Anyone who works in construction, is a DIY, or frequently hosts Fight Club at his house can tell you the importance of owning a level. A level is used to balance a surface and determine straight lines. They are a necessity in construction or carpentry work, but also a useful tool to have at home when hanging pictures or working on small home repairs.
How It Works
The level is not some recent breakthrough in technology: it's been used for centuries actually. A standard spirit or bubble level works because of a little vial of liquid. The vial is slightly curved, has two parallel lines drawn on the center, and is only filled about 3/4 of the way. This space leaves the everimportant air bubble. When an object is perfectly level, the air bubble will align between the two lines. However, if you're using a laser level, there are no vials or pretty bubbles. A laser level projects a beam of light to show you the level point.
So is a laser level better than a traditional level? Yes... and no! A laser level is better for projects that need a straight line over a large distance. A traditional level is perfect for the home or small woodworking projects.
Types of Levels
Before you buy the biggest and most expensive level, consider the type of projects you need it for.
* '''Spirit Levels''': These include carpenter levels, mason levels, and torpedo levels. Carpenter levels are around 2 feet while mason levels are 4 feet long and torpedo levels are 9 inches long and tapered at the ends. The longer the level, the better the accuracy. Carpenter levels are good for small jobs around the house. Mason levels are perfect for larger jobs, like installing cabinets, and torpedo levels fit into tight corners.
* '''Laser Levels''': A very accurate level that will make a laser line across the surface. Rotary laser levels can produce a 360 degree beam.
* '''Doorjamb Levels''': Specifically used for leveling a door jamb, which is the vertical support for the door frame.
* '''Plumb Levels''': A weight is attached to a suspended string which provides a vertical level reference. It's a little old-fashioned but is still used in surveying.
* '''Bullseye Levels''': A circular level that is used to level planes in two dimensions. They are mainly used by carpenters.
