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Ask The Trades › DIY Forum › Building Questions › Spirit level

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Spirit level (Read 5354 times)

JohnD GDPR opt-out	Spirit level May 10^th, 2005, 8:07pm I am doing an extension and need a longer spirit level than the old, Rabone, item I have now. I am torn betwen a Stabila (good quality but very expensive for one job) and Marksman etc. which at 1mm per metre error will hardly bother me. Anyone in the trade got any comments? JohnD
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JerryD

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Re: Spirit level
Reply #1 - May 10^th, 2005, 10:26pm

Stabila is a bit overkill costwise for diy.

Just get a solid level (box section) as these tend to be slightly more rigid at the cheap end of the market.

Whatever make you get, test it for both plumb and level, even some Stabila levels are not perfect.

Cheap levels can go 'out of true' if dropped or hit so take care of it. Test it during the job to check it's still true.

« Last Edit: May 10^th, 2005, 10:26pm by JerryD »

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bstyle GDPR opt-out	Re: Spirit level Reply #2 - May 10^th, 2005, 11:16pm If you live anywhere near Blackbushe Market in Hampshire then you will find Stabila Spirit levels of all sizes at a fraction of the cost, all mine have been bought there.
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JerryD GDPR opt-out	Re: Spirit level Reply #3 - May 10^th, 2005, 11:19pm [quote author=bstyle link=1115752072/0#2 date=1115763401]If you live anywhere near Blackbushe Market in Hampshire then you will find Stabila Spirit levels of all sizes at a fraction of the cost, all mine have been bought there. [/quote] Are these genuine Stabila?
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JohnD

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Re: Spirit level
Reply #4 - May 11^th, 2005, 3:22pm

I was in B * Q and tried out quite a few of their stock. Very worrying as most instantly failed the standard Davies test (i.e. find something long, straight, and seemingly level, put the spirit level on it, turn it end for end, put it on the same spot, and note any difference in where the bubble sits. Do it again on various surfaces, until you find the rare spirit level that reads exactly the same both ways on! Vertical surfaces also. )

Several levels of the same make gave wildly different readings on the same surface, especially B & Q own makes. I would like to see some of the structures anyone built with one - but at least now I know how that tower in Pisa got to be the way it is!

Eventually came across two really good Drapers, supposedly professional quality, in aluminium, with a milled finish, and very clear to read. Cost me about £45 for the two.

JohnD

« Last Edit: May 11^th, 2005, 3:25pm by tjohndavies »

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bstyle

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Re: Spirit level
Reply #5 - May 11^th, 2005, 8:30pm

They are, I'm assuming they are that is. Still quite expensive though but a lot cheaper than shop prices. I compared my 1200mm level to my mates from a shop and it was identical so I went back and bought an 1800mm one, very durable levels.

I use my levels for tiling work, where I draw a line around the room. When I get around the room I can see how far out the level has got by offering the start line to the finish line. The lines are normally very close which you wouldn't get if it was a cheapy level.

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Timmo Junior Member Offline Posts: 31 Total Thanks: 0 For This Post: 0	Re: Spirit level Reply #6 - May 20^th, 2005, 9:09am Try this site for cheap stanley tools http://www.raitechnical.com/..okay so slight off thread but ............. Click on Stanley Sale for the discounted stuff
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splinter

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Re: Spirit level
Reply #7 - May 20^th, 2005, 8:38pm

[quote author=JohnD link=1115752072/0#0 date=1115752072]I am doing an extension and need a longer spirit level than the old, Rabone, item I have now.

I am torn betwen a Stabila (good quality but very expensive for one job) and Marksman etc. which at 1mm per metre error will hardly bother me.

Anyone in the trade got any comments?

JohnD [/quote]

It's not very exspensive ,
if you are building a extension,is it?If you think about it you will probably use it again and then some more good level = good investment.Go on you know you want one Wink

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Ally Butt Newbie Offline What am I doing here? Posts: 3 Total Thanks: 0 For This Post: 0 Gender:	Re: Spirit level Reply #8 - May 25^th, 2005, 2:59pm If anywhere near to Brum the Toolman on the Coventry Road at Sheldon has hand tools at prices that beat the sheds into a cocked hat. Genuine stuff - some possibly grey imports but hey the quality is there. Also cheaper stuff for the DIYer. Yet to go in when he is not busy.
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