Machinist Level
- Thread starter CGM
- Start date
LMAO, I was just about to post that this escalated very quickly based on my original question. Thanks for the education though fellas. It never ceases to amaze me the different topics that people on AZB can so vehemently debate. LOL.
Certainly not, he don't know and don't have the very expensive $$$$$$$ equipment that this process need
.But in fact checking regularly levels is the most important thing. I make my levels myself and i use .02mm/meter level vial that i calibrate in sanding vial housing on a plane surface, I manipulate them with care and regularly check them and they are always perfect.
An easy way to be a little bit more accurate would be to use round spacers like the picture and to put one of them at each frame support adjustable points and leveling between them, it would eliminate pratically all the slate defect, slates are not perfectly flat and by the way contact between slate and level is not perfect.
So if a level goes out of calibration 3 months after they've been leveled by the factory, you're going to continue leveling tables, for the next 9 months with that level....because you don't know how to check, and calibrate your OWN levels?
I have to ask, what does any of the chest beating you just posted, have to do with knowing how to keep your levels calibrated so they always ready level?A bumper?? OK man, how ever you want to treat your tools is your business. I make money with all of my equipment and I also happen to manage the 2 nicest pool rooms in the country and install only the best equipment money can buy, so there is that too. I guess all of the people who spend their hard earned money with my company, they must value the formula that operates it.
Trent
Its a task I could teach a second grader, yet it eludes you!!
I don't really have a dog in the race esp. as relates to pool tables.
However, dealing with precision levels has 2 basic components.
1.) what condition is the casting & base in; and is it adequate to the task?
With used levels, this may or may not be a factor for pool table techs to understand or address?
I think i posted links to enough information to confuse most people, but provide those interested with several standard configurations and also competing sets of opinions on which makes sense for what app, to form a choice and consider whether it matters for their own situation.
Side note: some machinist users/practitioners stone the base of levels and gages "every time" between uses to look for that dent burr or scratch furrow that could corrupt a reading. I think that is poor practice, but it is sometimes necessary. It is also a reason that some well used gages including levels can be found to deviate from the manufactured condition. Whatever Pico's opinion, warped bases are not unknown.
All of this or none of this may apply to setting up pool tables.
2.) if the bases are proven and as preferred for the field of use, checking vial calibration is, indeed, simple. Not quite "trivial" due to factors a few of us have posted, but certainly quickly accessible to anyone.
Providing information seems to irritate and confuse many.
Others can sort through it and make choices to improve both confidence and efficiency.
smt
However, dealing with precision levels has 2 basic components.
1.) what condition is the casting & base in; and is it adequate to the task?
With used levels, this may or may not be a factor for pool table techs to understand or address?
I think i posted links to enough information to confuse most people, but provide those interested with several standard configurations and also competing sets of opinions on which makes sense for what app, to form a choice and consider whether it matters for their own situation.
Side note: some machinist users/practitioners stone the base of levels and gages "every time" between uses to look for that dent burr or scratch furrow that could corrupt a reading. I think that is poor practice, but it is sometimes necessary. It is also a reason that some well used gages including levels can be found to deviate from the manufactured condition. Whatever Pico's opinion, warped bases are not unknown.
All of this or none of this may apply to setting up pool tables.
2.) if the bases are proven and as preferred for the field of use, checking vial calibration is, indeed, simple. Not quite "trivial" due to factors a few of us have posted, but certainly quickly accessible to anyone.
Providing information seems to irritate and confuse many.
Others can sort through it and make choices to improve both confidence and efficiency.
smt
Certainly that warped bases are not unknow, you will find what you want on the web and its opposite, beside it's your speciality. But you just need to be a little bit stupid to believe that manipulate with cares level on pool table can warp them, you just say that trying to elevate your knowledge and making confusion. I work with a lot more accurate tools of all kinds, I don't need to all bla bla bla every where on the web to know what depends, just my experience.
boogieman
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that ping.
With all the crazy answers here I questioned if I had did it correctly. I calibrated mine exactly as you said.
JC
Coos Cues
I'm saving this for the next time you want your table covered.
I copied that directly off of my invoice from the last time you were here!
That may be a translation confusion?
I don't suggest that in the least.
OTOH i actually know that some used levels get warped & some have huge dent burrs from poor handling, probably not from the users, but from the acquisition and vendor chain. If you are buying *used* precision levels it might or might not be worth verifying the bases start in the condition you prefer, for your preferred work.
Once the frame condition is known, proceed with routine calibration of the vial, a relatively simple task.
I think i get that it does not matter to you.
It's almost comical that it seems to make you irritable.
smt
Obviously you don't make a living working on pool tables
Show some pictures of them.Certainly not, he don't know and don't have the very expensive $$$$$$$ equipment that this process need
But in fact checking regularly levels is the most important thing. I make my levels myself and i use .02mm/meter level vial that i calibrate in sanding vial housing on a plane surface, I manipulate them with care and regularly check them and they are always perfect.
Hmm, this is entertaining. At least there is some action on here. Some people might want to learn to do their own calibration themselves, some want to pay others. The best part about Starrett is they give me EXACT readings on check in and check out for every level. Next year if I notice nothing is changing, I might skip to every 2 years, the very first time I did it is because they were all reading off from one another, very bad, so I wanted consistency to start my maintenance schedule. Wow, would it surprise me that they had quite a few other things going and they barely charged me for all the extra work they did... Still happy, still gonna do it the way I do, I am NEVER shipping my levels again. I am out on this topic!
TFT
TFT
Yes, its pretty easy to mark them out, flip em around and make sure they ready the same like RKC taught me, i do check them. Not interested in adjusting them, unless someone TEACHES me, right in front of me or I would rather PAY : )
Really, my last post on this one!
TFT
Why you say that?Obviously you don't make a living working on pool tables
Because reading the level of a flat surface on top of an imperfect surface takes away from knowing where to place a shim to correct that imperfect surface. If you want to do it your way to level the frame, by all means, level away. But if you need to manipulate the slate to make it level, good luck.Why you say that?
Skype me and I'll stand right over you, take you by the hands....and TEACH you how to calibrate your damn levels! Its a stupid waste of money paying someone else to do that! YOU use them, YOU need to know how to calibrate them, as they are YOUR tools of the trade, not someone else's!!!