Let's Level It

[Coyote]

Anybody know of a brand of level that can be trusted? I laid several of the most expensive levels at Home Depot side by side. None of them read the same. As far as half a bubble off. None were adjustable including the Starretts. I have 2 4 footers and 1 2footer. I have to keep turning them round and round to make sure the bubble is off the same amount before I can declare it level. The most accurate level I have is a 1 footer I bought at Sears for a dollar. It's just not suited for any expanse though.

[djfisher22]

My family has been building brick and block buildings for 60 years and strictly use a 4 foot brass and mahogany either Johnson or American level. Accurate and bulletproof. That said I'm sure you can buy one cheaper that works just fine.

http://www.bontool.com/product1.asp?P=AMERICANBRASS" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Suzsmokeyallan]

It depends on how much you are willing to spend. I either buy the Johnson aluminum or composite bodied ones and remove the covers and the bubble vials, then I "adjust" their slots in the body for better accuracy.
Once you have them set up correctly, a dab of glue keeps them in their now position, then you simply screw back on the covers.

[Jughead]

If you can find a Mayes Brothers Manufacturing they seem to be Pretty good Quality for not much money.Their tools are Manufactured Locally and I can pick up a few Levels and Squares at Big lots and they have the Wooden 4 ft Levels at lowes.

[tz375]

I have a nice 4 footer (that doesn't read quite right does it?) and it is not accurate, so I loosened the screws retaining the bubble vial and adjusted it slightly until I had the same reading both ways round.

I use a 6 inch digital degree indicator for chassis work. I paid too much for mine as they are now available on bubble sticks quite cheaply.