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The only reason I clicked on the vide was because the thumbnail showed those torpedo levels and I've been thinking about buying one or two.  Heard nothing but good about them, so any excuse to buy a new tool...Anyhow, lucky me, I would never have thought to use the level to find Top Dead Center on a pipe like he shows.  Quick and simple, and pretty dang precise if you do your part right.  Certainly good enough for what I do.And that poor-man's turntable?  Pretty slick!  I can definitely see me cobbling together a smaller version for here in the shop.Or that chained spacer for the vise?  Slick thinking if you do a lot of pipe work.So, yea, definitely a fun video to watch.
Reply:I follow this guy on instagram, he's certainly got his trade dialled for being a young guy. He's in the business of being paid per completed pipe spool, which is quite rare over here, but it makes him work as efficiently as possible.I wouldn't be without a torpedo level, I use them for everything! Barely ever get the long levels out.I like the chained spacer in the vice. Our pipe welders aren't as cool as that.Last edited by Munkul; 05-25-2021 at 04:57 AM.Murphy's Golden Rule: Whoever has the gold, makes the rules.
Reply:

Originally Posted by Munkul

I wouldn't be without a torpedo level, I use them for everything! Barely ever get the long levels out.
Reply:Stabila is the benchmark for levels over here. I buy them for the guys at work. I always spec the magnetic ones too, they're even more handy - model 81SM with 2 fixed bubbles, usually.in my own shop, I have Stanley fatmax levels:https://www.toolstation.com/stanley-...EaAoNEEALw_wcBThey have 3 bubbles, magnets and a groove for squaring on piping, they're cheaper than the Stabila equivalent, and I've used one of them for years and it's still perfect.Murphy's Golden Rule: Whoever has the gold, makes the rules.
Reply:

Originally Posted by Munkul

Stabila is the benchmark for levels ...  ...they're cheaper than the Stabila equivalent, and I've used one of them for years and it's still perfect.
Reply:haha! If i was buying again, I'd buy Stabila, definitely. I'm getting more and more snobbish about my tools and where they are made.That said, I have to destroy the Stanley one first, and it's going strong still

Murphy's Golden Rule: Whoever has the gold, makes the rules.
Reply:In a prior life I worked with a lot of masons - they wouldn't let anyone on a job with anything but a Stabila.Yeswelder MIG-205DS(3) Angle Grinders at the ReadyJust a hobbyist trying to improve
Reply:I use mine on pretty well every project. It's invaluable for getting pieces parallel when you are unable to level the whole assembly.



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Reply:Too bad we didn't get to see that piece installed.  I have a hunch he was right on the money with the fit.Tim
Reply:

Originally Posted by Munkul

haha! If i was buying again, I'd buy Stabila, definitely. I'm getting more and more snobbish about my tools and where they are made.That said, I have to destroy the Stanley one first, and it's going strong still


Reply:Why is it called a pipe "spool"?
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Originally Posted by VaughnT

els and I've been thinking about buying one or two.  Heard nothing but good about them, so any excuse to buy a new tool...
Reply:vaughn, i got the torpedo level on the video cover showing 3 vials (the one at a 45).      the vials are truly accurate, and two  still are 13 yrs later.      problem started shortly after buying it for fifty some bucks, when a magnet came out.      stabila tried to give me one that had a groove on bottom, and screws that hold in magnets, w/ only two vials (horiz/vert.).      i told them i dont like grooves on base, i want the same level i bought but new.      they said no.      they also refused to refund me.     so about a yr later, the second magnet fell out.       then a few yrs later, the liquid in the 45 degree vial leaked/dissolved.      i treated it like a babay its whole life, other than it dropped a couple times at pipe stand height, due to no magnets.     so i took it to lowes, and used it to check over a dozen cobalt levels they had in stock.      i bought the 4 good/accurate ones they had, then took them home and ground tapers on them to fit my pockets.       they are still(accurate) good today, and they are losing there magnets too, but have held up better.     i like levels w/ an open window(no framing on corner edges) for visibilty, and must be slender tapered to go in out of pockets fast/easy.     must also have flat base, so i can wipe it on back of my gloves/pants to clean, before slapping it on pipe w/ one hand.     postioning a grooved base w/ gloves on - too much time/two hands, and simply not needed.       i took pics of what im talkin about, and will post them soonLast edited by 123weld; 05-26-2021 at 10:17 PM.
Reply:Dang!  That certainly sucks.  I can't find any of the rotating-vial model for less than $80, and for that kinda cash I expect bomb-proof construction!!
Reply:

Originally Posted by VaughnT

Dang!  That certainly sucks.  I can't find any of the rotating-vial model for less than $80, and for that kinda cash I expect bomb-proof construction!!
Reply:I've had this curve-o-mark for close 40 years and it has worked well and been accurate. I don't know if they are still made but I would recommend it.

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Reply:

Originally Posted by VaughnT

Dang!  That certainly sucks.  I can't find any of the rotating-vial model for less than $80, and for that kinda cash I expect bomb-proof construction!!
Reply:heres the pics i talked about.   during the short time that the stabila had magnets, it made it difficult at times (pulling to side on short stuff), due to the poor spacing.    the greye i picked are just as accurate, except one of the vert vials on one of them[ATTACH=CONFIG]1728099[/ATTACH]



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Last edited by 123weld; 05-28-2021 at 12:30 AM.
Reply:Couldn't you epoxy the magnets back in?---Meltedmetal
Reply:its pretty tight fit in there, u can see i tried drilling a lil, its plastic like, i dont think it will bond.    i seen video on how stabilla builds them, the vials are encased in a foam or plastic , + the 45 vial is as worthless as **** on a bore.    and honestly, its the "principle of the screw", that bothers me the most.      they wouldnt replace it w/ the same, or give me my $53 back.    reason being, they know itll come back, cuz theres obviously problems w/ the model.       what id like to do, is give them the honest advertising they deserve.    that would be, i put it on a 30 day set price on ebay for 530.00 , and let it list amongst all the others, so potential buyers can see it.
Reply:Putting the two magnets that close together kinda sucks.  I can see how it would provide a stronger hold on a shorter span, the other levels would only have one magnet holding them in place for the same span, but....  Looks to me like there'd be room for a third magnet between the vials, and not doing that makes the whole thing less stable in a lot of applications.For all the hoopla Stablia gets, I would expect better engineering from them.  Being accurate is great, but not when it comes at the expense of your level falling to the floor.I'm not buying a "made in chicom territory" torpedo level, but I'll have to think hard about buying something from Stabila.
Reply:

Originally Posted by AlabamaJoe

Why is it called a pipe "spool"?