i am building a soffit on a job and got one mark on the wall, my foreman told me to use my 4 ft level and level the line across( about 25 feet or so)…when he was walking away he said to be sure and flip the level end for end each time i marked a line? why is this? he quickly said if i didnt i would be out of level at the end of the run…then he got a phone call and i couldnt ask him for more details…any ideas?
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Learn how to plan, fabricate, and install a chute to conveniently send your dirty clothes from an upstairs bathroom or hallway to your laundry room below.
Featured Video
How to Install Exterior Window TrimHighlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
use a string line or chalk it
>>flip the level end for end each time i marked a line<< Translation: He does not trust the level is really true. By flipping the level end for end each time you mark, the error cancels itself out. Top / bottom of level remains constant. Example: The level has two ends end #1 and end #2 (top side constant). Suppose the level produces a line which is 1/16" low at the #1 end. If the level was always oriented the same way, the resulting line would "lose" 1/16" at every mark - this would produce a finished 24' line which was 6/16" (3/8" low on one end as compared to the starting point). Cumulative error. By flipping the level end for end, the difference between the start point and finish point would be no more than 1/16" low / high. This assumes you read the level consistantly....... I use a laser and just spin it from reference point to corner to end point - then chalk the resulting marks.
What a perfect explanation. That was exactly what I was trying to explain to him in my post on the other 4 foot level post. Your explanation is right on and very easy to understand. Nice job.
Thanks. Sometimes I get lucky, other times my explanations are "just as clear as mud."
Jim
Of course, after he works from, say, left to right, he should measure down 4" at the right end and work back right to left. Then see how close to 4" down he comes out.
Shooting back to your original mark will let you know.
I was on a job and the guy was using a really cheap 4" level with a laser on it.
I asked if he could shoot a line and then shoot back to the same spot. I got a blank stare.
He used this thing for everything and blindly trusted it.