Replies

1. 
   Mr._Pita | Sep 13, 2000 09:52pm | #1

   *
   Andy, I have a 4 ft. level with the pipe pitch. While I don't use it that much, it has come in handy. I would think a pro would use it more.

   But one use anyway, for example, was when I built my workbench (2x4 legs & frames, ply surfaces) on a very unlevel basement floor. I used it to determine the elevations of each leg, so that the resulting top came out level. (if it read 1/4" per foot, then add 1" to the leg length in the shaloow area) I suppose I could have done this by shimming the level and taking direct measurement, but I am very pleased with the way my method came out.

1. 
   Dennis_Loeffler | Sep 13, 2000 10:56pm | #2

   *I bought one of the earlier electronic levels with rise/run, degrees, and I forget what. It really wasn't very useful, and it was difficult to read under low light conditions - I suspect even more so now that I am older. I guess if you had a third hand to fold the flashlight in these conditions it would be all right. I think that lasers area better investment and I have used my self leveling robo more that I tought.Dennis

1. 
   Joe_Fusco_ | Sep 14, 2000 04:30am | #3

   *Andy,

   A long long time ago I bought a pair of SmartlevelsTM, a 6'-6" and a 4' after about a month of putting them through their paces I found that the level just would not keep in adjustment. I returned them to the guy I used to buy my tools from. He took them back with no questioned asked. I said to him, when they prefect them I give them another try.Fast forward. . . A long time ago I re-purchased the levels this time 3, I added a two footer. They worked great this time and I still use them today. I've found them both useful to get the angle quickly for roofs and stairs . Oh, the 6'-6" is a great tool to use to hang doors.

   View Image © 1999-2000"The first step towards vice is to shroud innocent actions in mystery, and whoever likes to conceal something sooner or later has reason to conceal it." Aristotle

1. 
   jim_"crazy_legs"_blodg | Sep 14, 2000 06:52am | #4

   *Can you explain how the roof pitch one works? I think that could be handy if I was gonna buy a level anyway, and this was just a feature on the one I bought. But I don't know if I would buy a seperate tool for just that purpose.

1. 
   Mad_Dog | Sep 14, 2000 02:09pm | #5

   *If Stabila decides to make one, I'll buy it.

2. 
   Ralph_Wicklund | Sep 14, 2000 03:20pm | #6

   *I'm a certified tool junkie but a dedicated tool/level to find pitch is too much.A torpedo level, held plumb against the arm of a large protractor on edge on the slope. Convert the degrees to pitch - done.

3. 
   Freelance_ | Sep 14, 2000 05:05pm | #7

   *Stabila's 10" box-frame w/protractor vial belongs in almost everyone's pouch. No need to really say more...

4. 
   blue_eyed_devil_ | Sep 14, 2000 06:54pm | #8

   *Andy, this sounds like the type of tool that would be extrmely handy once or twice in a lifetime. As a framer, I prefer to use measurements of distance rather than degrees anyways. Even if I knew the degree, I'd immediately want to transform it into rise and run.My method is to hold a four foot level level and measure the rise. This reduces the error that can occur by reading small scale tools. Normally, the rise is an exact multiple of a whole number and I then use that as my basis. If I encounter an in between, I'd probably want to figure the total rise and run, to insure accuracy if accuracy is critical. I wouldn't trust a four foot level, no matter what type of device is mounted on it. If accuracy isn't critical, I'd be likely to simply hold my framing square at arm's length and eyeball the numbers. Try it, it works! It sounds like a gimmick tool that needn't be added until theres nothing left to buy.blue

5. 
   Andy_Engel_ | Sep 14, 2000 07:18pm | #9

   *Blue, I've used the same method as you, with the 4 ft. level. Works fine. I've never tried reading right off the square, though.Jim, the roof-pitch level has a rotating vial with pointers for the three scales (degrees, rise over 12-in. run, and a finer version of the latter for pipe pitch). You place the level on the sloped surface, turn the vial until the bubble centers, then read from the appropriate scale. I was considering these for Tools and Materials because they looked well made. But they seemed like solutions in search of problems, and I wanted your reality check. I don't think they'll be in there now. I'm always looking for suggestions for T&M, so if you find a tool or material that you can't live without, e-mail me.Thanks all.Andy

6. 
   blue_eyed_devil_ | Sep 14, 2000 07:47pm | #10

   *Andy, try it. Grab your square and stand back (the further the better) and sight through it at the roofline. Just hold it level by eye. Then, check it with your level. You'll probably be right most of the time.blue

7. 
   Jeff_J._Buck | Sep 15, 2000 02:23am | #11

   *Speed square's work too. Quick and easy to get pretty close to the materials needed from the ground. Jeff

8. 
   Frank_"Mad_Dog"_Maglin | Sep 15, 2000 04:10am | #12

   *Hey Andy, One tool I couldn't get along without very well would be the Bosch Mitre Finder. It absolutely works in conjunction with with your CMS to make accurate angle cuts and measurements. A very valuable asset if you run any large amounts of crown moulding that is too tall to bed upside down against the fence. It's also a pretty good level also.

9. 
   Little_Joe | Sep 16, 2000 02:03pm | #13

   *Jeff & blue -- Great trick!! Had not thought of/heard of this before. Tried it out, works slick! Thanks.Later. LJ

2. 
   Andy_Engel_ | Sep 16, 2000 02:03pm | #14

   *
   I'm looking for your comments on two new levels. One has two scales on it that measure roof pitch and pipe pitch, respectively. The second is an 18-in. square with a spirit vial in each leg. While they both look cool, I'm havin' a hard time imagining why I'd put either one in my tool box. What am I missing?

   Thanks for your comments.

   Andy