Customer Reviews for Empire True Blue 12 in. Magnetic Tool Box Level

This little level is awesome used to put drainage pipe in perfect

I've had this level for over 2 years and it's usually the first one I grab when I'm choosing between the three that I have. It's very accurate at all angles. It is lightweight and the magnet is a plus since it's not too strong. There isn't anything that I dislike on it so far and it does meet my expectations. Please hit the thumbs up if this was helpful.

Empire has done it again! They have come out with a 48" box level that extends up to 78 inches. Crafted of finely machined hard tempered aluminum. Highlighted with a white viewing ring, their trade mark blue colored level tube making the bubble easy to read. The extension can be set at any length up to 78 inches and locked in place with a set screw. Extension bar is raised approx 1/16" for easy scribing and marking. Storage end cap is easily popped out for precise measuring.

OK - I admit I am a tool junkie. But I find that this level fits a need for me. My home was built in 1906. It has 76" doors. The house has settled over the years, and some of the doors are out of plum. So I need to re-shim the jams. With modern doors, I can use my 78" level. But it is too long for the old doors. This level expand to the length of the jam, letting my shim it plum and even. Sure, I could use my 6' level and move it to cover the part of the jam I am working on, but having a level that goes the length of the jam makes things a lot easier. I am sure it will see more uses in the future, but it is definitely filling a current need. As an added bonus, it is easier to store them my 6' and 78" levels!

This is a review on a 24 to 40 inch expandable box type aluminum level use it a couple times so far seems to work rather well just wouldn't think you don't have enough links on it you can extend it out to 40 inches and it dusty pretty true the whole way through I'm I'm really impressed with it I would recommend this to anybody that is replacing the box level looking for something to give you a little bit of expansion that works great on doors would recommend

Overall I’m happy with the product but my biggest complain is that it’s not magnetic like the rest of my Empire levels. I do like how there is measurements on the level when extending. Extends nice, level works good. Weight is not bad, it’s not light, I think my 6’ might weigh less actually but still I’m happy with it and would recommend it. I wish they made it magnetic though.

I have been a builder remodeler for 49 years, and as such I have many opportunities to use a tool like this EMPIRE 24 IN. TO 40 IN. TRUE BLUE EXTENDABLE BOX LEVEL. These Empire levels are of very high quality, the slide extensions have zero play, so are very accurate when extending them to measure longer spans. I have Empire’s 8’ level as well, and I am more than satisfied with it. But these extendable levels are a another step forward, and I love them!

This is a chunky 1 ½ inches wide level that provides a good, solid measurement platform and that means stability. Heavier than most similar 48 inch levels because of its ability to extend out to a huge 78 inches it is still lighter and much more manageable than carrying around multiple fixed levels to cover the same range. The tool is machined top and bottom and painted blue front and back. The plastic end caps protect the level and one is easily removable. The extension piece has a screw to control resistance and, therefore, the ability to maintain the desired length setting. The two fixed vials – horizontal and vertical - are a reasonable size and the bubbles are clear to see.

This is the perfect size level for general use, IMHO. 24" is easy to handle, but you can go all the way to 40" as required. The weight is also great - I've seen some expandable levels that were so heavy that you would probably not carry them with you unless you were sure you were going to need it. There is a scale which shows the overall length of the level and the slide, although I'm not sure I would use that instead of just grabbing a tape measure. The level works both laying down and standing on edge, and laying down you can see level in both the 'X' and 'Y' directions at the same time - a real timesaver.

Fantastic level and an overall great value I have Milwaukee RedStick Levels and so I'll be comparing this level to those. I chose this level because I do custom cabinets and frequently install in places that are between 48"-72". It's nice to be able to extend a line across the space and not have to re-position the level. I think this can replace a variety of levels due to its ability to extend which saves room packing tools for installs. Flatness - the level is perfectly flat compared to my 72" Digital RedStick, I can't see any light between the two even when the Empire is extended to its full capacity. I also don't feel any flex when the Empire is fully extended which makes me very comfortable using it. Extension Size - the extension is the full height of the level. I first thought that wouldn't be the case based on the pictures but was relieved when I saw that it is the same as the body of the level. This is perfect for marking lines above or below the level. Construction - very well built. It is strong and study. It weighs more than my 48" Milwaukee but I expected that. I love my RedStick levels and this is of the same build quality as those. The extension mechanism impressed me. It is a sliding dovetail made from aluminum (at least that's what is seems like) and because the dovetail is very wide, there is no wiggle or flex. I think this will be a very durable mechanism over the life and use of this level and I was impressed that they used this design. Bubble Visibility - this is the only spot where I think the Empire is not on par with the Milwaukee. While the blue vial and bubble is very easy to see, I think the yellow liquid and slightly bigger bubble of the Milwaukee is a bit easier to see, especially in low light. I don't think there is a big difference between the two, but the RedStick has the advantage. I also think the RedStick bubble vials are protected a bit better than the Empire. I don't think that will make a difference for what I do and I cannot see myself breaking the vial. The Empire is still very stout and protects the vial from damage, but again, advantage RedStick. Overall, I am very impressed with this level. I love its simplicity, durability, features, construction, and ease of use. I highly recommend this product; especially for saving space and money by having a single level that can do many jobs.

Sometimes when you get a tool you just know that it is well made, that's the case with this level. You can feel the quality. I got this level because I kept finding myself needing more than my 36 inch I-beam level could do. I am building a man-cave in my basement and in the framing of the studs and the installation of the door I needed more. Sliding my shorter level up the stud or up the frame of the door just wasn't giving me satisfactory "plumb-ness". I got this professional grade tool and found myself using it more than I thought I would. It gives my work a more finished look. It can be used for cabinets, doors, windows, pipes, floors; just about anything that needs to be long and level. Any professional would do well to invest in this high quality box level.

The Empire level is ideal for diyer or pro. The level site glass is constructed with a strong covering to protect the 'bubble' in the event you drop the level. The level is 24 inches long and easily extends to 40 inches. I am very impressed with the quality of the materials. Not much plastic on this tool. It is a bit on the heavy side, but a small price to pay for having quality metal construction rather than plastic.

Using this level is a different experience. The back side of the level slides out for leveling things more then 24" apart. I am using it to level across the basement stairway. The stairway comes from outside, and nothing is level. The walls are only 40" apart - to close for a 48" level, and too far for a 36" level. I was using a board with my 36" level, but that is a lot of messing around. The space doesn't lend itself to using a laser. I like the fact that I can use it as a 24" level when I need to, and extend it out when I need a longer level. Such a simple thing when you think about it. A great idea in practice.

This Empire extendable level is made very well and is of much better quality than I would expect for the price. The sales pitch advises this level will replace 3 levels -4', 6' & 6.5'. I won't be getting rid of my other levels but I have found this level works for things the others cannot, such as laying out shelving in a walk-in closet whose dimensions are just long and short enough that the other standard levels are more problematic and time consuming to use. This level is built and designed with the profession contractor in mind and is sturdy as well as accurate. What impresses me most is the quality and feel of the extension -I have seen other brands and the extended part fits inside the main body of the level so the only part of the extension that is on the same level line as the main body is the very end of the extension. That is not the case with this tool at all. One cannot have enough levels of different sizes when doing all kinds of carpentry projects and having a quality adjustable level like this one is just icing on the cake (I own 4 other Empire box levels besides this adjustable one and I have only praise for them all). This is a great tool and a must have for any one. I highly recommend it.

I have wanted an adjustable length / extendable level for years. Sometimes the length of the level doesn't really matter, but I regularly want to use a level in places where a 24" is too short and a 36" or 48" level is too long. This extendable level is perfect for those situations. The level is very solid and relatively heavy. The extendable portion slides very smoothly, with no looseness or play, even when fully extended. It feels very well made and high quality. The level is very high quality, with perfectly machined serrations on the top and bottom. The extendable section has length markers in both inches (quarter inches) and centimeters. One end cap on the main level body is removable. There is one horizontal vial and one vertical vial. The bubble in the blue vials provides plenty of contrast and is easy for me to see and center. The ability to extend this level makes it much more flexible and convenient for different situations, so I suspect I'll be grabbing this one instead of my 24", 32", or 48" levels. If you need a single level that can cover a wide range of lengths, this is a great option.

This is a model eXT40 that has a limited lifetime warranty on it. The end cap can be removed plus the level has a mark & Scribe edge. The plumb's can be seen from the front or back and with the middle one from the top as well. You can extend this 24 inch level up to 40 inches in length or any length in between. It. It is light and durable. The extension has very readable inch markings with the number on the extendable portion. I used it in the shed for checking level and marking lines across the 2x4 frame supports. This is a nice size for most items depending on the distance you are trying to level. It's a good addition to your level needs!

The True Blue Extendable Box Level is made by Empire. It is 48 inches long and will extend out to 78 inches. It is adjustable to any length between 48 inches and 78 inches long and can be locked in place at any length within this range. Unlike standard levels, this level has only 1 Plumb Vial and 1 Level Vial. It is made of Aluminum so it will not rust. It is quite heavy for a level, weighing 6 lbs. The box level is 1 1/2 inches wide and 2 1/2 inches high. The extension has an Integrated Ruler Scale to show the length it is extended to between 48 inches and 78 inches. It has a Lifetime Limited Warranty.

Top-notch quality level from Empire. This level is an absolute beast and will hold up to any abuse that you can throw out whether it’s at home or on the job site. The best part about this level is the extendability of it it only requires you to carry a 48 inch level with the ability to use an out to 78 inches very handy and you don’t have to carry multiple levels for a job site. The only downside I could see that people might complain about is the fact that it’s a much heavier than most levels

Empire True Blue is known for it's accurate levels and this model is no exception. The bubbles are well designed and protected from damage. This is however one of the heaviest and clunky 24 inch levels I have handles. In part this is due to the extra material needed for the extendable function which this design achieves quite well. If I compared this level to a 40 inch level the weight and clunkiness is much less of a nuisance. The extendable arm is extremely sturdy and I anticipate it would take extreme trauma to affect the trueness and accuracy. This extendable feature allows the user to level between two objects with ease. The extendable arm is equipped with a reverse ruler that allow the user to measure the length of the level at any extendable distance. I recommend this level but with an average rating primarily due to the weight and clunky feel mentioned above. If the extendable feature is something a person would need on a daily basis then this is exactly what you need but as a primary 2 foot level to carry on the job it is a bit too much.

Another quality level from Empire. With this level you can end up replacing at least three of your common used levels (48", 72" and 78"). So when you think about the fact this level will save you in storage in having the carry the around 3 levels its worth the cost. Additionally, Empire gives a limited lifetime warranty on the vial and casing so that is another bonus for the level. The level is also pretty precise with a very low inaccuracy tolerance level. The level also gives you a tool free end caps removal, adjustable slide control and an integrated ruler. The vials are super easy to read and well positioned. The ruler markings are a dark black on a silver background so makes it super easy to read. Overall this is a quality product that will greatly assist in you being more efficient since you will be able to replace 3 levels with this one level.

Precision and low price

It's a challenge keeping a level on a job. I have a pocket level, a two foot level and a six foot level. What I don't usually have is the right level for the job at the moment I need it. This 24 to 40 inch level is a great convertible level for a tool bag. 24 inches long it fits into a normal toolbox. But the beauty is its ability to expand to 40 inches for that level self measurement or that oversized picture over the coach. A great gift for the home handyman or even better for the professional who has almost every tool!

Excellent product. Solid frame and convenient magnet. Accurate and easy to read. Price right also.

Ease of use

This is a good looking level and passes true in all positions. The "out-of-level" notches are accurate, but I would still double check against true-level if you're trying to pitch anything, just to make sure. The 45 degree tests true as well in both directions. My picture shows I'm just a hair off, but still on the line, of a piece that another torpedo level read as true. The magnet is solid, but not ridiculously strong, which is a positive.

I love this level; from the moment I first picked it up, it has a nice weight to it and I knew that it's built well and solid. So I have no worries of it breaking. The vials are true blue which makes it easier to see the contrasting bubble inside even from some distance away; the bubbles are very accurate. I like that it has a choice of 4 vials which enables to check the leveling at the different angles. Good to know it's made in USA; I'm sick and tired of buying things made in China. I have used this level to hang a glass shelf above the A/C unit in my living room. Will use it again to install shelving in the kitchen and bathroom. Perfect!

Grabbed this level for individual block level checks as I built a 60+ foot long retaining wall and a firepit. Perfect size for my required use.

I have owned the 24" and 72" Empire e2G series box levels for a few years now and love them. They are large and beefy and the design with the handles and rubber bumpers makes them great to work with. What I have been lacking is a smaller level, for smaller projects or tight spaces. I do have a small cheap torpedo level that seems to work, but despite it's apparent accuracy, I never really trust it, and I wanted a slightly longer level. (in my photos, you can see the width of the lines on the cheap yellow level are much wider than the bubble, whereas the lines on the Empire are right next to the bubble) This 12" Empire is great. It's a nice handy size that is relatively compact, but large enough to give me confidence when checking different surfaces. The one feature that I didn't even know about when I ordered it was the "VARI-PITCH" vial, which has markings for 1/8" - 1/2". I have wanted that feature on every level I've used. I can see that something is off, but I was always guessing how much. Do I adjust 1/8"? Or is it 1/4" off? It was always a guessing game and you just had to hold the level in place and slowly adjust, or place the level on the workpiece and slowly adjust the piece, guessing on the amount until it becomes level. The VARI-PITCH feature is awesome--I can't believe it hasn't been standard on levels for years. The feature is described on the box as being for setting drainage, but I'll definitely use it for leveling. I think this feature alone will make this my favorite level, and well worth the very reasonable price for this model. The magnet on one side is plenty strong enough to hold the level securely and firmly to a magnetic surface. Fantastic little level! I love it!

Just picked this up for plumbing my bath and kitchen. What a good choice. This level has 4 vials each showing a different level at hand. All are clear and bluish in color. The level itself has a magnetic strip on one side and a grooved side. The grooved side has 2 windows for viewing the level from above. Making it easier when in a tight spot or working above and below. This is an Empire tool. Which I have come to respect. Empire makes quality tools which I rely on. These are solidly constructed tools with excellent features. I have several and have not been disappointed.

I got this level to supplement a smaller 8" and larger 48" level. I need one that could fit in my tool bag for medium sized jobs and this does the trick. My latest project was installing a structured wiring cabinet and the 12" size was perfect. The extruded aluminum frame is solid and ergonomic. It includes four vials; one each for standard vertical and horizontal but also one for angled 45-degree and one vial to set drainage up to 1/2" / foot.