builders level, Dewalt? Berger?, Other?
user-166027
| Posted in Tools for Home Building on
Hey Folks,
I’m interested in buying a builders level (Dumpy). At work we have a Nikon, but I’m looking at getting something cheaper for personal use. Any suggestions? Anyone used the Dewalt?
The first project will be a garage foundation/slab.
thanks,
Matt
Replies
david whites
I've had a Craftsman dumpy level for nearly forty years. It has bounced around in it's box in the back of the truck for many, many miles. The paint is long gone off the legs, same with the varnish on the box. It still performs precisely.
To give you an idea of it's accuracy, I used it to install over one hundred swimming pools, working to +/- 1/8". The proof was always there, when the pool filled up.
I'll give the craftsman a search and see what they offer. I wonder though if the craftsman from 40 years ago is the same as today.
I'll check out the David White as well - I was wondering if they were a step ahead of the Dewalt, Berger, Robotoolz price point.
thanks,
Matt
Matt, I'm sure you'll find the Craftsman on the http://www.sears.com web site, probably under surveying tools or something similar.
Of course I can't speak for the quality control of today but Sears/Craftsman has always been very good about replacing any tool which doesn't continue to perform up to standards. And Craftman doesn't impose any limitations on time or normal wear.
david white is a true survey company, that all they make.
What do you guys think about this David White - the price seems good.
I would assume 26X would be adaquate for any residential building project?
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000093638/ref=ord_cart_shr?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance
Matt
Now that I've seen it, I'd buy that David White scope off Amazon (your link) over the basic Craftsman dumpy that I've been suggesting. Better scope, better price.
its a good deal but its not a dumpy so all you can shoot is level. you cant shoot anchor bolts or building corners with it. but it is a good deal.
I think you mean it's not a transit. Transits, in addition to shooting level also work in the vertical axis. Dumpy or builder's levels only shoot horizontally, level.
I've done a lot of different kinds of work using only the horizontal axis, including topographical maps. It's actually pretty easy to work around the need for a transit.
Using batter boards, mason's line, plumb bobs and a tape measure you can locate any point you need to find at any elevation. Sometimes it's quicker with a transit but that's kind of rare for carpenters.
Brownbagg,
I though Dumpy level was the same as a builders level? I'm new to the whole surveying thing so I'm likely mixed up on the terminology.
edit (HVC: That makes sense to me. I never considered a transit for the simple reason that I don't use one at work and therefore was going to go with the layout techniques I'm becoming familiar with.)
Matt
Edited 11/25/2007 8:25 pm ET by matt in golden
we alway called the old transit dumpty levels becuase if you want to shoot 180 degrees instead of turning the transit you "Dump" the eyeglass over so it shoot the other direction.
Thanks all,
Went for the David White 26X set.
Matt
How about a report on that level, after you've had an opportunity to use it a time or two?
I,m thinking about buying it too
I'd be interested too in some feedback. They had a deal on the RoboToolz but the comments scared me off.
Once I've used it I'll try and give an update... I won't actually have it untill January as I live in Canada and my folks will be bringing it back for me, so it won't be for awhile. As soon as the snow clears I'll be doing a shop foundation with it and I'll probably take it to work to compare with the nikon we use, so I should have some feedback, but not for awhile. I figured I'd buy it now rather than in a month 'cause the price seems that it is close to as cheap as it gets for the David White (looked it up on frozenwarrior.com).
I'd also considered ordering the Robotoolz when it went under 200 bucks on amazon, but the folks at JLC forum and some reviews I found steered me away. The David White has the lock for transporting and that has been recomended to me as an important feature.
Tom, thanks for the Hx. of transit/dumpy levels.
thanks again all,
Matt
How do you like the Nikon?............... Amazon has the 20X for $370.
Well... the Nikon is the only Builders level I have used so it is difficult for me to be objective. The thing is currently out of adjustment so we are finding it difficult when shooting farther distances. I don't think this is a reflection of it not being a quality unit - it's seen many years - but it does need to be recalibrated. It is easy to level and get the bubble dead on, very solid construction, it is very easy to get close using the siting thingy, and the optics seem really clear - I have no problem reading 16ths +/- on a tape, though I have not used it over 60-70 feet.
I'd check it out if I was going to be using one all the time, but $300 for the David White is still quite a bit for me.
Matt
"Dumpy" levels were make by K&E and Zeiss and one other, I can't remember the name of. They had about a 16" tube, and rested on four standards around the level plate. Eyepiece turned both directions to darken or lighten the cross hair. Had the focus knob on top. Four brass nipples on the sides to mount/adjust cross hairs for "pegging." Had two additional hairs for stadia on the vertical hair.
The old transits were of two types. A true "transit" and an alidade. The transit had a graduated ring on both the horizontal and vertical plates marked off in degrees/minutes/and normally 30". You could "plunge," or "flop" the scope instead of turning 180. The alidade was a "dumpy" level with a horizontal ring, and a limited vertical ring. Usually mounted this on a "plane" table so observations could be recorded w/o a field book. You'd read stadia, vert angle, horiz angle, and plot it directly on the board. Both had hooks for plumb bobs so you could set over a point accurately.
Spend a few more bucks and get a TOPCON auto level.
I have had one for close to 20 years and it is my fail safe for everything.
Auto level feature allows it to get bumped around a bit and still return to where it was originally set to .
Go to a surveyor's supply store, and look at the levels they have to rent. You can usually get a good self-leveling (the only kind to have) used one for around $200 with case. The tripod and rod will be extra. Make sure it's been "pegged" (adjusted) recenty. Might want to rent it for a few days and see if you like it.
The "dumpys" are a PITA to peg, but the self leveler types hardly ever go out of adjustment, and are capable of 3rd order leveling.