What Do You All Think Of Stanley's Levels

s. donato

i have a 2', 4', and a 6' fatmax(non extreme) and don't see the point of buying better they have the same accuracry of stabila - probably not the same quality.

i also have 1', 4, and 6' empire tru blue and love them.

i use the stanley's for exterior and empires for interior just so i always have a clean one.

heres a list that i made a while back:
http://www.amazon.com/Professional-L...ch_f_2_rsrsrs0

silvertree

Stabila's are my best, plus one Empire 6' that is true. I picked it out of a dozen at Menards.

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wolffhomerepair

Just picked up a 24" 48" and torpedo Stabila today. Sales guy sold me when he took the demo one and tossed it 30 feet and it still was reading the same both ways.

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dayspring

Never owned Stabila, Huh? I wouldn't even compare them, especially as far as accuracy is concerned.

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s. donato

if all the manufacturers are quoting the same accuracy level who am i to judge.

i have owned some stabila but the level breaks just as easy wether its $30 or $100. that said the stabila's are built better - i am sure of that - but i do take pretty good care of my levels and have found no difference in accuracy... yet, so i have had no need to spend the big bucks on stabila right now.

i do own only stabila laser levels and wouldn't buy anybody elses.

the OP asked about the stanley's so i told him i had some and loved them. which i think for the money they are very good levels. i don't own the extreme ones b/c there are more money for the same accuracy which is the same reason i don't own stabila.

now if stabila changed their advertising and marketing to quote a better accuracy level then i would say your getting what you pay for.

SethHoldren

It's amazing how many "seasoned" carpenters I've met who don't know how to check a level. All they care about is that the glass isn't broken.

I bet only 1% of people who buy levels check them at the store. Good tip, my bearded friend.

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dayspring

From Stabilas website:

Spirit Levels
STABILA spirit levels will maintain their stated accuracy for life. The vials on all STABILA levels will not fog, leak, or become inaccurate. If they do, you will be given a new level. Bent frames void warranty.

Unique Vial Design for Ultimate Precision
STABILA levels are consistent and accurate in the “vial up” or “vial down” positions. Our bright, crystal-clear vials are polished and easy to read through a complete 300-degree range. STABILA’s sensitive bubbles reflect the slightest deviation, detected by spring-steel hair-line indicators, positioned in precise grooves inside the barrel of each vial.
Straight, Strong and Tough - Like No Other
Every STABILA level has a precision straight edge over its entire length. You can trust STABILA's accuracy job after job because of their rugged construction. Our levels are made to resist heavy and repeated drops, blows and twisting—the everyday rigors of rough jobsites.
Accuracy "Locked In" for a Lifetime of Use
Through a precision manufacturing technique, we secure each vial in the frame using a patented epoxy locking system. Individually calibrated vials are molded permanently to the frame, reinforcing the strength of every STABILA level. We certify the accuracy of every level and guarantee they will maintain their accuracy for life.
ALWAYS TRUST – NEVER ADJUSTTM
STABILA levels represent the perfect balance of accuracy and durability, technology and craftsmanship. For over a century, quality tradesmen have trusted STABILA to be accurate 100% of the time.

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CLC

Went to buy a new 4' at the orange box. Never did find one that read the same all the way around. Own Stabila and Empire blue, both are just fine. One thing to keep in mind is that Stabila has changed their warranty process, you must send it back to the factory for replacement. Take the empire back to the tool store, walk out the door with the new one.

wallmaxx

S t a b i l a

Colorado Fatboy

I bought a new Stabila 4' a few months back. They told me if I ever had an issue they would give me a new one then THEY would send it back to the factory. That's how I understood it anyways.

Pulled this off the Stabila site:

"You can also visit your nearest Stabila Distributor to process your warranty return."

CrpntrFrk

I own Irwin levels 2', 4', and 8'. They all have side veiw mirror so if I can't see the vile from the front the mirror shows me what I need to see from the side. They also are adjustable so if they do take a nasty hit I can check and adjust if need be. Its also a good thing if you have a wall out of plumb and the customer walks in you can adjust it to show level. J/K HA HA

samthedog

I just went to the hardware store on the search for some bits and came across the levels. Unwittingly I have been using stabila levels. On the wall they have a large assortment of levels, no name and stabila. I looked at the no name and it was made in germany, had the same accuracy rating text written in German and was built with the same materials and exactly the same dimensions. I compared the bubble assembly and it's identical. I bought a foot long level in the no-name brand for 1/5 of the price of the stabila branded level. Both have lifetime accuracy guarantees too. It must be a European thing as I had never seen this Australia.

CLC

Got this info from my "neaest dealer" last week when discussing Stabila vs. True Blue

TBFGhost

....I have been using Johnson levels...yeah...i bought them from the big orange box store...

nailman

Spend a 100$ for the Stabila. Best level out there, bar none.

rojigga

I like my 4' Empire Blue, but I HATE how the vials are blue... really hard to see with bad lighting. I wouldn't recommend that level because of that fact.

Hey Malco, I just bought a 4' Wooden Johnson. Great stuff, bloody heavy though. Bought it because I couldn't deal with that blue Empire anymore... Relegated to the bench as the sixth man.

WarnerConstInc.

I got the big soft case all filled up with Stabila's. I have one Johnson and one empire, I use those for concrete work, or if they are closer than the pry bar. On a side note: I think everytime I grabb the 'Bila's case and open it, the carpenter's angels sing!!!!

If you buy the multi packs of the Stabila's they are not really much more expensive than the others.

I just remebered, I do have a stanley level, allthough it is made of cast iron and is 100 years old.

Renegade 1 LI

I just picked up the stablia 6 pc jamb set because the savings buying it that way worked out pretty good. It seems that most other brands are now made in China & I would rather spend a little extra & buy from a manufacturer in a country known for quality rather then quantity. As it gets harder to buy American tools I have been looking more at German made tools. I would stay away from any percision tool made in China, especialy levels.

orson

Stabila makes a level for masons/concrete work too. It has a big cushion on it to pound on w/ a hammer....

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nail bender

+1 for the Empire blue,i have the 8' for doing high end cabinet installs

also Swanson 6' and the 4' and 2' Johnson

i had a old wood Stanley 4' and 2' the served me well for years,i just prefer the box beam levels these days