News

Press Release: April 30, 2018 Mequon, WI. – Today, Hultafors Group of Goteborg, Sweden announced the acquisition of Johnson Level and Tool Mfg., Co., Inc. of Mequon, WI. For over 70 years Johnson Level has been supplying innovative solutions across a broad spectrum of customers in the Layout...

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  For Father's day, Christmas gifts of Dad's birthday, the handyman or carpenter in your life probably values gifts with a lot of utility as the most thoughtful. Moms can enjoy these too - we just notice these are a bit more popular around Father's day. Present ideas for your Favorite Handy...

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Before looking at the differences between these two popular types of levels, it’s important to know the similarities. I-Beam and Box-Beam Level Similarities Serve a common function Strikingly similar appearance Spirit levels (bubble levels) — they use a bubble to determine i...

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Carpentry Pencil vs Regular Pencil A carpenter’s pencil (also called a ‘carpentry pencil’ and ‘carpenter pencil’) is a pencil made for carpentry work. There are some important differences between regular pencils and carpentry pencils. The shape of a typical pencil is ...

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Hand Sight Level Definition and Uses A hand level (also called a sight level or hand sight level) is a tool used for ‘rough leveling’ – that is, estimation and not precision. A hand level is essentially a spirit level inside of a telescope. The device is generally used by grading ...

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How to Calculate Elevation Grade How to Set Grade Stakes   What is Elevation Grade? Grade of an object’s physical feature, a landform or a line (plane) is used to indicate the slope of the thing being measured. Applications of grade include physical features like hills, riverban...

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How to Read a Tape Measure How to Measure Using a Tape Measure Tape Measure Test Understanding Tape Measures A tape measure, also called measuring tape, is a type of flexible ruler. Tape measures are made from a variety of materials, including fiber glass, plastic and cloth. They are among t...

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Laser Level How To's How to Choose a Laser Level How to Use a Laser Level How to Use a Laser Level Outdoors How to Use a Laser Level to Hang Pictures How to Use a Laser Level to Level Ground How to Set Grade with a Laser Level View all Laser Levels from Johnson Level. Laser Levels from ...

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How to Read a Straight Edge How is a Ruler Different from a Straight Edge How to Use a Straight Edge How to Use a Straight Edge with a Circular Saw View straight edges and cutting guides from Johnson Level. A straight edge is a cutting guide tool for copying a straight line from o...

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How to Keep Track of Construction Tools How to Read a Construction Tape Measure View all construction measuring tools from Johnson Level. There are many construction measuring tools available to those on a jobsite. You might wonder which type of measuring device are used on construction s...

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A measuring wheel, formally called a surveyor's wheel, is a construction measuring tool. The origin of the measuring wheel dates back the 17th Century alongside the evolution of the odometer. While a rudimentary-looking tool, measuring distances while walking with a surveyor’s wheel is an effe...

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Flagging and barricade tape are two types of brightly colored tape used to indicate work areas and levels of triage or potential danger or a hazard to passers by, respectively. Barricade tape generally featuring bold lettering alerting the potential safety concern, and as a minor impediment to the m...

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Welcome to Johnson Level's collection of How-To Guides. Below you will find convenient how-to instructions on various Johnson levels and other tools.   --> Laser Levels --> --> Squares --> --> Optical Levels --> --> ...

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Spirit (bubble) levels have applications in just about every field where something is built or constructed, including the medical field. Below is a look inside of an x-ray computed tomography scanner (a ‘CT scanner’). Specifically, the machine’s level is being tested with a Johnson...

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A T-square is a tool used in technical drawing, primarily as a guide for drawing straight horizontal lines on a drafting table. It can also be used in conjunction with a set square to draw vertical and angled lines. Its name is derived from its resemblance to the letter ‘T’.  A dryw...

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A try square is special purpose square in wood- and metalworking used to mark or measure material. The name ‘try square’ comes from the concepts of ‘trying a surface’ (to check a surface’s straightness or correspondence to an adjacent surface) and ‘square’ (...

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A plumb bob is a pointed weight attached to the end of the string and is used to find a vertical reference line called plumb. Plumb is the vertical equivalent to a spirit level. Plumb bob has been around for thousands of years, dating back to Ancient Egypt. The tool is also used in surveying, allowi...

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How to Read a Torpedo Level How to Use a Torpedo Level How to Use a Magnetic Torpedo Level View all torpedo levels from Johnson Level. A torpedo level is a spirit level designed for use in tight spaces. Johnson Level offers torpedo levels made in the USA in lengths ranging from 6 to 12 i...

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A post level is, simply put, a spirit level that finds both level and plumb in a post or other type of 2x4. It has a simple, easy to use design: two-sided molded plastic forming a 90° angle, a height of 5.5 inches and 3.5 inch width on each side, and three spirit level vials. The inside edg...

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How to Read a Framing Square How to Use a Framing Square How to Cut Stair Stringers with a Framing Square How to Layout Rafters with a Framing Square How to Use a Framing Square for Angles View all framing squares from Johnson Level. Also known as a steel square, the Johnson framing sq...

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Johnson Level and Tool has always made quality tools using high-end materials and manufacturing processes. Now with their EZ Read™ line they are making use of the properties of contrast to make commonly used layout tools easier to read in the wide variety of lighting conditions we find ourselv...

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A couple of years ago Johnson Level first introduced their bamboo levels. Bamboo is advantageous to use for a number of reasons including strength and sustainability, so is it any wonder that they have decided to introduce a line of T-Bevels and Try-Squares that use the fast growing grass? There ar...

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Johnson has come out with a couple of new torpedo levels designed to meet the specific needs of tradesmen. These 6-inch and 9-inch levels are not your typical plastic torpedo levels but instead are machined out of solid aluminum and offer other professional features. They might be called levels, bu...

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If you hang alot of pictures or install appliances here’s a simple, hands free level tool to make your job easier. It’s called the Picture Perfect Level, and it’s made by Johnson Level. Johnson Perfect Picture Level The Perfect Picture Level is a lightweight ninety degree level ...

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OK. Let’s get this out of the way up front. I know that the Johnson Red Beam Industrial Magnetic Pulley (Sheave) Alignment Laser (Model: 40-6200) is not for everyone in woodworking or metalworking. However, considering that we have “weekend woodworkers” with CNC routers, CNC engrav...

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Johnson Level Review Mike is one of the carpenters that works for Steve Wartman at Wartman Home Improvements. As I shadowed Steve’s crew during the shed build, I noticed that Mike always kept a tape measure, pencil, utility knife and level close at hand. He’s used an Empire level for se...

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Johnson Level Review Mike is one of the carpenters that works for Steve Wartman at Wartman Home Improvements. As I shadowed Steve’s crew during the shed build, I noticed that Mike always kept a tape measure, pencil, utility knife and level close at hand. He’s used an Empire level for se...

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Johnson Level sent us their fastest growing level for a review. By “fastest growing”, I don’t necessarily mean market share. I’m talking literally here. Johnson has a new line of levels made out of bamboo (which, by the way, is technically a grass and grows insanely fast). We...

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I recently learned that what I’ve always called a Johnson Rafter Angle Square is officially called a Johnson 7 Inch Johnny Square. The Johnny Square was named after Johnny Wong a builder and carpenter who helped test and develop the square in the field. As long as I can remember I’ve al...

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Dan (host):  Hey guys its Dan with tools in action.  We are at the national hardware show 2011 hardware show and were here with one of our favorite level makers Johnson.  We are here with Amanda and Jim and Jim is going to walk you through some of the new products th...

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Note from Johnson Level: Johnson Level offers a variety of quality, durable and and reliable measuring tools.  The following review explains how Johnson Level's measuring tools are a great value and deliver the same, or better, results than the more expensive brands.  This review covers t...

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Transit Level How To's How to Read a Transit Level How to Set Up a Transit Level How to Use a Transit Level How to Focus a Transit Level How to Choose a Transit Level Tripod Parts of a Transit Level: Anatomy of the Transit Level View all optical levels from Johnson Level. What ar...

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Theodolite vs TransitHow to Use a TheodoliteHow a Theodolite Works Types of Theodolites There are two different kinds of theodolites: digital and non digital. Non digital theodolites are rarely used anymore. Digital theodolites consist of a telescope that is mounted on a base, as well as an elec...

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Story Pole A story pole, is the simplest type of leveling rod. Story poles are constructed as needed on job sites and simply consist of only the measurements that are needed for the job. Story poles should be constructed of a sturdy material such as lumber and construction netting; they should also...

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Grade Rod How to Read a Grade Rod How to Read an Engineer's Grade Rod How to Read a Builder's/Architect Grade Rod How to Read a Direct Elevation Grade Rod View all grade rods from Johnson Level. A Grade Rod or leveling rod, is a graduated rod used to determine differences in elevation...

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Automatic laser levels, or self-leveling levels, have become a much more common optical instrument on construction sites. These levels are replacing alternatives, such as builder's levels, because they are easier to use and quicker to set up. Automatic laser levels remain level and accurate no matte...

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Tripod Components How to Set Up a Tripod How to Use a Laser Level with a Tripod How to Use a Laser Level Detector View tripods, detectors and laser accessories from Johnson Level. A tripod is a three-legged stand, important in providing the foundation for laser levels and other l...

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How to Use a Builder's Level How to Check a Builder's Level How to Calibrate a Builder's Level View all optical levels from Johnson Level. A builder's level is used in the construction field to set up level points and to check elevations. It is an optical instrument used mainly in surveying ...

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Product Review: Johnson Takes On The Tape Measure The search for the perfect tape measure is no small task. I have yet to find one that I am 100% happy with and have been on a never ending search ever since I started working in construction. For the longest time it seems as though manufacturers ...

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With more than 60 years of developing solutions to help professional tradesmen improve their work, Johnson Level products are trusted by professionals worldwide to help them work more accurately, more quickly and more reliably. Over the years, we have built a comprehensive portfolio of leveling, mar...

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Box Beam Level Overview Box beam levels or box levels are a type of spirit level and are called such because of the shape of the level frame. If you were to cut the box level in half, you would see the aluminum is formed (extruded) in the shape of a rectangle(or box)and is generally hollow in the m...

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How to Read a Spirit Level How to Use a Spirit Level How to Check a Spirit Level for Accuracy How to Level a Scope with a Bubble Level View all spirit and bubble levels from Johnson Level. A Spirit Level is a tool used to indicate how parallel (level) or perpendicular (plumb) a surface ...

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Typically levels are referred to as spirit levels or bubble levels.  Where does the name “spirit level” come from?  The name “spirit level” comes from the liquid inside the level vial.  This liquid is a mineral spirit solution with additives which give the vial...

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I-Beam Level Overview The I-Beam level is a specific type of spirit level. If you need a primer on how to use a spirit level, see our online guide. I-Beam levels got their name from their shape; if you look at the level on its end, you can see it looks like the letter "i".  I-beam levels ...

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Q:  Does the Johnson Level & Tool limited warranty apply to items purchased on on-line auction sites such as e-Bay? A:  No. Our warranty states "Seller extends the following limited warranty to the initial purchaser and first end-user only..." We consider anything sold on auction web ...

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How to Calibrate a Rotary Laser Level How to Use a Rotary Laser Level View all rotary laser levels from Johnson Level. Check out our how-to guide to choose a rotary laser level. Rotary laser levels are used for construction projects indoors to shoot a 360-degree horizontal or vert...

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This video is an outdoor application of the 40-6522 electronic self-leveling horizontal rotary laser level on a construction jobsite for establishing a horizontal and vertical plane to frame in a window.  The 40-6522 laser level can also be used indoors with similar applications for interior fr...

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Rotary Laser Level Assists in Grading and Leveling Ground Here, Johnson Level demonstrates using a rotary laser level on a construction jobsite for establishing a grade from either a known point of elevation or the height of the instrument. Finding elevations is important to grading, excavatio...

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Setting Rails to Level for a Plasma Cutter Johnson Level demonstrates using the 40-6926 26X automatic level on a construction jobsite to set rails for a movable plasma cutting table for high precision steel cuts at Wausau Steel.    VIDEO TRANSCRIPT Hello,...

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Questions Q1: Why is a level called a spirit level? What is a spirit level? Q2: Is the shape of the level vial a cylinder shape or a barrel shape? Q3: How big is the bubble in the level? Q4: What is the bubble in the spirit level or bubble level made of? Q5: Why do some levels, particularly woo...

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