level every week. I couldn't keep sending them off each week for replacement that would be a waste of time.

Entirely up to you I'm sure that range will be fine for you for diy use.
Click to expand...

You may be right, the web site may be misrepresenting the position. But if they are not guarantees and they sell them saying that are, I would imagine that must contravene the law in some way.

If they are guaranteed it would surely be commercial suicide for Stabilator to offer a lifetime guarantee on a product that won't last a week in the hands of a professional.

I'm not trying to be difficult with you, just that to my mind something doesn't stack up here.

Terry.

EDIT: Have looked at their website. If they are bent the guarantee is void. So all are guaranteed to maintain level, but only if the frame is not damaged. So if professional use typically causes bending or the like completely understand why you go for a higher quality one. But as staying in level is guaranteed, presumably the benefit of higher quality ones must all be in the robustness of the frame, not he accuracy of the level.
 
Terry go in a shop and compare the ribbed model to the cheaper ones you will see what I mean.

It's not just the ribs the metal is thicker heavier duty. They have removeable rubber ends and also now have grab handles.

It's all down to personal taste :)
 
I've always used the Stabila 70's and like the lightness. I've got old ones that are nearing 20yrs which are still accurate.
 
Halo Jones":1b39an40 said:
As far as I can tell 0.5 mm / m appears to be the standard acceptable error (seems a lot to me!).
Click to expand...

<rhetorical>what's that in degrees?</rhetorical>

bugBear
 
TrimTheKing":2p2k9ay4 said:
1 mm/m = 0.0573 deg, so half of that…

Cheers
Mark
Click to expand...

Does there always have to be someone who insists on answering rhetorical questions?

:D

BugBear
 
I have just thought of this thread after receiving an email from a company I have used a few times, they are discounting Stabila spirit levels at the moment.

http://www.buybrandtools.com/acatalog/S ... Broadcast+£5+off+£50+(Jan+15)&utm_content=StabilaLevels&dm_i=9J2,34YPH,IUKPNP,B8TF6,1

You can get a further £5 off your order if you spend over £50 with the code FFWS50 though I believe it is only for today & tomorrow.

Kind regards.

Frank.
 
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