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Thread: Steelmaster machine levels
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11th Jun 2019, 06:43 PM #16
If you place the level on something straight that is a meter long then add a 0.4mm feeler gauge under the end the bubble will move one devision.
If you put a 0.0005 inch shim under the end of the level on it's own it will still move on devision.
The feet vs mm is just US against the rest of the world lolUsing Tapatalk
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12th Jun 2019, 08:57 PM #17Member
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Arrived but damaged..
sIt5c8CfTaam0JAvcHpLDQ.jpgUnfortunately I have to send it back. Rough handling by the couriers (typical modern day Australia) means it got trashed. Mind you the aluminium case is that thin I doubt the level would detect it as a shim.
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13th Jun 2019, 05:00 PM #18Most Valued Member
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I have a starrett 98 level and a Japanese made 0.02mm/m level.
The more sensitive level is almost impossible to use with machines placed on a standard 100mm thick concrete slab in most sheds. If I leave it on a surface, the bubble will move several increments throughout the day purely from temp variation or walking near the machine.
The Starrett is a nice to use ball park level for most jobs.
Simon
Sent from my SM-G970F using TapatalkGirl, 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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13th Jun 2019, 06:22 PM #19Most Valued Member
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Out of interest, I just checked the specs and the Starrett 98 is 0.005"/ft or 0.42mm/m.
So not much better from an accuracy perspective than a $30 Torpedo level from Bunnings (0.5mm/m)
Steve
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13th Jun 2019, 06:34 PM #20Most Valued Member
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Similar sensitivity to the Bunnings level you quote but certainly more accurate or repeatable which still has benefits over a carpenter's level.
But yes you are correct in that it's sensitivity is not really quite good enough for lathe leveling on it's own.
Simon
Sent from my SM-G970F using TapatalkGirl, 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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13th Jun 2019, 11:31 PM #21Most Valued Member
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Steelmaster machine levels
I wasn't meaning to imply that the accuracy wasn't good enough, just surprised that there wasn't much difference in the spec.
I've just been out to the shed and played with my builders level and a borrowed Starrett 98. Definitely one of those cases where the numbers don't tell the whole story.
Here's what I found:
The Starrett is 0.005"/ft for each division on the vial. Each of those divisions is only 1/10" wide.
My builders level is 0.0005"/inch, so 0.006"/ft, but there's only the central markings on the vial and one other division either side.
In practice, there's a huge difference in how they behave.
The builders level is the type with machined surfaces top and bottom, so assuming they are reasonably parallel I put the starrett on top of the builders level.
Here's a photo of each with it as level as I could make the builders level:
And with the builders level only a whisker off, the Starrett shows significant movement:
Steve
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14th Jun 2019, 04:24 PM #22Most Valued Member
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I know what you mean. I had actually forgotten the specs on that level but you are correct about the graduations. I have found that the graduations allow for adjustments finer than the specs of paper.
Ultimately when it comes to leveling the lathe, the proof is in the parallel turning. So unless you or someone else has messed with the headstock alignment, if it's turning parallel (within spec) then it's all that matters. These adjustments can be done without a level.
Simon
Sent from my SM-G970F using TapatalkGirl, 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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