Carpenters: Tips on buying a used level?

[evintho]

I need a 4' level. What to look for when buying used? It seems nowadays they're mostly made out of aluminum so, I would surmise, unless the glass is broken or it's been run over by a truck, it should be OK. But then, what'da I know...........I'm not a carpenter!

Here's one I'm looking at. Decent quality, or not?
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/tls/2503485869.html

 

[bgott]

Make sure it is reasonably straight. It doesn't need to be perfect, you're not going to be using it to check cylinder heads for flatness, hopefully. Then, after you're sure they haven't been using it for a prybar, find a flat, fairly level surface and check the level. Once you see where the bubble lands, turn it around and check the level the other way. The bubble should end up in the same position end for end. On the better levels you can adjust the vial.

 

[scott37300]

Johnson are decent homeowner quality levels, I have a couple I bought about 12 years ago. Since then I have built up a collection of stabila levels, expensive but last a lifetime.

You can test a level by setting it on a level service and then flipping it and seeing if the bubble is in the same place. Kind of a bad decription of how to do it but you can google it.

 

[littletoes]

That or make a line on a wall, then flip it and try it again. Certain box levels, like Stabila's are the Cat's Meow. You should be able to turn it over, and read "level" too.

I'd be careful buying a used level. You can usually tell by looking at a guys tools and see if they are taken care of.

I keep mine in hard cases, except for the torpedo.

 

[KnurledNut]

Sight the edges for any bends.
Do the flip test on all bubbles.
Box beam (like the one your looking at) will take more abuse than I-beam style.

Stabilas are a great professional tool. For a homeowner, johnson, stanley, etc will fit the bill.

I recently found an OLD beat up not-accurate-in-any-way 4' Craftsman level at a flea market for $5. I took it to sears and they handed me a new one of these:

At least with craftsman, you'll never have to buy another one.

 

[hoodlumkurt]

levels are a tough tool to purchase used. as soon as you drop a level from even a few feet its probably going to be outta whack. try the empire brand levels from home depot/lowes, i think you can get a 4 footer for about $40. I used one in high rise construction every day for a year or so with no problem.

 

[2oolhound]

4' levels can be dam handy but they tend to get knocked over more than a smaller one. Getting one in a case would be nice. I had a special 4' tool box with a hole cut in the end and a special slot for the level to slide in from the end. Like knurelnut says, sight the level's edges to make sure the previous owner hasn't modified it to go around corners. The pencil line test is good.

 

[evintho]

I just picked it up for $10. Looks to be in pretty good shape. I sighted it end to end and did the flip test on it. Doesn't seem to be abused at all. Seller said he has 2 and isn't working, looking to make a couple of $$. It'll work for me! Thanks for all the helpful replies!

 

[jhelrey]

Craftsman has on the package, levels are not warrantied for life...

I have a level from Menards. It's blue and magnetic. Dropped it from 10 feet twice in one day and I checked it with a good 4 foot level, and she is good.

 

[larry_g]

Make sure it is reasonably straight. It doesn't need to be perfect, you're not going to be using it to check cylinder heads for flatness, hopefully. Then, after you're sure they haven't been using it for a prybar, find a flat, fairly level surface and check the level. Once you see where the bubble lands, turn it around and check the level the other way. The bubble should end up in the same position end for end. On the better levels you can adjust the vial.

I disagree that it doesn't need to be perfect. If you set it down and it rocks then just where in the rock do you read the bubble, or do you just rock it till the bubble centers and call it good.

You are correct in how to check a level for calibration but just to make it clearer if you check the surface and you bubble is 1/2 a bubble off to the left then when you reverse the level the bubble must still read 1/2 a bubble off to the left. If the bubble reads a 1/2 bubble off to the right after reversing the level it is wonky.

Easy thing to remember is that the bubble will move to the high side. If you reverse and it indicates the other side is high your level is wrong.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[WVBrady]

...You are correct in how to check a level for calibration but just to make it clearer if you check the surface and you bubble is 1/2 a bubble off to the left then when you reverse the level the bubble must still read 1/2 a bubble off to the left. If the bubble reads a 1/2 bubble off to the right after reversing the level it is wonky.

Yes, being half a bubble off plumb is considered to be a pretty bad insult!

 

[KnurledNut]

Craftsman has on the package, levels are not warrantied for life...

hmmm. well i dont know which package your reading, but heres mine:

Hard to read but it says:

*FOREVER*

"FULL UNLIMITED WARRANTY
If this product fails to give complete satisfaction, RETURN IT TO THE NEAREST SEARS STORE IN THE UNITED STATES and Sears will replace it, free of charge."

I took that FOREVER as meaning..........................FOREVER. lol...

 

[pipsters]

hmmm. well i dont know which package your reading, but heres mine:

Hard to read but it says:

*FOREVER*

"FULL UNLIMITED WARRANTY
If this product fails to give complete satisfaction, RETURN IT TO THE NEAREST SEARS STORE IN THE UNITED STATES and Sears will replace it, free of charge."

I took that FOREVER as meaning..........................FOREVER. lol...

I think some are and some aren't. I have the same aluminum 4', a 2', and a magnetic torpedo Craftsman level, all bought for around $35 new on sale a few months ago.

The aluminum levels came with that same paper forever warranty claim. The torpedo level came in a nice sleeve with the forever warranty claim on it. But a look at Craftsman warranty site mentions the "basic level", "heavy duty level", and "premium heavy duty level".

So maybe these fall under "all other hand tools" and not the levels. I dunno. But they definitely did have the forever guarantee on them (the aluminum ones and magnetic torpedo).