Affordable, transit level recommendations?

[mike0000]

Finally bought a mini excavator for work/play around the property. One of the bigger jobs is leveling ground for a shop I hope to get to in the next few years. I have all the stumps and topsoil removed, next step will be to get the spot leveled out. I’d like to pick up a transit level to make things easier. I checked out the local pawn shop but they didn’t have any at the time. Thought I’d ask here, any recommendations for one that wont break the bank, $150-$200 that I could use by myself? Thanks

 

[newbury]

How big an area are you doing?

 

[2manyrocks]

Clear tubing used as a water level worked for me. Easier to see in daylight and no calibration issues to worry about.

 

[mike0000]

I’d say 40’ long building, so if transit is center of area to level I’d shoot out to 30’ or so.

 

[newbury]

Clear tubing used as a water level worked for me. Easier to see in daylight and no calibration issues to worry about.

BUT put some food coloring in the water!

 

[mike0000]

BUT put some food coloring in the water!

I actually did this for my first building 24’x40’ pole barn/garage. I had a “kit” that had a clear section that went on each end of a garden hose. It worked ok for me.

 

[paulsharvey]

What level of accuracy are you needing? Plus or minus a 0.10 ft (1.25" appox), over a 100 ft is pretty doable with a Lock-Level ($70 on Amazon), and they are small, fit in a pocket, no tripod needed, just use a probe rod or similar firm rest.

I do see a Vevor builders level for like $85, but you would need the tripod. I know Vevor isn't know for being amazing; but all we need is a scope with a cross hair and a bubble level for what you need. You also will need a grade rod, or reasonable facsimile, like a hand tamp with a piece of bright colored electric tape. Heck, you can screw a yard stick to it for precision.

 

[paulsharvey]

Looks like somewhat proper legs are $61-250 on Amazon.

 

[newbury]

I actually did this for my first building 24’x40’ pole barn/garage. I had a “kit” that had a clear section that went on each end of a garden hose. It worked ok for me.

Oooh, that's complicated. I just keep a plastic 1 gallon milk jug with about 40' of aquarium tubing and colored water handy for small projects in above freezing temps. Works well in Mississippi almost all year. Was more seasonal in Vermont

 

[paulsharvey]

So, Mike, you said Transit, but for what you are doing, you only need a Builders Level. Transits can angle up and down, and you can do the trigonometry to do real survey, accurate to the 0.01 ft. A builders level, and a 100 ft cloth tape (for better yet, a 300 ft steel tape), can do a whole lot, as long as you don't need to calculate angles. I have personally (with my helper) laid out a 8000 sq ft commercial building expansion with nothing more than a known bench mark, a builders level, and a 300 ft tape. We ended up with 0.25 Inches of proposed finished floor elevation, which is well within the tolerance of the concrete finish.

A Lock Level is a more primitive tool, and is good for quick and dirty stuff; a builders laser level is certainly better, but for the cost of a new one (Home Depot rents them, but think it's $100/day?), I don't think you need that.