Spirit Levels

[Anonymous]

As many of the contibutors to the forum know, i have several spirit levels and i use them a lot; but i am having trouble withone of them and i was wondring if anyone can help me.

The trouble is, it quite often has two bubbles, as it seems to split in two sometimes, what would cause this and how can you fix it?

Does anyone think it might be because i live upside down here in the Southern hemisphere?


Rgds Ian

[kimbrit]

Hi Ian, once they do that they're useless, throw it away. I suspect it's something to do with surface tension but you must make sure the replacement works upside down!!
Kim

[Tom The Brat]

Susan wiggled and shook her spirit crooked and got it back to one bubble once.

She insisted EVERYTHING had to be leveled with her level and done to sub millimeter precision. But the silly thing was off about 1/4 bubble. I solved my dilemma by painting one end of it and calling that end "North or East." Now everything is crooked the same way[:-,]

[cacole]

You can usually just tip the level onto one end before using it and the two bubbles will merge back into one.

[Anonymous]

Spirit level? Never heard that term used before when referring to a level. Tip to one side like said above or flic the the glass or plastic that contains the bubble with your finger. Once the bubble is back together check the accuracy of it by leveling it with shims than rotate it end for end and check again, it should read the same. Some of the metal "I" beam levels can be adjusted by looseing the screws that hold the glass/plastic bubble. Then repeat above step to insure accuracy.

[cabbage]

Circular (or spherical) spirit levels are build into the top of all of our cabinets that we fit. There is often some 'inventive language' if it is found that one of them is not working properly. Then someone has to measure 1.5m (+/-0.1mm) spaces at the top and bottom of all the cabinets to confirm that it is just the ONE that is wrong. Why the worry? Well when they are full of coolant they weigh 18 metric tonnes each -and even a SLIGHT amount of side thrust puts a hell of a strain on the seals......

When I built the deck for my wife to lounge on amid her pots and palms I used a 3m long one -borrowed from work. The glass tube in the centre is 25cm long, if you breathed on one end -you could see it move!!!

regards

ralph

[Capt Bob Johnson]

Ralph, You are sounding interesting here! What sort of equipment comes in a cabinet that weighs 18 tons? Sounds like electrical or refrigeration stuff to me, but then again, I'm just a sailor!

[cabbage]

A liquid cooled computer. Normally there are 5 or 9 cabinets to a cluster. The coolant is Sulphur Hexaflouride -which is SOMEWHAT denser than water!!!!

They are normally arranged in 'domino' 5 or 3x3 grid patten. This is so that a domino 5 can be upgraded to a 3x3 -by putting in additional cabinets into the spaces. The central one is ALWAYS the power system and is std for either a 5 or a 9 cabinet system.

regards

ralph

[Anonymous]

I can fix the split bubble problem by any of the methods mentioned above but it is annoying and i would like to stop it happeneing, but how?

Kim is right i think it is to di with lack of surface tension in the "spirit " part of the spirit level.


What am i to do ?

Rgds ian

[Capt Bob Johnson]

Ian, when all else fails use the mark I eyeball!!!

Course, you could get some clear plastic tubing and make yourself a water level. If your eyes are getting old and tired like mine, you could dump some food dye into the water to make it easier to read!

[Anonymous]

iandor,

take that defective level and give it away to someone you don't like.

i prefer the wooden 4'ers used for concrete work. they always work well and there are no adjustments.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by iandor

I can fix the split bubble problem by any of the methods mentioned above but it is annoying and i would like to stop it happeneing, but how?

What am i to do ?

Rgds ian

Ian, you've got a contaminated vial. If it's the type that can be easily removed, a call to the mfgr. (if that's feasable) will probably have a replacement on the way in short order. Otherwise, purchase another level. Home Depot here has them for $3.98. I'm sure something comparable is available in AU. [:)]

[Anonymous]

It is a rare thing for me to give anything to anyone; but it cost me A$2.00 so it isn't worthwhile fixing. I must agree with the idea of a contaminated vial it suits my view on things. It is very accurate though when i get rid of the extra bubble.

I have one of the most elegant water levels as wel;l with a range of plus or minus a metre with both ends fully graduated to a millmetre and the liquid has been coloured and it is very easy to read. It is great for big jobs or for checking distant point to each other also good for calculating gradients.

But its too big for the job i'm doing.


rgds ian

[grandpopswalt]

I've had very good luck with a reatively inexpensive laser level. I've checked it's accuracy against a water level and found it to be at least as accurate, and a whole lot easier to use. And a thank you to Carpenter Matt for reminding me of the end-for-end swap to check the level's accuracy.

Walt

[Anonymous]

Yes i have always done that, reverse direction and you should read the same both ways.

Even a laser level is not what i need for this job.


Rgds ian

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by grandpopswalt

I've had very good luck with a reatively inexpensive laser level. I've checked it's accuracy against a water level and found it to be at least as accurate, and a whole lot easier to use. And a thank you to Carpenter Matt for reminding me of the end-for-end swap to check the level's accuracy.

Walt

Laser levels are the greatest. Last week my wife and I shot in the west end of our RR in about 10 minutes. The level I purchased off Amazon for $25. The base is threaded for a 1/4-20 screw which matches those on camera tripods. FWIW, I got a catalog in the mail the other day that had a nice one for $16.95. [:)]

[Tom The Brat]

hehe I paid $8 for my Big laser level[:D]

[Tom The Brat]

There are those who would say my spirit is anything but level[:-,]

[Anonymous]

Again gentlemen; a laser level is pretty good; but useless for some jobs.

Rgds Ian