I have worked as a framing carpenter for almost 25 years, and the tools we use today in comparison to the ones we used decades ago are as different as night and day. One that I’ve been impressed with lately is the Digital Tech 106T Plate Level from Stabila. The level adjusts from wall heights of 7 ft. 1-1 ⁄ 2 in. up to 12 ft. 5-1 ⁄ 4 in. It has the Stabila Tech module already installed with a digital readout relative to plumb or level. My favorite feature of the Tech module is the audible tone it emits to let the carpenter know which direction to adjust the top plate of the wall for plumb. The module also has a backlit display for excellent readability in low-light situations.

The level has plate grips at the top and bottom; the bottom locks onto the top of the bottom plate with a spring-loaded foot, and a serrated metal strip at the top bites into the bottom of the top plate. This allows hands-free use, which is nice for times when I’m bracing interior partition walls by myself. The extension rail has a positioning scale on both sides for visual reference, with indents for common wall heights from 8 ft. 1-1 ⁄ 8 in. through 12 ft. 1-1 ⁄ 8 in.

The $750 cost of this level has been well worth it. Over the past year, it has transformed the way my crew plumbs and lines walls. It has a permanent place in the trailer, and we use it on every house we frame.

—Ryan Smith, carpenter.

From Fine Homebuilding #316

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