What type of level

Twice

Twice

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
If you only had one Starrett level in your tool box, what would it be? a 98-8 (.005 sens. 8")or a 98-12 (.005 sens. 12") or something different?

Thanks in advance.

T.
 
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I'm almost 100% sure about this but I think I remember reading something on here (did a search on Starrett levels I believe) to the effect that a 8" levelis a better choice than the longer levels as slate pieces have small dips and valleys in them to some degree so the shorter 8" level is more useful for leveling 3 slate than the longer levels. The longer the level, the more chance that the two ends of the level will reach from one peak in the slate to the opposite peak (bridge the gap) should you have a dip in the slate piece and you won't see the actual valley so to speak thus causing leveling problems. I'm sure one of the table mechs. in here will chime in and give you their thoughts as I am not a seasoned table mech. I can assure you. Do a search on Starrett levels and you'll see many comments on why mechs. use the shorter levels. Wish Ya luck.
 
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I would suggest using:

An 18 inch level will spin or actually helicopter on a high spot, it gives quick confirmation of a high spot this way and using this level in conjunction with a feeler guage will enable you to demonstrate easily whether the slate is flat and even. Its almost like what some guys use, a nice straight edge. Wouldn't you like to put down a level as far as you could the length of the table after someone says its level and see with a feeler guage any spots that might be low instead of moving a little level the entire way up and down. When leveling tables you need to be able to allow for some variations. I only know of one table that is designed to be leveled up and down all over the slate, so your normal type table achieves the happiest overall level medium possible and will not be perfect..

Since levels read more accurately than what the slate is made to, a short level IMO almost misreads what you should be looking at. If shorter was better than there would be an argument for lets say a 4 inch level. If the slate is nice and level you should be able to turn your level across the seam and it will have no rock in it.
 
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Got a table from Star Paper locally and was very impressed with their Laser Leveling system. It's the same laser leveling system used in construction, leveling picture frames. I guess it works on the principle of a gyro, because it needs no leveling by itself and project a level laser beam, both horizontal and vertical across the room. Using the horizontal beam and a Bottle of Coke placed on surface of slate, on can easily level a table.

By placing the bottle of coke on different points of slate, any variations on the horizontal beam will indicate a need to adjust the table. Anyway, using this technique, it took less than 5 minutes to level the table and then I tried rolling a ball on the bare slate in all directions, PERFECT!

Installation took about 2 hours and then we started playing right after and the installers left. Until now, the table is still perfectly level.
 
Twice said:
If you only had one Starrett level in your tool box, what would it be? a 98-8 (.005 sens. 8")or a 98-12 (.005 sens. 12") or something different?

Thanks in advance.

T.
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If your going to level a table with a single level, I don't think it makes a difference if its 8 or 12 inches long. i have both sized levels and a 18inch in my arsenal and i'm trying to get more shorters ones. put it this way, instead of having one 18 inch level, you would get a better idea what the slate is doing with three 6 inch levels in a line. the more you can divide that line the better, but the slate is only going to give you so much play.
 
charly said:
Got a table from Star Paper locally and was very impressed with their Laser Leveling system. It's the same laser leveling system used in construction, leveling picture frames. I guess it works on the principle of a gyro, because it needs no leveling by itself and project a level laser beam, both horizontal and vertical across the room. Using the horizontal beam and a Bottle of Coke placed on surface of slate, on can easily level a table.

By placing the bottle of coke on different points of slate, any variations on the horizontal beam will indicate a need to adjust the table. Anyway, using this technique, it took less than 5 minutes to level the table and then I tried rolling a ball on the bare slate in all directions, PERFECT!

Installation took about 2 hours and then we started playing right after and the installers left. Until now, the table is still perfectly level.
Click to expand...

not impressed.
 
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