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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Helensburgh
    Posts
    618

    Default Starrett Machinist Level

    I borrowed a machinist level today to set up my sliding table saw and I think it has a problem. In one direction the bubble appears to be reluctant to move and it stretches itself as though the trailing end of the bubble is stuck. When it does move the bubble jumps to one end very fast and basically the bubble does not register small changes at all. In the other direction it seems fine and appears to register small movements as it should. It has been sitting in a tool box for many years and was bought second hand with an unknown history. I rolled it back and forth a lot and sometimes it appears to be OK after doing that, it is almost like the vial has developed memory because the level has been sitting so long. Has anyone ever experienced anything like this?
    CHRIS

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    4,779

    Default

    I got a Starrett No.98 that I bought S/H and I have not experienced this. Prior to using it I had only ever used a carpenters level for building stuff so it's increased sensitivity took some getting used to.

    Got any pics?

    Simon
    Girl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    537

    Default

    It sounds like it's too cold and the spirit inside contracts making the bubble long and skinny too long for the glass curvature so it breaks up easier . Warm it up by putting under your jacket for a while . If that don't fix it it may have a fine crack in the glass that let in some air but still maybe spirit tight . To test the repeatability place it on a machined surface with a side and end stop so it goes back exactly the same when you reverse it . if the bubble stays exactly in centre both ways it's accurate . If not you can adjust some of them using the screw head at one end of the housing . The bubble should be no longer than the two centre lines but some do vary a bit .
    The volume of a pizza of thickness 'a' and radius 'z' is given by pi z z a.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Helensburgh
    Posts
    618

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Retromilling View Post
    It sounds like it's too cold and the bubble has expanded too far for the glass curvature so it is large and breaks up easier . Warm it up by putting under your jacket for a while . If that don't fix it it may have a fine crack in the glass that let in some air but still maybe spirit tight . To test the repeatability place it on a machined surface with a side and end stop so it goes back exactly the same when you reverse it . if the bubble stays exactly in centre both ways it's accurate . If not you can adjust some of them using the screw head at one end of the housing .
    I will try it but the fact that it is sensitive to change in one direction may rule that out.
    CHRIS

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    537

    Default

    It sounds weird . If it has an adjustment someone may have stuffed it up . Use the reverse about test and see if the bubble centres each way . Might be cracked .
    The volume of a pizza of thickness 'a' and radius 'z' is given by pi z z a.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Helensburgh
    Posts
    618

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Retromilling View Post
    It sounds weird . If it has an adjustment someone may have stuffed it up . Use the reverse about test and see if the bubble centres each way . Might be cracked .
    Yes, it is weird. A mate was here today and I showed him and he thought he could see a defect in the vial. I am reluctant to play with it as it is not mine, the owner has another one so I will return this and show him the problem and have a look at the other one.
    CHRIS

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    537

    Default

    That sounds like a good plan , you don't want to be blamed for anything.
    The volume of a pizza of thickness 'a' and radius 'z' is given by pi z z a.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    N.W.Tasmania
    Posts
    1,407

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Retromilling View Post
    It sounds like it's too cold and the spirit inside contracts making the bubble long and skinny too long for the glass curvature so it breaks up easier . Warm it up by putting under your jacket for a while . If that don't fix it it may have a fine crack in the glass that let in some air but still maybe spirit tight . To test the repeatability place it on a machined surface with a side and end stop so it goes back exactly the same when you reverse it . if the bubble stays exactly in centre both ways it's accurate . If not you can adjust some of them using the screw head at one end of the housing . The bubble should be no longer than the two centre lines but some do vary a bit .
    It does sound weird, and I have no idea what would be causing the behaviour, but I doubt that a crack which let air in, but was still spirit tight would be the cause. The vials would not be evacuated of air, or would at least have a gas, perhaps nitrogen, if not just air, because if they were put under vacuum, the spirit would begin to boil.
    Perhaps an email to Starrett might be in order, I for one would be interested in their response, but I agree that it would be inadvisable to fiddle with it before showing the owner the issue and getting approval to make any adjustments.
    Rob.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    537

    Default

    I have been using this kind of machinist level all my life and they can leak air in over time from a fine crack and not loose all the spirit inside .
    The sealing process can be faulty also . Sometime you take the vial out and you can't tell what is wrong but you know it's crook in some way and needs a new one .
    The level could have been no good from day one .
    The volume of a pizza of thickness 'a' and radius 'z' is given by pi z z a.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    9,088

    Default

    I could hazard a guess at what the problem, but won't. Do you have a video of the issue?

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Helensburgh
    Posts
    618

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Stustoys View Post
    I could hazard a guess at what the problem, but won't. Do you have a video of the issue?
    Just have a guess, no video and no way to take video.
    CHRIS

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Athelstone, SA 5076
    Posts
    4,255

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Chris Parks View Post
    Just have a guess, no video and no way to take video.
    what!!! you dont have a mobile with video camera......gee cant be too many like you in the world..even my 88yo MIL has a mob and she takes video of her grand kids!

  13. #13
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge S Aust.
    Age
    71
    Posts
    5,945

    Default

    I'm one too, mine just does text and phone calls. Yes I'm testically challenged.
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Far West Wimmera
    Age
    63
    Posts
    4,049

    Default

    Around the world there are 40 Billion photos and 35 Million videos taken each day that never see the light of day again or if they do the lucky viewer wishes they never came to visit. I don't watch upright aspect Mobile phone YouTube videos. Why would you? And smart device photos seem to have a life of their own when it comes to forums. I use my mobile camera to take pictures of products and prices when in town and very little else. They only get looked at by me and never leave the phone. I did have a phone that could take glorious full circle panarama photos, stiching them all together on the fly. That was a worthwhile use.

    I made up the numbers.

    Dean

    ps It is useful to have a phone camera in a situation like this when you don't have a real one.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Helensburgh
    Posts
    618

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by eskimo View Post
    what!!! you dont have a mobile with video camera......gee cant be too many like you in the world..even my 88yo MIL has a mob and she takes video of her grand kids!
    I'm trying to forget where my mobile phone is, it must be at least 12 months since I used it for a phone call and I wouldn't have a clue how to text or do anything else on it if it can even do that. I used to walk around with three mobiles in my last job and when I retired I stopped using mobile phones. As for YT videos taken on mobiles, if I open one it gets the finger straight away and I refuse to watch.
    CHRIS

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