Thread: Spirit Level - Which One Please?

I have a 1200mm Stabila. It cost about $45 from memory.

It works for me.

MMMM Tools

I believe you pay for what you get so I would go with the stanley... It may cost more but they last an eternity and will serve you well.

Pedro

Ya cant go past Stabila for ruggedness, strenght, and all round good looks.

A bit like me really.

Al

BMI Robust are good (they're orange). The Stabillas went off the rails a few years ago so I wiped them. I've seen the new Empire's & they look good, a nice viall & the bubble sits nice & close to the lines. I've been told by the people at BMI (maybe one of the previous wood shows where they usually have a stand) that when you test a level for its accuracy, you're actually measuring the innacuracy. If you hold it plumb against a wall, put a mark at one edge, then move it until the vial moves, re-mark the wall & have a look at the difference. The reason for doing it this way is because some manufacturers use a vial with a big curve in it. This is a lot more inaccurate, but always looks good at a quick glance for a potential buyer. Its much harder to set up an accurate level with a flatter vial, but its much more accurate, & if you do the above test with this sort of level it will quickly register a change in plumb, unlike the curved vial. Also, a level can only be accurate to 1-1.5mm/m r3egardless of its length, so a good 2m level will register an innacuracy of up to 3mm.

I bought a Johnson. Most of the tradies I knew were using them and is very good.

I'm thinking about the Stanley as well. i need a new level as well. I know will check out the stabila as well. Thanks for that.

I have the fat max for a long level & find it good, it replaced a stabila which was out of plumb one end (dropped, not by me). I also have 3 other stabila levels of varying lenghts which have given good accurate service. I would buy either brand again without hesitation, just depends on price on the day.
Regards, Bill

Like Carpenter I went off the Stabilas a few years ago as I found that their qulaity had really slipped. I still have an old 900mm Stabila somewhere that has adjustable vials but the more recent ones seem to go out of whack if you just look at them wrong. I've heard good stuff about the BMI levels too and was pretty impressed with the top of the range Empire, looks wise anyway. I'm currently using a Betts (british) which has replaceable/adjustable vials but find the lines too far apart from the bubble to be really accurate. I've also got a 600mm Smartlevel (digital) which I love and I wish I had the 1200 version. Bricklayer mate that lives next door has gone to BMI from Stabila as has my chippy cousin. I don;t have that much need for a 1200 level nowadays as I'm mostly fitting kitchens and have revently bought a Stanley laser (twin line generator), otherwise I'd probably be looking at a BMI as well.

Mick

Hi,

Thanks to all those who were kind enough to reply - much appreciated as always. I ended going into Bunnings this arvo and bought the Empire 48" e70. I got a reply from the technical team @ Empire in the U.S. this morning confirming that it is a genuine "lifetime warranty" - hopefully I won't have to use it!!.

Regards
David

Love the Henry Ford quote Mick.

the technical term for the item you are asking about is a...
'Goldfish Fart'