Buying a building level, usually expectfrom this measuring instrument of perfect accuracy. It seems to be nothing complicated in this product: just a test tube with a liquid in an aluminum frame. But in reality, everything is not so simple: a large assortment of these products, as well as a difference in prices, are often perplexing. There are branded and expensive products, there is cheap “China”, there is also something mediocre.
Professionals for whom construction isthe main way of earning money is usually not stingy to a good level: after all, mistakes can cost too much. But often such a product is required for a one-time job, and you don’t feel like overpaying for a brand, and here the buyer can expect several unpleasant surprises. Further, what you should pay attention to when choosing products such as a level or rule with level indicators.
1. The correctness of the working planes.This is especially true for products longer than a meter. It is also useful when buying in a store to attach the product with the measuring side to a knowingly flat surface and make sure that it’s really a plane in the level, and not a propeller. In the absence of such smooth surfaces, you can simply “shoot an eye” from the end of the level. The curvature in substandard products, as a rule, is noticeable even to the eye: one has only to look closely.
2. Correct installation of level indicators.In the level or rule of such eyes two or three, and they are often fixed tightly, without the possibility of adjustment. Each of them is desirable to check by attaching the product to a known flat horizontal and vertical plane. Bubble in both cases should be located strictly in the center of the indicator. If there are no reference planes, then it is possible to achieve an average position of the indicator with linings on one side. Then turn the level over the other side - the bubble should be in the middle.
3. Excessive lightness of the product indicates that the walls of the case are too thin. That is, when falling or a small abnormal load, the tool may bend and lose its accuracy.
Next, what can be done if the marriage is noticedtoo late, and exchange the poor quality product will not work. If the problem is the indicator is wrong, then you should pay attention to the possibility of its adjustment. Sometimes the manufacturer provides an adjusting screw for one or several eyes. Most often, the screw head is hidden or inconspicuous. It is worth trying to open all the plugs of the device.
Хуже, когда все глазки вклеены намертво, но и тут a slight adjustment is possible. Most cases of such products are made of aluminum alloys, and it is a rather soft metal, and this can be used. Putting the level on a knowingly flat and solid surface, we determine from which side the eye should be drowned so that the bubble in the cone becomes in the middle. Next, gently hammer and nadstavlennoy metal rod to drive a small recess near the insertion of the tube. The body of the level is deformed, dragging an indicator: the actual adjustment is made.
Temporarily, you can use more primitiveway: stick on the working plane with one of the parties a few layers of masking tape. It is necessary to glue in view of the fact that the measuring plane should remain just a plane. That is, more layers are glued closer to the end than in the middle. Layers of scotch are glued with peculiar steps.
This method of repair will partially correct the level, and it can be used to . However, the tool with such a stickermuch will lose, because it can not be applied on wet surfaces, when pouring screeds and leveling plaster. That is, the correct and reliable method is still in straightening the position of the indicator.
It is much more difficult to adjust the curvature of the body. Here there is some probability of successful repair, but it is difficult to describe it: marriage is too individual and ways of rectification.
