ElectroMechTech
Well-known member
Looking for something with “strong” magnets. Bubble type.
Last edited:
Need 24” Magnetic Beam Level Recommendation
- Thread starter ElectroMechTech
- Start date
acer66
Well-known member
Stabila Type 80 A-2M Magnetic Level, 24" | Stabila at KC Tool
24" magnetic level allowing you to work hands free on steel Features: Work with steel, hands free. Shake proof. The frame feels great in the hand Magnets ar...
www.kctool.com
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Barring a budget issue, stabila is the right answer to a question in levelsStabila Type 80 A-2M Magnetic Level, 24" | Stabila at KC Tool
24" magnetic level allowing you to work hands free on steel Features: Work with steel, hands free. Shake proof. The frame feels great in the hand Magnets ar...
danski0224
Well-known member
Look at SOLA.
I find them to be much easier to read.
I find them to be much easier to read.
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
Also look at empire led levels, having the vial illuminated has been a game changer. They have strong magnets and check out as good as stablia for accuracy.
Empire 24 in. UltraView LED Magnetic Box Level EM95.24 - The Home Depot
Empire is committed to delivering innovative solutions designed to meet the needs of the modern jobsite. The em95 UltraView LED level combines the professional features of the e75 True Blue box level with the patented, UltraView techonology to provide superior vial visibility in dark, low and...
www.homedepot.com
Trapps
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Another Sola fan here. I find them easier to read.
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Once you Stabila... there is nothing else. Buy once... scream in a pillow... have something forever (if you take care of it)
dnschmidt
Well-known member
Stabila, end of story. SOLA makes good stuff too but you'll get more respect from your piers if you show up with a Stabila.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Gotta be respected down by the docks...
neophyte
Well-known member
Actual piers only give a **** that you show up with tools that can accurately, precisely, and quickly do the job assigned, and which can handle the job site conditions, without issue.
Generally, nobody will gove a **** if your level is an Empire, Starrett, Stabila, Sola, etc, as long as the level is accurate, the right size, and with the needed bubble level angles, and as long as it’s not going to get easily damaged by rain or a knick to the floor.
The only reason piers might complain, is if the level is a brand or model with known issues, because nobody wants yo spend a crapload of time fixing work incorrectly done due to inaccurate tools.
You could bring a polished mahogany level, although you might get kidded for it.
Some job sites might prefer variety, since it makes it harder for somebody to accidentally “borrow” a coworkers tool permanently.
It may also be preferred that the tool functions somewhat standardly, since actually borrowing a coworkers tool for a few minutes is sometimes necessary.
larry4406
Well-known member
Peers = one that is of equal standing, coworkers, etc. Or to look at something.
Piers = structural component
The former might be impressed when you show up with the latest and greatest gadget that you might have no clue on how to use.
The later is likely to benefit from the proper use of a level.
Piers = structural component
The former might be impressed when you show up with the latest and greatest gadget that you might have no clue on how to use.
The later is likely to benefit from the proper use of a level.
gahrajmahal
Well-known member
I bought one of these while making stone steps up our side yard. It really helped to keep them more even. I just stuck it onto a 24” piece of angle iron.
GaryM909
Well-known member
I have a 15 year old 24" Stabila. The magnets are still as strong as the day I bought it. I also have a 16" and five 10" torpedos that are all magnetic. In the last 25 years I have only had to warranty one torpedo and it was pretty easy.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Aw come on, this was going to be fun
acer66
Well-known member
Being precise and surviving a job site is the whole point.
FHB did a level test where they compared a new level from the big red with an older Stabila one.
They actually preferred the big red one for reasons I forgot over the Stabila until it accidentally fell down from a similiar height the Stabila fell from several times before with out damage while the big red did not made it.
What the hell is big red? Sola, Milwaukee, Hilti, Ronald Macdonald?
Drop a name, you're not hurting anyones feelings
acer66
Well-known member
Nah, I just though that was what Milwaukee is called often.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
I was slightly confused too; I thought you were actually referring to the Sola Big Red...
acer66
Well-known member
My bad, I will call them out by their full name from now on.I was slightly confused too; I thought you were actually referring to the Sola Big Red...
I never heard about sola before this thread.
Are they an US based company?
KnurledNut
Well-known member
I have used Stabila professionally for around 20 years.
My 24" magnetic is the rugged 96M model.
The magnets are strong and have worked well when needed...and dont get in the way when not.
If I had to think of one thing to improve, I wish they offered it with hand holes like the non-magnetic version.
My best advice to the OP is the brand name on the level doesnt guarantee accuracy. Check whatever you get.
My 24" magnetic is the rugged 96M model.
The magnets are strong and have worked well when needed...and dont get in the way when not.
If I had to think of one thing to improve, I wish they offered it with hand holes like the non-magnetic version.
My best advice to the OP is the brand name on the level doesnt guarantee accuracy. Check whatever you get.
Last edited:
KnurledNut
Well-known member
Their headquarters are in Austria.
In the USA, SOLA is managed through their partner, Keson, LLC.
Jim greengo
Well-known member
Johnson
KnurledNut
Well-known member
Johnson is part of The Hultafors Group.
Which is interesting because Hultafors levels are made by Sola, not Johnson.
And back in the day, Johnson sold some relabeled Sola levels too. I have one.
(Martinez is now part of THG too, but that's irrelevant here.)
Jim greengo
Well-known member
And now my head hurts! HahahaJohnson is part of The Hultafors Group.
Which is interesting because Hultafors levels are made by Sola, not Johnson.
And back in the day, Johnson sold some relabeled Sola levels too. I have one.
(Martinez is now part of THG too, but that's irrelevant here.)
I just know that I buy them at home depot.
ricleh
Well-known member
I don't think anyone has mentioned BMI. They have a superior boxed construction compared to Stabila. Very rugged levels.
Sola Big Red. No "double vision" like Stabila's square vials. I have 2 electronic Stabilas and generally grab the Solas first. The BT on Sola electronics beats out Stibila, too. The magnets on Stabilas is slightly better than Sola.
Edit: the Sola 2' LSB24M comes with and without hand holds - try to find the former if you go Sola. The one with hand holds seems to be hard to find for some reason but here's one at our favorite HJE (I'd ping them to ensure it has hand holds, though):
Just dug this up:
www.garagejournal.com
Edit: the Sola 2' LSB24M comes with and without hand holds - try to find the former if you go Sola. The one with hand holds seems to be hard to find for some reason but here's one at our favorite HJE (I'd ping them to ensure it has hand holds, though):
SOLA Box-Beam 3 Focus-60 Vials 24" Magnetic Level (LSB24M)
SOLA Box-Beam 3 Focus-60 Vials 24" Magnetic Level (LSB24M) CHARACTERISTICS: Better, faster and more accurate reading through the patented SOLA FOCUS vials Break-resistant acrylic block vials with a magnifying lens (+60%) and a 30-year guarantee a
www.harryepstein.com
Just dug this up:
The Level Thread
We've got threads dedicated to many various tools: screwdrivers, planes, hammers, vises and even vices. I'm in the market for a new spirit level and did a couple of searches. I found a few specific threads out there, but I thought this might be a good place to begin a larger discussion about...
www.garagejournal.com
Last edited:
acer66
Well-known member
Thanks for the link to the thread because I did not know what the double vision was nor that I have a problem with that.Sola Big Red. No "double vision" like Stabila's square vials. I have 2 electronic Stabilas and generally grab the Solas first. The BT on Sola electronics beats out Stibila, too. The magnets on Stabilas is slightly better than Sola.
Edit: the Sola 2' LSB24M comes with and without hand holds - try to find the former if you go Sola. The one with hand holds seems to be hard to find for some reason but here's one at our favorite HJE (I'd ping them to ensure it has hand holds, though):
SOLA Box-Beam 3 Focus-60 Vials 24" Magnetic Level (LSB24M)
SOLA Box-Beam 3 Focus-60 Vials 24" Magnetic Level (LSB24M) CHARACTERISTICS: Better, faster and more accurate reading through the patented SOLA FOCUS vials Break-resistant acrylic block vials with a magnifying lens (+60%) and a 30-year guarantee awww.harryepstein.com
Just dug this up:
The Level Thread
We've got threads dedicated to many various tools: screwdrivers, planes, hammers, vises and even vices. I'm in the market for a new spirit level and did a couple of searches. I found a few specific threads out there, but I thought this might be a good place to begin a larger discussion about...
On a more serious note looks like the Sola is cheaper and has the holes in it.
I was thinking about the holes and I am not sure if I ever used them.
Besides I should not have clicked on the Epstein link because I went instantly into shopping mode and my tool budged is already more than spend.
Last edited:
KnurledNut
Well-known member
All these years using Stabila, often daily, and I never once noticed this “double bubble phenomenon.”
Not sure where all the hype on this originated, but its way overrated.
And even if it was a problem (its not), the plumb vials are enclosed so this theory doesnt apply to half of your levels function.
Not sure where all the hype on this originated, but its way overrated.
And even if it was a problem (its not), the plumb vials are enclosed so this theory doesnt apply to half of your levels function.
Last edited:
KnurledNut
Well-known member
I came across this video. You may be right:Sola marketing campaign- Double Bubble Trouble
acer66
Well-known member
Makes me wonder how I ever got this far which albeit is not very far in life without Sola.I came across this video. You may be right:
Wait a minute, did I just figured out what was holding me and my career back all these years?!?
Better call Saul!
neophyte
Well-known member
Hand size varies, and finger grooves are inherently not going to fit every hand.I came across this video. You may be right:
This was one of the things lots of people hated about certain generations of Glock pistols (and yes, I know the Glock finger grooves were due to stupid laws).
Also, I wish the guy doing the video had leveled the table with the levels he had.
The offset bubbles annoyed me.
I'm a big fan of both Stabila and Sola. I've used both, but personally have Sola's right now in my garage. I don't think you can go wrong with either, but I love how easy the bubbles are to read on the Sola's. (not that they aren't on Stabila)