Bought a new level last night...

[ScottsGT]

24" And the first thing I did was look for the Made in the USA label. Of course I skipped looking at the $7.88 level. No way a USA made product would be that cheap. $14 was China. $24 was China $26 was Thailand WTF Lowes? No Made in USA? Then I looked at the $7.88 level. And there it was. Made in USA.
And who says you can't get cheaper made in America! Now granted, it was not the fancy aluminum or magnetic. Just basic plastic.

 

[Holt]

To be fair my Thailand stanley level is build way better then my cheaper USA level. The USA version is cheaper price but very poorly built.

 

[BK13]

I have a bit of a thing for wood levels, and I've been looking pretty hard at the Mayes 48" model at Lowes or the Johnson at Home Depot, both made in USA (also, significantly more than $7.88...).

 

[ScottsGT]

I needed a 24" and trust me, it was an excuse to get one of those nice wood levels. They were sold out of them.

 

[BK13]

I don't think I've ever seen anything other than the 48" at HD or Lowes, not even a spot on the shelf for one, as if they were out of stock...

 

[jsackin]

Empire makes inexpensive good quality US levels. Did you buy an Empire?

Jori

http://store.harryepstein.com/

 

[tube_guy]

I have a bit of a thing for wood levels, and I've been looking pretty hard at the Mayes 48" model at Lowes or the Johnson at Home Depot, both made in USA (also, significantly more than $7.88...).

If you like wooden levels, take a look at Smith levels. Their wood laminations are made with tongue and groove joints, which is pretty uncommon these days. Much nicer than anything at Lowes or HD. Not $7.88, but very nice.

http://www.smithlevelcompany.com/

 

[cburnscrx]

Empire makes inexpensive good quality US levels. Did you buy an Empire?

Jori

Both Empire and Johnson are made in the USA. I have both. Loved it when Menards put their Empire levels on clearance to make room for the Johnson's. Picked up a 72" True Blue box level for $30.

 

[BK13]

If you like wooden levels, take a look at Smith levels. Their wood laminations are made with tongue and groove joints, which is pretty uncommon these days. Much nicer than anything at Lowes or HD. Not $7.88, but very nice.

http://www.smithlevelcompany.com/

This might get expensive...