Improvised mason’s level

I had some concrete-block work to do recently. I didn’t want to buy a mason’s level for just one job, so I built my own. I took a 4-ft. length of straight 2x4 and routed a 1-in.-deep cavity into one side of it for a friction fit of my 2-ft. level. Made of aluminum, the level is 1 in. thick and 2 in. tall, so it’s flush with the face of the 2x4 and is visible from only one side. I can work with that. I now have a mason’s level that works great (and won’t take up space when I’m through with it).

J . Kaye, Phenix, VA

From Fine Homebuilding 182, pp. 28 November 1, 2006

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