Spirit Levels
About Spirit Levels
A spirit level is one of the simplest levelling instruments out there. It doesn’t have any complicated mechanical part and uses the inherent physical property of spirit or alcohol for determining horizontal and vertical level.
A spirit level is an essential item to have in a tool kit. It is impossible to do a masonry job, plumbing, or carpentry without using a level. The important part of a level, which is the vial containing the spirit, uses gravity and also the special property of liquids like spirit and alcohol to determine the level. Alcohol and spirit do not stick to the level and also forms an upward curving border with the vial. This keeps the bubble in a conveniently round shape and constant volume. Read this article to know more about them. Having a better understanding of levels will help you make the right choices when you make the purchase.
Four best spirit levels that you can buy
There are so many different types of levels that people use for construction and plumbing. These include water levels that let you transfer levels over a long distance, laser levels, optical levels and also spirit levels. Out of these, spirit levels are the most popular because of its affordability, portability and reliable accuracy. But not all the spirit levels are the same. They vary from each other in the matter of accuracy, build quality, and usability. Here is a list of the four best spirit levels that are available in the market right now. If you know what makes these levels the best, then choosing the right levels for your needs will become easier for you.
Empire level EM95.48
This is a classic box type level with a blue colour scheme on the spirit level that is more visible than traditional yellow spirit vials. Having better visibility helps you detect the level faster with greater accuracy. Another advantage of this spirit level is that the spirit vial is pretty rugged and tough. If you want even more visibility, you can go for the model that features an LED bulb underneath the spirit vial. This model only costs a mere forty dirhams more than the base model without the light. The overall length of this level is forty-eight inches which is more than enough for most of the needs.
Stanley 42-480
If you are looking for a spirit level that gives you great value for money, then here is your answer. The price of this level is much lower than the Empire level at an incredible fifty dirhams. The only thing you are giving up for the lower price is a little bit of accuracy. But everything about this level is almost on par with any other high-end model. Also, there are three different spirit vials on this level that let you balance it in all three axes. Near either end of the level, there is a grove that lets you hold the level comfortably when you are working.
Klein 935RBLT
This is a compact mid-range spirit level. Although it is not a budget option, there are a few things that make this level a really great choice for non-professional users. For one thing, this is a really compact level. You can fit one of these easily in your pocket or your tool pouch. The three spirit vials on this level also have LED lights that make it easier to see even in low light conditions. Even if you are a plumber or mason, it is nice to keep this tiny level as a backup in case your primary level fails. When you consider the portability, excellent durability and visibility of the vials, the price of this level is really worth it.
Kapro 946 Smarty
This one is much more compact than the Klein 935RBLT level. The red spirit housing with white background provides great contrast. Even though this one does not have an LED in the vials, this contrast helps you see well enough. There are also three different markings on the vial that corresponds to different gradients. Using these three markings, you can get excellent accuracy. But the downside of the short body is that it is much harder to use this level if you want to level up over a longer span. Levels like this are instead better for checking the accuracy of the level after installation.
Tips on how to buy Spirit Levels
Finding the right type of spirit level can be much harder than you think. There are literally thousands of different models of spirit levels that are almost indistinguishable from each other. This can make finding a suitable level an overwhelming experience for somebody who is new to this field. But using the wrong type of level can cause inaccuracies in work and can lead to hazards. However, finding the right type of level is easier if you know what to look for. Here are a few tips that you can follow when you are shopping for them.
- Check the vials – The most important element if a spirit level is a spirit vials itself. For that reason, you should make sure that the vials have proper markings and that the casing is clear, and the level is easily visible. Some vials have magnifying lenses and luminescent reflector on the casing that improves the visibility of the level.
- Tolerance – Tolerance of a spirit level refers to the accuracy of the level. In the case of a spirit level, the tolerance is measured in millimetres per metre. That refers to the level of horizontal difference per vertical length of the level or vice versa. A good level should have an accuracy level of 0.5 mm/m or better.
- Strength – Profile strength is important for longer levels. Because a level is something that you use in your workplace, it is very probable that you might accidentally step on it or put something heavy on top of it. Therefore, the casing of the level should be strong enough to hold up to these. A level with a strong metal casing is the ideal option.
- Sensitivity of the level – Sensitivity in the general sense refers to how much the pointer on a scale moves corresponding to the variations in the input. When it comes to spirit levels, the sensitivity means the amount of level difference it takes for the bubble inside the level to move visibility. A sensitivity rate of 10mm/m is considered decent for general tasks. But for tasks that require a higher level of accuracy, you will need a sensitivity rate of around 2 mm/m.
Besides spirit levels, there are other essential tools that must be in the toolbox of every DIYer. These include things like screwdrivers, plugs, spanners, paint brushes, paint scrapers, wrenches, measuring instruments, and adhesives. Now you can find them all easily using our shopping search engine . That way, you can also compare the features and prices of different products and pick the best one among them. Also, don’t forget to check out other handy products from the DIY category.
Question & Answer
How do you use a spirit level?
A spirit level can have one, two or three spirit vials. One of them is for horizontal level, the second one for vertical level and the third one is for the forty-five-degree angle. To check horizontal level using the level, you need to place the level in the centre of the object that you want to level up. If the object is horizontally level, the bubble inside the vial should be in between the markings on the vial. If it is not, then you should adjust the level of the object until the bubble is inside the marks. For checking vertical level, you should use the second vial and follow the same procedures for checking horizontal level.
How do you check a spirit level for accuracy?
Usually, if you want to check the accuracy of a spirit level, you can simply do that by looking at the packaging or even on the level itself. Usually, the manufacturers mention the accuracy rating of the level on the casing itself. But if you actually want to physically check the level that is also easy. First, you need to find a flat surface and keep the level on the surface. Check the position of the bubble and then make a marking on the vial in the centre of the bubble. Then turn the level 180 degrees and place it again on the same surface. If the level is accurate, the marking that you made will be in the centre of the bubble itself.
What is the use of the diagonal vial on a level?
The diagonal vial on a lever is always at a forty-five degrees angle to the horizontal and vertical spirit vials. Basically, this vial is for checking forty-five-degree angles. That being said, what is the application of such a vial? Such vials are really useful when you want to fit pipes at 45-degree angle or to make sure that the braces and stabilisers on scaffolding are sitting at the right angle. This third spirit vial on a level is also useful when you are setting floor drains. That way, you can use all three vials to level the drain in all three axes at the same time.
If you are looking to buy spirit levels online in the UAE, look no further as you are in the right place. There are more than 500 shops and brands offering them here on Shops.ae. These shops offer products from brands, including Stabila, Bosch, Milwaukee, Mitutoyo, Wiha, Festool, and Makita.