Recommend a Stabila or set of them for my work

[RonMiller]

I install kitchen cabinets for a living, doing 1 or 2 per week for several local kitchen showrooms. Almost all of my tools are Festool and other top-of-the-line vendor's products. I value dependability and flexibility. This week, however, one of the last of my so-so tools bit the dust. We were having trouble leveling some base kitchen cabinets and finally realized that our 8 year old 6 foot long level might be off. And so it was....aaarrgh. (That explains some of our struggles over the past few weeks!)  I used a long Festool track and a short level to get through the day but need to find a good replacement. I've often heard the Stabila name on here and am wondering what any of you other installers like to use from them or another quality manufacturer.

I've looked on Tom Bellemere's site at the Stabilas but there are so many...Yes, I could call Tom and probably will but first I'd like to know what others of you in the same business use for lengths and which Stabila's you find best (plain spirit level, magnetic (why?), extendables, etc...). I've historically used a 30" and a 6'.

TIA.

 

[JMSMillwork]

Over the years I've owned a handful of stabilas but for the last 2-3 yrs I found myself reaching for my Sola levels every time. Vials are hands down the clearest I've seen and are clearly visible in low light. Also quality/build is top notch at much less cost than the yellow ones....

 

[Kev]

Do you see a need for a laser level in your work? A lot would depend on your method/process.

I have no complaints regarding Stabila or Lufkin.

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

I use stabila levels and they are awesome.  I have owned them for 7 years.  The only issue that I have is that the red rubber bumper on the ends of the levels fall off, but stabila make replacement ends.  I own a 16in, 32in, 48in, and a 72in.  I need to get a stabila torpedo level next. 

 

[roblg3]

For general usefulness, they offer a set called the "Jamber" set.  It's for setting doors, but it's got a nice long and medium length that works great for cabinets.  The 72"? is good for a long run and the 30"? is great front to back.  I'm not positive of the lengths.  I own several more lengths.  I'm quite satisfied.  I also own the lax300? laser.  I have a compact cheap camera tripod (if needed) and the self leveling crosshair laser mounts to any standard tripod.  I've had them for over a decade and used them for a long time on sites framing houses.  Needless to say they've been dropped and banged around, but are still dead on.  I can't see anyone saying they're junk.

 

[mwildt]

Jamber set is great as per robgl3, made for doors but works wonders on cabinets.  Long time back the Jamber set had a transport 'tube', not sure if they still do.

I wouldn't go for the ones that are magnetic. While they are great for steel not so much for wood. The back of the 72" is more smooth.

 

[Cheese]

Stabila hands down, I have Stabila bubbles and electronics and they all rock. Consider that when Festool offered  a level several years ago they rebranded a Stabila with lighted vials. Done deal... [thumbs up]

 

[deepcreek]

After installing three leaning columns across the front porch of a bungalow, I learned the value of using good levels and started investing in Stabila.

I have since accumulated one for every occasion.  I currently have a torpedo, 16, 24, 32, three 48's, 60, 72, and 78.

Of the 48's, one is a Type 196, one is the Festool edition (still NIB), and one is the Tech Electronic IP-65 (my favorite).

I have started replacing my Type 196 levels with the newer R-beams (32, 72, & 78) which I have come to prefer.  One of the things I like most is the fact that the edges are milled precision flat so it is much easier to use as a straight edge or to draw a line than with other levels.  The continuous grip handle is also a lot nicer because you can easily grasp it anywhere along its length.

For cabinet installs, I use a Stabila cross line laser mounted on a Laser Jamb pole so that I can adjust it to hit exactly where the cabinets go.  I use my 48" Electronic level to plumb the cabinets and my 78" level to make sure they are flat across the faces.

I'm a big fan of EZ-Levelers for base cabinets www.ez-level.com and using either french cleats or a ledger rail for the uppers.  Contractors get preferred pricing so be sure to contact the owner.

For door installs, the Jamber set (32/78) in either the Type 196 or R-Beam is perfect.

If I could only have one Stabila, it would be the 48" Tech Electronic IP-65.  I've always prided myself on having a good "eye" in terms of accurately reading a level but this takes all the guess work out of it.  I've even come to appreciate the audible feature because I don't have to be looking to know it's dead on when the beeps finally slow to a continuous tone.  Needless to say, it's nickname is the singing level around the jobsite but I'm the only one who gets to use it.

One last thing - I keep all my levels in Stabila padded cases.  I've used several of them for 15 years or more with no problems.

I hope this helps!

Joe

 

[Wuffles]

Do you guys have the Ox brand over there? If so, take a look. I have a couple of their levels now and they are certainly built to last. So much so that it feels like you could buy one off the shelf and then take it to be weighed in for scrap on the journey home and still be up on the money.

Just a thought anyway.

Actually, I see you do. http://us.oxtools.com/ox-professional-box-level.html

 

[AlexThePalex]

I have a 60 cm Stabila and a 180 cm Sola level, and both are fine levels. I find the Sola a bit better quality though, and with a nice finish.

 

[Sparktrician]

Ron, you can't go wrong with Stabila levels.  My go-to level is a 48" Stabila that has NEVER been off, not even a hair.  I also use 32" and 24" Stabila levels in certain cases, as well as torpedo levels.  My old standby is a 48" Stanley magnesium-framed model that was discontinued when I bought it in '84.  It was the only 48" level in the store that was anywhere near accurate when I bought it, and like the Stabilas, has never gone off-level, even when I had to replace a vial set several years ago.  If I did doors more frequently, I'd have a jamber set like Rob mentioned. 

 

[Cheese]

A couple of things I forgot to mention, I have 6 other Stabila levels to choose from but my go-to level of choice is as [member=6237]deepcreek[/member] mentioned, the 48" Electronic, and that's for a number of reasons.
1. The top and the bottom of the level has been machined so part of the extrusion radius has been removed which makes for more accurate scribing of lines on walls.
2. The Electronic has 5 different modes, traditional bubble, degrees, % grade, mm/m and in/ft. That makes installing pipes and concrete forms easy.
3. The sound option is nice when using the level over your head or in a position that's difficult to read.

 

[tbellemare]

Another thing that's nice about the sound option on the electronic levels is if you're working alone and trying to shim something, you don't have to look at the level. It tells you when you have it right.

Tom

 

[bkharman]

I am thinking a new level is in my future.