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Builders levels

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BrianC View Drop Down
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Joined: 16 Jun 2011
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    Posted: 23 May 2020 at 8:09am
Well I loaned out my dads old transit to an "associate" way back. I have given up hope of ever getting it back. It was a 1950's beauty, all metal, krinkle paint, lots of brass, wood tripod... Too bad, I have the memories of using it with him. It was the kick-off of many projects. I have mostly learned my lesson about loaning out stuff.

All i need is a horizontal only builders level, automatic leveling would be nice. I don't want a laser, just optical builders level with tripod. I might only use it once per year.

Which one? Does it matter if the body is plastic? At home Depot they have the Bosch rig at about $340. But Amazon has many brands. The user reviews confuse me.
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steve(ill) View Drop Down
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: illinois
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote steve(ill) Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 May 2020 at 8:35am
I bought a used transit off e-bay.. I think it was a David White ?  Probably built in the 1960s... Cheap and works great... i probably only use it 2-3 times per year.. Dont need expensive...

WHY cant you call the guy and push for return ?
Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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DiyDave View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DiyDave Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 May 2020 at 5:45pm
Mosta the time they go fer $75, or less, at auctions, complete with transit pole and tripod...Wink
Source: Babylon Bee. Sponsored by BRAWNDO, its got what you need!
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DougG View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DougG Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 May 2020 at 6:54pm
This sounds funny- as in -not true , but lets roll on
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DMiller View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DMiller Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 May 2020 at 7:09pm
Bought a Transit 'Kit' off FB Marketplace as I also do not use one enough to warrant laser or anything expensive. Was used, gave just over a hundred for it but works just the same. Tripod, Transit scope in a padded storage/transport box, 200' roll tape, and a Measure marked extend sighting stick.

As for a borrower not returning my own would be calling daily until returned or to aggravate that person to no end, gets stupid enough to badmouth me and someone say something then would explain why as that person is Now a Thief, is not a lie so not Libelous.
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JW in MO View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JW in MO Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 May 2020 at 9:28pm
I managed to keep my Dad's Sears field level.  The stick has a leather case, seen lots of use but not that much by me, like others once a year or two, but darned handy when you need it.
As for borrowed tools, I have a wet erase board in my shop with name, tool, and borrow date.  Loaned a 4" belt sander to a kid that once worked for me, newlywed and he was refinishing hardwood floors in their house.  Several years later I saw him and asked about the sander, he had sold the house and when he moved said he wondered where the heck it came from, I got it back a few days later and well taken care of.  It can happen.
Maximum use of available resources!
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desertjoe View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote desertjoe Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 May 2020 at 10:21pm

 Well JW,,,thas a great idea,,I've loaned out so many danged tools and never had em come back,,,and I get so friggin upset for not remembering who in the hack I loaned it to,,,,
 Right now,,I'm missing one of my 1/2" electric drill and one of my 2 ton come-a-longs. I just cannot remember who I loaned em to,,,and like ole Mr Miller says when I do remember,,,, they are gonna wish they had never heard of ole Joe and his tools,,,,,!!!! Sorry mofo's,
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ac fleet View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ac fleet Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 May 2020 at 1:23pm
I bought a couple 60's vintage ones from auctions for $30. I did end up buying my uncles transit set from the estate and it is a 50's sears model. Uncle used it for bin foundations and buildings of all kinds.
http://machinebuildersnetwork.com/
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TMiller/NC View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TMiller/NC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 May 2020 at 4:03pm
Try pawn shop
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steve(ill) View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote steve(ill) Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 May 2020 at 7:02pm
I bought mine off e-bay 10 years ago. Probably around $35-40 .  I planned on using a generic tri-pod or making one... Later found out that David White units have a SPECIAL THREADED NUT on the bottom of the transit to fit a specific tri-pod... watch that.

This is similar to what i bought............ this is on e-bay under "David White Transit".






Edited by steve(ill) - 24 May 2020 at 7:06pm
Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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Ray54 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ray54 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 May 2020 at 7:29pm
WinkI have a good friend that growled at me for returning a tool once. I took a 1 inch electric impact wrench it was far from pristine but never had anything that didn't come apart ,when you hit the go button. The day after I returned it his shop burned down. That wrench and lots of old time IH crawler parts you cannot buy went that day.

So if the subject comes up if you didn't return stuff so fast that wrench would still be around. But about 5 years latter a almost new one came up on Craig's list. I think it was only 3 or 400 bucks. A old guy retired from putting up big steel buildings had 2 or 3 of them.  
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BrianC View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BrianC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 May 2020 at 8:31pm
Hey Ray, my daughter says they expect it to hit 108 degrees in Sacramento this week.
But still, I do miss some aspects of California. The #1 farm state in the US of A.
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steve(ill) View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote steve(ill) Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 May 2020 at 9:16pm
Ray, that reminds me of my father in law 40 years ago... He had a D17 and i would borrow it once a month to work on the NEW HOUSE/ YARD we were building...  Every time i went to borrow it, the gas tank was empty, one tire was flat and the 3 pt or blade was broke... I spent more time FIXING his crap than using it.... BUT he did have a NICE TRACTOR by the end of the summer !!   Wink
Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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ac fleet View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ac fleet Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 May 2020 at 4:00pm
Steve!--LOLLOL  Wasnt set up were ya????
http://machinebuildersnetwork.com/
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steve(ill) View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote steve(ill) Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 May 2020 at 4:31pm
YEA, you would think that first off AC... But thats the way he was... He died 4 years ago and i was "elected" to clean out the garage / barn.... Made a pile of steel in the driveway.. hauled off 3 TONS of crap.... Had 4 buckets of 80-90 gear lube !  GREAT !... NOPE, all 4 were USED that had been drained from the D17 30 years earlier....... 8 quarts of engine motor oil with 1 inch in each quart... 6 hand shovels, 5 with broken handles... 10 hammers, 8 with broken handles... it goes on and on !!! ... took me 3 months !! NICE SHOP TODAY !!
Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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Thad in AR. View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Thad in AR. Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 May 2020 at 6:17am
I want a good laser level. I have a nice transit but it’s a 2 man operation. On home projects it would be nice to be able to run the stick myself.
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DMiller View Drop Down
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Joined: 14 Sep 2009
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DMiller Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 May 2020 at 6:31am
Originally posted by steve(ill) steve(ill) wrote:

YEA, you would think that first off AC... But thats the way he was... He died 4 years ago and i was "elected" to clean out the garage / barn.... Made a pile of steel in the driveway.. hauled off 3 TONS of crap.... Had 4 buckets of 80-90 gear lube !  GREAT !... NOPE, all 4 were USED that had been drained from the D17 30 years earlier....... 8 quarts of engine motor oil with 1 inch in each quart... 6 hand shovels, 5 with broken handles... 10 hammers, 8 with broken handles... it goes on and on !!! ... took me 3 months !! NICE SHOP TODAY !!


My Grandpa on Dad's side was that way, old shovels thin enough to see thru with broken handles, busted or worn slam out screwdrivers kind of re-sharpened or pointed, loads of offal lumber chunks too small to repurpose but saved, boxes and boxes of 'stuff' few could ID but saved back
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Dusty MI View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dusty MI Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 May 2020 at 8:13am
Anyone ever use a water level ? They are quite simple. The down side is dragging the hose around, so use the smallest diameter hose you can find.

Dusty
917 H, '48 G, '65 D-10 series III "Allis Express"
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Thad in AR. View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Thad in AR. Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 May 2020 at 8:52am
Originally posted by Dusty MI Dusty MI wrote:

Anyone ever use a water level ? They are quite simple. The down side is dragging the hose around, so use the smallest diameter hose you can find.

Dusty

Many a time. Quite accurate
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steve(ill) View Drop Down
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote steve(ill) Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 May 2020 at 9:06am
I want a good laser level. I have a nice transit but it’s a 2 man operation. On home projects it would be nice to be able to run the stick myself.

I took a 1 x 2 stick and marked inch levels on one side with a magic marker... I took two 2 x 4 about 2 ft long and built an "X" for a base... I use this around the house when doing things less than 100 ft apart... Might not be EXACT, but close enough for base dirt work, driveway slope, etc... work by myself about 99% of the time anyway !
Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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desertjoe View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote desertjoe Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 May 2020 at 9:57am

 I was very impressed when I was introduced to a "Water Level" when a contractor used on to set and level HUGE towers hundreds of feet tall and many, many tons worth,,,and that is what they used to level em,,,,very impressive,,,!!
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DMiller View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DMiller Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 May 2020 at 10:39am
Used a plumb bob and a water level to set slabs at the old farm in Salem MO, works OK. Two glass tubes(Or Clear Plastic) essentially stuck inside each end of a water filled hose of some length and a string line situated Gravity Level, then all measuring is done off the taut string line.

Edited by DMiller - 27 May 2020 at 10:40am
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AC7060IL View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AC7060IL Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 May 2020 at 11:43am
Here’s an 11 minute YouTube link where this guy demonstrates his simple water level & also does a great job explaining it. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0HMBZlZkqU4

Edited by AC7060IL - 27 May 2020 at 11:47am
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Thad in AR. View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Thad in AR. Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 May 2020 at 11:43am
Originally posted by steve(ill) steve(ill) wrote:

<span style="color: rgb0, 0, 36; : rgb254, 252, 212;">I want a good laser level. I have a nice transit but it’s a 2 man operation. On home projects it would be nice to be able to run the stick myself.</span>
<span style="color: rgb0, 0, 36; : rgb254, 252, 212;">
</span>
<span style="color: rgb0, 0, 36; : rgb254, 252, 212;">I took a 1 x 2 stick and marked inch levels on one side with a magic marker... I took two 2 x 4 about 2 ft long and built an "X" for a base... I use this around the house when doing things less than 100 ft apart... Might not be EXACT, but close enough for base dirt work, driveway slope, etc... work by myself about 99% of the time anyway !</span>

Yes Steve I’ve don similar. Find a reference point and measure down tor grade.
Good idea on the X base👍
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dusty MI Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 May 2020 at 1:04pm
One warm day I filled my water level with fresh well water and started using it.
After a while things were not going right, I brought both ends of the level back together to check. The water had warmed up and had expanded and was no longer at the zero mark.

Dusty
917 H, '48 G, '65 D-10 series III "Allis Express"
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