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Starrett Machinists' Level with Ground and Graduated Main Vial - Ideal for Machine Shop and Tool Room Use - 12" (300mm) Length, Cross Test Vial, With Wood Case - 98Z-12

  • Based on 501 reviews
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Availability: Only 3 left in stock, order soon!
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Arrives Friday, May 23
Order within 12 hours and 26 minutes
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Style: With Case


Size: 12" (300mm) Length


Features

  • Adjustable - The vials are adjustable to a positive setting. It can be adjusted by turning the knurled knob on the side of the level, making it easy for quick leveling tasks.
  • Durable Fine Finish - The base is made from cast iron and is precision-machined on the reference surface to increase durability. The vial is housed in a satin finished brass tube with a friction-fit closing cover to prevent breakage.
  • Accurate and Precise - With the cross test vial, it is possible to simultaneously level in both directions. This prevents inaccuracies in the main vial reading caused by canting the level sidewise on round work.
  • Ergonomic - The base of the levels features an involute groove between the bearing flats for accurate seating on round work. This groove has a special involute design, permitting better centering and greater capacity to handle larger rounds.
  • The Standard for Excellence - Proudly made in the USA, Starrett combines over 140 years of American heritage and innovation with globally sourced materials to deliver exceptional quality tools and products.

Description

The Starrett 98Z-12 precision machinists’ level is a 12" long spirit level with a graduated main vial that has a sensitivity of 0.42 mm/m or 80 to 90 seconds for determining horizontal plane, a cross-test vial that enables simultaneous leveling in two directions, and a plumb vial for determining vertical plane. The main vial is adjustable to a positive setting for accurate results, is made of ground glass that resists scratching to provide clear readings, and is housed in a brass tube with a friction-fit closing to resist breakage. A V-shaped groove along the base provides reliable seating when leveling round items such as pipe, conduit, and shafts. The level has a cast iron base for durability and it comes with a finished wood storage case. Levels are used in the building trades, engineering, surveying, and metalworking, among other applications. Levels are instruments that are used to determine the true horizontal or vertical plane of a surface. The most common type of level is the spirit level, or bubble level. Spirit levels have a liquid-filled, bowed tube (also called a vial) with a bubble that moves when slight adjustments are made to the level. When the bubble settles between marked points on the vial, it indicates that a surface is horizontally or vertically straight. Levels can have one or more vials to determine the horizontal plane, the vertical plane, or various points between, such as a 45-degree angle, simultaneously. Some levels include a laser line indicator that projects a horizontal or vertical beam on a surface. Bullseye levels, or surface levels, are circular, flat-bottomed spirit levels that determine whether a surface plane is level. Machinists’ levels are made of metal and have surfaces designed specifically for rugged use in a machine shop or tool room. Levels can range from highly-complex and accurate machines, such as those used in the surveying and construction industry, to precision instruments used in carpentry and other building trades, to simple, pocket- sized devices for do-it-yourself projects. The L.S. Starrett Company manufactures precision measuring tools, metrology and testing equipment, and saw blade products. The company, founded in 1880, is headquartered in Athol, MA. From the Manufacturer Starrett Machinists Levels have ground and graduated main vials and include a cross test vial and single adjustable plumb vial. The base of the levels feature an involute groove running the length of the base which provides a reliable seat for round work. To guarantee extreme accuracy, the length of your level should not be longer than the work you are leveling.

Brand: Starrett


Material: Wood, Brass, Cast Iron


Color: Clear


Style: With Case


Item Weight: 2.27 Kilograms


Brand: ‎Starrett


Material: ‎Wood, Brass, Cast Iron


Color: ‎Clear


Style: ‎With Case


Item Weight: ‎2.27 Kilograms


Operation Mode: ‎Manual


UPC: ‎049659623482 049659504446


Global Trade Identification Number: ‎46


Manufacturer: ‎Starrett


Part Number: ‎98Z-12


Item Weight: ‎4.99 pounds


Product Dimensions: ‎15.8 x 5.5 x 2.9 inches


Country of Origin: ‎USA


Item model number: ‎98Z-12


Is Discontinued By Manufacturer: ‎No


Size: ‎12" (300mm) Length


Power Source: ‎hand_powered


Item Package Quantity: ‎1


Included Components: ‎Unit^Instruction Guide


Batteries Included?: ‎No


Batteries Required?: ‎No


Warranty Description: ‎One Year on defects in material and workmanship


Date First Available: November 28, 2008


Frequently asked questions

If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is: Friday, May 23

Yes, absolutely! You may return this product for a full refund within 30 days of receiving it.

To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.

View our full returns policy here.

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Top Amazon Reviews


  • Accurate
Style: With Case Size: 12" (300mm) Length
The Starrett Machinists' Level is an exceptional tool for precision work in the machine shop. Its ground and graduated main vial provides unparalleled accuracy, ensuring perfect surface alignment every time. The build quality is top-notch, with a durable finish that withstands the rigors of daily use. The level's ergonomic design and precise adjustments make it easy to use, even for complex tasks. Whether you're working on intricate projects or routine maintenance, this level is a reliable and indispensable tool. Highly recommend it to anyone in need of a high-quality machinist level. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2024 by Outdoorsman78

  • Amazing precision!
Style: Without Case Size: 12" (300mm) Length
If you thought a good hardware store level was precise, think again. I needed this to level out the platen on my wide format printer, we’re talking about fractions of a mm tolerance that were causing the print carriage to rub. After using steel thickness gauges to level everything out, we were still getting a slight bit of blur across the travel. Bring in a $300 level I never knew I needed. First, you have to calibrate this yourself. Look up some videos and find a VERY stable table or just go straight to the concrete like I did, just make sure the floor is clean and there is no lose debris. Place some tape marks and take your time alternating directions. Once calibrated, you’ll be able to capture the slightest inaccuracies. 0.0002” per foot tolerance is no joke. We were able to plum up the platen in no time and fix the detail issue with the printer. Life saver! Would have never been able to achieve the same results using an ordinary level, not even close. It’s expensive for what it is, but everything about it is precision machined and the glass vial is insanely sensitive. The 12” version I purchased actually comes with 3 total levels. I knew it had an extra one on the front for a second axis, but it also has another for a 3rd axis located in the middle where the finger holes are. At this price and sensitivity, I wish it came with a case. It’s pretty robust and the main vial has a cover, but I’d like to give it some extra protection anyway. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2024 by Chris B.

  • World's Greatest Level
Style: Without Case Size: 12" (300mm) Length
I was amazed of the accuracy of a machinists type of level vs a good carpenters level. No comparison, and Starrett, as anyone knows has a reputation that is second to none. When I borrowed my brother's Starrett 8" machinist level, and used it to level my pool table, it truly did the job so well, that it's almost like magic, seeing how straight the balls could actually roll, and even when hit slow, they continue on their straight path with no variation at all of getting off course. I had been trying to get one of these for over a year on e-bay, but gosh, the prices were always over $100.00 even for those that could have been taken better care of. I finally decided to pay a little more and just get a new one. It will easily hold its value by taking care of it, and in 30 years time, will be worth more if not abused. Next project will be a plane, and needed something I could truly rely on to level the table with. It already made a believer out of me with how well it leveled my pool table. I use digital levelers on occasion, but trust this one more. And 100 years down the road to whomever inherits and still has this level, if they had taken care of it, it'll still be as good as the day I bought it. One can't say as much for electronic levels and will probably be lucky to get ten years use out of them. Their displays have a tendency to go out, and they are a bit finicky. It's nice when old fashioned technology trumps some of this new stuff. This is one such case. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2014 by J. Lile

  • Best in class
Style: Without Case Size: 8" (200mm) Length
Love this new leveler for any pool table
Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2025 by Worked great

  • A good value for already proven Starrett quality
Style: Without Case Size: 8" (200mm) Length
I use this level for setting rails on CNC plasma burning tables. With this I can get as good a level as many of the "Master Machinist Levels" selling for many times more. It's the same quality I've come to expect from Starrett. It's durable (I travel with it a lot) and accurate. It was already calibrated when I received it, although not certified. I checked level on a known granite plate and could detect no deviation in all directions. If the bubble is within the inner lines, then you know you're as good as you can get. There are optical devices, and laser devices, that can be used for better accuracy, but often in the thousands or tens of thousands dollars. For 99% of all applications, this is all you need. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2020 by Gilleland

  • Text
Style: Without Case Size: 8" (200mm) Length
Fast delivery. Everything working good.
Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2024 by Pedja Bogicevic

  • Good and accurate
Style: Without Case Size: 8" (200mm) Length
Great as usual from Starrett, calibrated, the bottom surfaces are clean and perfect. I gave it 4 stars just for the box, it would be nice to have a specialised box for such precision tool.
Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2024 by IBRA AL

  • For turntable setup use cases, perfect
Style: Without Case Size: 4" (100mm) Length
I use this level to set up my turntable. This particular scale offers repeatable measurement which is more than can be said for digital variants and is far more accurate. I find the 8" to be the best size for turntables, although I have scales of 4/6/8 inches from this manufacturer and the 4" is useful for some specific leveling jobs. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2020 by Steven Dake

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