Stabila Levels, What ya think? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

dayspring · 08-09-2006, 04:35 PM

My Favorite Lumber yard has new display of Stabila levels, to me they are very expensive. I've seen ads for them and such before, just how good are they? They are twice the price of other good levels.

neat smiley

**joasis** · 08-09-2006, 04:43 PM

I love my Stabila lavels..I have the full set up to the 84 inch magnetic one. They are tough, take the beating of being really used, and are accurate without being too sensative. I bought all of mine on E-Bay...about half of what the contractors supply sells them for.

I have 2 sands levels, and these are way better, IMO.

dayspring · 08-09-2006, 05:33 PM

I have to ask God for strength to resist temptation every time I go in the supply house, no joke, I wanna, I wanna! TOOLS TOOLS AND MORE TOOLS! I'm ok now.

maj · 08-09-2006, 06:44 PM

They're worth it. I've been using them for 5 or so years now, still dead on accurate.

hatchet · 08-09-2006, 07:18 PM

I would agree.. the only level I've purchased in the last 5 years is Stabila. In fact just purchased the 7'-12' plate level the other day for 200.. love it.

Big Dave · 08-09-2006, 07:35 PM

Same here. Have em and love em.

dayspring · 08-09-2006, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hatchet

I would agree.. the only level I've purchased in the last 5 years is Stabila. In fact just purchased the 7'-12' plate level the other day for 200.. love it.

You just had to go and say that, I've been a eyeballing that rascal. $225.00

@ the lumber yard. OUCH! But it is soooo nice!

maj · 08-09-2006, 08:04 PM

Dayspring, just go out first thing in the morning and buy it..... you know you can't live without it. Just like the banjo.

What's next?...... peladu's hammer holster?

dayspring · 08-09-2006, 08:18 PM

I think I'll pass on the holster. But the level(s)..... another story to be written. The banjo, I think will be worth the price in the long run. Shouldn't be hard to find a Banjo teacher here in the mountains of NC!

snapper21 · 08-10-2006, 09:39 AM

10 or 15 years ago I worked with a guy who had, and swore by, his stabila. He sarcastically said one day that you could beat it against a tree and it would still read dead on. I chuckled, threw it off the roof, climbed down the ladder, and beat it against a tree. His jaw dropped, but the level still read true. I've always said that when I start having problems with my levels I'll replace with Stabila. They are worth it in my opinion, especially if they're riding in a truck or trailer all the time.

Greg Di · 08-10-2006, 05:15 PM

Stabilas are worth the money. Period. Any cheaper level really isn't worth it once you start with Stabilas. Considering how much a good level makes your work easier and better, they are a relatively cheap tool.

Use an out of whack level on one job without knowing it, and you'll quickly realize the value of a Stabila.

One note, If you have any intention of hanging a door this millenium, spend the extra bucks and buy the magnetic versions. They stick to the hinge leaves so you go hands free. And added bonus is that they are so strong, they'll usually take any bow out of the hinge side.

R&S Exteriors · 08-10-2006, 05:29 PM

Bought mine not to long ago and I really like them.

dayspring · 08-10-2006, 07:58 PM

Greg, I never thought about a level pulling a bow out of a jamb, That is worth quite a bit, make it easier to shim. I hang alot of doors. OK I'm totally conviced now, Gotta do it! I can't go buy the whole set, like I really want to, but I can spring for a couple of 'em. I guess I'll try out the 59" one with magnet( that is the length?) and what other would you suggest for door hanging? They make such a variety.

dayspring · 08-11-2006, 04:03 PM

I bought my first one (Stabila) today, a 6'

Tscarborough · 08-11-2006, 07:33 PM

I sell 30 to 1 Crick/Smith versus Stabila (at thre times the price for the wood levels). Tradition is a hard thing to break. I would never buy anything but a Stabila myself.

Greg Di · 08-11-2006, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dayspring

Greg, I never thought about a level pulling a bow out of a jamb, That is worth quite a bit, make it easier to shim. I hang alot of doors. OK I'm totally conviced now, Gotta do it! I can't go buy the whole set, like I really want to, but I can spring for a couple of 'em. I guess I'll try out the 59" one with magnet( that is the length?) and what other would you suggest for door hanging? They make such a variety.

Definitely get a 78" magnetic to start. You'll use that on nearly every door.

For heads, you should probably start with two. Get a 24 and a 32. That way, you can do 2-0, 2-2, 2-4, 2-6 doors with the 24 and use the 32 for 2-8 up to 3-0.

Then, you end up filling in with the others. Amazon just had a sale where they had a 48 AND a 16 for $39!

I have the magnetic torpedo in a holster on my belt all the time, 16, 24, 30, 32, 48, 78. I just bought an Empire level because I was in a pinch and my dealer didn't have any 72" magnetic Stabilas. It's OK, but the Stabilas are better.

Also, buy the level bag.

tcleve4911 · 08-20-2006, 08:14 AM

Actually had the older non magnetic model that got air into the vial making the bubble not read true. Took it to the supply house & Stabila gave me a new upgraded 78 magnetic. You don't get that service on ebay.
Love it!! Sticks to metal staging too!!

widco · 08-22-2006, 01:44 AM

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**joasis** · 08-22-2006, 06:48 AM

Anyone had any luck with cement to keep the red plastic protectors on the ends? I don't know why I even ask, since I know mine are long gone.

Look at the agreement on levels....now...is there any tape better then a Fat Max 35???

**Double-A** · 08-22-2006, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joasis

Look at the agreement on levels....now...is there any tape better then a Fat Max 35???

Yes, someone else's Fat Max 35. That way, I know exactly where it is at all times.