Hi all,

I've read somewhere that engineer's levels have an astonishing degree of
sensitivity. Though they look pretty similar to the spirit levels we
DIYers are familiar with, they are *far* more sensitive to the extent
that if you so much as place a thin slip of paper under one end, it's
enough to send the bubble markedly off centre. And as we know, our levels
wouldn't even begin to register such a minute change.
So does anyone know how this extremely high degree of sensitivity is
achieved? I was just wondering if it's possible to make one up (they're
an arm and a leg to buy!)

On 27/01/2014 20:40, Cursitor Doom wrote:
Hi all,

I've read somewhere that engineer's levels have an astonishing degree of
sensitivity. Though they look pretty similar to the spirit levels we
DIYers are familiar with, they are *far* more sensitive to the extent
that if you so much as place a thin slip of paper under one end, it's
enough to send the bubble markedly off centre. And as we know, our levels
wouldn't even begin to register such a minute change.
So does anyone know how this extremely high degree of sensitivity is
achieved? I was just wondering if it's possible to make one up (they're
an arm and a leg to buy!)

Presumably, the phial is nearly cylindrical rather than markedly barrel
shaped like your average level.

Cheers,

Colin.

On 27/01/2014 20:40, Cursitor Doom wrote:
Hi all,

I've read somewhere that engineer's levels have an astonishing degree of
sensitivity. Though they look pretty similar to the spirit levels we
DIYers are familiar with, they are *far* more sensitive to the extent
that if you so much as place a thin slip of paper under one end, it's
enough to send the bubble markedly off centre. And as we know, our levels
wouldn't even begin to register such a minute change.
So does anyone know how this extremely high degree of sensitivity is
achieved? I was just wondering if it's possible to make one up (they're
an arm and a leg to buy!)


Somewhere ages ago on the web I found details of how to make one
yourself. Obviously, it involves grinding the bore into a very slight
barrel. It was a *very* detailed article and seemed to make something
with incredible sensitivity.

"newshound" wrote in message
o.uk...
On 27/01/2014 20:40, Cursitor Doom wrote:
Hi all,

I've read somewhere that engineer's levels have an astonishing degree of
sensitivity. Though they look pretty similar to the spirit levels we
DIYers are familiar with, they are *far* more sensitive to the extent
that if you so much as place a thin slip of paper under one end, it's
enough to send the bubble markedly off centre. And as we know, our levels
wouldn't even begin to register such a minute change.
So does anyone know how this extremely high degree of sensitivity is
achieved? I was just wondering if it's possible to make one up (they're
an arm and a leg to buy!)


Somewhere ages ago on the web I found details of how to make one yourself.
Obviously, it involves grinding the bore into a very slight barrel. It was
a *very* detailed article and seemed to make something with incredible
sensitivity.

Did it detail how best to capture the fish fart intact to use as the bubble
in the level?

On Monday, January 27, 2014 8:58:54 PM UTC, newshound wrote:
On 27/01/2014 20:40, Cursitor Doom wrote:

Hi all,

I've read somewhere that engineer's levels have an astonishing degree of
sensitivity. Though they look pretty similar to the spirit levels we
DIYers are familiar with, they are *far* more sensitive to the extent
that if you so much as place a thin slip of paper under one end, it's
enough to send the bubble markedly off centre. And as we know, our levels
wouldn't even begin to register such a minute change.
So does anyone know how this extremely high degree of sensitivity is
achieved? I was just wondering if it's possible to make one up (they're
an arm and a leg to buy!)

Somewhere ages ago on the web I found details of how to make one
yourself. Obviously, it involves grinding the bore into a very slight
barrel. It was a *very* detailed article and seemed to make something
with incredible sensitivity.

Heat & bend the glass tube, if you dont mind it not working upside down.


NT

On Fri, 31 Jan 2014 00:37:10 -0800, meow2222 wrote:

Heat & bend the glass tube, if you dont mind it not working upside down.


Nice idea! You're a mine of info, I've noticed. ;-)

On 27/01/2014 20:40, Cursitor Doom wrote:
Hi all,

I've read somewhere that engineer's levels have an astonishing degree of
sensitivity. Though they look pretty similar to the spirit levels we
DIYers are familiar with, they are *far* more sensitive to the extent
that if you so much as place a thin slip of paper under one end, it's
enough to send the bubble markedly off centre. And as we know, our levels
wouldn't even begin to register such a minute change.
So does anyone know how this extremely high degree of sensitivity is
achieved? I was just wondering if it's possible to make one up (they're
an arm and a leg to buy!)


Well here is a start

http://fer3.com/arc/m2.aspx/Making-y...an-2012-g17728

I have seen another article with pictures but don't have time to google now

On Mon, 27 Jan 2014 21:03:25 +0000, newshound wrote:

Well here is a start

http://fer3.com/arc/m2.aspx/Making-y...-vialswithout-
attached-pictures-Morrow-jan-2012-g17728

I have seen another article with pictures but don't have time to google
now

Interesting! Bit like grinding a mirror for a telescope but thankfully
not as demanding of time and skill!!

Cursitor Doom expressed precisely :
Hi all,

I've read somewhere that engineer's levels have an astonishing degree of
sensitivity. Though they look pretty similar to the spirit levels we
DIYers are familiar with, they are *far* more sensitive to the extent
that if you so much as place a thin slip of paper under one end, it's
enough to send the bubble markedly off centre. And as we know, our levels
wouldn't even begin to register such a minute change.
So does anyone know how this extremely high degree of sensitivity is
achieved? I was just wondering if it's possible to make one up (they're
an arm and a leg to buy!)

The tube just has a less pronounced curve on it. The less pronounced,
the more sensitive and the more difficult and expensive to make.

--
Regards,
Harry (M1BYT) (L)
http://www.ukradioamateur.co.uk

In message , Harry
Bloomfield writes
Cursitor Doom expressed precisely :
Hi all,

I've read somewhere that engineer's levels have an astonishing degree
of sensitivity. Though they look pretty similar to the spirit levels
we DIYers are familiar with, they are *far* more sensitive to the
extent that if you so much as place a thin slip of paper under one
end, it's enough to send the bubble markedly off centre. And as we
know, our levels wouldn't even begin to register such a minute change.
So does anyone know how this extremely high degree of sensitivity is
achieved? I was just wondering if it's possible to make one up
(they're an arm and a leg to buy!)

The tube just has a less pronounced curve on it. The less pronounced,
the more sensitive and the more difficult and expensive to make.

I have an ex-WD level from some sort of gun mount. Calibrated screw
adjustment for + - 25deg. (memory). Mounted on a ground steel strip, it
makes a cheap level.


--
Tim Lamb

On 27/01/2014 22:47, Harry Bloomfield wrote:
Cursitor Doom expressed precisely :
Hi all,

I've read somewhere that engineer's levels have an astonishing degree
of sensitivity. Though they look pretty similar to the spirit levels
we DIYers are familiar with, they are *far* more sensitive to the
extent that if you so much as place a thin slip of paper under one
end, it's enough to send the bubble markedly off centre. And as we
know, our levels wouldn't even begin to register such a minute change.
So does anyone know how this extremely high degree of sensitivity is
achieved? I was just wondering if it's possible to make one up
(they're an arm and a leg to buy!)

The tube just has a less pronounced curve on it. The less pronounced,
the more sensitive and the more difficult and expensive to make.


And more difficult to use if you don't really need that accuracy - 'cos
you can't see how unlevel you are unless you're virtually level.
--
Cheers,
Roger
____________
Please reply to Newsgroup. Whilst email address is valid, it is seldom
checked.

On Tuesday, January 28, 2014 4:30:26 PM UTC, Roger Mills wrote:
On 27/01/2014 22:47, Harry Bloomfield wrote:

Cursitor Doom expressed precisely :
Hi all,

I've read somewhere that engineer's levels have an astonishing degree
of sensitivity. Though they look pretty similar to the spirit levels
we DIYers are familiar with, they are *far* more sensitive to the
extent that if you so much as place a thin slip of paper under one
end, it's enough to send the bubble markedly off centre. And as we
know, our levels wouldn't even begin to register such a minute change.
So does anyone know how this extremely high degree of sensitivity is
achieved? I was just wondering if it's possible to make one up
(they're an arm and a leg to buy!)

The tube just has a less pronounced curve on it. The less pronounced,
the more sensitive and the more difficult and expensive to make.

And more difficult to use if you don't really need that accuracy - 'cos
you can't see how unlevel you are unless you're virtually level.

+1 on that!
I have a couple of these - the more sensitive one is actually marked '1 division = .05mm in 1m', which doing the calculation works out at about 10 seconds. A sheet of paper under one end sends the bubble practically off scale.
The other one gives around .3mm in 1m or around 1 minute for one division.
The more sensitive one is practically useless for most tasks, while the other one is ok for trimming things up once you're nearly level.

On Monday, February 3, 2014 6:16:07 PM UTC, wrote:
On Tuesday, January 28, 2014 4:30:26 PM UTC, Roger Mills wrote:

On 27/01/2014 22:47, Harry Bloomfield wrote:



Cursitor Doom expressed precisely :

Hi all,



I've read somewhere that engineer's levels have an astonishing degree

of sensitivity. Though they look pretty similar to the spirit levels

we DIYers are familiar with, they are *far* more sensitive to the

extent that if you so much as place a thin slip of paper under one

end, it's enough to send the bubble markedly off centre. And as we

know, our levels wouldn't even begin to register such a minute change.

So does anyone know how this extremely high degree of sensitivity is

achieved? I was just wondering if it's possible to make one up

(they're an arm and a leg to buy!)



The tube just has a less pronounced curve on it. The less pronounced,

the more sensitive and the more difficult and expensive to make.



And more difficult to use if you don't really need that accuracy - 'cos

you can't see how unlevel you are unless you're virtually level.



+1 on that!

I have a couple of these - the more sensitive one is actually marked '1 division = .05mm in 1m', which doing the calculation works out at about 10 seconds. A sheet of paper under one end sends the bubble practically off scale.

I cant imagine what needs to be that level.


NT

On 04/02/2014 11:59, wrote:

I cant imagine what needs to be that level.


NT


My telescope is frequently set that level.

On Tue, 04 Feb 2014 03:59:39 -0800, meow2222 wrote:

On Monday, February 3, 2014 6:16:07 PM UTC, wrote:
On Tuesday, January 28, 2014 4:30:26 PM UTC, Roger Mills wrote:

On 27/01/2014 22:47, Harry Bloomfield wrote:



Cursitor Doom expressed precisely :

Hi all,



I've read somewhere that engineer's levels have an astonishing
degree

of sensitivity. Though they look pretty similar to the spirit
levels

we DIYers are familiar with, they are *far* more sensitive to the

extent that if you so much as place a thin slip of paper under one

end, it's enough to send the bubble markedly off centre. And as we

know, our levels wouldn't even begin to register such a minute
change.

So does anyone know how this extremely high degree of sensitivity
is

achieved? I was just wondering if it's possible to make one up

(they're an arm and a leg to buy!)



The tube just has a less pronounced curve on it. The less
pronounced,

the more sensitive and the more difficult and expensive to make.



And more difficult to use if you don't really need that accuracy -
'cos

you can't see how unlevel you are unless you're virtually level.



+1 on that!

I have a couple of these - the more sensitive one is actually marked '1
division = .05mm in 1m', which doing the calculation works out at about
10 seconds. A sheet of paper under one end sends the bubble practically
off scale.

I cant imagine what needs to be that level.

Lathes for one thing. If there's the slightest twist in a lathe bed it
will turn out work which is tapered when it's supposed to be straight.

"Cursitor Doom" wrote in message
...
Hi all,

I've read somewhere that engineer's levels have an astonishing degree of
sensitivity. Though they look pretty similar to the spirit levels we
DIYers are familiar with, they are *far* more sensitive to the extent
that if you so much as place a thin slip of paper under one end, it's
enough to send the bubble markedly off centre. And as we know, our levels
wouldn't even begin to register such a minute change.
So does anyone know how this extremely high degree of sensitivity is
achieved? I was just wondering if it's possible to make one up (they're
an arm and a leg to buy!)

Modern spirit levels are just made that way for convenience.
In days of yore, vertical and horizontals were acheiveded with a pedulum
device.
Far more acurrate and self calibrating.

On 28/01/14 08:10, harryagain wrote:

In days of yore, vertical and horizontals were acheiveded with a pedulum
device.
Far more acurrate and self calibrating.

How do you check a horizontal with a pendulum?

In article ,
pcb1962 writes:
On 28/01/14 08:10, harryagain wrote:

In days of yore, vertical and horizontals were acheiveded with a pedulum
device.
Far more acurrate and self calibrating.

How do you check a horizontal with a pendulum?

Using a right-angle.

You check the right-angle same way as with a level - flip it around
the other way (horizontally or vertically but not both) and check for
same reading.

--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]

On 28/01/14 10:31, pcb1962 wrote:
On 28/01/14 08:10, harryagain wrote:

In days of yore, vertical and horizontals were acheiveded with a pedulum
device.
Far more acurrate and self calibrating.

How do you check a horizontal with a pendulum?

pythagoras or a square


--
Ineptocracy

(in-ep-toc-ra-cy) €“ a system of government where the least capable to
lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the
members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are
rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a
diminishing number of producers.

One assumes it has something to do with the internal shape of the chamber
where the bubble is and its calibration with the smooth underside of the
unit.
Brian

--
From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active
"Cursitor Doom" wrote in message
...
Hi all,

I've read somewhere that engineer's levels have an astonishing degree of
sensitivity. Though they look pretty similar to the spirit levels we
DIYers are familiar with, they are *far* more sensitive to the extent
that if you so much as place a thin slip of paper under one end, it's
enough to send the bubble markedly off centre. And as we know, our levels
wouldn't even begin to register such a minute change.
So does anyone know how this extremely high degree of sensitivity is
achieved? I was just wondering if it's possible to make one up (they're
an arm and a leg to buy!)

On Tue, 28 Jan 2014 09:52:10 +0000, Brian_Gaff wrote:

One assumes it has something to do with the internal shape of the
chamber where the bubble is and its calibration with the smooth
underside of the unit.
Brian

Actually the calibration is the easy bit. Once you've got the bubble in
the middle, flip the level around the other way and it should still be in
the middle. If it isn't, there are a couple of set screws you can use to
equalise readings.

I like the plumb bob and right angle idea; I'd never have thought of
that. OTOH, finding a dead accurate right angle might then turn out to be
equally as difficult and expensive as obtaining a precision level!

On 28/01/2014 21:04, Cursitor Doom wrote:
On Tue, 28 Jan 2014 09:52:10 +0000, Brian_Gaff wrote:

One assumes it has something to do with the internal shape of the
chamber where the bubble is and its calibration with the smooth
underside of the unit.
Brian

Actually the calibration is the easy bit. Once you've got the bubble in
the middle, flip the level around the other way and it should still be in
the middle. If it isn't, there are a couple of set screws you can use to
equalise readings.

I like the plumb bob and right angle idea; I'd never have thought of
that. OTOH, finding a dead accurate right angle might then turn out to be
equally as difficult and expensive as obtaining a precision level!


You just need a piece of string..
You divide it into eg 3 feet, four feet and 5 feet.
Make a triangle and one corner will be 90 degrees.
It works for any 3:4:5 triangle
(for those who like maths 3^2 + 4^2 = 5 ^ 2).

On Tue, 28 Jan 2014 23:53:12 +0000, dennis@home wrote:

You just need a piece of string..
You divide it into eg 3 feet, four feet and 5 feet.
Make a triangle and one corner will be 90 degrees. It works for any
3:4:5 triangle (for those who like maths 3^2 + 4^2 = 5 ^ 2).

By Jingo! Good thinking, sir!

On 28/01/2014 23:53, dennis@home wrote:

You just need a piece of string..
You divide it into eg 3 feet, four feet and 5 feet.
Make a triangle and one corner will be 90 degrees.
It works for any 3:4:5 triangle
(for those who like maths 3^2 + 4^2 = 5 ^ 2).

What Pythagoras worked out was that for any right-angle triangle A^2 +
B^2 = C^2.

3,4,5 is just the first, and was known long before. There are others.

Andy

On Tue, 28 Jan 2014 21:04:25 +0000 (UTC), Cursitor Doom
wrote:

On Tue, 28 Jan 2014 09:52:10 +0000, Brian_Gaff wrote:

One assumes it has something to do with the internal shape of the
chamber where the bubble is and its calibration with the smooth
underside of the unit.
Brian

Actually the calibration is the easy bit. Once you've got the bubble in
the middle, flip the level around the other way and it should still be in
the middle. If it isn't, there are a couple of set screws you can use to
equalise readings.

I like the plumb bob and right angle idea; I'd never have thought of
that. OTOH, finding a dead accurate right angle might then turn out to be
equally as difficult and expensive as obtaining a precision level!

How about using a straight rod or bar for the horizontal, and hang the
plumb bob by two identical strings, one from each end of the rod.
Attach a third string to the exact centre of the rod and hold this
string up - the rod should hang horizontally.
--
Dave W

On Mon, 27 Jan 2014 20:40:04 +0000, Cursitor Doom wrote:

Hi all,

I've read somewhere that engineer's levels have an astonishing degree of
sensitivity.

The Auckland Nuclear Accessory Co. Ltd. in New Zealand made a mercury
tiltmeter, where the change in capacitance between electrodes and a
mercury surface is proportional to the tilt. This tiltmeter can measure a
vertical displacement of 0.0002 inches.
The city of Auckland was shown to tilt twice a day because of the orbit
of the moon.

On 31/01/2014 21:15, MattyF wrote:
On Mon, 27 Jan 2014 20:40:04 +0000, Cursitor Doom wrote:

Hi all,

I've read somewhere that engineer's levels have an astonishing degree of
sensitivity.

The Auckland Nuclear Accessory Co. Ltd. in New Zealand made a mercury
tiltmeter, where the change in capacitance between electrodes and a
mercury surface is proportional to the tilt. This tiltmeter can measure a
vertical displacement of 0.0002 inches.
The city of Auckland was shown to tilt twice a day because of the orbit
of the moon.


Did it actually tilt or did they just measure the movement of the CoG of
the system?

dennis@home wrote:
The city of Auckland was shown to tilt twice a day because of the orbit
of the moon.


Did it actually tilt or did they just measure the movement of the CoG of
the system?

Edinburgh (built on granite) actually tilts due to the tidal forces.
This could be shown with a reflective galvanometer over half a century
ago. Can't remember the details.

"Capitol" wrote in message
news
dennis@home wrote:
The city of Auckland was shown to tilt twice a day because of the orbit
of the moon.


Did it actually tilt or did they just measure the movement of the CoG of
the system?

Edinburgh (built on granite) actually tilts due to the tidal forces. This
could be shown with a reflective galvanometer over half a century ago.
Can't remember the details.

Everywhere South of Watford Gap is sinking into the sea.
Oop North is rising.
Anther proof thatYorkshire is God's own country.

On Sun, 02 Feb 2014 06:58:01 +0000, harryagain wrote:


Everywhere South of Watford Gap is sinking into the sea.

That'll be the weight of all the immigrants.