Results 1 to 3 of 3
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Norwood-ish, Adelaide
    Age
    59
    Posts
    6,540

    Default Getting into the spirit of the thing

    Some time ago now I bought an adjustable level for use in the workshop. I later discovered that it was used for setting up aircraft gun sights, but that was not why I got it. The idea was that I could use it by zeroing it on my mill table and then using that same setting to make sure the item being milled was parallel to the table.
    However, when I finaly pulled it out to use, I discovered that the vial was leaking and needed to be replaced.
    DSCN7718.JPG
    It sat for a while and then one day while on Amazon, I put in spirit level bubble or some such thing and got a hit that made me think I could replace it. Digging the old one out was interesting - it looked like the ends were secured with sulphur. It melts at 112 degrees C, so possible I suppose. The tube is brass and I originally thought that the paper scraps pictured below were just packing , but not quite.
    DSCN7720.JPG
    The replacement vial came in a 3D printed case that securely held the vial. Clever way of doing it.
    DSCN8135.JPG
    The new vial was slightly longer than the old one so I had to do a minor adjustment to the end stops. That piece of paper mentioned earlier turned out to have the dual function of packing the vial up, but also providing a light surface for the bubble to be seen against. I used a piece of redundant business card, which worked well for both purposes. To hold the vial in place, I used plaster of Paris, made up to a pouring consistency. This was then pushed into the cavity with a close fitting piston. The second photo is after putting the plaster in. The tape is just to stop the vial moving so much in the tube.
    DSCN8136.JPG DSCN8137.JPG
    Once the plaster had flashed off, I assembed the level and tried it out.
    DSCN8161.JPG DSCN8160.JPG
    The only thing I have to do now is grind the base I made up so the level works 'end for end' when on zero

    Michael

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2020
    Location
    Willowbank QLD
    Posts
    517

    Default

    I have the same level. The zero position on mine is not zero it is about 5 minutes out. I cannot work out how to adjust it. Do you have an insight on a making an adjustment?

    Thanks

    Steve

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Norwood-ish, Adelaide
    Age
    59
    Posts
    6,540

    Default

    If I've mis-understood you might have to post some pictures showing what you mean -
    If you loosen off the top screw you can move the cylindrical dial around through the window. Retighten and it should be good, although the act of tightening might move it a little. Bit of trial and error might be needed.

    Michael

Similar Threads

  1. Anyone know what this thing is?
    By Com_VC in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 14th Oct 2018, 02:46 PM
  2. what is this thing please
    By steamingbill in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 31st Aug 2018, 04:46 AM
  3. This a good thing or a bad thing?
    By Old Hutcho in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 5th Jan 2014, 05:36 PM
  4. Repair to old spirit level
    By eskimo in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 17th May 2010, 09:42 PM
  5. Starrett Spirit Level
    By Groggy in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 14th Jan 2005, 08:47 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •