Replies

1. 
   gzajac | Apr 16, 2005 02:54am | #1

   Isamemon- I think the one in the photo is a Plumb-it made in Arizona. I have one that opens to about 10'6'' and has been very useful in the seven years I've had it.They offer several sizes.

   The plumb-it looks a little strange, but for leveling walls during the framing process it can go more places than a Stabila.I normally don't use it like the photo, I either use my transit or a PLS laser in those instances.

   Just because it's not made in germany, does not make it inferior. Remember when made in japan meant Junk?

   Greg in  Connecticut

1. 
   Diamond | Apr 17, 2005 07:02pm | #2

   I own the Stabila plate to plate.
   It may be kinda costly but it is a great investment. Not just for framing too. I use it for all sorts of stuff.
   kitchens, countertops, long straightedge blah blah blah.
   Its a great tool and everybody that sees and uses it wants one too.
   Carpenter / Builder, Rhode Island

2. 
   Framer | Apr 17, 2005 07:07pm | #3

   It's worth every penny. They have the 6'-10' and 7'-12'. Do you do alot of framing?

    

    

   Joe Carola
1. 
   Isamemon | Apr 17, 2005 08:00pm | #4

   I do lots of everything.

   I have stabilias from 12 inch torpedo to the 6'jammer

   for foundations, floors, lap siding first course etc I have a spectra phsyics laser plane 

   I was thinking about getting the plate to plate stabilia, but boy are thy spendy

   however, occasionally we do 9 foot and 10 foot walls

   and a plumb bob in the wind doesnt cut it

    

   and yes I know it does not have to be german to be quality ( are they even made in germany)

   but the walk in over the counter warranty is great

   Edited 4/17/2005 1:02 pm ET by Isamemon

3. 
   Timuhler | Apr 18, 2005 02:41am | #5

   We've got the two Joe has and love them.  They are really worth the money.  If I had to choose a size, I'd get the 7'-12'.  That works for about all the wall sizes we build.  Anything taller than 15' and we break out the PLS 5 .

4. 
   dieselpig | Apr 18, 2005 02:53am | #6

   I've got the Stabila 6-10' and the 7-12'.  They are awesome tools.  You won't believe how many times those things will save the day for various odd jobs other than just plumbing tall walls.  We use the 6-10' level more than the larger one.  I actually only bought the larger one cuz the current house I'm on has a big ole' family room with 12' walls... and I had the 'tool itch' so I bought it.

   The main reason I like the smaller one better is...... I'm short.  When you stand the larger level up and need to sneak it out another inch or two, it's a stretch when you're 5'8"!  It's much easier to fine tune the smaller one from where I'm standing.  ;)  They're great for plumbing rake walls, checking stacking stairwells for floor to floor accuracy, transfering lines snapped on the floor up to the ceiling, and obviously for checking long spans of floors and decks for level.  The trusty old 4'ers hardly come out of the trailer anymore. 

   With the quality of lumber these days it's tough to trust a 4'er slapped against a stud to tell you much of anything anymore.  Plate to plate is the way to go.

1. 
   Diamond | Apr 18, 2005 04:54am | #7

   Yes I'd have to agree fully with the last comment. The 4'-er just doesnt cut it for framing these days.
   The plate to plate also has the bump out on either end of one side to compensate for bowed 2x4's.Also, it can give you the stud height for stick framing / rake-walls.I dont dont do so much framing anymore and still find that I use this level almsot every day.Great investment.

   Carpenter / Builder, Rhode Island

1. 
   butch | Apr 18, 2005 01:47pm | #8

   Anyone got any links to what you are talking about,as I was going to be buying a stabila level todaywant to get the most bang for the buck.

1. 
   DDay | Apr 18, 2005 02:40pm | #9

   The price difference isn't that much.

   6' to 10' stabila (amazon) is $219 and the Plumb-it from their website is $189 for a 51" to 10'-8"

    

   http://www.plumb-it.com/price_extnds.html

2. 
   gregb | Apr 18, 2005 02:41pm | #10

   Butch, try this link.http://www.stabila.com/ProductDetails.asp?C=18&P=44

1. 
   blue_eyed_devil | Apr 20, 2005 05:20pm | #11

   Years ago, I proudly pulled out my 8' level for all the walls, becasue all the walls were 8'. I smugly felt that I was doing a better job than all those guys that carried a 4' level.

   Then I found out that all homeowners carried 4' levels. If I plumbed the interior partition corners with my 8' plate to plate level, and the homeowner put his 4' level on the corner and got a slight out of level reading (a knot could give you a false reading), then the homeowner automatically thought that I didn't know how to plumb up corners properly.

   At some point in my career, I starte building walls that might be 20' tall. I didn't have a 20 level, but I did have a 4' level and a 8' level and a torpedo too.

   Guess which size the homeowner uses to check his 20' corners? Yep, they use a 4' level!

   Now, I use a 4' level, just like the homeowners do and I get it perfect for them everytime!

   I fully understand the implications of a 20 wall being out of plumb, but I also acknowldege the reality that the homeowner lives in too.

   No stabillas for me.

   blueJust because you can, doesn't mean you should!

   Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. There are some in here who think I'm a hackmeister...they might be right! Of course, they might be wrong too!