Spirit Level Oddity

[Jupiter01]

How about this?
http://www.toolstation.com/m/part.html?p=11099

It includes an 1800mm level which will be handy for the studwork

 

[footprints]

Best advice is buy it in a store not online that way you can try it turned witch-way and that, to see it remains true before buying.

 

[Jupiter01]

I get the impression that with the cheapy levels they will be true initially but the drifts away whereas the more expensive ones are more reliable and robust in this respect.

 

[foxhole]

You don't need a level , do it by eye.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/wonky-pubs-wobbly-buildings-and-wacky-209266

 

[lostinthelight]

Best advice is buy it in a store not online that way you can try it turned witch-way and that, to see it remains true before buying.

+1 for this method, around 15years ago when I bought my 4 ft Stanley level I went around the sheds and must have tested dozens before I found one that came up to scratch .

In one branch of Homebase there was a rack of 15-20 of what I bought and couldn't believe how far out some of them were.
Maybe the accuracy has improved these days but I'm not taking any chances and look after my level well.
Litl

 

[Jupiter01]

but isn't that the attraction with something like Stabila? You can be sure about what you are getting?

I wouldn't go to multiple showrooms to test drive a BMW...

I was hoping someone will suggest a particular brand with some conviction and I can then order that.

stabila 96-2??

 

[pukka]

if you have a Costco near by, they do a pack of 3 stabile levels for about £35 ish

 

[lostinthelight]

The Diy box section stabila range are not much better than any of the other decent makes in my opinion, you have to jump up the range to get the best accuracy .
litl
edit :
this is model I have had for years but too short for kitchen units hence buying the stanley
http://www.stabila.de/cms/front_content.php?idart=69

 

[Jupiter01]

I've gone for one of these. What do you think?

http://m.screwfix.com/p/stabila-92-2-series-spirit-level-1800mm/58814

 

[Burnerman]

That will be a good buy......do you really need one as long as that? Brilliant when you do, but a bit of a pain when you don't. Better get another one as well
John

 

[noseall]

Us brickies use a 600mm and a 1200mm Stabila. 50mm wide solid bar. Plumbing vial at EACH end. Horizontal vial in the top edge and NOT set in the middle of the bar.

Big thick levels are unwieldy.

Having a pitchfinder at one end means having to flip the level all the time. Utter pants.

Having the horizontal vial set in the middle of the bar is equally as pants. Us brickies use our levels a lot.

 

[Jupiter01]

Thanks. I need the 1800mm as I want to use it for the stud wall I am building.
@noseall, unless I am mistaken that looks like this type of level and I thought someone earlier was suggesting that this will be much like the other "cheap" levels:
http://www.screwfix.com/p/stabila-70-2-series-spirit-level-1193mm/20249

 

[Deleted member 174758]

I use Stabila R-type levels for carpentry (several) - but I have a 96-2 magnetic 1200mm for metal lath, etc. Good level which whould last a lifetime and was accurate out of the box - one of the things you pay for

 

[muggles]

I use Stanley FatMax levels, if you need an 1800mm long one then go here

Guaranteed accurate to 0.5mm in eight orientations, and strong enough to jump up and down on (don't actually do this though!). Had a ten year accuracy guarantee when I bought mine, I assume this is still a thing

 

[Jupiter01]

thanks @muggles.
I ordered a Stabila from Screwfix as per earlier post but when I went for collection, I was informed that they are out of stock. Since I needed a level for the weekend, I checked on what was in stock and funnily enough it was the exact one you mentioned. Im very happy with its use thus far. Thanks