HOW FAR OUT Level Gauge makes Stabila levels even better!

[1-FENCE]

I've invented a new product for trim carpenters, cabinetmakers, remodelers, installers, glaziers, designers --- for any serious craftsman who needs to fit his work to real world out-of-level, out-of-plumb conditions...

The HOW FAR OUT Level Gauge and Positioning Device mounts quickly to the end of almost any premium level to turn it into a precision survey instrument. The gauge provides a level adjustment screw so you can dial the level into perfect position and an integrated scale so you can read the distance out-of-level or plumb instantly. The Magnetic Quick-Coupler design enables one gauge to be used with multiple levels.

I originally prototyped the HOW FAR OUT gauge as a Stabila 96/196 accessory. Now with the Quick-Coupler, the universal model is capable of retrofit to R-beam and most other brands as well.

You can check it out at www.howfarout.com.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments.

Mike Schuler
mike@howfarout.com

 

[Shane Holland]

Nice product, Mark. We are carrying them.  [thumbs up]

 

[1-FENCE]

Shane,

Thanks for helping us get the How Far Out gauge out there!

We'll be at Booth #2 at the JLC Live Show in Providence this month. If you'll be there, I'd love to meet up.

Mike

 

[jmbfestool]

[thumbs up] [thumbs up]

 

[ali]

Hi mike

I would be interested in buying one, please can you tell me if you ship to the uk and secondly do you have a metric version, or a metric work around?

 

[copcarcollector]

Nice product, Mark. We are carrying them.  [thumbs up]

[member=48572]Shane Holland[/member]

On the Tool Nut and/ or Festool products site? Please send a link if its listed for sale online. THANKS-

 

[Shane Holland]

[member=18038]copcarcollector[/member], here ya go:
http://www.toolnut.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=how+far+out

 

[copcarcollector]

[smile]

 

[Shane Holland]

Here's a video showing more about this product.

 

[Kev]

Seems to be calibrated in some ancient language. Will there be a modern version of this gizmo calibrated in metric - that the rest of the planet may show an interest in? (i.e. .. potential customer base 7 billion)

... or even a dual scale for the NA residents that plan to evolve. [wink]

 

[1-FENCE]

Kev,

For our first small production run, we thought it prudent to test response in a tiny underdeveloped market, as you so rightly identify it, before reaching out to the entire planet...

And so far, so good.

We look forward to following up with the evolved metric version you call for within the next 4-6 months. I'd greatly appreciate knowing your personal preference (and those of any other interested non-NA customers), if given the choice between a straight metric version and a dual scale. We have prototyped both, and as inventor and main field tester, my own feeling is that two single scale versions are preferable and offer less chance for inadvertent confusion when reading the scale.

We definitely want to offer what craftsmen want. Please let us know. Your wish will be our command.

 

[Kev]

Kev,

For our first small production run, we thought it prudent to test response in a tiny underdeveloped market, as you so rightly identify it, before reaching out to the entire planet...

And so far, so good.

We look forward to following up with the evolved metric version you call for within the next 4-6 months. I'd greatly appreciate knowing your personal preference (and those of any other interested non-NA customers), if given the choice between a straight metric version and a dual scale. We have prototyped both, and as inventor and main field tester, my own feeling is that two single scale versions are preferable and offer less chance for inadvertent confusion when reading the scale.

We definitely want to offer what craftsmen want. Please let us know. Your wish will be our command.

Cool [big grin]

Would a flippable calibration plate be too complex or prone to error (metric on the revise face with screws to retain) ?

For me - straight metric is all I need, but dual scale wouldn't bother me either ... you'd soon resolve whether you're looking at the inner or outer calibration.

 

[1-FENCE]

Kev,

Your preference message seems a bit mixed, but I interpret your gut vote to be the same as mine: we really only need (and will use) the scale prevalent in use where we operate. Other than cabinetmakers who work with 32mm system, I don't work with any construction tradesmen on this side of the pond who switch back and forth between metric and Imperial in the situations where a level is involved. Would that be your experience down under as well? Are there countries where dual scale would be a necessity?

The ideal size of the gauge is necessarily quite compact. While I have worked with and remain open to the possibility of a dual scale model, I have found that in actual use it is easier to read the location of the little cursor line when the scale lines (of a single scale model) extend all the way across the gauge face.

I think that reversible or applied scales would undercut the elegance, accuracy, and/or durability of the product. Things I particularly like about the current design are its foolproof precision, ruggedness, and simplicity.

 

[Mr_Mod]

I would buy, but as has been mentioned metric would be ideal. Havent used that ancient measurment since leaving the mother land

 

[Kev]

Kev,

Your preference message seems a bit mixed, but I interpret your gut vote to be the same as mine: we really only need (and will use) the scale prevalent in use where we operate. Other than cabinetmakers who work with 32mm system, I don't work with any construction tradesmen on this side of the pond who switch back and forth between metric and Imperial in the situations where a level is involved. Would that be your experience down under as well? Are there countries where dual scale would be a necessity?

The ideal size of the gauge is necessarily quite compact. While I have worked with and remain open to the possibility of a dual scale model, I have found that in actual use it is easier to read the location of the little cursor line when the scale lines (of a single scale model) extend all the way across the gauge face.

I think that reversible or applied scales would undercut the elegance, accuracy, and/or durability of the product. Things I particularly like about the current design are its foolproof precision, ruggedness, and simplicity.

We still have a few local fossils that use imperial measurement, but they're rare and approaching extinction here. Yes .. I'd be happy with metric only and agree on readability and simplicity.

 

[neeleman]

I use one of these Stabila's: 196-2 Electronic 80 cm.
It's an absolute joy to use, it's magnetic too and IP65 waterproof!
No need for a HFO but I can understand the need for it.

 

[joiner1970]

Good idea

 

[southrider]

Does this fit the new Stabila extendable plate levels?

 

[1-FENCE]

Absolutely yes --- you can make the standard universal mount (per the generic method shown on the Order page of my howfarout.com website).

I myself have done this long ago, and new customers are doing it already too. I can report that this combination of the telescopic functionality with gauging creates the most awesome survey level on the planet! You get truly point-to-point survey capability. (Of course in most situations, you can get very good results by using a fixed length level close to the length of the opening you're surveying: for example, when you use the gauge on the two levels of the Stabila jamber set when fitting doors to existing frames.)

If you own both the 24" and 48" XTL models, you can buy one How Far Out gauge and one additional Level End Adapter. I myself also installed an adapter on my 6'-10' plate level.

 

[1-FENCE]

I use one of these Stabila's: 196-2 Electronic 80 cm.
It's an absolute joy to use, it's magnetic too and IP65 waterproof!
No need for a HFO but I can understand the need for it.

I too use and love the Stabila electronic models. However, despite their accuracy, ability to report in various modes and to set non-level slopes as reference, etc.,  these levels do not provide the same particular bit of information that the How Far Out gauge does.

As a practical example: when you install a pre-hung door, you need to check the floor for level in order to know how much to trim off one of the side jambs. The HFO gauge gives this measurement directly and without calculation. In practice, the use of these two tools together is especially convenient. If you use the electronic level's audio signal, you can dial and read the HFO gauge without even having to look at the bubble or digital display. This is particularly handy, for example, if you are using your 6-footer to set a pair of French doors.