I know that many tools do die. Or get stolen, misplaced, damaged, etc. I
have three levels I bought at least thirty years ago. I haven't had to use
them much for a few years. I bought a small torpedo level to fix some
bookshelves, but the other levels have help up fine over the years.
Well, I have a project now that needs the levels. The cheap one "lost its
bubble". I tossed it. I grabbed another much better one. It would allow a
vertical line in some places on the wall, and a few degrees off on another
part of the wall. No matter what I did, it just would not put up consistent
vertical lines.
Sooooo...., off to the store to buy another level. I don't know why I should
be surprised. I figured if they lasted this long, they would last even
longer. I have tools that I bought over 40 years ago that are still doing
fine. But levels, apparently, die of old age. I guess I share that trait
with levels. But not just yet!
How about you guys? Do your levels die? Do you need to replace them on a
semi regular basis? I never used mine that much. So I thought it would
last. Apparently not.
"Puckdropper" <puckdropper(at)yahoo(dot)com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Lee Michaels" <leemichaels*nadaspam*@comcast.net> wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
>
> *snip*
>
>>
>> How about you guys? Do your levels die? Do you need to replace them
>> on a semi regular basis? I never used mine that much. So I thought it
>> would last. Apparently not.
>>
>
> You can keep track of them? I've got a 24" level somewhere around here
> that's been missing for months. Maybe it's just that level, but it just
> seems to get used, then get lost, found, used, and lost again.
>
> I've done better with my 48" level. It usually gets put back on its hook.
>
I bought a bright yellow one today. I should be able to find it.
"Lee Michaels" <leemichaels*nadaspam*@comcast.net> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
*snip*
>
> How about you guys? Do your levels die? Do you need to replace them
> on a semi regular basis? I never used mine that much. So I thought it
> would last. Apparently not.
>
You can keep track of them? I've got a 24" level somewhere around here
that's been missing for months. Maybe it's just that level, but it just
seems to get used, then get lost, found, used, and lost again.
I've done better with my 48" level. It usually gets put back on its hook.
Puckdropper
"Lee Michaels" <leemichaels*nadaspam*@comcast.net> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
>
> "Puckdropper" <puckdropper(at)yahoo(dot)com> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>> You can keep track of them? I've got a 24" level somewhere around
>> here that's been missing for months. Maybe it's just that level, but
>> it just seems to get used, then get lost, found, used, and lost
>> again.
>>
>> I've done better with my 48" level. It usually gets put back on its
>> hook.
>>
>
> I bought a bright yellow one today. I should be able to find it.
>
Yeah right!!! The always lost 24" level is a bright yellow. (Not bright
bright yellow like neon, but standard bright yellow.)
I'm going to have to get one of those remote finders next time I find the
24" yellow level. With my luck, the batteries would die and the level
would be lost again.
Puckdropper
On Sat, 9 Jan 2010 15:41:51 -0800 (PST), Robatoy
<[email protected]> wrote:
>> Well, we usually kill them before they die a natural death.
>> Having said that, I do have an older 24" Stabila that is no longer
>> accurate.
>>
>> Mike O.
>
>I remember my grandfather always flipping his level end-to-end and
>averaging the reading. It's a wooden one. I still have it.
That's how we check them when we're buying new ones too. I've seen a
few brand new levels that weren't very close.
Mike O.
On 10 Jan 2010 03:48:04 GMT, the infamous Puckdropper
<puckdropper(at)yahoo(dot)com> scrawled the following:
>"Lee Michaels" <leemichaels*nadaspam*@comcast.net> wrote in
>news:[email protected]:
>
>*snip*
>
>>
>> How about you guys? Do your levels die? Do you need to replace them
>> on a semi regular basis? I never used mine that much. So I thought it
>> would last. Apparently not.
>>
>
>You can keep track of them? I've got a 24" level somewhere around here
>that's been missing for months. Maybe it's just that level, but it just
>seems to get used, then get lost, found, used, and lost again.
>
>I've done better with my 48" level. It usually gets put back on its hook.
My 24" sees the most use and gets banged around, but it keeps coming
back for more. My 48" with the angle guage seldom gets used and is
well kept, and my 72" is -always- put back and is well taken care of.
I really should get a piece of pvc pipe to house these things...
--============================================--
Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.
---
http://diversify.com/handypouches.html ToolyRoo(tm)
and Possum(tm) Handy Pouches NOW AVAILABLE!
"CW" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Mike Marlow" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>> There are levels out there with adjustable bubbles. Who would want to
>> take the time to adjust it though, when the next time you drop it off the
>> ladder you're just going to have to do it all over again...
>>
>> --
> Why sharpen your tools, they'll just get dull again.
> Why replace the worn bearings in your tablesaw, the'll just wear out
> again.
> Why adjust tracking on your bandsaw, it will just get out of whack again.
>
Whoosh....
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
On Sat, 9 Jan 2010 15:49:25 -0700, Lee Michaels wrote
(in article <[email protected]>):
> I know that many tools do die. Or get stolen, misplaced, damaged, etc. I
> have three levels I bought at least thirty years ago. I haven't had to use
> them much for a few years. I bought a small torpedo level to fix some
> bookshelves, but the other levels have help up fine over the years.
>
> Well, I have a project now that needs the levels. The cheap one "lost its
> bubble". I tossed it. I grabbed another much better one. It would allow a
> vertical line in some places on the wall, and a few degrees off on another
> part of the wall. No matter what I did, it just would not put up consistent
> vertical lines.
>
> Sooooo...., off to the store to buy another level. I don't know why I should
> be surprised. I figured if they lasted this long, they would last even
> longer. I have tools that I bought over 40 years ago that are still doing
> fine. But levels, apparently, die of old age. I guess I share that trait
> with levels. But not just yet!
>
> How about you guys? Do your levels die? Do you need to replace them on a
> semi regular basis? I never used mine that much. So I thought it would
> last. Apparently not.
>
>
>
Yeah, usually goes something like this.
Year one, 4-foot level gets placed inside a custom wood box after use.
Year two, level occasionally gets left out of its box, usually found leaning
against a wall.
Year three, box is now used to hold fly rod sections, level has been dropped
several times by now.
Year four, level occasionally used as a straight edge for cutting plywood or
scoring drywall.
Year five, level (now full of nicks and cuts) gets used as a scree for tile
thinset since I can't find my scree.
Year six, level gets left behind wall (at least I think that is where it is).
Do I want to tear out the drywall or get a new level, hmmm....
-BR
On Jan 10, 6:26=A0am, Bruce <[email protected]> wrote:
> Year six, level gets left behind wall (at least I think that is where it =
is).
> Do I want to tear out the drywall or get a new level, hmmm....
The tool manufacturers have a solution for you: check out the
price on a 4' Stabila level. Drywall tape and mud are on aisle 6,
by the way.
Mike Marlow wrote:
>>
>> How hard could it be to provide an adjustment screw on the bubble
>> gizmo?
>
> There are levels out there with adjustable bubbles. Who would want
> to take the time to adjust it though, when the next time you drop it
> off the ladder you're just going to have to do it all over again...
Because according to Murphy's Law, Corollary 2, if the level IS capable of
realignment, you'll never again drop it. (Instead, it will go all weird by
itself causing you to build a leaning house.)
On Sun, 10 Jan 2010 07:26:08 -0700, Bruce <[email protected]> wrote:
>Yeah, usually goes something like this.
>Year one, 4-foot level gets placed inside a custom wood box after use.
>Year two, level occasionally gets left out of its box, usually found leaning
>against a wall.
>Year three, box is now used to hold fly rod sections, level has been dropped
>several times by now.
>Year four, level occasionally used as a straight edge for cutting plywood or
>scoring drywall.
>Year five, level (now full of nicks and cuts) gets used as a scree for tile
>thinset since I can't find my scree.
>Year six, level gets left behind wall (at least I think that is where it is).
>Do I want to tear out the drywall or get a new level, hmmm....
Hey! Have you been spying on me again?
--
"We need to make a sacrifice to the gods, find me a young virgin... oh, and bring something to kill"
Tim Douglass
http://www.DouglassClan.com
On 01/09/2010 05:37 PM, Mike O. wrote:
> On Sat, 9 Jan 2010 17:49:25 -0500, "Lee Michaels"
> <leemichaels*nadaspam*@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>> How about you guys? Do your levels die? Do you need to replace them on a
>> semi regular basis? I never used mine that much. So I thought it would
>> last. Apparently not.
>
> Well, we usually kill them before they die a natural death.
> Having said that, I do have an older 24" Stabila that is no longer
> accurate.
If it's just the vials and not actually bent, they'll replace it. From
their website:
"The vials on all STABILA levels will not fog, leak, or become
inaccurate. If they do, you will be given a new level. Bent frames void
warranty."
Chris
On Sun, 10 Jan 2010 08:07:29 -0500, the infamous "Mike Marlow"
<[email protected]> scrawled the following:
>
>"HeyBub" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> Lew Hodgett wrote:
>>> RE: Subject
>>>
>>> As Robotoy noted:
>>>
>>> End for end and average.
>>>
>>> It's a form of differential measurement, eliminating the error
>>> introduced by the measuring device.
>>>
>>
>> How hard could it be to provide an adjustment screw on the bubble gizmo?
>>
>
>There are levels out there with adjustable bubbles. Who would want to take
>the time to adjust it though, when the next time you drop it off the ladder
>you're just going to have to do it all over again...
I certainly would. Check and adjust it once per day of use and never
be uncertain! All of my levels were checked at the store before I
purchased them. Doesn't anyone else check?!?
--============================================--
Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.
---
http://diversify.com/handypouches.html ToolyRoo(tm)
and Possum(tm) Handy Pouches NOW AVAILABLE!
"Larry Jaques" <novalidaddress@di\/ersify.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Sun, 10 Jan 2010 08:07:29 -0500, the infamous "Mike Marlow"
> <[email protected]> scrawled the following:
>
>>
>>There are levels out there with adjustable bubbles. Who would want to
>>take
>>the time to adjust it though, when the next time you drop it off the
>>ladder
>>you're just going to have to do it all over again...
>
> I certainly would. Check and adjust it once per day of use and never
> be uncertain! All of my levels were checked at the store before I
> purchased them. Doesn't anyone else check?!?
>
Yes - I do, and I check before I use it every time. Takes all of a couple
of seconds. Sheese - I was trying to be funny above, and you're the second
person Larry, that missed my sense of humor. Guess I'll drop that line from
my dinner club act.
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
"HeyBub" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Lew Hodgett wrote:
>> RE: Subject
>>
>> As Robotoy noted:
>>
>> End for end and average.
>>
>> It's a form of differential measurement, eliminating the error
>> introduced by the measuring device.
>>
>
> How hard could it be to provide an adjustment screw on the bubble gizmo?
>
There are levels out there with adjustable bubbles. Who would want to take
the time to adjust it though, when the next time you drop it off the ladder
you're just going to have to do it all over again...
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
On Jan 9, 5:49=A0pm, "Lee Michaels" <leemichaels*[email protected]>
wrote:
> I know that many tools do die. Or get stolen, misplaced, damaged, etc. I
> have three levels I bought at least thirty years ago. I haven't had to us=
e
> them much for a few years. =A0I bought a small torpedo level to fix some
> bookshelves, but the other levels have help up fine over the years.
>
> Well, I have a project now that needs the levels. The cheap one "lost its
> bubble". I tossed it. I grabbed another much better one. It would allow a
> vertical line in some places on the wall, and a few degrees off on anothe=
r
> part of the wall. No matter what I did, it just would not put up consiste=
nt
> vertical lines.
>
> Sooooo...., off to the store to buy another level. I don't know why I sho=
uld
> be surprised. I figured if they lasted this long, they would last even
> longer. I have tools that I bought over 40 years ago that are still doing
> fine. But levels, apparently, die of old age. =A0I guess I share that tra=
it
> with levels. But not just yet!
>
> How about you guys? =A0Do your levels die? Do you need to replace them on=
a
> semi regular basis? =A0I never used mine that much. So I thought it would
> last. Apparently not.
I kinda laser stuff now... or use a 24" Stanley level which I lose so
often, they kinda stay new that way.
On Jan 9, 6:37=A0pm, Mike O. <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Sat, 9 Jan 2010 17:49:25 -0500, "Lee Michaels"
>
> <leemichaels*[email protected]> wrote:
> >How about you guys? =A0Do your levels die? Do you need to replace them o=
n a
> >semi regular basis? =A0I never used mine that much. So I thought it woul=
d
> >last. Apparently not.
>
> Well, we usually kill them before they die a natural death. =A0
> Having said that, I do have an older 24" Stabila that is no longer
> accurate.
>
> Mike O.
I remember my grandfather always flipping his level end-to-end and
averaging the reading. It's a wooden one. I still have it.
"Mike Marlow" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> There are levels out there with adjustable bubbles. Who would want to
> take the time to adjust it though, when the next time you drop it off the
> ladder you're just going to have to do it all over again...
>
> --
Why sharpen your tools, they'll just get dull again.
Why replace the worn bearings in your tablesaw, the'll just wear out again.
Why adjust tracking on your bandsaw, it will just get out of whack again.
On Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:10:34 -0600, Chris Friesen
<[email protected]> wrote:
>If it's just the vials and not actually bent, they'll replace it. From
>their website:
>
>"The vials on all STABILA levels will not fog, leak, or become
>inaccurate. If they do, you will be given a new level. Bent frames void
>warranty."
Yeah I know, I've just been too lazy to go through the proper
gyrations.
Mike O.
On Sat, 9 Jan 2010 17:49:25 -0500, "Lee Michaels"
<leemichaels*nadaspam*@comcast.net> wrote:
>How about you guys? Do your levels die? Do you need to replace them on a
>semi regular basis? I never used mine that much. So I thought it would
>last. Apparently not.
Well, we usually kill them before they die a natural death.
Having said that, I do have an older 24" Stabila that is no longer
accurate.
Mike O.
On Mon, 11 Jan 2010 07:36:07 -0500, the infamous "Mike Marlow"
<[email protected]> scrawled the following:
>
>"Larry Jaques" <novalidaddress@di\/ersify.com> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> On Sun, 10 Jan 2010 08:07:29 -0500, the infamous "Mike Marlow"
>> <[email protected]> scrawled the following:
>>
>
>>>
>>>There are levels out there with adjustable bubbles. Who would want to
>>>take
>>>the time to adjust it though, when the next time you drop it off the
>>>ladder
>>>you're just going to have to do it all over again...
>>
>> I certainly would. Check and adjust it once per day of use and never
>> be uncertain! All of my levels were checked at the store before I
>> purchased them. Doesn't anyone else check?!?
>>
>
>Yes - I do, and I check before I use it every time. Takes all of a couple
>of seconds. Sheese - I was trying to be funny above, and you're the second
>person Larry, that missed my sense of humor. Guess I'll drop that line from
>my dinner club act.
I know it's tres gauche to have to put smileys all over the place, but
if you don't, many of the folks here will miss the point or the joke.
You're right, I should have caught the ellipsis and said "Hey, that's
Mike's smiley!" ;)
--============================================--
Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.
---
http://diversify.com/handypouches.html ToolyRoo(tm)
and Possum(tm) Handy Pouches NOW AVAILABLE!