Machine Shop Basic Skills -Calibrating A Precision Level

This video is #2 in my Back To Basics video series. It covers calibrating a precision machinist level.
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[oneshoe]

Hi Steve I like your video. I bought a used 97-8 Starrett Level EDP No.50435 and I notice the bubble is so wide when level I can't see the ends of the bubble. Is that normal or defective? Is is possible to take some of the fluid out or is that a bad idea ? Any advise is appreciated. Thanks in Advance.

[ralphhorne]

Thank you for the simplicity of this process.

[camatbattler]

Hi Steve, you beat me to the gun. I've just finished moving and re-leveling my lathe with a precision machine level a few weeks ago and did a quick 101 on how to adjust and calibrate the level when the surface your sitting on isn't level. This is especially true in the field when setting up precision production equipment and you don't have a level reference to work from. As long as the bubble sits somewhere in the viewing area its OK to start adjusting. If the bubble isn't on a line use a fine liner pen to mark the edge of the bubble, lift and rotate to see if the edge of the bubble is on your Fine Liner mark. If not, adjust and re-mark with the fine liner pen. Repeat marking, rotating and adjusting until the bubble sits on the edge of the line each time the level is rotated. If when you put the level on a surface and the bubble is out of view use shim on the tip of the levels end until its in view. Mark and rotate as described making sure the shim is at the same point each time you rotate it. As I mentioned, the surface does not have to be level to calibrate and adjust. One other important thing is to re-check by rotating twice after the level sits for a period of time (after a lunch break) on the surface you are trying to level. The bubble will always grow and shrink even over a short period of time due to changes in temperature and air pressure.
Cam

[w.harrison]

Question: The Starrett level has two nuts at one end but at the other end it has a slotted screw. How tight should that screw be?

[VanoverMachineAndRepair]

Thank you for your video. I appreciate how you walk through everything slowly. I just picked up a precision level and I was curious how to use it or calibrate it. Do you know if the starrett precision levels come calibrated from the factory? Also what is the rotating sheath on that starrett 98 used for mine has the same one as yours.

[w.harrison]

This is fascinating! I didn't realize when I bought this Starrett level that I had to calibrate it and I had no idea how. Thanks for showing me! This method is based on something I never realized before: All planar surfaces contain a set of parallel lines that are perfectly level with the ground. I never noticed that before. Very interesting! Great video.

[MaturePatriot]

I was just thinking I need to get both my 6" and 8" levels calibrated. Timing is everything. Thanks.

[charlieromeo]

Good work Steven. I’ll be doing two of those tomorrow!

[GoCreatehms]

That was very helpful. I built a machinists level a while back, I bought a very sensitive vial which I fixed into a tube using Plaster of Paris. never been 100% sure how well I calibrated it, you've taught me a sure way to check and adjust it. Cheers!

[RagsdaleCreek]

Nice job Steve I just did my Starrett 98-18 . Very touchy indeed.

[jankloes]

Hi Steve, I am from the Netherlands. The precision spirit level you are showing has an accuracy of 0.005 inches / 1 feet. Do you know how much this is in millimeters?
Greetings Jan

[pancake_crab]

Thanks for posting this video. I just cleaned up an old B&S level and need to recalibrate it.

[richardfriedrich]

Nice job Steve. Hope all is good down your way. Richard in CT

[satxsatxsatx]

excellent presentation. will follow your example carefully when calibrating my Starret 199 (a gift)

[seldendaniel]

That is just the information I need, and well presented. Thanks.

[mikedolman]

How do you prove work top is level to level up level, something does not seem right to me?

[Pagweldfab]

What perfect timing! I just ordered a 98-6 last week to finish my Atlas 10F project and it should be arriving tomorrow. My dilemma is that I don't own a surface plate, so I'm going to try and find the most true and flatest surface that I have around to calibrate it or I'm hoping i can find a machined turbine flange/part at my job. Do you think that would work in calibrating it?

Keep these videos coming!

[OldIronShops]

Good video Steven 👍 the one I did is very popular . Hopefully you have good results as well.

[cvuxton]

Thank you. I have a small Starrett that needs calibrating.

[davidschwartz]

Before you moved the camera I had Zero confidence in your calibration procedure, what you were saying was not matching what I was seeing. however I believe after the move, Great job, I have that very same level that I inherited from my the previous owner of my lathe and I have had zero confidence in, but will try your procedure and hopefully to give me some faith in it.🤞