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Thread: Starrett Machinist Level
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3rd Nov 2017, 11:15 PM #1Golden Member
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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
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4th Nov 2017, 08:32 AM #2Most Valued Member
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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?
SimonGirl, 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.
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4th Nov 2017, 10:51 PM #3Golden Member
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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.
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4th Nov 2017, 10:54 PM #4Golden Member
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4th Nov 2017, 10:58 PM #5Golden Member
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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.
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4th Nov 2017, 11:02 PM #6Golden Member
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CHRIS
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4th Nov 2017, 11:07 PM #7Golden Member
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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.
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5th Nov 2017, 09:08 AM #8Diamond Member
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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.
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5th Nov 2017, 10:41 AM #9Golden Member
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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.
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10th Nov 2017, 01:24 PM #10Most Valued Member
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I could hazard a guess at what the problem, but won't. Do you have a video of the issue?
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10th Nov 2017, 05:04 PM #11Golden Member
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11th Nov 2017, 09:46 AM #12Most Valued Member
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11th Nov 2017, 02:29 PM #13Most Valued Member
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I'm one too, mine just does text and phone calls. Yes I'm testically challenged.
KrynTo grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.
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11th Nov 2017, 04:26 PM #14
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.
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11th Nov 2017, 05:28 PM #15Golden Member
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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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