How to check your Level Accuracy

[@patty109109]

Never thought I could very contentedly watch an entire video on a level, but here we are. Good vid :)

[@wb5mgr]

That is why it's good to invest in or build a case for your levels. I built cases for mine from PVC pipe with a glued in foam insert at each end.

[@GuitarWithJamie]

wb5mgr Same here. Exactly the same.

[@GuitarWithJamie]

How this video has such low views is unknown but it is a great case of top notch teaching. Clear, informative, and to the point. Great job! PS I just got my first Stabila level yesterday and will do my best to baby it so that it will last my Carpentry Apprenticeship and well into my Journeyman years... Thanks!

[@LongDaggerDick]

How's the apprenticeship going? Still have your Stabila?

[@GuitarWithJamie]

Tobias Jeanneret It going great. I’m a 4th Year Apprentice now and still have my Stabila. I have two now. One I keep at work, and one at home.

[@tommychong1173]

Never let anyone use it or out your sight

[@fightingfijian]

Having seen images of Stabila levels on most trades sites online and then to finally see 2 Stabila levels here in fiji is so exciting. Here in fiji most tradesmen have no idea about stabila levels as Stanley is believed to be the top of the range tools for us in fiji. My cousin gave me his used torpedo 70 T stabila level thinking its just another level. As soon as I saw the stabila name I was so excited and now it goes everywhere I do odd jobs at and telling friends in the trade about the quality and reliability of the stabila levels .

[@KiwiPokerPlayer]

Howdy neighbour, I have a 70 T too! I bought it for leveling my turntables for DJing here in New Zealand but I use it all the time for DIY stuff around the house. Perfect size for a toolbox.

[@ukconstruction]

Great Tips for all tradesmen!!! I have a large selection of the Stabila levels and under normal use I reckon that they will last forever!!! my latest is the Telescopic, now that is awsome!!!

[@mattproffitt3914]

I've got 3 stabila levels... They're pricey... Will you send me a hat? I love yours... And your levels are ALL I'll ever trust.

[@jesusborrego3270]

My homie has one of them big stabila levels. He doesn't let anybody touch it and busts it out when the contractor tries to talk shit. That fool is a bad ass framer

[@AB-nb2ic]

Shutting people up is a great reason to spend money on the best layout tools. Stabila, Starett, Woodpecker. Nothing to talk about. Discussion over, back to work ✌️

[@ILikeFreedomYo]

We were strong believers in the Crick levels. One of our guys showed up with a yellow aluminum level. He was shamed lol. Through the years we watched as that thing fell from 30' of scaffolding many times without damage. We watched the lenses rub up and down on masonry without scratching. We watched mortar glob onto the lenses harden and clean up with acid. Needless to say we are all now up with the times. I don't see how Stabila will ever be beat. The only failure is once it's used as a pry bar it's then limited to that capacity. As I've seen.

[@STABILAOfficial]

Yeah true 👌💛🖤👍 The prybar usage is too much even for us 😆

[@Sly_Wolf_1]

Top notch, informative video. Thank you very much for posting.

[@TT-dz8zf]

The Stabila website instructs us to “flip” the level when checking for plumb. But this video insists “end-for-end”? Which is the right way?

[@blzbub1]

Hi, do both checks, accurate level will have no discrepancy

[@crankbreath176]

He does flip it

[@frameriteairdrie578]

Can't say I agree on how you checked the vertical "plumb". You flipped it end for end. But the vials always and only read in "horizontal". So on horizontal leveling, the vials match the body of the level and are horizontal also. You correctly flipped end for end to test it. But for PLUMB, the level is VERTICAL, but the "plumbing" vials are still HORIZONTAL. If it has an error, then flipping it end for end will just repeat that error, and show the same result. What you should do it leave it that same way up, but rotate it to the left of right, so the vial gets flipped horizontally, then check it on the control line. So whether the body of the level is horizontal or vertical, the vial you're reading should always get flipped left to right (or right to left) when checking for accuracy.

[@sixtygrit9944]

100% agree.

[@MrSvobodniy]

Correct

[@nonamuss9991]

So if you always think about flipping the glass tube end for end you’ll get it right?

[@tommychong1173]

It's when it falls against something like a wall , a piece of lumber on a floor or when it fells from a height and it hits / strike on one end , that how it bends. So never lean your level on anything. Always lay down flat on the floor or work surfaces and handle with care. Oh also from time to time eye your level on all four sides ( sight down the edges).

[@STABILAOfficial]

Thanks for your feedback 💛🖤

[@gaztipton972]

The accuracy test in the video is relying on turning the level around and placing the level in the exact same place to the pencil line which is only as good as a person's judgement. Another way to check it's accuracy is to place the level on a horizontal surface with one end touching a wall or cupboard etc. Place at least one coin or washer under each end of the level so the level is clear of the surface, then add more coins/washers as needed so the bubble is readable to the black lines. Then take note of where the bubble is in relationship to the black lines, for example, let's say the bubble is just touching the black line to your left. Then turn the level around 180 degrees placing the other end of the level touching the wall and resting on the same unmoved/untouched coins/washers, if the level is true the bubble will still be just touching the black line to your left. Of course, the accuracy of this and all other methods relies on the level being straight, as shown and stated in the video.

[@STABILAOfficial]

Thanks for your feedback!

[@ThekiBoran]

At 1:04 it looks like the right side is high. There are 2 things I like about my Master levels, when level there's no space between the bubble and the black lines. Super fast and easy to read. Also, the body profile of Master levels make drawing a line more accurate because it doesn't have rounded edges. So regardless of the angle of your pencil it will follow/make a perfectly straight line. For whatever reason Stabila has rounded edges so you have to make sure you maintain the same pencil angle when drawing a line from one end of the level to the other. I emailed Stabila years ago and asked them about this. All I got was crickets. Unfortunately Master Level went out of business. When my set of Master Levels gets wrecked or stolen I'll be forced to go with Stabila.

[@gigel99324]

I was looking for a level with no space between the bubble and the edges and came across your comment. Talk about disappointment :{ Sola Red is the best i've found so far.

[@frenchyroastify]

I totally agree. I worked with a cabinet installer that had all his Master levels in 1 foot increments and swore by them. I now use stabila levels myself but use the lighter gauge ones that have square edges and no hand holds. The demo should have used two clamps and a straight piece of wood instead of drawing a line.

[@debandmike3380]

good point, the more room from bubble to line, the more room for visual error.

[@petemiller519]

Totally agree. I have an old cheap Chinese level that has no space between the bubble and the rings. Out of the 5 levels I have, it's my go-to level out of the gates. Unfortunately, it's cheap but accurate, and the black rings are starting to flake away.

[@pasqualeparente9776]

Any contractor spending that kind of money on a stabila and throws it in his truck bed or stacks stuff on top of it (shows lack of respect for a quality instrument) and should not get a replacement . Maybe then the Stabila price will come down. I love quality products and using them but never abusing them. But some products are just priced too high. In fact I believe they are priced purposely high to cover the cost of the replacement if needed. And perhaps if you claim too many times , your warranty will not be honoured.

[@jesuszuniga1257]

Hi i have a 4ft electronic stabila that I use when formsetting and checking slope percentage. My question is when I calibrate that level opposite side I see that it's off by .3 . What can cause the level to be off by that much .

[@bigtimetorifan]

I have a Stanley level. Why are there two lines on either side of the center bubble??

[@dalesworld1308]

Can the vial be adjusted if your level is inaccurate? Thought you might mention that....

[@STABILAOfficial]

The unique STABILA vial assembly process ensures long-term accuracy. In a special casting process, the components of the spirit level are firmly bonded forever. No readjustments, no doubts. Always accurate measurements - even under the most difficult construction site conditions.

[@dalesworld1308]

@@STABILAOfficial Um...thank you for that marketing whitepaper. So if your level is dropped and thrown out of alignment then it's garbage...

[@Ste661]

Continuous control line.? Done I 2 with gap in the middle

[@saradaprasadparida9096]

Thank u brother for ur valuable information. Keep helping. Good job.

[@Joyjoiner]

I have just bought the1200mm r beam stabila ,can't wait to use it I got a bosch gim 60l digital level good but the bubbles are very small between the lines ,should have got the stabila but as the saying goes good things come to those who wait. Regards from killarney Ireland home of another great German company Liebherr

[@STABILAOfficial]

Thank you for your feedback and we hope you enjoy working with your new STABILA spirit level 💛🖤

[@WorldEngineersOnline]

I am a building inspection and I want to use a spirit level to verify gradients of wastes and soil pipes, typically 1/4" and 1/8" min grade. Some Spirit Levels have double markings. Can you do a video to show how to use to check for gradients of pipes and how to check if level is correct for several grades.

[@pasqualeparente9776]

I am only thinking out loud here, i am no engineer or inspector . But what I would suggest is some kind of a spacer properly sized for the distance and slope. Then you place the spacer at the low end of the pipe and check for levet. Ex 1/4 in slope on pipe , if you are using a 4 foot level you should have a 1 inch spacer.

[@ILikeFreedomYo]

I don't know about Stabila but there are levels sold with those hash marks. I've seen torpedo levels and line levels with them. I don't know about larger ones.

[@MontyVideo969]

This looks wrong to me. Checking for horizontal - correct:- If the bubble is "OFF" you will draw a control line that is not horizontal. When you test for horizontal you should swap the left hand side of the phial to the right side and align it with the control line. If the bubble is "off" it will migrate to one side or the other side proving that the control line was not level and therefore proving that the bubble is "off". Checking for plumb: - should be exactly the same process. Both "end" phials are still in a "horizontal" orientation and therefore you need to flip the left hand side to the right hand side. In the video, when you swap end-for-end, you actually *rotated and flipped* because the left hand side remained on the left (the *central* phial shows on the left in both cases with no Stabila writing showing) and therefore you effectively have the "plumb" phials in the same orientation. This does not change anything and therefore you are fooled into thinking the control line is good. Or am I missing something?

[@ryanolden5304]

Best levels in the world! As a joiner I heavily rely on my levels, and my one's im currently using now, is my R type 2m level, I love the 40mm flat edge, which is perfect for my door frames, also my extendable stabila, is perfect for doing studd work, very handy! So when it comes to levels, the Germans know best! 😁

[@STABILAOfficial]

Thank you very much for your feedback! 👍💛🖤

[@craigmonteforte1478]

As simple as this really is I spent over 20 Years in Commercial Woodworking and you would be surprised as to how many people in the trades dont have a clue how to do this on their own levels of course its not only for Stabila brand levels but any other brands Although i have noticed Stabilas getting bent from improper handling and transportation in the Zippered soft cases i prefer to keep my levels in a hard case when not in use personally and have favored Stabilla Brand and Johnson Brand levels for most of my life Sands also makes a decent one and i have a Sears Craftsman Branded level that I’m pretty sure was built by Sands for Sears and Rebranded Craftsman ? That one is pretty old probably 1950s era as it was a hand me down from my Grandfathers Estate

[@paulholmes9385]

Stabila the best levels you can get 100% !!

[@cglees]

Surely you should draw the line along the bottom edge

[@leesmartin]

Great info mate, cheers

[@Z-Ack]

I swore my boss was fukin with me telling me to calibrate his bubble level…. Didnt say nothing i just gave him an eye and took the level.. was gonna go back an tell him inspector said to measure the mud depth this time, they just added that this year for footing underpin regulations. Lol.. but ok.. i get it…

[@StarrTile]

@1:26 the bubble does not read the same, the drawn arrow off by at least an eighth of an inch.. and why are you using a penciled in Arrow, a laser would be more accurate

[@jameslangley5503]

StarrTile 😂

[@WMBLLC]

Really wish their bubbles went line to line.

[@ThekiBoran]

Amen brother! I've asked them about that. No reply.

[@STABILAOfficial]

STABILA spirit levels are extremely temperature-resistant. The bubble size and ring spacings are designed to ensure optimum readability, even at high and low temperatures. This guarantees exact readings from -20 °C to +50 °C. The size of the vial bubble is always within the reference rings: from (a) at -20 °C to (b) at +50 °C.

[@STABILAOfficial]

@@ThekiBoran STABILA spirit levels are extremely temperature-resistant. The bubble size and ring spacings are designed to ensure optimum readability, even at high and low temperatures. This guarantees exact readings from -20 °C to +50 °C. The size of the vial bubble is always within the reference rings: from (a) at -20 °C to (b) at +50 °C.

[@foreman3737]

you know to simplify this just put the level on any surface it doesn't even have to be level or plum as long as the bubble reads the same after flipping it over and end for end . now you know

[@STABILAOfficial]

Thanks for your feedback

[@foreman3737]

@@STABILAOfficial I just got the 6 level stabila set. great set of levels they are so nice. I'm happy I bought them

[@STABILAOfficial]

Thanks for your feedback 💛🖤👍

[@user-vc5rp7nf8f]

Thanks

[@JohnDi-v3f]

Did not show how to tell the "R" beam level from the standard level. Other than that I thought it was pretty good. He also could have addressed burs or "chips" and dents on the level.

[@STABILAOfficial]

Thanks for your feedback!

[@BouncyThrone]

Appreciate the info. Thanks

[@STABILAOfficial]

You are welcome 💛🖤

[@bfflorida2311]

Great video 👍, I wish Stabila is easier to find in the USA... just simply because it's a great quality product for your money.

[@STABILAOfficial]

Thanks for your feedback 💛🖤 Please contact our local STABILA partner in the USA/Canada directly via Email [e-mail] or phone [phone] for more information and help 👍

[@grahamirwin4233]

Is it me or was that check for plumb incorrect?

[@Quality_Anand]

Its a good video having a good explanations with DEMOs. - thanks/anand

[@STABILAOfficial]

Thanks for your feedback 💛🖤

[@kevinh.9681]

2:31 says it is a 24 inch level

[@markarita3]

Yeah, 2:24 it's a 48" with writting read bottom to top...then @ 2:31, it magically turns into a 24" read top to bottom??? Good eye buddy.

[@mrkoolio8494]

Go to home depo, do his test and 50-70% are off.....AND THEY WONT GET BETTER WITH USE. I BOUGHT SOME DECENT BUBBLE LEVELS AND GLUED THEM ON A STRAIGHT EDGE. CERTAINLY NOT CLOSE TO A STABILA, BUT BETTER THAN THE OTHERS!

[@josephmckenzie4744]

Great information.

[@fou-dou]

A magnetic version of the R series would be perfect !!!

[@STABILAOfficial]

Thanks for your feedback

[@stonemasonlew9349]

The best way to check your level is accurate. 1. Pick up your level 2. Read the side 3. Check it says STABILA in big black capital letters 4. Your level is accurate 😄👍

[@STABILAOfficial]

Thank you 😃💛🖤👍

[@구미휘릭]

💛💛💛

[@Stefan_Van_pellicom]

When you work in construction, andyou show up with a Stabila, you’re immediately taken for granted. That’s why they’re expensive …

[@STABILAOfficial]

Thanks for your feedback

[@peterjanjanin9883]

This might not work with the Mason's level because of the blow shield.

[@karloflaherty]

Should not hitting the level at all

[@edgaro67]

25012021: Why the bubble is not in the middle of the right and left Mark? you searching the middle between the marks with your eyes??? there is problematic it is not accuracy!!! when two person works on the same Mission??? This is the first Elementary to know!!!!

[@AS-cu2rd]

Stabila is SUPERIOR

[@jkbethune]

That may be, until you need to use their warranty, then they'll find ridiculous reasons to claim that it is void.

[@bam18333333]

Why wouldn't you just do that on the floor?

[@Grewyd]

Why do something on straight back with only dirty boots when you can put dirt on your hands and knees and boots.#BigBrainRightHere

[@bam18333333]

lol

[@bam18333333]

​@@Grewyd My company would send you down the road if you showed up to a house like that. Not all construction works live in a double wide and piss on the toilet seat. If you have a professional appearance and are clean with your work you tend to make a lot more then the average 9 to 5 guy. If i were to pencil a line on a painted wall i would feel like an idiot.

[@Grewyd]

@@bam18333333 Mah i went too far.My company wouldnt do anything to you even if you take dump on the floor.Because most of these people are 40+ who think that just because they are old they can make their job poorly(and i not mean lifting anything).

[@robertbutler8004]

That centre mark over the centre vial was straight out garbage the level could move 6/7 inches either way and it will be either level or not level.

[@tommilaine2693]

I built everything crooked with a johnson level,,i lean my head....and cry...

[@sparx2391]

I only use stabila

[@ThekiBoran]

I use Master.

[@tellitallnow3914]

Question , if you take 1million levels and you go out from each side of the first level, keeping them level with eachother. At what point do the levels start to bend around the spinning ball people "believe" they are living on?

[@foreverknowforever6403]

I test my level like a plumb bob It is the best way to verify the viles Then i verify my edges

[@MrTooTechnical]

fucking awesome. rbeam baby. woohoo

[@mindamiami]

Stadila levels are absolutely are terrible. Been using levels for 30 years and they are almost worst ones, imho.

[@STABILAOfficial]

Why do you think our spirit levels are so bad?

[@clems6989]

You should use a flat surface not a pencil line. Your introducing human error...

[@RC-bw8wk]

I need a new level, a better quality.

[@STABILAOfficial]

Check out our Website to find the perfect level for you 👍 www.stabila.com/en/products/list/spirit-levels.html

[@jkbethune]

@@STABILAOfficial But will you actually honour your so-called lifetime warranty,... or will you come up with ridiculous BS reasons to claim that the lifetime warranty is void? Just ask Jamie Perkins.

[@debandmike3380]

This is seriously embarrassing for STABILA OFFICIAL that you IMPROPERLY showed the plum check.

[@STABILAOfficial]

Thanks for your feedback

[@michaelfrank5896]

You're bubble isn't centered perfect maybe you need glasses

[@STABILAOfficial]

Hi Michael. Thanks for your feedback.

[@apache16789]

The only place baseball caps don't make guys look silly is on the baseball field. Even wearing them back-the-front does not improve their image. Remember William Hague making his walk-a-about as potential leader of the Tory party -- major dress mistake which cost his reputation dearly!! Kudos for Stabila levels but please, for the sake of the level, lose the baseball cap.

[@mrkoolio8494]

apache16789 oh please, who are you, mr blackwell....with "worst dressed construction workers"...come on.

[@ThekiBoran]

@@mrkoolio8494 Agreed. Who actually cares? I'd rather see improvements in their levels, not their wardrobe.

[@joeferry2723]

The hat is a "feeler" you wouldn't understand cause your not a master Craftsman..your a hack

[@ThekiBoran]

@@joeferry2723 Do you know your shit or do you know you're shit? D'oh!

[@keramzytowymocarz7104]

fair

[@STABILAOfficial]

👍💛🖤💪