Advantages and disadvantages
The digital level is very similar to the bubble level - the methods of application are practically the same. It often has multiple vials along with a digital display. This element is used to display data on the deviation (in degrees or percent).
The scope of this type of building levels includes checking vertical, horizontal and inclined planes, as well as marking at different angles. Note that the bubble level allows you to establish with good accuracy the fact of deviation from the horizontal or vertical axis, but it cannot be used to find out what is the angle of inclination. An electronic device shows a specific angle value, and this is one of its advantages (accuracy depends on the model).
This property of these levels can be very useful when performing work related to marking lines at any given angle, for example, laying paving slabs or certain types of roofing. The installation of rafters, beams, complex types of supporting structures (such as arches) also requires accurate determination of angles.
Other obvious pluses of Electronic Levels include usability, accuracy, and advanced functionality. Working with the digital display is much more convenient than using the bubble level.
There are electronic levels with a protractor function and a laser. Thus, an impressive set of useful functions is another significant plus of such tools. However, they also have their drawbacks.
A level is a tool that is prone to damage. A slight deformation of the rail is enough for the readings to be violated. And in the process of work, the rail, usually made of aluminum, often receives accidental blows.
For the usual level, this is not particularly important - its cost is low, since the service life of the device is short. But digital counterparts are more expensive because they use microcircuits.
How to choose a building level
To carry out repairs efficiently, even before starting work, you should choose a good measuring tool. There are now a wide variety of building levels. They differ from each other in purpose, technical characteristics, workmanship and price.
What is your challenge ?! If you need an inexpensive, versatile tool for all occasions, you should pay attention to bubble levels. They are comfortable, unpretentious, and most importantly, they have good accuracy.
Their capabilities are enough to lay tiles evenly, install windows, doors or furniture. The length of the universal level is 60 ÷ 80 cm.
Electronic levels with a protractor and a magnetic system are suitable for those who decide to take up repairs seriously. They have advanced features. First of all, this is a visual presentation of data on an electronic display with an accurate indication of deviations in degrees, percent or millimeters. Other distinguishing features are high accuracy, recording function, and electronic calibration.
Whether you need to align beams, poles, water or gas pipes vertically and horizontally, take full advantage of pipe levels. Their indisputable advantage is the ability to accurately center on these elements of building structures.
The water level will be useful when installing a floor screed, installing suspended ceilings, and arranging a foundation.It is useful for marking places for sockets, which will look aesthetically pleasing, being at the same height. With the water level, you can make accurate horizontal markings for adjacent rooms, between which there is no line of sight. This is one of its main advantages. This tool has a low cost, easy to operate. Its length varies from 5 to 25 meters, which is quite enough for domestic use.
The laser level will be an excellent choice for those who have a large amount of construction work. It will significantly save time, while ensuring high accuracy of constructing both horizontal and vertical planes. This is a good tool for cutting the floor level, marking walls for finishing work, installing furniture and communications.
There are three main types of laser levels: point, linear, rotational. As the name suggests, they are used to draw points, lines, and markings around the entire perimeter of the room at the same time.
Before starting work, the lasers must be leveled with the built-in bubble level. Some models have an additional function of self-leveling within 2 ÷ 4 degrees. The price of professional laser levels is quite high, but there are affordable options for home use.
What to look for when choosing
Among the large number of manufacturers present on the measuring instrument market, there are those who have already managed to gain an excellent reputation in our country and abroad. In good standing, builders have bubble levels, as well as electronic levels Stabila and Kapro. Known for their quality Bosch laser levels. However, it is best to rely on your own experience in order to purchase a thing with the necessary set of functions for a reasonable price. The main selection criteria: technical characteristics, equipment, build quality and materials.
When purchasing a bubble level, it is necessary to inspect its appearance.
Is there any visible damage ?! What is the quality of the materials, is it neatly assembled ?! Particular attention should be paid to ampoules with liquid. They must be securely embedded in the housing
Place your chosen level on a flat, horizontal surface. It should fit snugly with its base without gaps. Remember the position of the air bubble in the upper ampoule. Then turn the device 180⁰ clockwise or counterclockwise and put it in the same place. If the bubble has shifted from its starting position, this level cannot be trusted. Similarly, you can check the vertical accuracy of the readings.
What type of level is better to buy
Laser level
There are several types of building levels:
- manual;
- laser.
The first category includes a bubble instrument - a spirit level. Its design has a body and flasks with a liquid and a bubble fixed inside. As a liquid, industrial alcohol is used, which withstands subzero temperatures.
Sometimes fluorescent substances are added to the liquid - this helps to use the device in low light conditions. To determine the evenness of an object, the level is applied to one of its planes. In this case, the bubble should be located strictly in the center of the flask.
Laser instruments work differently, they are more accurate and modern. There are static (linear and point) as well as rotational models. The first type provides for the emission of a line, relative to which the flatness of the surface is regulated.
To achieve more accurate indicators for the home, linear laser levels are purchased. For permanent use of the level in work on objects, it is better to purchase a point or rotary building level.
Popular brands
When buying a level with indication on an electronic display, it is recommended to focus only on well-established manufacturers and their authorized dealers.All their products undergo special tests for compliance with technical standards (for example, in our country, GOST 9416-83 is valid for building levels).
Several well-known brands on the market are listed below:
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Kapro;
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Stanley;
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Stabila;
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"Bison".
Kapro levels are manufactured in Israel. They are distinguished by modern technologies and quality. The company is also engaged in the production of laser, measuring and marking tools, so the technical level of its products is really serious. Kapro tools also have a convenient, functional design and are produced for both domestic needs and professional use.
Stanley has an advantage due to the fact that it was known in the American market at the beginning of the last century. Now she is one of the world leaders in the production of measuring instruments.
A distinctive feature of Stanley products is quality, the level of which is carefully controlled by production tests.
The company also pays great attention to the implementation of innovations. Buyers in their reviews note the accuracy and ergonomics of the Stanley levels, the optimal weight and a convenient display from which it is easy to read the readings
Milwaukee is another major American manufacturer. Previously, the company specialized in power tools, but now its range includes more than 500 different types of products, including construction levels. Among them there are bubble levels and laser levels, with a mount that allows you to mark in any plane.
The German firm Stabila produces levels of exceptional quality. They are more expensive than many other manufacturers' products, but their unique strengths are recognized by most experienced builders. The Stabila tool has a long service life - the powder-coated body, impact-resistant ampoules and the display make them reliable and unpretentious. Stabila levels are highly accurate and professional grade.
Measuring devices from the Zubr firm are well known in the domestic market. There are digital magnetic models and protractors from this brand.
Varieties
This category of instruments is often equipped with a protractor function (it has an additional rail, movably fastened to the main bolt), which allows you to measure the angles between two planes. There are also many models of electronic levels with a laser. They have a laser point that is projected in any direction (360 degrees) relative to the device, that is, they operate on the principle of a laser level.
Those electronic levels that have the function of calculating angles differ in the measuring range (in degrees). There are models that allow you to define angles up to 180 degrees. But if you need to work with flattened corners, then you need a tool with a measuring range of up to 360 degrees. Limitations are always indicated in the specifications for each model.
Laser levels are also very popular with builders and homeowners. With their help, it is very convenient to make markup. In addition to the display, such a device has an LED that emits a controlled laser beam. There are all sorts of modifications that differ in range, accuracy (deviation), light intensity.
Finally, a very important parameter of the level in practice is its length (base). The longer the tool staff, the more accurate the reading will be, and vice versa. Usually, devices with a base from 60 to 80 cm are used, there are also longer ones. At the same time, there are pocket-type devices on sale with a short rail of 20-30 cm. They are not very accurate, but they are convenient and compact.
Magnitude can be distinguished from additional criteria. Magnetic levels are a useful variation, and many models have multiple magnets along the work plane. If the surface to which you press the level during operation is metal, the device will be magnetically attached to it.This will prevent it from accidentally falling, and will also make it possible to attach the tool both from above and below, at any angle and not to support it.
7. Which manufacturers to give preference to?
You can save on anything, but do not try to save on the cost of the building level
It doesn't matter what type of levels you prefer, and for what purposes you use it - it must provide the declared accuracy. This can be achieved by purchasing products from only trusted manufacturers.
According to feedback from experienced users and surveys of people who are professionally engaged in interior decoration and installation, the following manufacturers can be distinguished:
Stabila (Germany)
It specializes in the production of laser levels, spirit levels and levels known all over the world. Products of this brand are supplied to all industrial countries. All measuring devices of this brand have reliable build quality, high quality materials used and high measurement accuracy. That is why Stabila has a high popularity and high reputation.
Kapro (Israel)
One of the leading level manufacturers in the world. Kapro levels are valued for their high strength and are the only levels whose measurement accuracy has been certified by the German VPA laboratory.
Bosch (Germany)
It specializes mainly in the production of laser levels. The measuring instruments of this manufacturer are distinguished by a high level of accuracy, high-quality assembly and high quality materials.
Manual levels
Vira 100403 - compact and affordable
The Vira 100403 object flatness measuring tool is equipped with 3 bubbles in different projections. It is made like a rail, the most common form of manual levels.
The length is small - 23 cm, this allows you to measure indicators in hard-to-reach places. The model is suitable for home use, and the light weight of 75 grams makes it easy to transport.
The tool is equipped with magnets, so it can be fixed to metal surfaces. Suitable for household and simple repair work. For example, when replacing metal-plastic windows, doors, for even laying tiles and when gluing wallpaper. All flasks with bubbles are tightly mounted into the structure and do not loosen, the chambers are fixed with screws.
Advantages:
- compactness;
- availability;
- the presence of a magnet;
- good build quality;
- suitable for works with a small area.
Disadvantages:
there is an error.
Tesla VL-40 - comfortable and durable
The building level in a metal case is equipped with 3 bubbles - for horizontal, vertical and diagonal planes.
Made in black with bright green accents. Small length 40 cm and light weight 333 grams make the tool convenient for use, storage and transportation. The slab type of construction has a milled edge, as well as a rotary eye.
The flasks are made of impact-resistant material, so the instrument will not break if dropped. On the cameras there are risks with an indication of the angle of inclination. The device will help in the manufacture of furniture, as well as in simple construction work.
Advantages:
- comfortable in using;
- accessible;
- bright inserts;
- shockproof;
- there are divisions for the deviation in degrees.
Disadvantages:
there is an error of 1 mm.
STANLEY 0-43-511 - durable and shockproof
The model of the "torpedo" type has a plastic case, compact dimensions of 23 cm and 3 equipped vials. One side is equipped with a magnet, so the tool can be easily fixed to a metal surface.
Designed for repair work in horizontal and vertical planes, as well as at an angle of 45 degrees. There is a V-groove on the working part, which helps when working with pipes.
Along the perimeter of the case there are rubber inserts - black plugs - they do not allow the edges of the instrument to be beaten at the moment of falling. The base of the device is made of aluminum.The product is convenient to use in carpentry to check the evenness of the polished surface.
Advantages:
- durability;
- strength;
- the presence of a magnet;
- convenient work with pipes;
- the presence of a V-shaped groove;
- compactness.
Disadvantages:
expensive for its category.
Stabila Type 70 ST-02282 - wear resistant and precise
The material from which the bubble building level is made should be light but strong. Stabila Type 70 ST-02282 is made of aluminum with a protective powder coating.
There are plastic caps here to protect the bar from impacts. The side surfaces have a smooth surface, which allows you to quickly and easily clean the level from dirt in the form of cement or tile adhesive. The applied coating prevents static.
The instrument has 2 working eyes: one is located in the upper part and is intended for horizontal measurements, the second is on a plane and is required for vertical measurements. The level is used in construction and installation works, its length is 40 cm, and its weight is only 220 grams.
On the sides there are plugs that prevent dirt and dust from getting inside. The error is small - 0.5 mm per 1 m. The instrument is well calibrated.
Advantages:
- wear resistance;
- German quality;
- high accuracy;
- light metal profile;
- smooth surfaces;
- a light weight.
Disadvantages:
end caps made of plastic.