Tool Review: Ultra Steel TR30206D Magnetic Pocket Level with Clip

You might have a heavy-duty foot-long level at home, one that you could brain a burglar with if you had to, but that level isn't the most practical tool to be carrying around with you everywhere you go. There are many different types of smaller, more portable levels.  One such portable level is the Ultra Steel magnetic pocket level with clip (model #TR30206D).

This plastic level (distributed in the USA; made in China) is compact and bright yellow, and it can fit in the palm of your hand. It is actually two levels in one, each set at 90 degrees from the other, and you can use them both for improved accuracy. The level is flat on two sides, so it will sit flush on any flat surface or in a 90-degree corner.

The level is small enough to fit in your pocket — about the size of a miniature stapler, a little larger than a stubby screwdriver. If you don't want to risk sitting on it and breaking it, however, it comes with a belt clip so you can attach it to your belt, toolbag strap, or the outside of your pocket. It also comes with a short ball chain so you could attach it to your key ring if you wanted to (though it's too big to carry it that way with much practicality).

Part of the underside of this level is magnetic, so you can stick it on your fridge or other metallic surface when it's not in use. It uses two straight magnets for added support, but the magnets are of varying strength. One of the magnets easily stuck to the tip of a screwdriver and clung there without dropping, while the other wouldn't even attach briefly before falling.

The Ultra Steel magnetic pocket level is probably not as reliable as a larger level from a more well-known company — it gave similar, but not identical, readings to a Stanley Pro I-Beam level — but it's a good value for a cheap, portable level.  This level gets 3 out of 5 stars.  It can be especially handy for someone who doesn't have a lot of room to carry around a larger level, but who may need to level something out from time to time.

This level sells for $1.00 in-store at Walmart. Online, it can be purchased from Amazon for $5.99.  It's very similar in appearance and features to the Stanley magnetic pocket level, which is listed at $16.38.

(Originally published on Helium.com, February 2013)

Ultra Steel tool reviews

Levels:
- Ultra Steel TR30206D Magnetic Pocket Level with Clip

Screwdrivers:
- Ultra Steel TS90354J 4-in-1 Mini Screwdriver

Tool Review: Ultra Steel TS90354J 4-in-1 Mini Screwdriver

Ultra Steel is a brand of tools sold in Walmart stores.  The tools are generally cheaper than most other brands, but sometimes they are a good value because the tools work well.  The UltraSteel 4 in 1 mini screwdriver (model #TS90354J) does not fall into this category.

The Ultra Steel mini screwdriver looks like a knock-off of Stanley's 4 in 1 pocket screwdriver (model #66344).  It's a pen-shaped pocket screwdriver, a little over six inches long, with two removable caps and a pocket clip.  The body is black, with a rubber coating, and the two caps are an almost-neon red.

This pocket driver comes with two metal double-sided bits.  Unlike the Stanley pocket driver, the Ultra Steel driver does not have magnetic tips.  There are two Phillips bits (#0 and #1) and two slotted bits (1/8" and 5/32").  The four bit sizes are printed on the driver body.

The bits slide into plastic slots in the driver, but the bits and slots weren't sized right because the bits slide in too loosely and can easily slide out.  The caps that cover the bits are also very loose.  General Tools makes a similar pocket screwdriver, with caps that loosen and fall off over time, but this Ultra Steel driver starts off that way.  The one nice thing about the caps on this driver is that each one has a large enough cut-out near the tip so that you can see which bit is installed on that side.

The driver handle is covered in a cheap-feeling rubber that provides no grip at all, so if you're trying to loosen or tighten a stubborn screw, this driver won't be much help.  The soft handle is comfortable to hold, but it provides no traction for your hand when turning a screw.

The Ultra Steel 4 in 1 mini screwdriver is made in China and sold at Walmart for $1.97.  That may seem like a great price, but for this screwdriver it's way too much.  For about the same price, you can buy the General Tools pocket screwdriver (model #744) at Home Depot, and that one is much better made than the UltraSteel driver.  For about twice the cost of either of those pocket screwdrivers, you can buy Stanley's pocket driver, which has magnetic tips that won't fall out and is manufactured to be much more durable.  This pocket driver gets 1 out of 5 stars.

(Originally published on Helium.com, April 2013)