How to choose a level
How to choose a professional level
Levels fall. All the time. They get knocked about and dirtied up a fair bit, too. That's why professional contractors need a level that can take it. When it falls, they want to be able to pick it up, wipe it off, and get straight back to work. They need to know that its frame is straight, its vials remain perfectly accurate, and all that's needed is a cloth to wipe it clean.
Here are six essential things you need to check out before you buy a professional level:
1. Vial Accuracy
2. Plumb Site® Feature
3. Profile Construction
4. Milled Surfaces
5. End Caps and Handles
6. Magnets
Is it a cylindrical or solid acrylic vial? What is the manufacturer's stated accuracy?
Levels incorporate different kinds of vials. Injection molded cylindrical vials are the most basic, typically for DIY projects where absolute accuracy is less important. The industry standard is 0.001 inch per inch (1mm/m). Kapro's solid acrylic vials are twice as accurate – 0.0005 in/in (0.5mm/m), and are individually calibrated within the level frame with the latest computer technology.
Has the stated accuracy been independently verified?
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There is only one trusted source for verifying if the manufacturer's stated accuracy is true – the German VPA standard. Kapro's professional levels are the only levels worldwide to carry this prestigious mark of quality.
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Are the reading lines inserted into the vial, or painted inside?
In cylindrical vials, the reading lines are painted on the outside. Most level manufacturers who use solid acrylic vials have the reading lines (thin strips of metal) inserted into the vial. Kapro's solid vials are painted inside, which makes them the most parallel in the industry – vital to minimizing parallax error.
The vials in most levels are usually set with ultrasonic welding. Epoxy locking of vial housings and vials guarantees that they will better withstand the rough treatment of the workplace, and retain their factory-calibrated accuracy for the life of the level. Kapro's professional levels all feature epoxy locking.
Are there magnified or illuminated vials?
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Magnified vials give improved readability. Illuminated vials improve readability in low-light. The Zeus™ 990 incorporates a magnified horizontal vial, and the 990 VISION model includes vial illumination. |
What is the warranty on vial quality?
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Vial warranties typically range from one year, to the lifetime of the level. All Kapro's solid acrylic vials are guaranteed for life against leakage or breakage. |
Accuracy Test
There's a simple way to test the accuracy of a level. First, place it on a level surface and check that the bubble is exactly in between the reading lines. Now swing it around 180º. Is the bubble still centered? If it's not, then the vial hasn't been properly calibrated.
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Plumb Site® Feature
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The Plumb Site® Dual-View™ vial is a patented Kapro invention, designed for vertical leveling jobs so that the tradesperson can see the plumb vial from the front. Instead of the user having to stand squashed up against a wall to see the vial from the side, they can stand in front of the level and see its reflected image. That means a perfect line of sight (no parallax error) for more accurate leveling, and no back or neck strain. And time saved on the job, of course.
The Plumb Site® Dual-View™ vial is an integral part of all Kapro's professional levels – because every serious professional needs one. The Kapro 990 features two Plumb Site® vials, one at each end of the level. |
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Is it a Box-Section profile, or an I-Beam?
Box-section profiles are made from a reinforced aluminum extrusion. These levels are the least likely to twist or bend. The profile of the Zeus™ 990 has a concave design for even tougher twist and bend resistance. Box-section construction also makes these levels ideal for housing solid vials, and allows for milled surfaces.
I-beam levels are generally less accurate, because they are more likely to twist, and can only house cylindrical vials.
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All Kapro aluminum levels are electrostatic powder coated with durable epoxy polyester paint for water resistance and easy cleaning. The Zeus™ 990 is coated with Keflon™, a unique non-stick, wipe-clean coating that creates a residue-resistant finish for even easier maintenance. |
What is the wall thickness?
The thicker the aluminum profile, the heavier and more heavy-duty the level. The wall thickness of the Zeus™ 990 is at least 2.1 mm on milled surfaces.
| What is its post-punch tensile strength? |
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Once an aluminum profile has been punched, its tensile strength is lowered. This is especially true of the hole punch for the level's horizontal vial. If you're looking for a high-end level that will go the distance, then this will be an issue you won't want to compromise on. On the Zeus™ 990, the horizontal vial punch doesn't cut entirely through the profile, giving it the highest post-punch tensile strength of any level on the market – more than twice as strong as the strongest level on the market up till now.
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Milled Surfaces
Does the level have a finely milled base?
A finely milled base provides a guaranteed flat surface necessary to achieving professional levels of accuracy. The Zeus™ 990 incorporates two finely milled surfaces. |
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End Caps and Handles
Are the end caps designed to withstand the shock of a serious fall?
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Shockproof end caps protect levels from the force of falls, by absorbing the shock, thus maintaining the integrity of the level body and the accuracy of its vials. End caps can be made from a number of materials. The most basic is plastic. Rubber end caps are tougher. Bi-material end caps absorb shocks even more effectively. The Zeus™ 990 features even tougher polypropylene and TPR end caps, with embedded air-cushioned PVC shock absorbers. |
Are the handles designed to accommodate larger hands comfortably?
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Many levels on the market have hand grips for easy handling. Most of these are not rubber-coated, however, or don't have big enough apertures to fit large hands comfortably. The ergonomic handles on the Zeus™ 990 are even larger, with soft-feel air-cushioned grips.
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When you need to hold a level against a wall with one hand – for marking with the other hand, for instance – you will need a non-slip feature that grips the wall to keep it in place. Kapro's patented Ergo Grip™ handles do the job perfectly, and won't mar the work surface, either. |
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Magnets
Does the level have ceramic magnets or rare-earth magnets?
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| Ceramic magnets were the industry standard in aluminum levels up until a few years ago, and are still used in some more basic levels. Kapro's magnetic aluminum levels feature rare-earth magnets, which are up to 10 times stronger than ceramic magnets. |
Rare-earth magnets: do they protrude from the base of the level?
Many levels are designed with their magnets protruding from the base of the level, which can scratch or mar the work surface. Kapro's new Tri-Magnet System, featured on the Zeus™ 990, is designed to prevent this, with three rare-earth magnets imbedded in a polymer housing. Three magnets are usually better than one, because they provide a larger magnetic surface, but don't hold too strong, which can be a problem when you're trying to pry your level off the surface.
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