how can i get an accurate horizantal line?

[George (dicegeorge)]

how can i get an accurate horizantal line, and how accurate by which methods?

(ive been wondering how to get a horizantal line along this new old house ive got but was worrying that a spirit level isnt very accurate, surely its only +- 2 degrees or what?

then i thought that a plumb line would be more accurate, and take a right angle off that

then i thought that a water level with a hosepipe filled with water would also be an accurate horizantal.

or is there a lazer device or gprs or something 21st century???????

and also an accurate horizantal would be good for the problem of drilling a hole from both sides which was mentioned here on this uk-diy egroup a week ago.

ive got one to drill quite soon...

ive got a third class degree in maths but no experience of working on a building site so i dont know how its done, whats possible and whats impossible...

and where can i buy a good hosepipe level please?

is there a link somewhere please?

your cousin, george (@dicegeorge)

[robert]

I would rely on a water level, no self levelling or calibration needed and goes round corners.

[George (dicegeorge)]

how accurate is a water level?

2mm ??

[George (dicegeorge)]

so use a horizantal level to get 3 points inside the wall and 3 points outside the wall,

join up the points into 2 straight lines and check that they line up ok

thats half of the problem of drilling a hole from both sides of a wall solved....

should be able to use a laser tape measurer and triangles to get the vertical....

looks like theres nothing to patent!

[PCPaul]

Depends how far apart the ends are. It all depends on the curvature of the earth...

Beyond that I'd say at housebuilding scales it's as good as the thickness of your pencil line. Do you really need better than that?

Here's some info on making one. Most DIY shops will sell you clear tubing which makes life much easier. Also, you can put a few drops of detergent in the water to reduce the surface tension and it will be easier to see where the water level is actually *at*.

[Ron Lowe]

You could patent your invention of the word horizantal. Is that what is takes to get a 3rd in maths these days?

Sorry, I'm not usually a net-pedant, but I had to make an exception:-)

[BRG]

Simple, fill an empty 2 litre pop bottle half-full, tighten the top and lay the bottle on its side - and the water will show the (sic) horizantal extremely accurately!

As accurate as the bubble and the angle of sight. A spirit level can be used to set up things such theodilites, 'dumpy' levels, granite beds of precision machinery etc ad-infinitum eh-what old boy!

How would you manage to do that accurately off a vertical bit of string with a dangling 'loose' end (especially of it's a bit windy)? A plumb-rule would be a better bet - but still a bit awkward!

A water-level would be as accurate as you need to show the *horizontal* when working on a building.

There are *laser* devices that can be used - but I'm not sure about gprs (General Packet Radio Service)

Whilst it is theoretically possible to drill a hole from both sides - you still have the problem of holding and guiding the drill straight so that the holes 'meet' in the middle! Ah, that's where GPRS may be useful :-)

Let us know how you get on!

There are many illiterate people who can successfully drill a hole - that's one thing you don't need a degree for.

A university degree and *NO* experience - that's normal!

How long is the string on a plum-bob?

Hose pipe level? The staff of B&Q can point you in the right direction if you ask for a *WATER LEVEL* or failing that, any builders merchants or tool suppliers will let you have one for a price - don't forget to ask for trade discount!

Google is your friend - as well as Screwfix or Priority Tool Supplies

Not your cousin,

BRG

[BRG]

*Correction*

That should have been *plumB-bob*. But on the other hand....

BRG

[Roger Mills]

Also, being illiterate doesn't seem to prevent you from being awarded a degree these days - unfortunately!

[George (dicegeorge)]

illiterate ??? wots my parents marrital status got to do with it??

[BRG]

Roger,

I quite agree!

BRG

[BRG]

Now we are on to an illegitimate subject :-)

BRG

[Matty F]

On Jan 18, 7:15 am, "George \(dicegeorge\)"

A water-filled hosepipe with a couple of feet of clear pipe at each end, works well.

Builders' lasers are surprisingly cheap these days. I reckon the hosepipe would be more accurate than a cheap laser. The laser is great but the way it levels itself may not be that accurate.

[Dave]

What do you need it for and does it go outside of any door?

That depends on the accuracy of the level. An engineers level will be far more accurate than a builders level.

A plumb line will only give you a vertical line. You can never take a horizontal line off it that will link up with another line taken by the same means. Errors creep in

There is a degree of stickiness with the water about this method. Do a google on it for more info.

There is a 'laser' level that is quite good, but you will have to calibrate it before you depend on it. If you want to known more about laser levels then post back.

Dave

[Dave Liquorice]

Depends on the friction of the water in the pipe as well, it can surprisingly high, thus the water level might not be level at all. This is were the added detergent comes in, stops the water sticking to the pipe surface, add and mix in the detergent before filling the level.

An ordinary spirit level is just as accurate, just check that the vial is aligned with the body correctly by turning it round (left end becomes right end and vice versa). Obvoiusly the longer the level the better you can make your line horizontal, as small errors in marking etc have less effect and there are fewer of them.

[TheScullster]

"George (dicegeorge)" wrote

Get an accurate 2' spirit level and a long bit of 2x1 or similar that you know is straight. Sight along the timber to ensure it is straight before buying - double check the straightness if you have dodgy eyesight by holding it against a steel column, or similar likely straight feature, in B&Q. Each time you use it, check the timber is straight. To draw the line, hold the timber against your starting point, place spirit level on top, adjust timber angle to level, check the level by turning the spirit level round. If all is consistent, remove spirit level carefully making sure the timber doesn't move. Mark your line using the timber edge as a rule.

This will be plenty accurate for decorating, tiling, cupboard hanging etc. You can even transfer heights "across corners" using the timber and level, but this can get a bit more fiddly. Probably best to use the water level for this.

HTH

Phil

[Phil]

=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 ~

=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 ~

Wait for the flood water to rise & scribe a line where it meets the house.....

[Dave Liquorice]

2 x 1 at over 6' in pine will have significant flex in it but yes the idea and procedure is a good one. Might need extra pairs of hands though for the level turning and holding of "ruler" without the later moving.

Quite often you don't want true level as the floor/walls aren't truely elevl you have to go for what looks right in relation to those and any patterns.

Gives you a true level which may or may not look right. Putting a "horizontal" line around a room is one place were a rotating(*) laser level works really well. There is no way the ends of your horizontal are not going to meet after you have carefully taken them around the room, even a tiny error soon adds up to several mm around a room. You can also set the plane so that it looks right.

(*) Doesn't have to be a whirly one, though that will be quicker than a straight one on manually rotating base.

[Stuart Noble]

I've seen tilers using the hose system where a level needs to be maintained across several alcoves, such as in a sports facility

[The Natural Philosopher]

Its a LOT better than that.

All of the above. Laser levels are good, but they trend to rely on a spirit bubble to get them right first. Plump linbe on a large protractor and a theodolite will net you a bit better.

You just buy clear plastic tube and fill it with water. Thast a good way to get equal heights inside and oputside a wall.