Hi guys and MERRY XMAS !!

Just wondered what lenght you would rather choose for a spirit level ?
I'm assuming 60 cm would work rather fine even if 80 cm would be more precise but more cumbersome.

I'm a bit torn in between these two:

http://www.stabila.de/cms/front_content.php?idart=69

I would take the model "02544/1". Built like a tank but a maybe bit fragile (ahem) if it falls...

http://www.stabila.de/cms/front_content.php?idart=65

I would take the model "196-2" (ref : 15233/8) in 61 cm length

Or maybe the model "96-2-M" (ref: 15853/8) with rare earth magnet. I can't count how many times I wished I could have someone to help me holding the level agains this metallic thing...

Any input is more than welcome !

What do you want to use it for?

I couldn't manage with just one: I've got one @ 100mm for inside soffits, a 300mm for boxing behind toilets, a 600mm for general small stuff, a 750mm (ish) for door liner heads, a 1200mm and an 1800mm.

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One day it will all be firewood.

Hi Ayjay,

It will be basic home renovation, shelves, cupboards mostly. No door frames and not flooring.
Reading your post makes me think the 600mm seems fine ?

600mm is ok for most indoor stuff but if I only had one it'd be a 1200

Screwfix used to do a reasonable forged steel set with three sizes in for a pretty reasonable price, not sure if they still do

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I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work

If you do get a 600 which I think would be my choice in your position, also get yourself a cheap scaffold's level. They are cheap. small don't take up much space and will do a LOT of jobs that a 600mm is too large for. Also, a tip, when you find your level, turn the level around the other way to ensure you have the same reading, if not it may be time to adjust your bubble. HOWEVER, in 20 years I have only ever had to do this once and I have four different levels.
Thats because I treat my levels with care and never use them as a hammer or well you know...

I run with a 1200 and a 250, both Stabilia. You won't go far wrong with any of there's if its for light work.

I have a cheaper 1800, but rarely ever bother with it.

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Why isn't the number 11 pronounced onety one?

Hi guys,

Thank a lot for your help !

I've decided to get this one:

Stabila 196-2 (61 cm lenght)







Loved the design handle and read many many good reviews.

Now I fear to find out that 99% of my installations are not leveled.
I'll let you know how it goes.

That's easy! Just leave it in the freezer overnight

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I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work

My freezer isn't big enough to put the wood shelves in !

Just run a pencil line along the top after it's fixed - then you can show any doubters that it's right on the line, (not that I'd ever do anything like that)

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One day it will all be firewood.

Belatedly (again!) I'm pretty much with AyJay. I always carry an 1800mm and a 600mm for door casings, etc a 1200mm for general use (although I could do without that at a pinch it is useful on double doors) plus a 400mm torpedo level does most smaller stuff. For very small stuff my combi square head also has a reasonably accurate bubble in it, although I have to say that a lot of my primary plumbing/levelling is done with a laser these days. Just for good measure muy 600 and 1200mm levels are magnetic which is useful for metal lath and suspended ceilings

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"The person who never made a mistake, never made anything"
Albert Einstein

That remindS me that there's a story that our local council present their employees with a spirit level when they retire. (of curse they are very confused as to what it does)
WHY NOT GIVE THEM A SPIRIT LEVEL BEFORE THEY RETIRE?

i have a big 78 inch level for door frames. and say fitting kitchens etc. my main level is a 1000mm stabilla 83s(??) the girder type. its the only type id reccomend. i have a 4trade 2 ft level. but i need to replace it as i dropped it off a roof and im sure now it doesnt read plumb. id replace it with a stabilla 2ft 83s i also have one of those stabilla 9 inch levels. the ones where ya can remove the end caps... now mine only has one end cap

cheap levels are a waste of time imo

I've got that level but it's 2440 (minus the hand grips). Won't go wrong with it unless some dafty loses the end caps lol

Have you had a look at the Stabila R-type, yet? When my Swanson two-footer was banjaxed earlier this year (someone gave it a good kicking ) I replaced it with Stabila's latest and greatest. Brilliant piece of kit, albeit horrendously pricy. Needless to say NOBODY is allowed to touch it! I'll be buying more in due course, I'm thinking in terms of a 6ft (1800mm), and a 32in (800mm) because in old buildings you often don't get 6ft 6in door openings and 32in seems a good length for leaf and a half doors. (oh, and Stabila can supply replacement end caps for them)




Too right!

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"The person who never made a mistake, never made anything"
Albert Einstein