This is a pointless post. just curious conversation.
So im in line at the box store and i see this display for new Extreme levels. How can a level be extreme? How can any tool be extreme? Its just a level. they claim their accuracy is within.0005 over 100′. there isnt a person on this planet that can take a 2′ or 4′ level and a pencil and mark out a 100′ line and come close to being that accurate. In construction, unless it was just sharpened, most peoples pencil will draw a line about 1/32″ thick. that grit of dirt under one end will make it out of whack by more than that. My lazer claims +- 1/4″ over 100′. have they seen the beam at that distance? at 40′ the dot is actually 3/8 blurred oval. i just eyeball the center at that point. why do some levels have a double line? what does that second line measure? It would be nice if the mfg made it measure 1/4″ per ft for plumbing. and why dont they make a level about 80″ so i can use it to measure doorway openings for plumb?
All these gimmicky tools with gel handels and powered tape measures? If your so sensitive that you cant hold the drill or too lazy to pull out the tape measure then perhaps they shouldnt be using tools.
ok y’all have a nice day.
Tmaxxx
Urban Workshop Ltd
Vancouver B.C.
cheers. Ill buy.
Replies
There is a level that is designed for door and wall plumbing. I think it is around 4' long and extends to 80", then there is another that extends to 100". They are well made and acurate, the slide mechanism is tight and smooth. And it is pretty darn expensive. I just clamp my 24" level to a jointed 1x4 with hand holds milled into it. It works great.
And I agree the marketing is silly. the only tools that are truly that acurate and usefull are the multi thousand dollar lazers and an old fasioned transit. The transit is not as hard to use as it looks and is very efective. In fact in a lot of situations it is a lot better than a lazer.
Pardon my spelling,
Mike
Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.
Well, one advantage to a scanning laser v. a transit is that you can set up the laser and figure stuff out all alone.
For example, I'm doing a 1000 sq foot patio in interlock, and once I set the laser up I can walk all around the patio with my story pole figuring out what is too high or too low and ranking, etc., accordingly.
I admit this was a major PITA in sunlight, until I picked up a cheap(ish) sensor. With that I can tell where the laser is to about 1/16th of an inch, non-cumulative.
Makes it real easy to set my screeding pipes for the sand, too.
So it works great ...
Absolutely. There are situations where a laser is a huge time saver. Setting deck piers and grading type jobs are among those. I bought mine for plumbing remodel walls. I can paint a line on the ceiling and floor then install the sill and top plates easily. Also hanging chair rail and wainscoting seemed like great uses. Well, I found that the "old fasioned" ways are faster for me and more reliable, and I am no techniphobe. I keep the Wizard (I believe it is called) around and every once in a while I have a use for it. But I can't confidently claim that it was worth $300.
Pardon my spelling,
Mike
Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.
I bought a Robolaser when they first came out. Nice little red dot at 75', in sunlight, and remote-controlled, so i can do it all myself. Try that with a transit. Oh, and i forgot: self-leveling.
You'll like the soft rubber and gel handles when you've got another 20 years into this, kid.
<G>
I have a Stanley 78" level from about 30 years ago, ouch, made for hanging doors. A wonderful tool if you can find one, it's come in real handy over the years in other situations too. I checked the Stanley site and it wasn't listed with their level selection.
You are right, take mitre saws. If I wanted one a laser would be the last thing on my mind, but how about some really good and quick release hold downs as part of the design? I have yet to see any.
"How can any tool be extreme? Its just a level. they claim their accuracy is within.0005 over 100'."
I would be willing to bet that the surface of the level is out more than .0005" just in the length of the level.
Hell, if it has a scratch in the paint it's probably out more than that.
LOL. Thats funny, and true.Pardon my spelling,
Mike
Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.
Hi. Stabila makes a door-hanging set of levels: a 78" w/ a 32". $135 @ Amazon, 150 for the magnetized version, which/apparently/ will stick the long one right on the hinges. Haven't tried it. Neither cheap nor "Extreme", and probably accurate enough for a run of 78" and middle-aged eyes...
it's magnetized for setting holow metal door frames....
Yesterday i was in wone of my favorite stores (a tool store) and i noticed they had just got a few of those sets in. 199 bucks. i really like the idea of a srtaight board attatched to my 4' level now. I think i might make a nice board for it and then i can write 'super duper mega extreme' on it.Tmaxxx
Urban Workshop Ltd
Vancouver B.C.
cheers. Ill buy.
Yer' right; it's mostly hype. Whate'er the length of the level it's attached to, it comes down to the accuracy of level (vial) itself. And mostly, we're not building Steinways here.Rocotoed------
Years ago I owned all MD levels but mow I have all Stabila levels.Years ago I met a salesman from West Germany came through with some Stabila levels. He threw one down on the floor and I was shocked. After seeing that I was convinced. Never once have I had any trouble with any Stabila level.
Edited 9/1/2006 2:23 pm by gb93433
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