Master Levels Starrett, Lufkin and Schultes Same Form Factors

[G-ManBart]

So I sort of went down a rabbit hole on master precision levels and now I'm wondering who made what. Sorry in advance...this won't be short!

I needed a larger level to span the ways on my 16" victor, and got a deal on a really nice Lufkin No. 59 that fit the bill. I really like the Lufkin and it's really a substantial, solid piece that is surprisingly heavy when you grab it.

I started leveling the Victor and realized it would be easier/faster to level the machine with two levels...one across the ways and one along the ways, and look at both as I made my adjustments. With that in mind I had my eye out for another similar level and I got a deal on a Starrett No. 199 at a local auction.

I should have stopped there, but I saw a Schultes level at another local auction and it appeared identical to the Lufkin, other than slight markings differences...well, I bought that one since it was crazy cheap (literally like $65). When you put the two next to one another they were clearly made by the same company and just had different tops put on them for each brand.

That got me wondering which of the two actually made the levels so I kept looking at eBay, FB Marketplace, and regular Google searches to see if I could find anything else. I then noticed a Starrett 15" level that looked nothing like all the other 15" Starretts that I've seen....interesting. Shortly after that, I see a Schultes 15" level that looks identical to this odd style Starrett 15" level.

It seems like maybe Schultes made all of these levels. We've got a Schultes and Lufkin that are identical and a Schultes and a Starrett that are identical but a different form factor than the Schultes/Lufkin style. What I haven't seen is a Schulte's (or Lufkin) that looks like the current Starrett No. 199 which has a hollow body when viewed from the end. If you've seen one of those I'd love to see pictures.

Anybody have old catalogs or references on these? My sense is the webbed body Starrett and Schultes are older, but that's just a guess.

Here are the Lufkin No. 59 and Schultes M15...sure look to be identical other than markings:


Here are the web pics I borrowed of the Starrett and Schultes that don't have model numbers. The Starrett in a Schultes box is also very interesting:

 

[matthewsx]

Sorry I can’t answer the question but I have the same Lufkin and it’s a beast.

John

 

[Pevehouse]

That’s very interesting, I have the starrett 199 also. Guess I just assumed starrett made it

 

[coolidge]

I bought and foolishly sold a Starrett No 199, then shopped for a year to find another in pristine condition.

 

[Pevehouse]

I bought and foolishly sold a Starrett No 199, then shopped for a year to find another in pristine condition.

Yes sir, they can be hard to find in pristine condition. I shopped for mine for quite a while before I found one sitting on eBay for $400. But she was a beauty

 

[Rex Walters]

I’m no help, but I’m envious of your collection.

A machinist’s level is about my favorite tool. So satisfyingly simple but self-proving and with incredible precision. They are quite handy for inspecting and aligning all sorts of things.

 

[G-ManBart]

I’m no help, but I’m envious of your collection.

A machinist’s level is about my favorite tool. So satisfyingly simple but self-proving and with incredible precision. They are quite handy for inspecting and aligning all sorts of things.

Guilty!

I absolutely, in no way at all, have a problem when it comes to levels....I can stop at any time! To be honest, two of the Starrett 199s I recently bought for friends who told me to keep an eye out for them. They were at auctions where I was already getting something so I grabbed the levels since they were a good deal and I knew they were sound. I'm passing them along for zero profit, but it made for a fun photo op!

I use the Starrett 98 to get machines in the ballpark then switch to the precision levels. I use the 15" levels more, but I really like the 8" E.D.A. for checking smaller lathes for bed twist. It fits nicely on the cross slide of most lathes where the bigger 15" lathes often are too long.

 

[Pevehouse]

Guilty!

I absolutely, in no way at all, have a problem when it comes to levels....I can stop at any time! To be honest, two of the Starrett 199s I recently bought for friends who told me to keep an eye out for them. They were at auctions where I was already getting something so I grabbed the levels since they were a good deal and I knew they were sound. I'm passing them along for zero profit, but it made for a fun photo op!

I use the Starrett 98 to get machines in the ballpark then switch to the precision levels. I use the 15" levels more, but I really like the 8" E.D.A. for checking smaller lathes for bed twist. It fits nicely on the cross slide of most lathes where the bigger 15" lathes often are too long.

View attachment 515033

I myself need to pickup a starrett 98 or something similar. My large 199 is often a little large for some of the things I need to do as you pointed out. I currently need to level my mill and check it for bed twist but the 199 will most likely be overkill. This will be the first time I have checked a mill for twist so I probably need a level that fits the bill

 

[Pevehouse]

Just saw a EDA on flea bay for $330. Those are pretty pricey