Nothing irks me more than a flimsy torpedo level. That’s actually not true, as lots of things irk me, but cheap feeble levels certainly make me cringe. Dewalt recently introduced a new torpedo level, model DWHT43003, and luckily it looks anything but weak and flimsy.
The new torpedo level features an extruded aluminum body, milled top and bottom surfaces, magnified center vial, V-groove base, embedded rare earth magnets, and a rotating angle vial. The ends are capped with over-molded rubber to improve the shock absorbency of the level.
Advertisement
MSRP is $25, and these levels should hit store shelves any day now.
Tool Fan
Hmmmm same same as the Bostitch just a different shaped metal body. Are people really going to pay more for over-molded ends?
Admin Note: It has been discovered that Tool Fan is employed by Milwaukee Tool.
fred
It seems like this is a marketing strategy by the big tool houses to offer very similar products under different brand names to garner a larger market share via brand recognition and loyalty. This used to be the model for some big car companies – which seems to have waned just as their fortunes also waned.
Mnoswad1
I’m a Dewalt user…..huge investment in the 18 volt system……but I wont be buying this. I prefer my hand tools to be slimmer and more streamlined…….the whole Fat Max gimmick should be on its way out by know, so the big over molded rubber stuff is passe and not useful. Some protection is good, but I also want the tools to not snag on my pockets and to fit into holders easily.
Adding bulk in an effort to market ruggedness is counter productive, yet exactly what marketers do. I’d rather have tool makers selling me stuff than bored industrial designers and Branding people.
fred
I agree – with your thought that slimmer is better in a torpedo level. While my guys are fans of Satbila levels – including big extendable plate levels – for smaller levels we like Checkpoints – and I often personally carry a small Checkpoint No-Dog level – but have to admit that while it dosent snag – its rare earth magnets sometimes attract/collect debris. At the other end of the spectrum – we have some Sola screeding levels that are just about 10 feet long that probably would not qualify as being petite or streamlined.
Stuart
I would have to agree – I would rather pick up a Checkpoint than one of these as well. But even so, I’d sooner pick up the Dewalt than some of the short levels currently in my tool box.
Stephen K
I actually am a fan of the fat max line. Some of it isn’t great, but in general, I find them to b pretty sturdy and I don’t mind a bit of bulk if it means durability. I work for Habitat for Humanity and the tools that I buy tend to get some amount of misuse/neglect from volunteers tat don’t know how to care for them properly. Having a cheapish, durable product is great for me. It’s no where near as nice as that checkpoint, but it’s more suited to my needs.
chad
I have one of these torpedos and have nothing but positive things to say about it. Pick one up and fell/use it before you judge. It’s an inch shorter than the other torpedos I’ve used and I have no problem sliding into my tool pouch or pocket. I’ve dropped the thing a bunch of times, and it’s nice hearing the soft “thud” of the end cap on cement vs the jarring “clank”. the solid vials are much better than the tubular vials you’ll find in an empire or johnson torpedo. I’ve had a Stabila torpedo with a similar design to this, and I like this dewalt one better. Magnified level vial is real nice, much more visible.