I have your basic metal 4′ level and I’d like to upgrade to a better model. In this month’s issue of Fine Homebuilding it looks like they’re using a 4′ wooden level…. I always heard those referred as ‘mason’s levels’. I was looking in Amazon and they have ‘Stabil’ levels. I was thinking either a 6′ or 6’8″ model. What would you guys recommend as a great level for door installations?
Thanks!
jocobe
Replies
Get the 6'6" level from stabila and you will hang doors with a smile for months. Spend the money and get it, you won't regret it. I hang lots of doors and that level took atleast 5 minutes off my time per door and I hand better doors. The straight edge on the jamb allows you to make the jamb straight and plumb very quickly.
Jocobe,
The Stibila levels are some of the best in the industry.
But I use a Levelution which has three parts, two 2' sections and one 4' section.
It makes levels in 2',4', 6'and 8' from the three parts it's accurate and adjustable.
Vince Carbone
Spring for the Stabila "door hanger's kit" which is two levels, one at about 78" and the other at 32". Come packaged together, often on sale at both for the price of the big one.
I was looking at that one.......where does this usually go on sale?
Just buy it! If you concerned about the price of a tool then you are not charging enough for your jobs.
"One measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions"
Edited 3/21/2004 9:46 am ET by Woodrow
"Just buy it! If you concerned about the price of a tool then you are not charging enough for your jobs."
You're right!
Get the magnetic set - $159.99 @ amazon. You can hang the 78" on the hinge barrels of a pre-hung door.
Yea...I saw that one after I posted the other pic. I was thinking it was just for steel doors. but I was wrong......that's the one I'll get.
ditto on the magnetic jamber set ....
it's saved countless hour and frustration ...
plus ... ya hit yourself on the back of the head way less ......(from a falling level)
Stick it .. shim it .. straighten it ... all in one fell swoop.
Can't say enough good about it.
Jeff
Buck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
How do you stow it in your truck.....I see that a case is available, however one guy on Amazon did not give the case a good review.
Edited 3/21/2004 5:54 pm ET by JOCOBE
the case isn't the best ...
as soft sided cases usually aren't ...
and ...it's expensive ...
But I'm glad I got mine.
Holds the 6'6" ... the 32" .... and the 4ft'er I already had.
I just throw the levels in last on top of what ever pile I have growing in the van ....
So far it's been a coupla years ... no damage yet.
Jeff
Buck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
I agree with Jeff, the case has a lot to be desired, but it does protect the $150 level you just bought.
By the way I do quite a few large cased openings. The plate level makes quick work of a 15' wide cased opening. With it extended to 10' you can straighten one side of the head jamb so it is level with the other side, then flip the level and straighten the other side of the head jamb. Can do the big ones in about the same time as a 4-6' cased opening.
ya know .. I never thot of the plate level for a use like that!
That's be ideal for long runs of cabs .....
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
i never thought of mail ordering a level.they actually arrive in the mail and read true? what is a plate level?
I believe I got my first Stabila thru the mail ... tool crib.
picked up the door hanger set at woodworkers or woodcrafters on sale locally.
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
A plate level wider than a standard level because it expands from 6' to 10" (or 7' to 11"). It was designed for framers (but we all know they don't know how to read them any way :) ). They are "used" to plumb a wall bottom plate to top plate. I got mine when WWW went out of business for $100 but it works GREAT for wide cased openings.
It'll probably come to you in a UPS delivery truck, and a bigger UPS truck transported it over the road. Not too different from the way they get to the tool stores.
Look, they UPS laboratory equipment and medical gear all the time. Why are you worried about your Stabila level? You'll be rougher on it than UPS ever will.
it wasn't the delivery of the level i am concerned about. someone in a warehouse has to pick it . very few of the levels at our lumber yard actually read true(no they are not stabillas) i find it hard to pay 150 bucks for a level i can't check. that said, i have had my levelution for 4 years. adjustable-that is its selling point. i hate it. it has to be adjustable cause it wont stay inadjustment. its been sent back to the factory and had vials replaced but to avail.
This one?
Stabila 24632 Jamber Set with 78" and 32" LevelsStabila
List Price:
$215.20Price:
$129.99
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Features:
Box frame will not warp or twist
End caps are removable for flush measuring
32-inch level is perfect for leveling and setting headers and sills
78-inch level now has hand holes
Accuracy guaranteed for life