Construction Tripod Adapter

[Spencer]

I had a problem with my automatic level and when I spoke with the manufacturer about it they suggested that an enclosed transit was better suited for my needs. They agreed to give me credit for the full purchase price towards the enclosed transit. I received the new enclosed transit yesterday and in the box, but packaged seperately, was some sort of an adapter. I can hook the transit directly up to my Stabila elevator tripod because they are both 5/8-11 threads. I am wondering if this adapter is for tripods with different threads or is it to offset the transit from the tripod somehow?

Here is the first view

 

[Spencer]

Here is the second view.

Any ideas on the purpose of this adapter?

 

[Anonymous Poster]

That appears to be a device for mounting the transit to a steel beam, where you don't want or need to set up a tripod.

 

[karmakanic]

Hi Spencer,

I believe that the item pictured is used to mount the transit on a tripod that does not have direct mount threads. The K&E transit I have uses one that looks similar to what you pictured. The plumb bob string connects to the little v shaped wire. There should be a threaded hole in the base of your transit that will accept the threaded stud in the picture.

HTH,
Dave Perry

 

[JohnMiller3]

Hi Spence...

How about the mfr. just packing "two" of the same in the box...? (mistake?)

I can't measure your pix... but isn't that 5/8-11 threads...?

I just got a CST/Berger SAL auto level (via Craftsman)... what are you using?

(Also, I was wondering what type of problem you had with your former level?)

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Spence there are two common threads on transits. You have one of each now. Count your blessings.

But if you want to share..................(I have both kinds)

 

[Spencer]

Thanks for all the replies everyone.

Franz, I guess it could be used for mounting it to something other than a tripod. Thanks for the idea.

Karmakanic, yes it will thread right into the bottom of the transit, and I did know about the plumb bob. Luckily this new transit has an optical plummet so hopefully I won't need to use a plumb bob anymore.

John Miller III, no they did not pack two of them in the same box. I was just saying that this adapter was not packed in the nice hardshell case that the enclosed transit was in. It was in a ziplock bag mixed in with the peanuts. The unit that I first bought was a CST/Berger SAL 32X. When I bought my home on six acres last year the surveyor wanted an additional 800 dollars to put intermediate stakes inbetween the corner stakes (about every 50 feet). So I decided to buy something that would allow me to do it myself. The SAL 32 worked fine where I could see all the way from one corner to the other. My lot has 10 corners and is almost completely wooded. There were a couple of times when I wanted to use the degree markings on the SAL 32 when I could not see one corner from the other. I had the surveyor plot my survey on AutoCad so I knew every angle and measurement. There were a couple of corners that seemed to be off by up to one full degree. When I was laying out my pole barn last week I investigated further. When I would try to turn a 90 degree angle going from the 270 degree mark to the 0/360 degree mark I found that it was off a full degree. When I went from 0 to 90 it was off only slightly. The guys at Berger were great and told me that the SAL and PAL series are really only for doing level work and they wished that the degree markings were not even on the unit. The SAL unit I had was only accurate up to 1 degree. The SCT1 enclosed transit they fixed me up with is accurate up to 1 minute which is 1/60th of a degree. So I was really using the wrong tool for the job but still the SAL32 should have been more accurate than it was.

Wroughtn_Harv, this adapter and my tripod are both 5/8-11 so I only have the one size.

 

[JohnMiller3]

I like CST/Berger's customer support as well... extremely accommodating...

The SAL series are great auto levels for the dollar... but not for turning angles... I'm not familar with their transits but for building trades down to a minute is overkill .../w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif (That unit looks like it needs to be set up with a plumb bob?)

I'm currently looking at a used Sokkia Digital Theodolite down to 2 seconds... but it will boil down to price... /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[bgott]

That adapter looks awfully corroded in that picture. I hope the inside of the transit doesn't look the same!

 

[Egon]

Mystery adapter:
Levels used strickly for leveling have no need for a plumb bob or optical plumb bob. A transit, used for turning angles must be centered over a specific point. This adapter may allow you to level the transit and then move it over the point and keep the transit level. This depends on the types of adjustment and base plate configuration of the tripod/transit.
Curious how you determined the previous level you were using was out by a degree or so when turning angles as I assume the eyepiece canot be rotated 180 degrees vertical and the ensuing two angles be compared.
My knowledge is way out of date and relates to Wild T1 or T2 transits and thier self leveling level of the time.
Egon