STABILA TYPE 106
Stabila Type 106 levels are built for setting out widths, openings and repeated measurements without swapping tools mid-job.
If you're marking kitchen units, window reveals or stud centres all day, a Stabila 106 level saves time because it levels and measures the gap in one go. The Stabila Type 106 extendable level is the one lads reach for when fixed lengths are a nuisance, with telescopic adjustment that keeps site work moving. If you need other options alongside the Stabila Extendable Spirit Levels range, this is where to start.
What Jobs Are Stabila Type 106 Levels Best At?
- Setting out kitchen carcases and appliance gaps is where a Stabila 106 level earns its keep, because you can extend to the opening, check level, and repeat the same size along the run without messing about with separate measurements.
- Marking window and door reveals on refurbishment work is quicker with a Stabila Type 106 telescopic level, especially when old walls are out and you need a reliable reference across changing widths.
- Fitting bathroom furniture, duct boxing and built-in storage is easier when the level doubles as a gauge, helping you transfer widths and keep faces lined up cleanly.
- Working on metal framing or service installs, the Stabila 106 magnetic level versions are handy for leaving both hands free while you line brackets, channels or supports.
- Checking plate positions and repeat spacings on joinery or fit-out jobs is exactly what the Stabila Type 106 plate level is for, cutting down small errors that soon show up across a full run.
Choosing the Right Stabila Type 106
Sorting the right one is simple: match the version to the material you're working on and whether you need measuring, magnetic hold, or plate-setting more than anything else.
1. Standard Extendable or Magnetic
If you're mostly on timber, kitchens and joinery, a standard Stabila type 106 does the job nicely. If you're fixing to steel stud, frames or metal supports, go straight to a Stabila 106 magnetic level so you're not trying to hold the level and fastener at the same time.
2. Think About Your Typical Opening Size
If you're working across narrow furniture gaps and cabinet widths, you do not need the biggest option in the range. If you're regularly bridging larger openings, reveals or wider setting-out work, buy the extendable size that covers that span without forcing you into workarounds.
3. Plate Level Versions for Repeat Layout
If the job is all about repeating one set distance across multiple fixings or faces, a Stabila type 106 plate level is the better shout. It is made for transferring that setting cleanly, which is a lot quicker than checking each mark from scratch.
4. Telescopic Convenience or Fixed Box Beam
If you need one level to cover changing widths all day, the Stabila type 106 telescopic style makes more sense than carrying several fixed sizes. If most of your work is straight levelling on fixed lengths, have a look at Stabila Box Beam Spirit Levels as well.
Who Uses These on Site?
- Kitchen fitters swear by the Stabila 106 level for setting appliance housings, bridging cabinet runs and repeating awkward widths without stopping to grab a tape every five minutes.
- Joiners and chippies use the Stabila Type 106 extendable level on first and second fix when they are lining stud openings, built-in furniture and door sets where the gap matters just as much as the level.
- Shopfitters and interior fit-out teams keep these close for repetitive layout work, because once the telescopic size is set they can carry that measurement straight across a run.
- Sparks, plumbers and duct fitters often go for the Stabila 106 magnetic level when working on frames or steel, as it holds in place while they mark, drill or fix.
The Basics: Understanding Stabila Type 106 Levels
This style of level is not just for checking level. The whole point is that it extends to a set width, so you can level and transfer that measurement in one tool instead of swapping between a spirit level and tape.
1. Telescopic Body
The extendable body slides out to match the opening or spacing you are working with. That means when one cabinet gap, reveal or frame width is right, you can carry the same setting along the rest of the job without remeasuring every section.
2. Vials Still Do the Levelling
Even though it extends, it still works like a proper spirit level with horizontal and vertical vial readings. The benefit on site is fewer tools in hand and less chance of introducing small measuring errors while setting out.
3. Special Variants Change the Job It Suits
A Stabila 106 t or Stabila 106 tm variant is aimed at more specific setting-out tasks, with magnetic or plate-based features depending on the model. Pick the version around the material and layout job, not just the brand name on the side.
Accessories That Keep Your Stabila Type 106 Sorted
A good level only stays useful if it is protected and backed up properly on site.
1. Stabila Spirit Level Bags
Get one of the proper Stabila Spirit Level Bags. It stops the level getting bent up against other kit in the van and saves the vials from knocks that turn an accurate tool into a guessing stick.
2. Fixed Box Beam Backup Level
A fixed level is still worth having alongside your extendable one. For long straight checks on walls, floors and frames, a standard box beam saves wear on the telescopic level and gives you a quicker grab for everyday levelling.
3. Protective Storage in the Van
However careful you are, levels get wrecked bouncing around with cutters, drills and fixings. Proper storage keeps the extending sections clean and stops damage that can make the slide stiff or throw your readings into doubt.
Choose the Right Stabila Type 106 for the Job
Use this quick guide to pick the version that matches your work.
| Your Job | Level Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Fitting kitchens and setting cabinet gaps | Stabila Type 106 extendable level | Telescopic width setting, level checking, quick repeat measurements |
| Working on steel stud or metal framing | Stabila 106 magnetic level | Magnetic hold, hands free positioning, easier fixing and marking |
| Marking repeat distances across joinery or fit-out runs | Stabila Type 106 plate level | Consistent spacing, fast transfer of set widths, tidy repeat work |
| General levelling on fixed lengths | Box beam spirit level | Rigid body, simple straight checks, ideal when extension is not needed |
| Heavy daily site use across mixed jobs | Stabila Type 196-2 | Tough fixed frame, strong vial accuracy, better for general levelling abuse |
Common Buying and Usage Mistakes
- Buying an extendable level for every job when most of your work is standard levelling is a common one. If you rarely need to transfer widths, a fixed level can be the quicker and tougher daily option.
- Using the wrong version on metal framing slows everything down. If you're constantly on steel stud or brackets, a non magnetic model means one hand is always tied up when it does not need to be.
- Throwing a Stabila 106 level loose in the van is asking for trouble. Dirt in the sliding section and knocks on the frame soon make extension rough and can risk accuracy over time.
- Assuming extension range does not matter is another easy miss. Check the openings and spans you actually work on, otherwise you end up short on bigger reveals and back on the tape anyway.
- Treating a telescopic level like a pry bar or straightedge for rough handling will shorten its life fast. Use it for setting out and levelling, not as a lever for shifting frames into place.
Stabila Type 106 vs Box Beam Level vs Plate Level
Stabila Type 106 Extendable
This is the best pick when widths change from one part of the job to the next and you need to carry those measurements across accurately. It is made for fit-out, kitchens, openings and repetitive setting-out work, not just basic levelling.
Box Beam Level
A box beam level is the better daily beater for straight checks on floors, walls and frames where the length never changes. It is simpler, more rigid, and usually the right call for general site levelling.
Plate Level Version
A plate level suits repeat spacing and transfer work where you want the same set distance again and again. If your day is more about layout than checking long runs, this can save a surprising amount of time.
Magnetic Variant
The magnetic version wins on metalwork because it stays put while you mark or fix. On timber and board jobs it is less essential, so do not pay for magnets if they will never earn their keep.
Maintenance and Care
Keep the Sliding Sections Clean
Wipe dust, plaster and fine site muck off after use, especially around the telescopic sections. Letting grit build up makes extension rough and increases wear where the sections slide together.
Store It Straight
Do not wedge it under heavy kit or leave it rattling round the van floor. A level that gets bent, dented or knocked hard is no use when accuracy matters.
Check Accuracy After a Bad Knock
If it has been dropped off a bench or trapped behind other gear, check it against a known true surface before trusting it on finished work. Catching a bad reading early is better than remaking a full run of units.
Look After Magnetic Faces
On magnetic models, keep the contact faces clean so swarf and filings do not stop it sitting flat. A magnet covered in metal dust can hold badly and throw off your setup.
Replace if the Frame or Vials Are Compromised
If the frame is visibly damaged, the extension no longer runs properly, or the vials cannot be trusted, retire it. A suspect level costs more in callbacks than a replacement ever will.
Why Shop for Stabila Type 106 Levels at ITS?
Whether you need a standard Stabila type 106, a magnetic version, or another model from the wider Stabila Spirit Levels range, we stock the proper trade options in one place. We carry the full spread of Stabila levelling gear in our own warehouse, including fixed models like the Stabila Type 196-2, all ready for next day delivery.
Stabila Type 106 FAQs
What is the Stabila Type 106?
The Stabila Type 106 is an extendable spirit level built for jobs where you need to level and transfer a width at the same time. It is especially useful for kitchen fitting, openings, joinery runs and other setting-out work where fixed-length levels are more hassle than help.
How far does the Type 106 extend?
That depends on the exact Stabila 106 level model you pick. Always check the stated closed and extended range on the product, because the right choice comes down to the openings and spans you deal with most often on site.
Is the Type 106 available with magnets?
Yes, some versions are. If you are regularly working on steel stud, frames or metal supports, a Stabila 106 magnetic level is well worth it because it frees up your hands for marking and fixing.
Does the Type 106 stay accurate when extended?
Yes, that is the whole point of buying a proper Stabila type 106 extendable level rather than making do with two tools and a guess. As long as it has not been knocked about, kept full of grit, or damaged in the van, it is built to give reliable readings when extended.
What is a plate level used for?
A plate level is used for setting and repeating the same distance or position across a job. It is handy on fit-out, joinery and installation work where consistency matters and you want to avoid small marking errors building up across a full run.
Is a Stabila Type 106 better than a standard box beam level?
For changing widths and repetitive setting-out, yes. For everyday straight levelling on fixed lengths, not always. If your work is mostly floors, walls and basic framing, a fixed box beam is often the tougher and simpler choice.
