Levels/unlevels
- Thread starter electrofelon
- Start date
Many years ago when I was doing some millwright work I had a cast iron Starret level. I set the level on the machine bed we were adjusting so it could acclimate to the machine and the ambient conditions.
About 4 hours later my level was missing. I got mad quick..
as I was walking down the catwalk I could see it in the back pocket of one of the electricians.
Regrettably, I was not nice to him at all.
He had no idea what the cost of the level was. Even at that time they were expensive.
He later apologized and admitted he didn't like it because it didn't have a magnet and a plumb vial.
About 4 hours later my level was missing. I got mad quick..
as I was walking down the catwalk I could see it in the back pocket of one of the electricians.
Regrettably, I was not nice to him at all.
He had no idea what the cost of the level was. Even at that time they were expensive.
He later apologized and admitted he didn't like it because it didn't have a magnet and a plumb vial.
Have to say during my 50 years never heard of Stabila levels. Found maybe thier cheapest one ( 10" ) for around $36 on the net which is worth it for what appears to be best in class. I still have three 10" Craftsman torpedo levels that only spent $5 each maybe 45 years ago. Have a 2' & a 4' level . Those two are still in the box they came in. A few times a year would test all of my levels. Only had to trash one of them after it dropped from a 16' ladder. Best level that I appreciated the most was a little Greenlee that can be clamped onto end of conduit while making bends.
Did a lot of electrical work in machine shops & tool & die shops. They had an expensive very percise Starret level. They kept it in a fitted wood box in an air conditioned room. Swear it could pick up a Human hair if you placed under one corner of something.
Starrett Precision tools and measurement instruments were always the gold standard. Until we started importing Mitutoyo from Japan. They were at least as good at half the price. That was in the 90s. I don’t know what machinists are using today.
That's what mine was. And yes, it was kept in a wooden box also. It only left the office for a specific job. This was 1987-1988 I believe when Starret was in their prime.
electrofelon
Senior Member
- Location
- Cherry Valley NY, Seattle, WA
I worked in a machine shop a while back and they had one. I couldn't remember and had to look it up, but each graduation on the vial is half a thousandth per foot.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
"Water levels" don't lie and are inexpensive.
electrofelon
Senior Member
- Location
- Cherry Valley NY, Seattle, WA
Yeah I have used them for laying out foundations and other long distance leveling tasks, they never lie.
Agreed. When I did electrical I loved a water level when putting in wall boxes for something like a tile backsplash. I wanted them all in a straight line. Tile wall will definitely show out of level boxes.
zbang
Senior Member
- Location
- Roughly 5346 miles from Earls Court
Starrett; there are a lot on the used market and they can be calibrated. (Mitutoyo are good, too.)
FWIW, I don't think I've ever had a level that was off by more than it mattered, the one in the toolbag is Empire but there are several 2' and 4' ones in the shop.