What is the most accurate machinist level in the world

OTLB

OTLB

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Does anyone know what the best level is?

I was told to clarify in another posting.. lets mention anything under.0005 and not less than 18 inches long. Now lets see who knows what.
 
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Probably SPI. they are a bit pricey compared to starrett. But there sensetivity in 10" is as good as .0001" or 2 seconds D/M/S. Starrett is a best of about .0005" across 12" or 10 seconds D/M/S. Wich is still pretty damn sensetive, and starrett backs up there products 100% as well as being american made (I'm not sure about SPI) I personally own starrett tools for the most part but I use SPI levels at work (supplied by my employer) and I have ben impressed by there accuracy. Hope this helps, Tom
 
I have a Starrett and it's so sensitive that I can't imagine being able to make use of anything more accurate. It would drive a guy crazy trying to satisfy a level more accurate than the Starrett.
 
JimS said:
I have a Starrett and it's so sensitive that I can't imagine being able to make use of anything more accurate. It would drive a guy crazy trying to satisfy a level more accurate than the Starrett.
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It is hard to satisfy a level that sensitive. it took me 6 hours to level my table with an SPI, but it is level within .003" across the whole table (+-.0015") That takes some time.
 
OTLB said:
Does anyone know what the best level is?

I was told to clarify in another posting.. lets mention anything under.0005 and not less than 18 inches long. Now lets see who knows what.
Click to expand...
Sorry, didn't see the 18" reference. Starrett is the only company that makes an 18'" level to my knowledge, But the sensetivity is .005". The #'s i've been been giving are sensetivity not accuracy,(2 different things) all machinist levels are only as accurate as the person using it, and if it has been calibrated or adjusted if need be. Also temperature and humidity can effect these precision tools. On the shop floor where I work you can measure a part, go into a 72 degree inspection room and get a .0002" difference with the same tool same part.
 
Thanks, I understand that. But are there machinist levels better than that. Wouln't it be nice to have a 36 inch level lets say. Can you make one? Starrett can't be the only company that has an 18 inch level.
 
a Final thought, what type of variation do you think there is with ice cold slate going into a warm house in the winter. This is another hint to help prevent slate pop. You bring up a great point. SOP must be to let a table sit and acclamate before final installation.
 
I did a table once for a Navy enginer/machinist who set up the instrument panel gauges for the US Navy . He had an 18" level that made my Starrett bubble look like a carpenters level.
 
Some Starretts

Talking about levels no one has mentioned the Starrett 199 Master Precision level. Here it is for some comparison of the other levels.

first here is to show the size of the levels from top to bottom:
Starrett 98-18
Starrett 199
Starrett 98-12
Starrett 98-8
size_comp.jpg



This one shows the size of the bubbles. order as follows
Starrett 98-18
Starrett 98-12
Starrett 199
Starrett 98-8
bubbles.jpg



and finally the difference in accuracy from the 98-8 to the 199. Both of these levels have been trued right before this pic was taken.
difference.jpg
 
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OTLB said:
Does anyone know what the best level is?

I was told to clarify in another posting.. lets mention anything under.0005 and not less than 18 inches long. Now lets see who knows what.
Click to expand...
One of the major problems of useing levels longer than 8" when leveling slates, is that the longer the level, the less you can find low spots in the slates because long levels bridge the low areas:smile:

Glen
 
I know you don't like big levels but I thought I would show them. Attached is a pic of my first snooker table in 1992, bought it from National in Canada. This was in my basement gameroom and upstairs I had a nice GC 3. Not sure exactly what pics you want. I know everyone wants pics of seams with nothing in them so thats what I will do when I can.

Isn't it funny that snooker tables level out so well and don't have any slate screws normally. Although I have one now with 1.75 inch slate that does.


OK I will show you some, here is my next job. An antique which I am sure you know the name of. I will take pics, what do you want to see exactly.
 
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OTLB said:
I know you don't like big levels but I thought I would show them. Attached is a pic of my first snooker table in 1992, bought it from National in Canada. This was in my basement gameroom and upstairs I had a nice GC 3. Not sure exactly what pics you want. I know everyone wants pics of seams with nothing in them so thats what I will do when I can.

Isn't it funny that snooker tables level out so well and don't have any slate screws normally. Although I have one now with 1.75 inch slate that does.
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Nice table, but it don't show your work, or answer my question to you.:wink:

Glen
 
I have just found the largest machinist level that I know of in NY at 52 inches long. Thats almost doubling mine of 28 inches. Hopefully I will be able to buy it and post some pics.
 
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