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Which Stabila Level Model to Buy?

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oldschoolcraft

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I am in the market for three new levels - torpedo, 24" and 48"

Don't want the electronic one since I'm not a pro and electronics tend to wear even when not in use. I imagine an unabused Stabila "analog" level will last my lifetime on casual use whereas after 10 years the electronic one might have some circuitry issues and also would need temperature controlled storage and taking batteries out when not in use. Too much hassle.

Looking at the non-electronic models, there are several and I can't figure out which is best for the average homeowner. I want the best highest quality most durable one, but also understand that I don't necessarily want the heaviest one since it might be too bulky for stuff like drywall.

I was looking at sets, but it doesn't seem like they sell the sizes I want in one set. It seems like the sets are wonky mixes. There is one 48", 24" and torpedo set on Amazon, but the reviews say the picture is different than what you get, and the set doesn't match (The 24" doesn't have handles as pictured).

Any advise on which exact models to get?
 
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davethorik

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Not sure of the model #, but I got to spend some time with a Stabila "R" beam box level recently. In cross section, they resemble the uppercase letter R. Very nice level.

However, I personally just use plain jane Johnson and Empire extruded I-beam levels. It seems like levels always get abused by people who don't own them, in my experience. My 4' Johnson "disappeared" from a jobsite last year, only to reappear covered in dirt and concrete dust, with one end cap mangled, because some troglodyte used it to tamp dirt and concrete in some post holes. I was mad enough with it happening to my ~$20 Johnson, I'd probably go into full blown cardiac arrest if someone did that to a Stabila I owned.
 
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Bluevista

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Torpedo levels have their uses but in that short a span they aren't much use for any serious leveling. 40 years in the business and I use one for marking holes for cutting in boxes, that's about it. I have Stanley, Sands, and Johnson brass bound mahogany six vial levels, I could never get used to three vial levels , you have to keep turning them around to get the right side up and it becomes a real PITA. Another reason to use a six vial level is that you can check the accuracy by flipping it over or around and the vials should always read the same, read different and you got a problem.
 
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dutchgray

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You want the extruded box section with the milled top and bottom faces, the plain box section ones are a bit light and get bent easily, though they are fine up to 2'. The R section and the extending one are overkill for a home owner.
 
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Hpozzuoli

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Rhode Island
I bought this stabilla package model number 78496. It comes with 6 levels, all the ones you are looking for. They come in a nice padded storage bag as well.
 

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Dave455

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I think you are dead right avoiding the electronic models.

My Dad bought the torpedo level and a 36"(ish) model about 30 years ago when we were building an extension.

What can I say, used every day for one job, and regularly since, with no problems! No way an electronic model would have survived that long!

Some builders, here in the U.K, have told me they don't think the Stabila are quite as rugged as they used to be. Don't know about that as mine are older. The option seems to be another German firm called BMI, and I'm seeing a lot of their products around!
 
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mobiledynamics

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I've got them all -- the stabila's and then some. 24 and 48 in the non electronic. Then when the electronics came out years later, I got the 24 and 48. Mine go up to like 92 inches + the plate level.

Best levels you can buy from a manuf. who will not quibble with your warranty.

The electronics one you can still use manually. It' great for applications where you can just wait for the beep and at least let you know you're in the ballpark, then shim it, steady it - THEN I still always use the eyeball to confirm before final placement. This is how the digital shines. You can go on the floor slowly shimming a cabinet or tweaking the level of a very heavy piece of XYZ and the level will audibly allow you to know where you are at, without you having to stop and check.
 
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oldschoolcraft

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woody 73 said:
I know stabile a good German company with very nice products but....

Help these people out and keep a another fine American company in business, or else they could end up leaving from the China boat:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=378415
Click to expand...

Don't love their website. The largest image of their products are thumbnail sized, one angle angle, and the most interesting of their products, the heavy duty line, has been marked as discontinued. Also really unsure about why anyone would make a wooden level in 2018.
 
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oldschoolcraft

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Dave455 said:
Some builders, here in the U.K, have told me they don't think the Stabila are quite as rugged as they used to be. Don't know about that as mine are older. The option seems to be another German firm called BMI, and I'm seeing a lot of their products around!
Click to expand...


This is exactly why I'm buying as many tools now that I can. It seems like quality of everything is only getting worse over time.
 
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KnurledNut

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oldschoolcraft said:
Also really unsure about why anyone would make a wooden level in 2018.
Click to expand...

Wood levels have some advantages.

For masonry and concrete trades, mortar will not stick to an oiled wood level.

Mortar also wont scratch glass vial cover plates like it will plastic or acrylic.
(The glass plates can also be easily replaced.)

Wood is more comfortable to use in cold or hot temperatures.

Sometimes the added weight is an advantage.

The curved dual vials allow for greater slopes and other uses you cant do with a single barrel vial used in many levels.

Some wood level manufacturers offer repair services. (Try that with a big box aluminum level that gets bent.)

Each wood level is unique because of the variance of wood grains and shades.

In many instances, (think Crick or Smith) they are custom handcrafted with a high level of quality, precision and detail. Some even have a serial number.

And for me personally, i think the look of select hardwoods mixed with brass/stainless is timeless and captivating.

:beer:
 
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M6erfan

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'Merica!
KnurledNut said:
Wood levels have some advantages.

For masonry and concrete trades, mortar will not stick to an oiled wood level.

Mortar also wont scratch glass vial cover plates like it will plastic or acrylic.
(The glass plates can also be easily replaced.)

Wood is more comfortable to use in cold or hot temperatures.

Sometimes the added weight is an advantage.

The curved dual vials allow for greater slopes and other uses you cant do with a single barrel vial used in many levels.

Some wood level manufacturers offer repair services. (Try that with a big box aluminum level that gets bent.)

Each wood level is unique because of the variance of wood grains and shades.

In many instances, (think Crick or Smith) they are custom handcrafted with a high level of quality, precision and detail. Some even have a serial number.

And for me personally, i think the look of select hardwoods mixed with brass/stainless is timeless and captivating.

:beer:
Click to expand...


Well said
 
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majorbanjo

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Jan 24, 2015
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Georga
I've got the 48" and 16" aluminum box beam stabila levels and they are adequate....

I personally wouldn't trust wood to be stabile enough to be a consistent accurate level..
 
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Dave455

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Sussex, England
O.P. I was out today buying some electrical parts, and my supplier had exactly the set you were describing. Stabila Torpedo, 600mm and 1200mm (I guess that's 2 foot and 4 foot to us) for £99. Lose the tax and convert and that's about $115.

Suspect that's the same set you saw on Amazon, so presumably a Stabila originated set on a deal.

I didn't see exactly which models (should have looked) but they had 'em on display and they seemed to match!
 
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