Recommend me a good basic torpedo level

[dwasifar]

I am not completely happy with the torpedo level I currently have. It's a plastic Craftsman that I got for something like $2 at Ace during some promotion. It's very accurate, no complaints in that department, but the magnetic strip on it is so weak that it might as well not have one. It'll stick where you put it, but so tenuously that any minor vibration will knock it off and it falls. Sooner or later one of those falls is going to knock it out of alignment.

I don't need something spendy and indestructible, but I would like it to have a dependable magnetic side, and a grooved side to use on pipes and conduit (which sadly eliminates the reasonably priced Stabila 70tm). I'd like to stay under $25. What do you guys think? Kapro 923? Empire em75.10? Johnson 1435-1000? Something else?

The Johnson has grooved magnets:



Whereas the others have flat:



The grooved magnets seem like a good idea but only if they will still adhere to flat surfaces too.

Thoughts? Recommendations?

 

[isb cornbinder]

Just about any level will be OK. This first thing you need to do is check the level for accuracy.
this is easily done by putting the level on a surface that looks level, then turn the level 180* and see if the bubble reaches the same position. If the level checks our. it is likely good for life.
I have STARETT levels that are up to $950 each. I check them this same way.

 

[AE2]

I have this one
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Empire-8-in-True-Blue-Magnetic-Billet-Torpedo-Level-EM71-8/203811785



I also have this one

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002C2SUHY/?tag=atomicindus08-20


I'd buy either of these again if I needed one.

 

[LXCam]

The new Milwaukee ones are pretty decent.

 

[msharley]

 

[dwasifar]

I have this one
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Empire-8-in-True-Blue-Magnetic-Billet-Torpedo-Level-EM71-8/203811785



I also have this one

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002C2SUHY/?tag=atomicindus08-20


I'd buy either of these again if I needed one.

Ooh, I like those. I think I'd prefer the Empire because I would get more use out of its gradated vial than the Savage's 30° vial.

The Milwaukee and Klein look nice but they're above my $25 price ceiling.

 

[MoonRise]

The magnets on the v-groove will not hold onto a flat surface. They will grab a steel pipe well, but are worthless on any other non-ferrous pipe type (copper, aluminum, plastic, etc). I figure that if I'm working with pipe I'll just have to tie the level onto the pipe somehow (zip tie, rope/string, velcro strap, etc) unless I'm just holding it in place on the v-groove to check level or pitch.

I also have given up on the 'magnetic' strip ones, which are so weak in magnetic strength as to be worthless or unreliable (and thus worthless) on steel items.

The rare earth magnets are so much better and actually hold the level in place on steel (pipe, plate, bar, whatever).

The last torpedo level that I picked up was the Empire EM71-8. Solid body, rare earth magnets on the flat side, handy size. It was to replace a Rigid cast-body level that a vial FELL out of. Rigid no longer has that torpedo level, so I got the Empire to replace it.

Empire 8 in. True Blue Magnetic Billet Torpedo Level EM71.8 - The Home Depot

The Empire 8 in. True Blue Magnetic Billet torpedo level features True Blue vials that deliver best-in-class accuracy. Coupled with anodized aluminum, allowing this billet to deliver unparalleled strength

www.homedepot.com

 

[LXCam]

I gotta laugh M. All the decades of bending pipe before I got out of the field and behind a desk I’d never seen a level with a 30 degree bubble. When I saw that pic I thought cool! Then I wondered if they had magnets on a grooved side.

Not five minutes after posting about Milwaukee I went out in the shop. And low n behold stuck to the side of one of my cabinets was a brand new Klein unit. And sure as heck it has the 30 bubble along with a grooved side and plugged holes for the magnets on the flat side.

And sure as heck…….that side ain’t magnetic. What a letdown

 

[Etchase]

This is rugged enough to survive, and has strong magnets. I was dubious of the extendibility function, but it’s straight to within 0.005 inches on mine at least.

 

[GeoBruin]

Very happy with the Empire em71.8 as well. Billet aluminum, strong magnets, v groove, and legible dials.

 

[KnurledNut]

https://www.stabila.com/en-US/produ...1smw45-die-cast-three-vial-torpedo-level.html

 

[dwasifar]

https://www.stabila.com/en-US/produ...1smw45-die-cast-three-vial-torpedo-level.html

Wow, that's nice! And it's under $25? Where did you get it?

 

[betulauber]

I have the Johnson 1421-0900 and have been pretty happy with it. The magnet holds well and I haven't had any issue with it falling. Decent quality for the money... I think it was under $15

 

[KnurledNut]

Wow, that's nice! And it's under $25? Where did you get it?

$67 on Amazon.
Model #25245.

 

[dwasifar]

$67 on Amazon.
Model #25245.

Yeah, I see. That's way over my budget, sadly.

 

[alinc100]

I have the Swanson Savage ,they were the preferred level of scaffold builders. Cheap at under $25, rugged and magnets stick great. Still use mine daily laying out and marking cuts for electrical in our acoustical panels. I'd buy another one on the way home if this got lost or broken.

 

[Rinspeed]

The Johnson are good quality for the money.

 

[dwasifar]

I went to HD today and came home with two different Empire torpedos.

This is the one recommended repeatedly in this thread. It says "vials made in USA" but it also says "made in Vietnam," which is a strange thing for those of us past a certain age.



Due to the annoying clamshell packaging, it was impossible to test it for accuracy in the store. So I also got this more conventional torpedo, which says "Made in USA with global materials":



This gives me the chance to compare them once the clamshell is open. I'll choose one and return the other the next time I'm at HD.

Empire is pretty damn confident about the strength of its vials:



It's not just that it's hanging from them on the display, it's that X percent of purchasers will simply rip the tool off the card without clipping the plastic ties.

Here's my old one:



Junky compared to the others, and it will be going to Goodwill, but it has one feature they don't. Do you see it?

 

[dcg9381]

Wanted to throw this out there. I don't use these anymore. The accelerometer in modern phones is much more accurate. I use a free app called "bubble" and as I've always got the phone, I never have to hunt for a small level anymore... Works great for things where you don't need a magnet anyway.

 

[dwasifar]

Wanted to throw this out there. I don't use these anymore. The accelerometer in modern phones is much more accurate. I use a free app called "bubble" and as I've always got the phone, I never have to hunt for a small level anymore... Works great for things where you don't need a magnet anyway.

I actually thought about that, but I would rather drop a $20 level off a ladder than a $600 phone.

 

[CGarage]

Walmart has HyperTough USA made levels. I have two and they work well.

My reference levels are from Stabila (as posted above) and the Austrian maker, Sola.

Stabila and Sola are top quality.

I also have a Starrett.

 

[Madjik Man]

I have the Johnson 1435-0900. Flat magnets.

Made in the USA

$10 or so at Lowe’s.

Works great for all my needs.

 

[dwasifar]

I have the Johnson 1435-0900. Flat magnets.

Made in the USA

$10 or so at Lowe’s.

Works great for all my needs.

How are the magnets?

 

[Madjik Man]

How are the magnets?

Strong.

They can hang off the bottom of a picture frame made of probably the cheapest alloy.

 

[ElectroMechTech]

The new Milwaukee ones are pretty decent.

How new? I looked at a couple at HD about a year ago and the magnets were worthless. Barely any holding power.

 

[dnschmidt]

Level = Stabila

 

[MoonRise]

-snip-snip-snippity-snip-snip-

Junky compared to the others, and it will be going to Goodwill, but it has one feature they don't. Do you see it?

The Craftsman has a hanging hole, the Empires do not (unless you drill one yourself ).

What do I win?

 

[dwasifar]

The Craftsman has a hanging hole, the Empires do not (unless you drill one yourself ).

What do I win?

Correct, sir!

And your prize is: the respect and admiration of GJ aficionados far and wide.

To be fair, the Craftsman needs a hanging hole, because the magnet strip is so poor that it won't stay stuck to a bench or box.

 

[Dave455]

The guys advising the Stabila are spot on. It’s what I use and I’m delighted with it.

If I was buying again I’d have to consider an Ebisu. Made in Japan, very rugged, and some really practical design features.

This one can be clipped on to clothing or a tool belt, and has illuminated vials, which make a huge difference in anything but perfect light. Not costly either.

 

[LXCam]

How new? I looked at a couple at HD about a year ago and the magnets were worthless. Barely any holding power.

It's not more then a couple months old. It's not a issue with the flat side, those hold great. The V side doesn't have any.

 

[MattV]

Yeah, I see. That's way over my budget, sadly.

But you know it's what you want

 

[bb29510]

the stabia the best, saw a kit last week, buy the four footer and they give you an 18 and a torpedo

 

[bcradio]

Never heard of Stabia...

 

[strutaeng]

I've got a few of the cheap plastic versions for whenever.

An Empire 12" for plumbing that's magnetic and has common pipe slopes line of the bubble. I like that one for plumbing.

I've got the 6" digital Empire with a much stronger magnet. I like that one for metal projects.

A few weeks ago I went to look at the mezzanine at a warehouse the client was having issues. I had some other fancy measuring tools to check floor slopes and elevations. But the photo I included in my report was the cheap plastic torpedo level. A picture is worth a thousand words.

 

[Bubba Fett]

Swanson, Empire, Johnson, Stabila and Klein all have great levels. You can't go wrong with any of them, really.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

https://www.stabila.com/en-US/produ...1smw45-die-cast-three-vial-torpedo-level.html

I have this model wish I had purchased it along time ago.

 

[Zeus36]

Metal body:

 

[nadogail]

IMHO they all seem to be about equal,

 

[RTM]

IMHO they all seem to be about equal,

Or on the same….. level?

 

[ecotec]

I have this model wish I had purchased it along time ago.

I have the one almost like that with the protractor vial.

It is amazing for bending pipe… but it is too expensive to bring to work. Our tools are only insured for a pre negotiated amount in our contract.

I have a Checkpoint 3D and a Klein for work.