I know you have been drooling over the houses seen in the “Grand Designs” show on the Discovery Channel and perhaps you are coquetting on the idea of one day starting your own similar project. This is, of course, very well, but let me assure you of one thing, you will first need the right tools for the job. Like the level right here, recently announced by Swanson, a pro-quality lighted level. Since leveling in a dark room or on a dark background is a problem very frequently met by DIY-ers, Swanson has come up with the idea of adding lights to this tool.

This is a great idea and I bet there are a few MacGyvers out there that tuned their own level with lights a long time ago. If not, this new gimmick from Swanson is a professional tool anyway that will surely prove more useful than your old level and with the benefit of lighting in order for easier reads.

The Lightening Level, as this is its official name, promises the best accuracy, advanced shock absorbency and an exclusive, patent-pending auto shutoff function. The last function will turn the level off after 10 minutes, in case it is accidentally turned on or forgotten on. This will protect the lifetime of the three LEDs that illuminate its vials and that of the two AAA batteries it runs on. Swanson provides a pair of batteries with every Lightening Level.

The acrylic block vials of the Lightening Level will be easily read in low-light conditions and have three-ring center lines for easy pitch calculations. The center vial can be seen from both front and above the level. Swanson has built four different models of the Lightening Level in sizes of 24 and 48 inches. The difference between these four models is that they can come with or without magnetic edges. The cheapest model sells for $45 and the largest one with magnetic edges costs $75.


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