Torpedo Level Suggestion

[Zinc2005]

Everyone has been so helpful to me as I have picked out the contents of my new box. I now want to add a small level.

I guess I will use this level... maybe 10 times a year. I instinctively want a Stabila.. but does anyone have another suggestion? Is Stabila worth the price of entry? Thanks!

 

[AceofSpad3s]

Everyone has been so helpful to me as I have picked out the contents of my new box. I now want to add a small level.

I guess I will use this level... maybe 10 times a year. I instinctively want a Stabila.. but does anyone have another suggestion? Is Stabila worth the price of entry? Thanks!

I have a stabila and I gotta say it is pretty nice, can certainly take a beating from what mine looks like it went through. I did not get it new, I got it a week ago used for about $1, it was a lot of items so I cannot pinpoint an exact price. For $40 I would not buy one, I am not a pro so I don't need the precision of it. I am no level expert, I just have some generic ones, a johnson long one, the stabila and a old stanley wood on and the stabila is my favorite by a large margin. Since you are going to use it so rarely I would look at this one, http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-10...th-Metal-Frame-929H/100324530?N=5yc1vZc1zqZrd. I don't own one but I think it looks nice, it is metal and husky has their lifetime warranty which is nice. I have had good experience with their warranty except when trying to warranty a bit handle since they did not have any in store.

 

[justme-]

FWIW, in a previous career (over a decade ago) I was a manager in a tool retail store. All we sold was tools. I've also used them making a living, so to speak. I have a couple mahogany levels, a "smart level" which was inaccurate from the box, and a couple Stabilia levels. I'll be hard pressed to buy anything but for the rest of my life.
I have seen what a lickin they can take and stay accurate, and the warranty used to be (and I hope still is) exceptional. Made Craftsman warranty look hard - we took back and warrantied (and were credited by the company) for a level backed over by a dump truck and one that a mason had been using for a few years...he somehow cracked a vial. It was so coated in concrete I wasn't sure how it could be used.
I'm looking for another cast magnetic torpedo for my work box for setting man lift level sensors.

 

[Zinc2005]

Ok so this: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OV55FA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

How about 1 cheaper alternative that gets me 80% to a Stabila for 50% of the cost

 

[Tellingthem]

Ok so this: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OV55FA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

How about 1 cheaper alternative that gets me 80% to a Stabila for 50% of the cost

Menards just got rid of their MasterForce levels that were made by Stabila. Might want to double check online to see if any stores around you have some left.

 

[JonnyMac]

Just picked up an Empire level. Lifetime guarantee and very good value.

 

[dutchgray]

Just get a Stabila, they are worth the money.

 

[3rdgen]

I got the stabila, in your amazon link and its about the best I've ever used.I also like the klein tools lighted one.

 

[DPG]

Just buy the Stabila. You will never second guess your decision.

 

[Zinc2005]

Ok. Sounds like Stabila is well loved. I Will pull the trigger!

 

[TomB19]

Ok so this: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OV55FA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

How about 1 cheaper alternative that gets me 80% to a Stabila for 50% of the cost

That would be the DeWalt or FatMax (same tool)

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FT09DY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[BD1]

I like the Checkpoint pocket levels. They have the rare earth magnets and hold like a son of a witch. Mine is used in pipefitting and welding.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002AS9Q9Q/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[TomB19]

On the high end, there is also the Greenlee level. It is intended for electricians but it is a beautiful piece and built like a tank.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002NQQ9OK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[fireguy]

If you going to use the level on pipe or conduit, make sure the magnet has a groove. and make sure the magnet is rare earth. Otherwise, you will spend lots of time picking the tool off the floor.

 

[senlow]

Stabila is worth the money. They are accurate and tough as nails.

 

[cheechi]

I like my Empire torpedo. No groove and it's a strip of ceramic magnet but I have never had issues with pipes.

I like the stabilia, I have some interest in that greenlee, but for a basic torpedo the Empire costs so little I would get it and then decide if you need something better. Usually you can find them packaged with either a speed square or a carpenter's square for like $15.

 

[AE2]

I have two Swanson savages http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002C2SUHY/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1421629134&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40&dpPl=1&dpID=4181lE8FJrL&ref=plSrch
And
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001QTVWE2/ref=pd_aw_fbt__hi_img_2?refRID=0M7MQA130B7ZVJFBA5VW
As well as a handful of others. These two are definately the best and I would not hesitate to buy another if I was in the market.

 

[zer0cell]

I would take a good look at these, both are inexpensive and made in USA and have rare earth magnets which are superior to the glued on magnetic strip:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P871824/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015TOG5K/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I own both of them, one I have in my electrical bag and one in my carpentry bag.

The stabila looks nice but if cost is an issue, try one of the above. I think you will be pleased.

 

[KenC]

My Stanley Fat Max is very solid. I've dropped it several times and it's still dead on.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I use all Empire stuff. I am not into the digital stuff yet, but like everything else I will probably cave in soon. I am a contractor and use mine regularly.

 

[lbgradwell]

On the high end, there is also the Greenlee level. It is intended for electricians but it is a beautiful piece and built like a tank.

I personally think it's appalling that a Taiwanese torpedo level retails for $50.

I hate it when a company tries to deceive the consumer about COO like Greenlee does here by having the "U.S.A." prominently displayed on the tool, but well separated from the "Deisgned". Pure ********.

Empire for a great value, Stabila for the best...

 

[Ign]

TSC has a "Savage", full aluminum, anodized reddish-maroon. They were $30 pre-Christmas & now $15 if your store has any left.

I picked up 2 of the Craftsman Empires when they were $5? last year. Has the magnetic strip, but agreed that it doesn't stay on 1/2" or 3/4" conduit very well. I've also got the gray Stanley Fat Max w rare earth as pictured, but I swear even the fixed vial (one rotates for angles) is not very accurate.

 

[Zeke]

Today levels are pretty accurate at a low price point due to CNC and automation. Just check a level against a couple of others of known quality and buy what you need.

I won't say I'm a level junkie but I have a 4' Stablila, and old 1' Stanley cast steel unit and one of the first Check Point laser models to come out on the market which I paid over $100 30 years ago. Nothing but trouble with the laser and I gave up on the thing. It's now a 10 dollar level AFAIC.

I also have a couple of wood mason's levels, another old cast AL level by a well known that I can't think of unless I go find it. And I have an 8 footer of questionable quality that serves mostly as a straight edge but it's seen its share of door jambs. Along with a tape, I have gotten by. When I really needed dead nuts, I'd put a better level up to the marginal one and read that.

Lastly, I have a 2' and 3' cheap extruded I level one of which has been modified to adjust wheel camber. Works fine for that. The other one, well, not even sure where it came from, probably a grab box sale at a garage sale. It's light and fine for hanging pictures or using when I set up 3 in different directions to level out a table or washer. the 4 footer just gets in the way a lot of the time but it's the one I check the others against.

 

[ecotec]

I have 3. I have the Stabila with the 360 degree vial. I have a Klein with earth magnets. I also have a Checkpoint 3D (designed in USA). The Checkpoint is a replacement for a made in USA Checkpoint 3D that I lost while working at a waste water treatment plant.

I have the Stabila in my work tools. It is awesome for bending pipe, it really is.

View media item 47119

 

[The Motts]

I personally think it's appalling that a Taiwanese torpedo level retails for $50.

I hate it when a company tries to deceive the consumer about COO like Greenlee does here by having the "U.S.A." prominently displayed on the tool, but well separated from the "Deisgned". Pure ********.

Empire for a great value, Stabila for the best...

I think Checkpoint makes that Greenlee level.

 

[lbgradwell]

I think Checkpoint makes that Greenlee level.

I think you're right. At least, I think that Checkpoint holds the patent and the levels are made for both companies in Taiwan (very likely by a third party).

 

[Mark in Indiana]

For general work, I use a Bostitch level. For precise work, I use my Mitutoyo level. Although, it looks like from some of the posts, I will be buying some levels to help me in conduit running.

 

[ecotec]

Although, it looks like from some of the posts, I will be buying some levels to help me in conduit running.

I would also buy a anti-dogleg offset level. I find them quite useful for bending pipe.

http://www.no-dog.com/category-s/1822.htm

or

http://www.wireman.com/products/ventura-offset-level

 

[BeachBoy]

what is a no dog level? Can't find on google or youtube how to use them???

Edit: this seems to explain:

To use the No-Dog, attach it to either end of the conduit as shown in the photo, turn the conduit in the bender until the No-Dog shows level, and bend the conduit. For every additional bend in the same plane, make sure the No-Dog is level before bending.

http://toolmonger.com/2008/08/08/no-doglegs-allowed/

cool tool! Not sure I fully understand hehe

 

[FMC1959]

In torpedos I have the Stanley Fatmax pictured previously, as well as an Empire, a Sola, an old B&D and some other el-cheapos. The Fatmax is very nice and works well.

I love the simplicity of levels. To that end, I would recommend torpedos that have a style like the Greenlee, Swanson, Checkpoint and a slew of others. To see if they are maintaining accuracy it takes all of 2 sec of flipping it over and seeing the reading is identical, or not.

If you have a chance to checkout Sola's, they have some of the nicest, easy to read vials I have ever seen.
http://www.sola.us/1824_EN-sola.us-Levels.htm

They are made in Austria and are every bit the quality of Stabila's. In larger levels I have 3 Stabila & 3 Sola, the Stabila are great but usually reach for the Sola.

 

[toddoky]

I have a couple of the levels shown previously but typically resort to just using the Clinometer app on my iphone as it's accuracy (within a tenth of a degree like most all the others) and features (backlight, audible call-outs, included bubble level etc...) are far too convenient to use anything less. I guess the best level to use depends on what you're doing with it. I use mine primarily in a automotive product design capacity, so something else may work better for tasks in a different work environment. The app cost less than $5.

 

[ecotec]

Beachboy, it is kind of easier to show than explain.

Basically, you put the no-dog on the front of the pipe… level it in the bending shoe with pump pliers. You bend your first bend in your offset. You leave the no-dog on the pipe. You move the pipe to your mark for your second bend in the offset. Then take your pump pliers and rotate the pipe until the no-dog shows level and make your second bend. Since both "rolls" of the pipe in the shoe are opposite of each other… they cancel each other out. Does this make it clear? As I said… it is easier to show than explain.

 

[BeachBoy]

I am visual, I need a YouTube video hehe

 

[ecotec]

I am visual, I need a YouTube video hehe

I tried.