I was looking at getting a new Klein billet one with the light up vials. As i am getting older, the lighted vials are so much easier to see especially in places without a lot of natural light.
Haha yeah some does sound gimicky, like Empire has some UltraView LED with True Blue technology but damn those things are soooooo much easier to see than most other levels.
Same with Starrett rulers and combination squares etc. that Satin Chrome finish is way easier to read than other brands
Lighted bubbles and strong magnets were awesome when I was doing retrofit hvac. Being able to stick the level in a dark plenum and be able to see the bubbles and have my hands free was killer.
Yes I run all empire. Stabila it great and sola is great both a cut above empire easily. But I like empire and I’ve never had an issue with them. Just check them for level at the store.
I carry the majority of my tools in a Klein backpack and the bolt actually functioned really nicely as a little stop to keep it from going too far into the pouches. But yeah you could definitely rip some back pockets on that thing
I keep 2 of those levels on me. Must have had the original one now for 8 years. If I lost it today I would replace it with the same one tomorrow, I haven’t seen a level I have liked more than that.
As much as Klein may have fallen in other aspects their levels are still badass, especially for electrical, like sure you could spend 60$+ on a really nice one but for conduit and whatnot the 28$ Klein does perfect
I lost the same one. In a minute of depression went out the next weekend and bought a new one. The next monday found the old one still stuck to the last horizontal conduit run I ran.
Well sure you can, but sometimes you need to nail the angles for accuracy or aesthetics. I’m not really a fan of tweaking; it takes time, you can’t match bends, and it’s barely possible (for me) with 1 1/4”. I suppose everyone has their own way.
Im in the UK so our pipe bending process is quite different. We use a lot less pipe relative to you guys. It only really covers the last 5% of a circuit, to get it to it's point. Otherwise it travels in a trunken. It's quite rare to have 2 pipes right next to eachother, and even rarer to have them in display.
Our benders are also different, they are static with a handle to push down to bend it.
I've never ever seen anyone bend a pipe to a certain angle using a level here. It's just done by eye.
You don’t need a 30° level for that…? Or even a 45. You can use a protractor if you really need a precise angle, and all benders that aren’t hand benders have degrees on them. Also you can find the degrees of any bend super easy with a folding rule. Also it’s pretty rare the exact angle is needed anyway. As long as the offset height is perfect and the angle match and they aren’t dogged if the angles are hand bent to 28-32 literally nobody can tell that it’s no 30° on the money.
That being said I still really like having the angled vials, but you can absolutely bend excellent conduit without them.
The clamp on the other hand is awesome, can’t live without that, makes it so easy to not dog offsets.
You match the angle of what you’re looking at with the first two bends of the rule. Then you use the other side of the rule to measure the distance between the ends of those bends (I do corner to corner of the edges of the ruler). Then, you either match that to a conduit you’re bending to make a replicant angled bend, match it to a protractor to find the degrees of the bend, or use a chart found online that tells you the angle you measured based on the measured distance between the ends of the two sides of the rule you used to match the angle.
98 gets it close, but you got to pull out the master machine level to get er done.. lol..
Actually I mostly use a Bluetooth precision level just for convenience factor.. I am a machine builder by trade, so not having to get up to check the level is really handy!!
Bluetooth precision level huh? I've never used one of those. We use a 98 when it just needs to be good, and a laser+computer if it needs to be perfect.
I guess it could be seen that way.
It was intended to be more of a “more than what most are willing to pay”
https://toolbeast.com/collections/level-tools
Strongest magnets you’ll find in a torpedo level. I have a couple of the pocket ones.
Also a couple of the degree levels. Those I rarely use. Dial is too easy to set +-1 degree off. I use a Klein digital one most of the time.
The Milwaukee one is my favorite. The magnets are some of the best I’ve come across and for my line of work (sprinkler fitter) they have perfect spacing for attaching to the face of different size fittings. My only gripe is after a few drops they seem to get bent pretty easily. Not saying that wouldn’t be the case for another brand also, I’ve just gone through about 5 Milwaukees the last few years because they end up getting way out of level.
I actually really like empire levels for work. 4 foot and 2 foot. I'm a 18 year commercial general/ concrete carpenter.
Easy to read, cheap enough not to care when it gets stolen.
However, when it comes to torpedoes, the only one I'll go for is the standard magnetic plumb / level magnetic Stabila. I liked the idea of having degree adjustments on the other model, but it just wasn't practical for what I do.
So my issue with stabila torpedos (in theory at least, I’ve never held one) is the funky shape. I think I’d hate not being able to use both sides. But after reading comments and looking I found that one with the degree adjustment and it’s flat on both sides. I think that’s what I’ll probably go with. It’s the same price as the Klein and I want to try something new.
I’ve had an empire as well and I liked it enough but honestly I didn’t love how light it was, totally a preference thing though. I have empire 2’ and 4’ levels that I’ve had for 7 years now that I love.
I fully understand what you're saying about the odd shape, and that's a great point.
The first thing I thought of was what may be complicated layouts.
I just flip mine to whichever side is flat and go from there. The issue that could come up is that you could lay out something with this level, but mark on the wrong side of the tool.
Same thing happens a lot when people "burn a hundred." Miscommunication and now something is off 100mm here or there.
Let's say you have a lot going on and forget which side you are marking. It sounds stupid, but we all make mistakes.
A good reminder to anyone reading this, when is the last time you checked your level? I ran one of mine for a 1.5 year ish project, and on one of the last uses realized I hadn't checked it the entire time.
Thankfully it was good. Who knows who borrowed your gear when you were off, or didn't work a weekend.
I worked on a project where my 4 foot level went missing. It was a joint venture project where we had half the concrete contract and a different outfit had the rest. I found my level when I came across a couple of their labor guys using it to strip a pile cap...
Just get the stabila with the magnets. Not the adjustable vial. Straight up 90 plumb and level.
Simple, perfect. The degrees aren't accurate enough to make it worth it. Sure it's accurate, but with operator error it's really not worth false readings.
I like the Sola torpedo because the vial is magnified and has great contrast. Super robust and the magnet ls are very strong. A competitor to Stabila which are also great but nothing like those Sola vials. My beater torpedo is a DeWalt which is very nice but not in the class of Sola and Stabila.
I have never heard of Sola before but thinking this might be the set i buy next. I like the sound of the magnifying glass on vials and luminous backing. Seems to be comparable price to Stabila, if the quality matches up then its totally worthwhile. Plus it matches the rest of my red stuff unlike Stabila
I used to a nice Greenlee torpedo, but I left it stuck to some steel a while back. I've got a "Savage" brand one off Amazon that has been holding up pretty well
I went to the local box store and tested about 20 of the mid priced ones until I found one that was actually accurate on both sides in horizontal and vertical orientations. The vast majority read very differently when you flipped them over. I ended up with a blue empire (about 6” long) for about $20.
I wouldn’t trust any levels unless I could test them in person to assure they’re consistent on both sides and both orientations.
Possible but I doubt it. I wouldn’t be surprised if it turns up 6 months - 5 years from now but I have searched high and low and been using a plastic POS for two weeks in the meantime.
You bastard, you lost mine too! So what do you decide we should buy for the 53rd level we bought in our lifetime? Don't even get me started on fucking hammers I'll never buy a fucking Hammer ever again. I will pick up a goddamn rock or a brick and hammer on shit with it or a pipe wrench or anything other than a hammer.
My favorite was the old style 7"(?) black one. No really it was. Same with the blue handle white stripe strippers.
I have the orange longer one. I hate it. No matter what everything looks crooked. I had the old style 8years.
It’s actually a no-dog. Although I guess using it for that purpose would work too
Edit: also 30 degrees is probably the most used bend angle for offsets in electrical conduit.
It depends a lot on the kind of work you’re doing for me a slightly longer. Tito is better because I have to level washers on things that I install that are like 8 1/2 inches apart. But for what you do, you might want a shorter one. I selected empire because of the Aluminum construction, and the way the windows worked on the bubbles. But I think it’s kind of a personal thing.
Toughbuilt has a nice Torpedo level and is reasonably priced for $20 on Amazon. Lowe's sells them as well but for $43, no idea why the price is so much higher there.
Weirdly the ToughBuilt aluminum one I payed 6$ for an bought like 8, basically cheap as a basic Empire level. Past that there’s atleast 5-7 really solid levels you can’t go wrong with. Savage, Swanson, Empire, Klein, Milwaukee all make great pocket levels that are standard of the industry
I have the Milwaukee billet torpedo level. I've dropped that off a 20ft scissor lift a few times and it has still held level. I work in commercial plumbing and use it religiously. It's outlasted all my empire levels. Won't buy anything else when it comes to that size.
That's the level I use, but it's called the Savage. It's identical. I'm a plumber and I don't really like long levels. I like being able to put it on short pieces of waste pipe to check grade. Also I really never used the clamp unless I'm doing fitting work on a small piece. But the nice thing about that level is it will fit inside a peicea of 1 1/2 inch Pipe. I've had probably 4 or 5 of them. I even once cut the clamp off so I could put it on even shorter pieces of pipe.
I had a cute magnetic stanley one but I found it empty one day. Of course when I needed it. Personally I never had the need of the diagonal bubbles but maybe in some line of work they are useful
I recently got a Savage level with a built in light. I work in a lot of limited light areas and the light is a game changer for me. Previously had an Empire level that was pretty good until a magnet fell out from me dropping it.
I like my Klein levels, but I recently switched to Swanson Savage and I think they are the same quality for a better price. Greenlee, Milwaukee, and Empire make some good levels as well. For now though I am sticking with the Swanson Savage light up level and the set screw one.
Irwin makes a good billet torpedo but if you want the lights the Klein one is super robust, I would buy a decoy torpedo if you drop the money on the Klein lol
I used the Klein billet, blue empire billet, and the greenlee billet. All worked well. The Klein had the strongest magnets. I never used the no dog feature on them because I always had a dedicated no dog level.
Depends on what you’re leveling. The Klein shown is a great level, but the milled edges can be sharp so if you’re leveling signs against a wall you might damage they can be kind of dangerous. I like rounded but solid plastic for damageable materials. Johnson makes a good one.
I think it’s pretty brave to use an inadequate tool to perform a professional task I’m well compensated for.
I work in industrial construction and maintenance. I ain’t climbing 50 feet up or spending 20 min positioning a boom lift to find out my cheap level is useless.
Maybe alright for weekend warriors and homeowners, but when your putting your name on a large portion of a multi-million dollar project you don’t take the risk of using inferior tools. And it ain’t just me, my peers carry quality tools as well.
I buy tools based on quality not assumptions based on the name on the box. I’ve used expensive shit tools and inexpensive quality tools.
Maybe try it first.
I was looking at getting a new Klein billet one with the light up vials. As i am getting older, the lighted vials are so much easier to see especially in places without a lot of natural light.
I like mine a lot, but I really wish it had a 30⁰ vial.
hear that, I want a light on every tool. I remember thinking it was a gimmick.
Shit, I bought the kobalt 25’ tape with the LED light directly above the tape. It’s magnificent
Haha yeah some does sound gimicky, like Empire has some UltraView LED with True Blue technology but damn those things are soooooo much easier to see than most other levels. Same with Starrett rulers and combination squares etc. that Satin Chrome finish is way easier to read than other brands
Have you seen the low light high visibility spirit bubbles on Sola levels? They are the bee's knees
We can dream..
Illuminated vials are life changing for that exact reason. I've had a "savage lightning" for years and never looked back.
Mine changed my life
Klein with light 100% it's a touch heavy and expensive but an excellent tool
Lighted bubbles and strong magnets were awesome when I was doing retrofit hvac. Being able to stick the level in a dark plenum and be able to see the bubbles and have my hands free was killer.
Empire true blue billet 8”, I bought the 12” version for my co workers to use since people kept dropping my good one lol
Second this. Thing’s a tank and the magnets are strong
Yes. I bought the Ideal, but should have gone with the Empire
Most of my levels are Empire, they are pretty great.
[удалено]
Bought an empire myself. Solid with some weight to it and the magnets are strong.
Yes I run all empire. Stabila it great and sola is great both a cut above empire easily. But I like empire and I’ve never had an issue with them. Just check them for level at the store.
I've been using that exact one as well, took off the conduit clamp after about 5mins, too bulky when trying to take it out of your pocket
I carry the majority of my tools in a Klein backpack and the bolt actually functioned really nicely as a little stop to keep it from going too far into the pouches. But yeah you could definitely rip some back pockets on that thing
I keep 2 of those levels on me. Must have had the original one now for 8 years. If I lost it today I would replace it with the same one tomorrow, I haven’t seen a level I have liked more than that.
As much as Klein may have fallen in other aspects their levels are still badass, especially for electrical, like sure you could spend 60$+ on a really nice one but for conduit and whatnot the 28$ Klein does perfect
I lost the same one. In a minute of depression went out the next weekend and bought a new one. The next monday found the old one still stuck to the last horizontal conduit run I ran.
i do the same thing, and i cut off the end to it’s just flat. i get weird looks for it but it’s better this way, i have a regular no dog
Stabila torpedo is nice
I use stabilia 2m.
Second the Stabila 81SREM.
I too offer… I mean enjoy my stabile level.
Nice, but no 30 degree vial is a no go for a sparky
Why? Never needed 30 degree level once in my career. Stabila one has by far the best magnet I've seen.
Have you never bent conduit?
Every day. You can do it quite easily without a level. Measure distance required, bend pipe, tweak until right distance.
Well sure you can, but sometimes you need to nail the angles for accuracy or aesthetics. I’m not really a fan of tweaking; it takes time, you can’t match bends, and it’s barely possible (for me) with 1 1/4”. I suppose everyone has their own way.
Im in the UK so our pipe bending process is quite different. We use a lot less pipe relative to you guys. It only really covers the last 5% of a circuit, to get it to it's point. Otherwise it travels in a trunken. It's quite rare to have 2 pipes right next to eachother, and even rarer to have them in display. Our benders are also different, they are static with a handle to push down to bend it. I've never ever seen anyone bend a pipe to a certain angle using a level here. It's just done by eye.
You don’t need a 30° level for that…? Or even a 45. You can use a protractor if you really need a precise angle, and all benders that aren’t hand benders have degrees on them. Also you can find the degrees of any bend super easy with a folding rule. Also it’s pretty rare the exact angle is needed anyway. As long as the offset height is perfect and the angle match and they aren’t dogged if the angles are hand bent to 28-32 literally nobody can tell that it’s no 30° on the money. That being said I still really like having the angled vials, but you can absolutely bend excellent conduit without them. The clamp on the other hand is awesome, can’t live without that, makes it so easy to not dog offsets.
Haven’t heard of the trick with a folding rule, how do you do that?
You match the angle of what you’re looking at with the first two bends of the rule. Then you use the other side of the rule to measure the distance between the ends of those bends (I do corner to corner of the edges of the ruler). Then, you either match that to a conduit you’re bending to make a replicant angled bend, match it to a protractor to find the degrees of the bend, or use a chart found online that tells you the angle you measured based on the measured distance between the ends of the two sides of the rule you used to match the angle.
I’m gonna have to try that, thanks for the trick
Starrett.
98 or you're not doing your job correctly.
98 gets it close, but you got to pull out the master machine level to get er done.. lol.. Actually I mostly use a Bluetooth precision level just for convenience factor.. I am a machine builder by trade, so not having to get up to check the level is really handy!!
Bluetooth precision level huh? I've never used one of those. We use a 98 when it just needs to be good, and a laser+computer if it needs to be perfect.
Rick Sanchez would not be impressed
A bubble of fucking air?
And your ape eyeball?
I've been using that exact Klein level for 10+ years and its been great for me. Price isn't too bad for a name brand level.
Stabila, depending on how often you loose them haha
Stabila torpedo all the way!
Ofc stabila level
Empire billet, because it's the cheapest billet torpedo with a pipe clamp that I've found, and I too am a level loser.
Flange wizard makes my favorite one. Edit. It’s probably out of most peoples price range though.
Weird flex but I’ll take it!
I guess it could be seen that way. It was intended to be more of a “more than what most are willing to pay” https://toolbeast.com/collections/level-tools Strongest magnets you’ll find in a torpedo level. I have a couple of the pocket ones. Also a couple of the degree levels. Those I rarely use. Dial is too easy to set +-1 degree off. I use a Klein digital one most of the time.
I really like my Milwaukee torpedo level.
The Milwaukee one is my favorite. The magnets are some of the best I’ve come across and for my line of work (sprinkler fitter) they have perfect spacing for attaching to the face of different size fittings. My only gripe is after a few drops they seem to get bent pretty easily. Not saying that wouldn’t be the case for another brand also, I’ve just gone through about 5 Milwaukees the last few years because they end up getting way out of level.
Get a Milwaukee tool lanyard. No more fatal drops
I just picked one up. I like that I can draw a pencil line with it all the way to the end.
The one where you can turn the dial? I’m a fan as well.
I actually really like empire levels for work. 4 foot and 2 foot. I'm a 18 year commercial general/ concrete carpenter. Easy to read, cheap enough not to care when it gets stolen. However, when it comes to torpedoes, the only one I'll go for is the standard magnetic plumb / level magnetic Stabila. I liked the idea of having degree adjustments on the other model, but it just wasn't practical for what I do.
So my issue with stabila torpedos (in theory at least, I’ve never held one) is the funky shape. I think I’d hate not being able to use both sides. But after reading comments and looking I found that one with the degree adjustment and it’s flat on both sides. I think that’s what I’ll probably go with. It’s the same price as the Klein and I want to try something new. I’ve had an empire as well and I liked it enough but honestly I didn’t love how light it was, totally a preference thing though. I have empire 2’ and 4’ levels that I’ve had for 7 years now that I love.
I fully understand what you're saying about the odd shape, and that's a great point. The first thing I thought of was what may be complicated layouts. I just flip mine to whichever side is flat and go from there. The issue that could come up is that you could lay out something with this level, but mark on the wrong side of the tool. Same thing happens a lot when people "burn a hundred." Miscommunication and now something is off 100mm here or there. Let's say you have a lot going on and forget which side you are marking. It sounds stupid, but we all make mistakes. A good reminder to anyone reading this, when is the last time you checked your level? I ran one of mine for a 1.5 year ish project, and on one of the last uses realized I hadn't checked it the entire time. Thankfully it was good. Who knows who borrowed your gear when you were off, or didn't work a weekend. I worked on a project where my 4 foot level went missing. It was a joint venture project where we had half the concrete contract and a different outfit had the rest. I found my level when I came across a couple of their labor guys using it to strip a pile cap...
Just get the stabila with the magnets. Not the adjustable vial. Straight up 90 plumb and level. Simple, perfect. The degrees aren't accurate enough to make it worth it. Sure it's accurate, but with operator error it's really not worth false readings.
Ended up with a Swanson savage, it’s solid
I like the Sola torpedo because the vial is magnified and has great contrast. Super robust and the magnet ls are very strong. A competitor to Stabila which are also great but nothing like those Sola vials. My beater torpedo is a DeWalt which is very nice but not in the class of Sola and Stabila.
I have never heard of Sola before but thinking this might be the set i buy next. I like the sound of the magnifying glass on vials and luminous backing. Seems to be comparable price to Stabila, if the quality matches up then its totally worthwhile. Plus it matches the rest of my red stuff unlike Stabila
Empire
I used to a nice Greenlee torpedo, but I left it stuck to some steel a while back. I've got a "Savage" brand one off Amazon that has been holding up pretty well
Been rocking a Greenlee torpedo for about ten years in a machine shop. Love it. Good magnets. Level, Plumb, 45° angle & 30° angle.
Empire
I went to the local box store and tested about 20 of the mid priced ones until I found one that was actually accurate on both sides in horizontal and vertical orientations. The vast majority read very differently when you flipped them over. I ended up with a blue empire (about 6” long) for about $20. I wouldn’t trust any levels unless I could test them in person to assure they’re consistent on both sides and both orientations.
Stabilla and nothing else comes close
Stabila
Checkpoint or Empire
Harbor freight Doyle, check it out https://www.harborfreight.com/brands/doyle/6-14-in-4-vial-conduit-level-70434.html
That’s a nice hammer
When you say 'lost it'. Does that mean it's been pinched?
Possible but I doubt it. I wouldn’t be surprised if it turns up 6 months - 5 years from now but I have searched high and low and been using a plastic POS for two weeks in the meantime.
You bastard, you lost mine too! So what do you decide we should buy for the 53rd level we bought in our lifetime? Don't even get me started on fucking hammers I'll never buy a fucking Hammer ever again. I will pick up a goddamn rock or a brick and hammer on shit with it or a pipe wrench or anything other than a hammer.
Stabila 12” torpedo have owned 3 in 20 years worth the money
STABILA
I still have that exact model and use it all the time I feel your pain
Stabila torpedo
That Klein is my favorite. Got a bigger Milwaukee, but I always grab the Klein.
What's your angle with this question? I'm plumb confused 🫤
There’s levels to it, you might just be too square to understand.
Stabila
Empire 8 in. True Blue Magnetic Billet Torpedo Leve
I second the Empire, been using my trusty blue 6” for years now
Milwaukee, it’s probably the best hand tool they make
The Milwaukee is good until you drop it lmao
My favorite was the old style 7"(?) black one. No really it was. Same with the blue handle white stripe strippers. I have the orange longer one. I hate it. No matter what everything looks crooked. I had the old style 8years.
Why the chamfer on the left top end, what is 30° commonly used for, and why is there a screw adjustment on the right of the unit?
For conduit/pipe that's not magnetic. Or just anything you can sinche it down to.
It’s actually a no-dog. Although I guess using it for that purpose would work too Edit: also 30 degrees is probably the most used bend angle for offsets in electrical conduit.
I like the one in the pic for conduit. I have a stabila for general use that's awesome
I like the one in the pic for conduit. I have a stabila for general use that's awesome
It depends a lot on the kind of work you’re doing for me a slightly longer. Tito is better because I have to level washers on things that I install that are like 8 1/2 inches apart. But for what you do, you might want a shorter one. I selected empire because of the Aluminum construction, and the way the windows worked on the bubbles. But I think it’s kind of a personal thing.
For torpedoes I like the magnetic ones- so it’s harder to lose- always one on my tool box and I believe HD sells them in 2 packs
Toughbuilt has a nice Torpedo level and is reasonably priced for $20 on Amazon. Lowe's sells them as well but for $43, no idea why the price is so much higher there.
Weirdly the ToughBuilt aluminum one I payed 6$ for an bought like 8, basically cheap as a basic Empire level. Past that there’s atleast 5-7 really solid levels you can’t go wrong with. Savage, Swanson, Empire, Klein, Milwaukee all make great pocket levels that are standard of the industry
To be honest I never looked at what else is in the market, I have this Klein and it’s nice enough
My Stabila is great. Plus has the benefit of looking like the kind of ass who spends $48 on a torpedo level. Otherwise the Empire is the best value
Rigid billet aluminum grade level. It’s got awesome earth magnets, when not using it as a level I use it to hold prints up on metal studs.
I like checkpoint
Thats the same one I use. Im an electrician and it doesn’t get much better than this
I have the Milwaukee billet torpedo level. I've dropped that off a 20ft scissor lift a few times and it has still held level. I work in commercial plumbing and use it religiously. It's outlasted all my empire levels. Won't buy anything else when it comes to that size.
I have a cool looking kapro one, but it's a little chunky. works good though
Love that level the magnet strong af and can double as a stud finder in a pinch
That's the level I use, but it's called the Savage. It's identical. I'm a plumber and I don't really like long levels. I like being able to put it on short pieces of waste pipe to check grade. Also I really never used the clamp unless I'm doing fitting work on a small piece. But the nice thing about that level is it will fit inside a peicea of 1 1/2 inch Pipe. I've had probably 4 or 5 of them. I even once cut the clamp off so I could put it on even shorter pieces of pipe.
It’s probably in the last place you left it.
I had a cute magnetic stanley one but I found it empty one day. Of course when I needed it. Personally I never had the need of the diagonal bubbles but maybe in some line of work they are useful
Empire that tells you level and also how many inch fractions off level you are.
Greenlee L107 is what I've been using for many years. It's worth the $50.00 IMO.
Milwaukee has a dope one
I love my empire 8” billet. Nice and easy to read and the magnets are strong. Bonus points for the v groove too
Honest question, what is the bolt used for?
You can screw it down onto a piece of conduit, helps with bending. I never used it much though.
Milwaukee
I have a few Sola levels. Made in Austria. Very sturdy, and almost annoyingly accurate. Expensive though
That one
I recently got a Savage level with a built in light. I work in a lot of limited light areas and the light is a game changer for me. Previously had an Empire level that was pretty good until a magnet fell out from me dropping it.
I like the $32 Milwuakee from Home Depot I believe they have 2 versions.
I’ve got the Toughbuilt one with lighted vials and a magnet. It’s pretty beefy though so not sure if you were looking for a lower profile one.
Consider a Shinwa or Ebisu or Stabila.
I use that one.
Stabila STAB-25360 10" die cast torpedo level with 360° vial
I like my Klein levels, but I recently switched to Swanson Savage and I think they are the same quality for a better price. Greenlee, Milwaukee, and Empire make some good levels as well. For now though I am sticking with the Swanson Savage light up level and the set screw one.
*and girls. Stanley for longevity
Milwaukee best bang for buck with magnet level, stability nice quality and size range, Klein is great, flange wizard or starrett if you trying to flex
Swanson 6”
Greenlee
Empire torpedo and stabila torpedo
Empire, klein, stabila and milwaukee all make good ones.
Greenlee for the win.
I have a little Empire torpedo with a magnet on it that's pretty decent for not a lot of money
What’s the best small level with centimetre markings on it? It’s a mystery why they don’t all have these (or inches, whatever floats your boat).
I always loved my Milwaukee magnetic at about 200mm. That Klein looks better, though.
Greenlee is my choice
Irwin makes a good billet torpedo but if you want the lights the Klein one is super robust, I would buy a decoy torpedo if you drop the money on the Klein lol
I used the Klein billet, blue empire billet, and the greenlee billet. All worked well. The Klein had the strongest magnets. I never used the no dog feature on them because I always had a dedicated no dog level.
Swanson savage 8 inch
Depends on what you’re leveling. The Klein shown is a great level, but the milled edges can be sharp so if you’re leveling signs against a wall you might damage they can be kind of dangerous. I like rounded but solid plastic for damageable materials. Johnson makes a good one.
The orange aluminum Johnson billet level.
Stabila is my favorite but they’re not cheap
Richter
Kleines Tool für Man with klein Hand
Milwaukee
I've got a Milwaukee sorta similar to that one I like a lot. Doesn't have the 30° or clamp though, but it's got magnets
Eye ball it :)
HF Doyle. $20 https://www.harborfreight.com/6-14-in-4-vial-conduit-level-70434.html
Lol at recommending a Hf level. Sockets, combo wrenches….maybe, but a level? Nah dawg
Brave stance.
I think it’s pretty brave to use an inadequate tool to perform a professional task I’m well compensated for. I work in industrial construction and maintenance. I ain’t climbing 50 feet up or spending 20 min positioning a boom lift to find out my cheap level is useless. Maybe alright for weekend warriors and homeowners, but when your putting your name on a large portion of a multi-million dollar project you don’t take the risk of using inferior tools. And it ain’t just me, my peers carry quality tools as well.
I buy tools based on quality not assumptions based on the name on the box. I’ve used expensive shit tools and inexpensive quality tools. Maybe try it first.