Festool LEYSYS-FT1 spirit level

[semenza]

Let's quit debating abut the debating of the new Systainer problems in this topic.

  Thanks,

            Seth

 

[Coen]

[...] I don't think you're going to trick them into thinking there have been thousands of complaints, just because the same handful of people complained thousands of times.

Well, if local Festool says they won't tell Festool Germany about any concerns because they won't listen anyway, it kinda gives the idea that it really doesn't matter how many complaints there are to begin with...

Which is kinda 180 degrees reversed from the attitude I got from Festool 10-15 years ago, when they were soliciting for it through their reps.

 

[demographic]

I’m sure it’s very nice and all, but the only level I’ve ever trusted is a Stabila. A small torpedo level like this is also invariably used to level something relatively small. Having to use the whole Systainer kinda defeats the object. Plus - the slightest amount of flex or locating accuracy on the mounting mechanism will result in an inaccurate reading. The promo pic doesn’t exactly inspire much confidence;

[attachimg=1]

Hard pass from me.

I like Stabila girder levels but their box levels arent anything to write home about, especially the yellow light duty ones.
The grey heavier duty (more stars next to the hammer symbol) are OK but even though I baby them they don't seem to stay accurate even as long as the 1800mm Stanley Fatmax levels.

I'm very carefull with long levels but the Stabila ones never last well.
I bavd and really like a Stabila 600mm girder level though.

 

[Mr Speaker]

Lol. No, it’s just stored in the handle. The whole thing comes out to use it.

Doh. I feel like a bit of a chump for not realising that  [big grin] So now I understand that, the fatal flaw for me would be that I’d have to bring that one specific Systainer into every job I do. All my small levels are in my hand tools box, and the big stuff sits in the ceiling-mounted van rack holding my rails. Neat idea though, and I see the appeal.

No, what you need to do is go to your Festool collection, count the number of new systainers you have and that is the amount of levelers you need to order to ensure you have one with you regardless of the job you are going to do. There is also a neat indication on the right of that handle, if it's green you have a leveler with you!

 

[Mr Speaker]

I'd like to interrupt the thread on systainers to let you know I bought the LESSYS-FT1 for a number of my friends for Sinterklaas. I found it here on FOG while procrastinating. I think it is great to have a decent level always with you that does not get damaged in the general tool case. I'll use a laser when I need a larger range like meters on end. But this nifty level is one to always have with you and you always know where it is. Btw, How much accuracy do you need? On site, with my projects, I often end up referencing the ceiling instead of leveling because it is more important to look level that to be level (e.g. when putting up acoustic treatment, acoustic panels). So even when I have an accurate laser with me, i sometime use the ceiling because that will make it look level.

 

[Michael Kellough]

I'd like to interrupt the thread on systainers to let you know I bough the LESSYS-FT1 for a number of my friends for Sinterklaas. I found it here on FOG while procrastinating. I think it is great to have a decent leveler always with you that does not get damaged in the general tool case. I'll use a laser when I need a larger range like meters on end. But this nifty leveler is one to always have with you and you always know where it is. Btw, How much accuracy do you need. On site, with my projects, I often end up referencing the ceiling instead of leveling because it is more important to look level that to be level (e.g. when putting up acoustic treatment, acoustic panels). So even when I have an accurate laser with me, i sometime use the ceiling because that will make it look level.

True! I used to install art in NYC in Soho, in old industrial buildings where neither the ceiling nor the floor was level. The spirit level just wasn’t useful unless it was a sculpture that need to be plumb for stability sake.

 

[memtew]

I've got mine today, it's solid piece of aluminium, looks very nice.

 

[Coen]

I've got mine today, it's solid piece of aluminium, looks very nice.

How does it look at the ends? Like the beavers did the cut (as per Festool photo) or is it good?

 

[memtew]

I've got mine today, it's solid piece of aluminium, looks very nice.

How does it look at the ends? Like the beavers did the cut (as per Festool photo) or is it good?

It's only looks like a raw cut, in real it is a very smooth surface.
View attachment 1

But I have a sad news - the level doesn't fit inside sys3 toolbox handle! It fits very well inside any sys3 systainer, only toolbox systainer have a problem  [sad]
View attachment 2

 

[Coen]

Well at least they broke the edge, that was missing from the official photo.

 

[six-point socket II]

Not going to argue about accuracy, finish, price. I consider this a gadget and in Festool Germany's shop it is listed as "fan merchandising" - and probably rightfully so. To me that says everything - along with a lot of the other stuff they list right there.

Also not going to argue about the Sys3.

However, it's a pretty neat solution to have a level with any drill/driver/installation-kit combo that will not exceed the Systainer(3)'s footprint.

If I would be using Sys3s, I'd probably get it, and ditch the much smaller level that I keep inside my kit. Accuracy should be well within the needs for such a level. At least from where I stand on this.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[mino]

I've got mine today, it's solid piece of aluminium, looks very nice.

That is definitely no "solid piece of aluminum".

It looks like a partially-punched extruded profile with welded end caps. Solid piece would be way too heavy ... and way too expensive.

Either way, props for welding the end caps. That does justify about $10 of the price.
[smile]

[member=73422]memtew[/member]
Looking again, are your serious this is indeed a machined slug of aluminum ? Can you weigh it possibly ?

Not going to argue about accuracy, finish, price. I consider this a gadget and in Festool Germany's shop it is listed as "fan merchandising" - and probably rightfully so. To me that says everything - along with a lot of the other stuff they list right there.

This
Perfectly aligns with it being a sales/marketing folks product, not an "engineer's" one.

A good way to utilize the flatness of the handle for something ... no question there. At €60, if someones wants to "support" their favourite tool manufacturer, why not!

Hoping we do not get to see saw blades or the MFT clamping elements in the "fan articles" section anytime soon.
[big grin]

 

[six-point socket II]

Nothing, in that regard, would take me by surprise these days.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[memtew]

[member=73422]memtew[/member]
Looking again, are your serious this is indeed a machined slug of aluminum ? Can you weigh it possibly ?

Weight 243 g. I assure you that this is a solid piece of aluminum.

The density of aluminum is 2.7 g/cm3, our level has a volume of about 100 cm3, but that's without cutouts and roundings. Cutouts could easily take 10-12 cm3 and we get our 243 grams (with plastic parts).

 

[Mr Speaker]

Not going to argue about accuracy, finish, price. Also not going to argue about the Sys3.

However, it's a pretty neat solution to have a level with any drill/driver/installation-kit combo that will not exceed the Systainer(3)'s footprint.

If I would be using Sys3s, I'd probably get it, and ditch the much smaller level that I keep inside my kit. Accuracy should be well within the needs for such a level. At least from where I stand on this.

Kind regards,
Oliver

Exactly. I have a laser for big/long walls, and I used to have a small 5" 'backup/just-in-case' level and you can store this so it does not get scratched and always have one on hand. It's accurate enough for that purpose.

 

[FestitaMakool]

Well, I got one - and I reeeeeaaalllly like it!  [thumbs up]

First few tests it seems very accurate in both levels compared directly to my Stabila and Hultafors aluminium levels. So I wouldn’t hesitate to grab it for any situation (given it’s length of course)

- What a pleasant surprise!
It feels heavy (and are..solid piece of aluminium) in the hand with really high quality feel to it.

It’s got etched scales in Metric and Imperial (On each side) starts at zero at the end so you can bump it right into something and read out at the scale - Also accurate compared to a ruler I know is accurate, both Metric and Imperial (Yes [member=44099]Cheese[/member] also against my Starret.. [big grin]) Which makes it a useful ruler as well. It has a convex bottom and a flat top too, so it’s not completely rounded at the top.
It’ll even double up as a straight edge.
The green buttons are spring loaded and this even strengthen the feeling of thoughtfulness and quality.

So my advise, if you are thinking of it - get it!

Some photos: (The ends are smooth.. and square to the bottom)
[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]

[attachimg=4]

[attachimg=5]

[attachimg=6]

 

[JohnRoscoe]

I'd love to include this in an install box I'm putting together; has anyone in the United States purchased one or have a source to do so?

 

[mcfal12]

Well, I got one - and I reeeeeaaalllly like it!  [thumbs up]

First few tests it seems very accurate in both levels compared directly to my Stabila and Hultafors aluminium levels. So I wouldn’t hesitate to grab it for any situation (given it’s length of course)

- What a pleasant surprise!
It feels heavy (and are..solid piece of aluminium) in the hand with really high quality feel to it.

It’s got etched scales in Metric and Imperial (On each side) starts at zero at the end so you can bump it right into something and read out at the scale - Also accurate compared to a ruler I know is accurate, both Metric and Imperial (Yes [member=44099]Cheese[/member] also against my Starret.. [big grin]) Which makes it a useful ruler as well. It has a convex bottom and a flat top too, so it’s not completely rounded at the top.
It’ll even double up as a straight edge.
The green buttons are spring loaded and this even strengthen the feeling of thoughtfulness and quality.

So my advise, if you are thinking of it - get it!

Some photos: (The ends are smooth.. and square to the bottom)
[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]

[attachimg=4]

[attachimg=5]

[attachimg=6]

Congrats!!!

another FT product not available in one of the largest consumer markets. So frustrating.

 

[Cheese]

Well, I got one - and I reeeeeaaalllly like it!  [thumbs up]

First few tests it seems very accurate in both levels compared directly to my Stabila and Hultafors aluminium levels. So I wouldn’t hesitate to grab it for any situation (given it’s length of course)

- What a pleasant surprise!
It feels heavy (and are..solid piece of aluminium) in the hand with really high quality feel to it.

It’s got etched scales in Metric and Imperial (On each side) starts at zero at the end so you can bump it right into something and read out at the scale - Also accurate compared to a ruler I know is accurate, both Metric and Imperial (Yes [member=44099]Cheese[/member] also against my Starret.. [big grin]) Which makes it a useful ruler as well. It has a convex bottom and a flat top too, so it’s not completely rounded at the top.
It’ll even double up as a straight edge.
The green buttons are spring loaded and this even strengthen the feeling of thoughtfulness and quality.

So my advice, if you are thinking of it - get it!

Thanks for that [member=71478]FestitaMakool[/member] ...that's really good to know. Just today I'm in the new garage and thrashing around looking for a level and realize all of the Stabila's are in the basement... [sad]  I didn't need a 6 footer or an 8 footer... I just needed a short, accurate level.  [big grin]

It would have been so nice to pull that out of the handle of one of the 20+ Systainers that are now in the garage.  [big grin]

I'm ordering one tomorrow.  [thumbs up]

Delivery date...sometime in the future.  [eek]

 

[GaryA]

I bought one after seeing it through this site,
I find it comes in really handy when installing cabinets, appliances etc
My only gripe is that the bubble is so small