User adjustable bubble level

[MovingAlong]

Some number of decades ago, I bought this Sand's Craft PL-324 24" level. Couldn't have been expensive because I certainly didn't have any money then.



But it had a feature that I'm not finding in today's levels - a user adjustable bubble. Have found (and disappointingly purchased) many levels with fixed bubbles and screwed in plastic rings around them, but not one that actually allows you to rotate the bubble and set it "true".

Yes, I've found the same level on Ebay for $40 and no, there is nothing wrong with this one. And yes, I know the factories now guarantee .0005 degrees of accuracy - but I have trust issues.

Just wondered if someone knew of another one being sold today that is user adjustable...

 

[readhead]

I have a set of Levelolution levels that are adjustable. MD made adjustable levels. I don't think either are available any more. I'm with you. Unfortunately most people don't know how to check a level and in this age of yellow levels they just assume it is accurate when in fact it may just be a straight edge.

 

[Beerhippie]

The last new carpenter's level I recall with adjustable bubbles was an Empire.

Whatever the factory guarantees, check that bubble after it's been dropped and knocked around in the back of a rig for while. I've always taken good care of my carpenters levels--those are one of the bases of a good job--but they are jobsite tools and jobsites tend to be pretty rough-and-tumble places.

 

[MovingAlong]

I have a set of Levelolution levels that are adjustable. MD made adjustable levels. I don't think either are available any more. I'm with you. Unfortunately most people don't know how to check a level and in this age of yellow levels they just assume it is accurate when in fact it may just be a straight edge.

Lot's of faith in the manufacturer, little faith in ourselves. But setting a level is something I can do...

The last new carpenter's level I recall with adjustable bubbles was an Empire.

Whatever the factory guarantees, check that bubble after it's been dropped and knocked around in the back of a rig for while. I've always taken good care of my carpenters levels--those are one of the bases of a good job--but they are jobsite tools and jobsites tend to be pretty rough-and-tumble places.

And while I'm not on a rough jobsite, this seems like great reason for having a user adjustable bubble. Empire has the screws in the plastic frame, but they don't appear to support an adjustable bubble.

 

[MWEric]

Starrett 98 is user adjustable.

 

[MovingAlong]

Starrett 98 is user adjustable.

That's exactly what I'm talking about! Might not be the level for me exactly, but so nice to know Starrett supports users that accept the responsibility of setting their tools up correctly.

 

[Beerhippie]

Lot's of faith in the manufacturer, little faith in ourselves. But setting a level is something I can do...



And while I'm not on a rough jobsite, this seems like great reason for having a user adjustable bubble. Empire has the screws in the plastic frame, but they don't appear to support an adjustable bubble.

The adjustable bubble one I recall was a green aluminum box beam level--and not cheap. This was better part of thirty years ago. Haven't seen one since. Kids on the jobs today seem to all have yellow.

 

[MWEric]

That's exactly what I'm talking about! Might not be the level for me exactly, but so nice to know Starrett supports users that accept the responsibility of setting their tools up correctly.

I use them quite frequently as a millwright for setting up machines. Always check them before use. I love them.

 

[MovingAlong]

The adjustable bubble one I recall was a green aluminum box beam level--and not cheap. This was better part of thirty years ago. Haven't seen one since. Kids on the jobs today seem to all have yellow.

Maybe the company was INSIZE? They came up in my Google search for "green aluminum box beam level"

Amazon:

INSIZE website:


This is more in line with my original quest. Not cheap but not prohibitive...