Levels

[LCHIEN]

I was checking something in the garden for the better half and needed a short level.
I have too many levels... 18", 24" two 48" and a 72".

I grabbed the short one and it was remarkably heavy, cast metal. I thought who makes a level out of steel but on closer inspection it was made of Aluminum by Port Austin Level and Tool co. of Port Austin, Mich. It's just a really beefy aluminum level. Still in nearly perfect shape. Don't make them like this anymore.

Now this was my dads and probably was acquired by him in the 1950's, which makes it around 70 years old.
Looking up the company they started right after WWII and ended due to Covid in August of 2022.

https://www.michigansthumb.com/news/article/Port-Austin-Level-and-Tool-closes-the-door-on-75-17343317.php

[cwsmith]

Loring,

You certainly have kept that in great shape!

I was not aware of that brand, but it sure looks very well made. i have a variety of levels, with one set from HF that is solid aluminum and heavier than my others, probably not as heavy as youra though.

My oldest level is a Stanley 24-inch that I got back in the very early 60's. It was in the S&H Green Stamp catalog (remember those? 'trading stamps were rather prevalent then and with every purchase at some of the local grocery stores, you earned 'trading stamps' which could redeem at the local catalog store).

That Stanley is still my favorite and I use it most often.

Thanks for the post,

CWS

[LCHIEN]

Loring,

You certainly have kept that in great shape!

I was not aware of that brand, but it sure looks very well made. i have a variety of levels, with one set from HF that is solid aluminum and heavier than my others, probably not as heavy as youra though.

My oldest level is a Stanley 24-inch that I got back in the very early 60's. It was in the S&H Green Stamp catalog (remember those? 'trading stamps were rather prevalent then and with every purchase at some of the local grocery stores, you earned 'trading stamps' which could redeem at the local catalog store).

That Stanley is still my favorite and I use it most often.

Thanks for the post,

CWS

1960s Stanley level... Steel? Aluminum, Wood? Got a picture to share?

[dbhost]

Is each buble calibrated somehow to each face or why the 2 different bubble views...

[twistsol]

That is correct. The vials are curved slightly so the bubble goes to the top of the curved center and settles more quickly. The other vial is curved downward so the bubble moves to the side. I don't know whether they can be calibrated separately or not on this brand/model of level. I use Johnson levels 2', 6', and 8' that have a lifetime calibration guarantee. I have a couple of 4' levels that are not Johnson but are both still accurate. When / if they are not, they will be replaced with Johnson levels as well.

[LCHIEN]

if you are talking about my picture, the vials are curved to center the bubble. But in the photo the level is resting on its back and not on its edge so the vails are oriented incorrectly. The closest picture (with just one circular level window) https://www.sawdustzone.org/filedata...11&type=medium is taken with the level on its edge as its meant to be used, the lower bubble level has the curve up so its the one indicating correctly.

Each of the 2 bubble vials is meant to be used with just one of the two edges.