Tool Review: Stanley 42-240 Pro I-Beam Level

Key Features:
 +   Three bubbles so you can make easier checks
 +   Long reach allows for leveling multiple items together


A good level is an important part of any home tool kit. You could always go out and buy a cheap portable level, and for most jobs it would probably be sufficient, but the Stanley Pro I-Beam level (model #42-240) is well worth the $10 or $15 investment. It's a sturdy, reliable level that will provide accurate readings for a long time.

This level is long—24 inches—so unlike smaller levels it can be used to measure between two things on a wall, such as matching picture frames or two sides of a towel rack. That's a nice feature to have, and you often don't think about it until you need it. Although it's two feet long and made of metal, the level doesn't weigh a lot, so it can easily be carried around.

The level has three vials to test whether a surface is level or plumb. There is a horizontal level in the center and a vertical level on either side, so you can stand the level on an end and have a vial right there to check. There is also a slot cut into the top of the level so you can lay the level on its side in tight spaces and still be able to check the bubble.

The level is reliable in everyday use, and Stanley claims it's accurate to 0.0015 inches per inch (or 0.15 millimeters per meter), which seems very likely. You can easily check the accuracy of the two vertical levels because they both should give the same reading every time, and the horizontal vial can be checked like any vial by turning the level upside down and seeing if it shows the same reading.

In addition to working well, the level looks nice too. It has Stanley's traditional yellow-and-black coloring, and it is shaped like a long I-beam. There's a black plastic cap on either end to protect both the level and the surface you place the level on. The level has a durable aluminum construction and it holds up well over time.

Unlike many modern levels, the Stanley Pro I-Beam doesn't have a lot of fancy features or attachments. There's no pull-out tape measure or laser sighting, and it doesn't even have a magnet so you can stick it to a metal shelf. All it has are three accurate, reliable vials and a hole at one end to hang it from a nail or peg. With the Stanley Pro I-Beam, you won't be disappointed.

(Originally published on Helium.com, March 2013)