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Recommend me a good basic torpedo level

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Retroman

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Mojave Desert
I have the now discontinued Bosch GPL3T Torpedo level with built in laser. Been extremely useful for retrofitting Kitchen drawer slides. The face frame cabinets need a rear hanger to hold the end of the slide this gets me very close and then make small adjustments as needed. These soft close slides need to be almost perfect to work properly.
 
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NoahG

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Feb 24, 2013
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Location
Detroit, MI
I buy this two pack from the Depot every holiday season it seems. They’re good enough for me.
 

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OP
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dwasifar

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Messages
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Okay, guys. I was looking for a basic magnetic torpedo level $25 or below, and here are the recommendations I've received in this thread:

Empire EM81.9G ($11.97/2pk)​
$5.98​
Hyper Tough TR36001D​
$9.50​
Johnson 1435-0900​
$15.98​
Swanson Savage TL043M​
$21.87​
Stabila 70tm​
$21.92​
Empire EM71.8​
$21.97​
Klein 935RB​
$29.97​
Milwaukee (cheapest is 48-22-5107)​
$32.97​
Toughbuilt TB-H2-L-9X​
$33.98​
Sola Austria LSX10​
$37.49​
Klein 932-9RESEN (discontinued)​
$40.00​
Stabila 25245​
$67.00​
Bosch GPLT3​
$111.00​
Ebisu Diamond ED-16TBLM​
no US source​

The user who recommended Milwaukee didn't specify a model, so I picked the cheapest one. The user who recommended Sola also didn't specify a model, but did specify Austria, so I picked the least expensive Austrian-made one I could find.

I don't mean to sound unappreciative, because I'm definitely not; I am sincerely grateful for all the information about everyone's experiences with these levels. But I can't help noting that more than half of these recommendations are above my $25 price ceiling, and to those who posted them, I cannot help but be curious why. I can think of some possible reasons. You might be posting for the benefit of other readers who come along later and don't have that price limit. You might be hoping that recommending these excellent tools will tempt me to spend more on something better. Or you might simply be proud of owning these great levels. Or something else I haven't thought of. So I would like to very respectfully ask, are any of those guesses the correct reasons?

FWIW, I would definitely have bought the Stabila 70tm if it had a pipe groove.
 
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NoahG

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Feb 24, 2013
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Location
Detroit, MI
dwasifar said:
Why do you have to keep buying them? Do you break them, or lose them?
Click to expand...
Well, I had to buy enough for several tool bags and the garage and the basement, and now I buy them for the shop I manage (where they do get lost and stolen).
 
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KnurledNut

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Last edited:
E

Etchase

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Hawaii
dwasifar said:
Okay, guys. I was looking for a basic magnetic torpedo level $25 or below, and here are the recommendations I've received in this thread:

Empire EM81.9G ($11.97/2pk)​
$5.98​
Hyper Tough TR36001D​
$9.50​
Johnson 1435-0900​
$15.98​
Swanson Savage TL043M​
$21.87​
Stabila 70tm​
$21.92​
Empire EM71.8​
$21.97​
Klein 935RB​
$29.97​
Milwaukee (cheapest is 48-22-5107)​
$32.97​
Toughbuilt TB-H2-L-9X​
$33.98​
Sola Austria LSX10​
$37.49​
Klein 932-9RESEN (discontinued)​
$40.00​
Stabila 25245​
$67.00​
Bosch GPLT3​
$111.00​
Ebisu Diamond ED-16TBLM​
no US source​

The user who recommended Milwaukee didn't specify a model, so I picked the cheapest one. The user who recommended Sola also didn't specify a model, but did specify Austria, so I picked the least expensive Austrian-made one I could find.

I don't mean to sound unappreciative, because I'm definitely not; I am sincerely grateful for all the information about everyone's experiences with these levels. But I can't help noting that more than half of these recommendations are above my $25 price ceiling, and to those who posted them, I cannot help but be curious why. I can think of some possible reasons. You might be posting for the benefit of other readers who come along later and don't have that price limit. You might be hoping that recommending these excellent tools will tempt me to spend more on something better. Or you might simply be proud of owning these great levels. Or something else I haven't thought of. So I would like to very respectfully ask, are any of those guesses the correct reasons?

FWIW, I would definitely have bought the Stabila 70tm if it had a pipe groove.
Click to expand...

Now you’ve made me suffer all over again for paying over $30 for a torpedo level. I had blocked that memory of how stupidly expensive it was apparently:) Tough Built does make one for $23, but I was up-sold apparently.
 
B

BlitzcrankJapan

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 9, 2019
Messages
135
Location
Gold Coast, Australia
www.sccssurvey.co.uk

BMI Torpedo Level

Sturdy spirit levels made of reinforced fibre glass ABS- plastic. Round vials allow good readability. Magnet execution (685M) equipped with two strong disk magnets. Dimensions: 250 x 43 x 22mm.
www.sccssurvey.co.uk www.sccssurvey.co.uk
BMI Torpedo level £11. I think USD $15?
bmi_torpedo_level.webp
 
D

dutchgray

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Messages
6,461
Location
Dorset. England.
Dave455 said:
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.EB1F9372-097E-4E1B-8EC3-74FDB3508A59.jpeg
Click to expand...
I have both. I mainly use the Stabila.
 
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RTM

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Joined
May 13, 2019
Messages
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Location
SF Bay Area
dwasifar said:
7​
​
But I can't help noting that more than half of these recommendations are above my $25 price ceiling, and to those who posted them, I cannot help but be curious why. I can think of some possible reasons. You might be posting for the benefit of other readers who come along later and don't have that price limit. You might be hoping that recommending these excellent tools will tempt me to spend more on something better. Or you might simply be proud of owning these great levels. Or something else I haven't thought of. So I would like to very respectfully ask, are any of those guesses the correct reasons?
Click to expand...
Some people are addicted to OPM, other people's money, and have no problem spending it.

I personally appreciate those who say "it's a bit more than you want to spend", implying they at least read your note. Unlike work emails, where they answer whatever question they want, regardless of what I asked.
 
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KnurledNut

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RTM said:
Some people are addicted to OPM, other people's money, and have no problem spending it.

I personally appreciate those who say "it's a bit more than you want to spend", implying they at least read your note. Unlike work emails, where they answer whatever question they want, regardless of what I asked.
Click to expand...
Well the OP spent $41 on the two levels he got so he had the money...:headscrat

dwasifar said:
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.
Click to expand...
The Milwaukee is made in Vietnam too and has similar features. Likely the same manufacturer.

CGarage said:
I am picky and the Hyper Tough made in USA work fine for me, I checked it against my big Starrett and all was fine. Durably made from tough plastic. Available at Walmart. Made in USA. What’s not to like?
Click to expand...
More reliable to check the level against itself, not another one.
Do you have a USA made Hyper Tough torpedo level? Model number or link please. The ones im seeing dont appear to be domestic.
Taiwan-based Test Rite does the sourcing/distributing of the Hyper Tough brand, and seems to focus on quality budget tools.
 
OP
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dwasifar

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May 28, 2017
Messages
2,082
CGarage said:
I am picky and the Hyper Tough made in USA work fine for me, I checked it against my big Starrett and all was fine. Durably made from tough plastic. Available at Walmart. Made in USA. What’s not to like?
Click to expand...

Is this the one you mean?

1692374682813.png
 
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KnurledNut

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@dwasifar
I had been eyeing the DeWALT DWHT43003 a long time ago, but never bought it.
I would still consider it if I was trying to meet your criteria.
It comes in under your budget and my local Tractor Supply shows it in stock for $22.

Heres a short video showing the features:
 
OP
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dwasifar

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Joined
May 28, 2017
Messages
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KnurledNut said:
You mean the upside down chinese air? :spit:
Click to expand...

Yep. It's right side up from the POV of people in Guangdong though. :D

There's a slight shadow above the level in the pic, so clearly they flipped the picture when they realized they'd photographed it with the logo upside-down.
 
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