non pro building sight level????

[RDrancher]

RDrancher somehow I missed this post, I like the holder your Dad made. I think I have found my answer. Thanks

Not my Dad's idea, but a great one. I had that thread bookmarked from a previous search. Most of my Dad's ideas involved bugger welding, baling wire and duct tape! :laughing:

 

[Dutch445]

The transit doesn't move much material either! ;-)

But I think....if you use the leveling tools of your choice to SET GRADE PEGS in the ground, you can do just about anything you want to between the grade pegs, and always come back and pull a string to see how you are progressing.

for rough grading a string level would get you real close, used in combination with stakes around the perimeter.

 

[paulharvey]

for rough grading a string level would get you real close, used in combination with stakes around the perimeter.

Just keep in mind, the farther you pull the string, the more sag you get. It works, just remember it's limitations.

 

[vtsnowedin]

I have a lot of dirt to move and was hoping for something that I could use for grade work. Wouldn't the hose be hard to grade with?

You drive wooden stakes in on both sides of your work area. use the hose level to mark them at the same level and stretch a string line between the marks. Then measure down anywhere on the string to check the level of your grading work. With stakes at all four corners you can do all the edges plus the diagonals to get the center.
I'd actually rent a contractors level and rod from my local rental place and drive in enough stakes and level them in one afternoon then use string and ruler as the work progresses. Built interstate road beds that way for years.

 

[CurlyDave]

A lot of people do not really understand water levels (hose with transparent tubes on ends).

1. This is the most accurate level available at any price. Every time a contractor sneers at my water level and claims his $2000 laser is "more accurate" I don't hire him and put him on my do not call list. He does not not understand enough science to be effective.

2. I have laser level because it is faster for one person, but any time I set forms I double check with a water level. Lasers need calibration, and it is a royal pain to do it with my Bosch. Others may be better.

3. While the most simple drawing of a water level shows one hose with two ends, this is not an inherent limitation. Shorter hose lengths can be joined together with a simple hose outlet "Y" to make three-armed levels, or two "Ys" for a 4-armed level. A plastic "Y" is only a couple of dollars in the garden department of most stores, and being able to check level at many places at the same time speeds up jobs considerably.

 

[RDrancher]

A lot of people do not really understand water levels (hose with transparent tubes on ends).

1. This is the most accurate level available at any price. Every time a contractor sneers at my water level and claims his $2000 laser is "more accurate" I don't hire him and put him on my do not call list. He does not not understand enough science to be effective.

2. I have laser level because it is faster for one person, but any time I set forms I double check with a water level. Lasers need calibration, and it is a royal pain to do it with my Bosch. Others may be better.

3. While the most simple drawing of a water level shows one hose with two ends, this is not an inherent limitation. Shorter hose lengths can be joined together with a simple hose outlet "Y" to make three-armed levels, or two "Ys" for a 4-armed level. A plastic "Y" is only a couple of dollars in the garden department of most stores, and being able to check level at many places at the same time speeds up jobs considerably.

Yes, using pyramid technology works, but time is money for those of us that make our living in construction. But then again...I've seen a few of past posts bagging on contractors, so I shouldn't be surprised.

The OP specifically asked about grading, where a water level would just be a pita. Using a builder's level, transit or laser to set stakes and then check grade makes a lot more sense.

 

[BHD]

string levels are not bad for a quick process, put the level in the middle of the string so it in the middle of the sag of the string, (even when pulled tight the string will have a sag), Amazon.com: string level: Tools & Home Improvement

but your water level is about as accurate as one can get, usually one will need a post to work from and then measure down,

the tripod levels, sited or laser, all one has to do is bump it and things are messed up,

take a string level and one can get a close idea for rough lay out, will need two people one to watch the level and one to move the sting, (can be done by one self if you like to walk a lot),

I have never used one but some people like the hand level for a quick check, one can use a post for a repeatable height to work of over, Johnson Level & Tool Handheld Sight Level | Sight Automatic Transit Levels| Northern Tool + Equipment
or
CST/Berger 17-620A Hand Level - Construction Marking Tools - Amazon.com

 

[mikefromnh]

A lot of people do not really understand water levels (hose with transparent tubes on ends).

1. This is the most accurate level available at any price. Every time a contractor sneers at my water level and claims his $2000 laser is "more accurate" I don't hire him and put him on my do not call list. He does not not understand enough science to be effective.

2. I have laser level because it is faster for one person, but any time I set forms I double check with a water level. Lasers need calibration, and it is a royal pain to do it with my Bosch. Others may be better.

3. While the most simple drawing of a water level shows one hose with two ends, this is not an inherent limitation. Shorter hose lengths can be joined together with a simple hose outlet "Y" to make three-armed levels, or two "Ys" for a 4-armed level. A plastic "Y" is only a couple of dollars in the garden department of most stores, and being able to check level at many places at the same time speeds up jobs considerably.

The other nice thing is they can be used around corners. Very handy when leveling an existing cabin. You can walk from room to room and set a reference mark so you know how much to adjust each post.

 

[mikefromnh]

Yes, using pyramid technology works, but time is money for those of us that make our living in construction. But then again...I've seen a few of past posts bagging on contractors, so I shouldn't be surprised.

The OP specifically asked about grading, where a water level would just be a pita. Using a builder's level, transit or laser to set stakes and then check grade makes a lot more sense.

OP asked for a cheap and accurate way to set grade. With a $50 zircon water level which allows one person to work alone you can quickly set a few grade stakes. It might be a little slower but it won't be any less accurate. Definitely cheaper.

Once you get used to one it's probably not any slower then getting a laser out and finding some to hold the grade rod. You jet set the water level on a post and cut a reference to stick that locates your final height...then just walk around the area to see how much grade needs to be brought up.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I bought a Top Con 5 or something like that last summer. Awesome unit, 2000 foot or something range. Anyway, looked at renting and never like that option, or buying used, and I guess the price is coming down because guys still want big bucks for their older models.

So I bought new, off E-Bay and my reasonig is, that I can use a nice new piece of equipment, use it as long as I like, get good results from my projects and then if I wish sell it, in probably like new condition. So the end cost is really not that high! To me it was a no brainer!

Plus I am sure that I can help out a friend or so.