"Bill" wrote in message
...

It appears that installing just about anything on a wall requiring more
than 1 screw or nail calls for a level. I did a project just the other
day without one, which I ended up doing twice. So, tonight I went
searching online for a level. I assume that levels with magnets stick to
the studs in walls (is that correct?). Any other uses for a "magnetic
level"? I'm focusing now on the 24" size. Stanley makes several, basic
version from about $16 up to a FatMax Extreme version which is supposed to
be 5x as strong and accurate to .0005"/inch. for about $35. I would
anticipate also using the level to install machinery (TS, BS, DP) and a
homemade workbench on a concrete floor with several cracks (hench not
level). I know that the workbench and vise should be level! I expect
that a Starrett combination square that I expect to have by then will be
helpful too in this regard--at least I should be able to see to it that
the top of the bench and the top of the vise are coplanar. So based on
the installations I have suggested above, what else do you think I need to
know about selecting a level? Reliability is important, of course. I read
somewhere that those with "caps" on the ends (which may include the ones I
mentioned) have the potential to be less reliable.

You will know to check that the level reads correctly by turning it around.
A suprising number of levels are slightly wrong. No quantity of lasers,
tripods, magnets or carry cases are any use at all unless the bubble is
precisely set. You may find an issue with the sensitivity of the level, eg
how far out of level it has to be to read out of level. You may not even
want the level to be very sensitive, but that is down to your work and your
experience to judge.

I used to use a level but now I work in old buildings I don't touch one from
one week to the next.

Tim W