What is a grade stick for?

In this video, I took a couple minutes to explain the use of a grade stick and how it can quickly and efficiently save you time checking the appropriate grade on your project. It is always important to first decide what your (zero) will be and then going from there, it is easy!

-~-~~-~~~-~~-~-
Please watch: "Building a Mancave 8: Porch roof and trim details"
-~-~~-~~~-~~-~-

[RRBuildings]

Just to clarify....Everyone of our jobs that has a concrete floor, the top of the concrete is 4" above "grade" . We want our concrete floor to be the same as the front doors thresh hold. therefore when we set out receiver at +4 and then zero it out...the receiver will get a solid tone at 0 on the grade stick when it is 4" below the finished concrete. Then I slide the stick up when resting it on the bracket and the number it tells me is the offset difference I use when making my columns. Hope that clears up some questions

[henryrodgers]

Showing a close-up of the sliding of the stick and actually seeing the offset difference would be nice and what number that you are marking on the steel bracket . Just want to thank you for taking your time from work to explain that level for dummies like me . Never was good in school math .

[roncarpenter]

Great video, cleared up multiple questions. Much better solution than a visual transit.

[donaldwells]

More confused now than when I started watching

[oobaka]

You lost me at "Hey. What's up guys"

[johndn]

Thanks for a helpful video, explaining some tricky ideas. Well done - keep it up!

[daveylad]

I get what you’ve done now RR, although I had to watch it several times and then sleep on it in between.

After referencing finished floor height to zero on the pole, you lowered the receiver by 4” and then lengthened the pole by 4” now the zero mark on the pole is actual grade level. So now when you take the pole around the site and slide the receiver up or down to get a solid ping from the laser the difference between the mark on the receiver and the zero mark on the pole is the variation in height from grade level.

Thanks for making me think about it 👍. Please correct me if I am wrong, the moral here is, be sure to use the zero mark on the pole to make significant reference point, in this case you’ve made it grade level.

Thank you for making this video it’s much appreciated.

[abefrohman]

Thanks for the demo I had know idea about how that all worked.

[robs]

Looking for a vid on framing a lean to on existing pole barn. Love your work, ty.

[gooshie]

Video suggestion: What is grade, How to establish grade, How to use grade?

[ronsworld]

Nice explanation. Surveyors call a grade reference mark a benchmark- if you want to add some new terminology. Also - I used to have some problems using a laser in snowstorms. The beam would deflect off level when it hit the falling snow. This was a while ago - maybe lasers have improved since then.

[differenthandyman]

Try to remember what it was like to learn it. The way you explained it only an expert can understand. Went completely over my head, as if you were speaking Chinese.

[davidcmatt]

I love your videos and I have learned a LOT from you. I must confess that I had to watch this one several time to get it all sorted out in my head. Thanks for all the effort you put into these, you are helping a lot of people to step up their skills.

[Dabear]

I learn something every time I watch one of your videos. Thank you, sir!

[DonkeyDongDoug]

It's also worth noting that when you are looking to purchase a grade stick that you need to make sure you buy one that is scaled in the right unit of measurement that you need. My dad always had fractional inch grade sticks... but when I went to work for a utility contractor suddenly I found myself working with a grade stick that was in tenths of a foot :O

A tape measure can turn any piece of lumber into a grade stick when you need it to be one too. I'm sure you know that though.

[R_B]

You confused most everyone watching!! 20+ years as a carpenter/re-modeler and you almost lost me at 4+", don't use grade sticks often enough to stay sharp on them.
Let me try to explain; his finished grade is 0" (door threshold). Since he wants his unfinished grade at 4" lower, its set at 4"+ on the stick, lower on grade means moving the receiver higher on the pole which is positive direction. He wants his sonatubes set 2" below unfinished grade so they are set at +6" (4" plus 2"). Hope that clears the waters, I know its pretty muddy.

[diceberg]

You did not really explain how to use a grade stick because I still don't know after watching your video.

[troyhooks]

Hey Kyle I just want to start by saying I really enjoy watching your videos! I have a quick question for you regarding rotary laser. Which one or kit would you recommend to someone starting out? Would it be the Stabila LAR 350 or something else? I really appreciate it!

[terrythomas]

Wow, that was easy. Set it here, move over here, and put this there. Now, minus 4" and move it over there. Once there, flip it upside down and to get that number, then simply take the square root of that number, and add 5 inches! EZ. ( I guess I need to watch this 5 times to catch on) lol

[lornesteed]

Thanks Kyle. I think it would be helpful for more examples. I am just starting to get the gist of it, but as a newbie, more would be helpful.