Level type recomendations?

[Fallon]

What kind of level would you guys recommend? I suppose not technically an attachment it's close enough


Immediate project: I just installed these utility poles for a ranch arch & need to trim the tallest one level with the tall one on the other side.


Later project: scraping the gravel off my driveway, removing 8" of dirt, then putting old & new gravel back. Will need to grade it a little more than I already have to drain off water better (previous grading I did got it liveable, but stopped when I dug through gravel & hit dirt.

I also do side tractor work so other light grading projects are likely.


Options:

1) Tape a laser pointer to a basic spirit level & put it on the pole to get er done. Likely to not be able to see it in daylight though. Cost - minimal if I can find one of my laser pointers

2) 50-100' of clear vinyl tube & make my own water level. Cost under $20 (fittings to put a some clear tube on garden hose would be as much as 50' of tube & I'm looking for a more reusable solution than taping tube to hose)

3) Electronic water level.*Zircon 68176 WL 25 Water Level Bonus Pack with 5' Hose - - Amazon.com clear on precisely how usefully the electronic alarm is or what it buys over plain tubing. Cost $50

4) A real laser level. Most reusable & universal option, but the most expensive by far. Doesn't buy a lot for my immediate project, but might bring a lot more value later. Part of me wants one, part says its just to expensive to be justified over a water level. Cost $200-500

Anything I'm missing or other recomendations?

 

[Leejohn]

How about a $1.50 string level?

 

[bcp]

Sixteen foot straight 2x4 with a bubble level taped to one end. Put a couple of nails sticking up about 2in apart on the short post top, to cradle the 2x4 so it doesn't slide off. Put the bare end of the 2x4 between the nails, other end on the ground. Go the the other side with your ladder. Carry the other end of the 2x4 up the ladder with you until the taped on level shows level. Mark the post. Cut.

Bruce

 

[texas42]

Water level is the most accurate.
I use one all the time. 5/16 tubing with RV antifreeze so you can see the liquid.
Go post to post on the ground, get a level mark on both posts, measure up from there.

 

[RNeumann]

How about a $1.50 string level?

Pointing to my nose in complete agreement! The best answer is often the simplest.

 

[jenkinsph]

The string level is a good choice.

Another is a torpedo level with the laser built in. I have a Bosch torpedo level with laser built in and it comes in handy all the time. About $60 bucks.

 

[breadtrk]

Water level, dead accurate, will last a lifetime and will almost certainly be used again.

 

[Redlands Okie]

Water level works and if needed on a feature project it can go thru walls, around corners or opposite sides of buildings to level up items on both sides. That can be handy on some projects. The zircon's beeper works well for this, since you can not see both ends of the hose at the same time, other than that prolly not a lot of use for the electronic part.
If you do a laser level then get one that you can operate at a angle. So you can set a grade with the beam and follow it. Some self leveling lasers will not operate while tilted so to speak. Also some of the cheaper ones do not work well out doors in bright sunlight, especially the ones that are made to show you a visible line. Attaching your beeper to your box blade and being able to run grades from the seat of your tractor is really nice. I welded a short tube to my box blade in which I insert a pole to clamp my beeper too. This way i can remove the pole when not needed. A pole could be clamped or screwed on for occasional use.

 

[Rustyiron]

There are inexpensive 9" levels with a laser on them for under $30. This would save you climbing up each (side) post.
Just point and level at the low post from the high post, mark & cut. They are handy for several different job's not requiring super accuracy, but best for entertaining the dog (chasing the red dot):laughing:

You could always level across at the ground or waist height and measure UP from there.

 

[fried1765]

What kind of level would you guys recommend? I suppose not technically an attachment it's close enough


Immediate project: I just installed these utility poles for a ranch arch & need to trim the tallest one level with the tall one on the other side.
View attachment 501289

Later project: scraping the gravel off my driveway, removing 8" of dirt, then putting old & new gravel back. Will need to grade it a little more than I already have to drain off water better (previous grading I did got it liveable, but stopped when I dug through gravel & hit dirt.

I also do side tractor work so other light grading projects are likely.


Options:

1) Tape a laser pointer to a basic spirit level & put it on the pole to get er done. Likely to not be able to see it in daylight though. Cost - minimal if I can find one of my laser pointers

2) 50-100' of clear vinyl tube & make my own water level. Cost under $20 (fittings to put a some clear tube on garden hose would be as much as 50' of tube & I'm looking for a more reusable solution than taping tube to hose)

3) Electronic water level.*Zircon 68176 WL 25 Water Level Bonus Pack with 5' Hose - - Amazon.com clear on precisely how usefully the electronic alarm is or what it buys over plain tubing. Cost $50

4) A real laser level. Most reusable & universal option, but the most expensive by far. Doesn't buy a lot for my immediate project, but might bring a lot more value later. Part of me wants one, part says its just to expensive to be justified over a water level. Cost $200-500

Anything I'm missing or other recomendations?

How old are you?
If; like me, you are 76...tough it out with a water level (I actually have had a transit level for years...just for play)
If however, you are in your 50's, or less,...buy a REAL LEVEL.
If you spend $400 it will last you for a lifetime, and you will find it pleasurable to use.
CPO tools has a refurbished Bosch GRL250HVCK-B-R-T listed for $399.99 with free shipping & no tax.
That Bosch has very good reviews....you might want to check it out.
I know absolutely nothing about that Bosch unit though, or it's distance capabilities.
I have bought refurbished items from CPO Tools, and they have always been just like new, including a new warranty.