Keson Box Beam Level Review
Keson 48″ Box Beam Construction Level
Keson 48" Box Beam Level
Manufacturer: Keson
Model number: LKB48M
Price: $78.99
Weight: 3.3 Lbs.A high quality, rugged, and accurate spirit level is one of the most indispensable tools on most job sites. But these precision instruments also get the snot beat out of them. As a sitework contractor, it is common to see levels tossed in and out of toolboxes or truck beds. In order to be tradesman-proof, your box beam level better be tough! Keson is a company that gets this. This is my review of the Keson 48″ Box Beam Level Model LKB48. The rugged yet refined design and precision accuracy are very impressive!
Keson Industries
Keson Industries is a company that has been building high quality layout and line marking tools since 1968. They partnered with the European manufacturer SOLA to provide them with high quality components to build their levels. These construction levels are feature packed, durable, and affordable. Their lineup also includes digital levels, screed levels, and torpedo specialty levels. Keson’s construction level series is a mid-tier offering that is rugged and a great value.
Keson Box Beam Level Features:
- Heavyweight Profile
- Two Material End Caps
- Single Measuring Surface
- Tension-Wedge Vial Mounting
- Greater Contrast
- 20% Vial Magnification
- Superior Anti-Static Vial Fluid
- Vials are Extreme Temperature Rated
- Anti-Shock Action
- Magnetic Frame Rail
The crew here at Tool Box Buzz took a look at some of the top offerings for Best Construction Levels Head to Head a couple years ago. The criteria the crew used to evaluate those levels, reads like the features list of the Keson. The body of the level has a solid box beam style construction that is heavy and rugged. The end caps are constructed from a sturdy rubber material that holds up well working around concrete structures. The rubber overmold is also included on the hand hold cutouts.
The under side of the Keson Construction level features magnets machined into the bottom rail of the beam. I found this to be great feature for storage, for instance securing the level inside of tool box body on a truck. If you work with steel often, then this is an excellent feature for you.
Keson’s Box Beam Level Vials
The vials of the Keson Construction Levels are probably my favorite feature. Three vials are built into the 48″ Box Beam Level. The housing offers a 20% magnification value and is incredibly easy to see and read in all conditions. The fluid in the vials is specifically designed to be anti-static, anti-shock, and extreme temperature resistant.
Keson’s vials are so clear and precise that they make quick leveling a breeze. Because of this attention to detail, the bubble in the Keson vials returns to shape quickly if you drop or bang the level. If that isn’t cool enough, Keson made the vials of the construction level series glow in the dark!
A stock image of the Keson glow in the dark vials from the manufacturer’s website.
Keson Construction Level Accuracy
Well all this talk is not worth a darn if it isn’t accurate. Keson’s vials are rated for a maximum measurement tolerance of 0.0005 in./in. in the standard position. In the vertical position Keson rates the Construction Box Beam Level for 0.00075 in./in.
Keson’s Box Beam – Drop Test
It has to be able to withstand a fall right? Well to test this I threw it off a deck a I was working on a few times. This impromptu drop testing subject the Keson level to an approximately 14′ drop. I repeated the test four times and observed no damage to the level. I checked accuracy on an existing post prior to the test, as well as afterwards. The Keson Construction Level held true!
Price and Availability
The Keson Box Beam Construction level series is currently available along with all other styles in the series. Currently the 48″ model that I reviewed is available for $78.99 from our friends at Acme Tools. That is a great price for a rugged mid-range level with great features!
Who Did Keson Build This for?
The construction series of levels is what Keson describes as their Mid-Tier offering. This tool is perfect for the framing contractor, site work contractor, or anyone in the construction industry that demands a high performance and accurate tool at an affordable price.
Overall Impressions:
Keson is manufacturing high quality and reliable levels with their family of box beam levels. The 48″ construction level I am using continues to impress me. It had solid construction, clear and precise vials, and is very affordable! The only critique is that no protective case or sleeve is included with the level. Keson could help end users prolong the external wear of the tool by including a case or bag with it.
The foundation of the construction industry is accurate and precise work done by skilled workers. Keson is offering tools to workers of any trade that will make your work more accurate, while giving a better finished product, and not breaking the bank while doing it. Check out the box beam construction levels from Keson and you will not be left out of whack!
About the author
Wes Bartosik
Wes Bartosik is a Connecticut native with strong family ties to the construction world. Wes’ father and grandfather both were builders and developers and taught Wes the values of doing things right from an early age and getting hands on experience with every facet of the construction industry. Wes apprenticed with a carpenter throughout high school and would later attend Central Connecticut State University earning a bachelor’s degree in construction management all while working for a large excavation contractor throughout. Wes would go on to work for a local heavy-highway construction company and gain further experience with all the skilled trades associated with large civil engineering and utility projects. Though working as a manager now, Wes’ true passion is working in the field alongside the tradesman and laborers on site. Wes has been involved in community based service projects throughout his life as well as emergency services. In his spare time he takes on serious DIY projects for himself, friends and family. He is a firm believer that with a quality tool in your hands and some grit, you can accomplish anything.
4 Comments
Leave a comment
Disclosure
Product reviews on this site contain our opinion of a product or service. We will always strive for objectivity and transparency in our reviews. Our goal is to provide readers with honest, objective information based on our own experiences. We never have and never will accept payment in exchange for a positive review. Many of the products that we review are provided to us for free by a manufacturer or retailer. In some cases, we also have advertising or affiliate relationships with manufacturers and retailers of products and services we review. For additional information please visit our additional disclosure policies.
What (if any) are y’alls thoughts on the anniversary pack of stabila levels? It’s a hell of a deal for 4 sizes, at $100. But they’re described as between the 70 and 80 series, I believe. Stabila obviously has a fantastic reputation, but too good to be true? Thanks as always for all your great content and coverage!
There is no question that Stabila is a top quality manufacturer. The anniversary edition set you are talking about is a great buy, but it is a limited edition set and won’t be around forever. For maybe $30-$40 more I can design my own set of Kesson levels that is tailored to my personal preferences.
Good to know, thanks!
Do you make a longer level,??