How accurate is a line level?

   / How accurate is a line level? #11  
<font color=blue>Just a quick thought about line levels. Be sure and use mason's string. It doesn't stretch.</font color=blue>

Not to read anything into someone else's words...but it most certainly does stretch...just does not go slack!

My guess is that is what Dave meant...

Bill in Pgh, PA
 
   / How accurate is a line level? #12  
Mosey, your's is a pretty big project to be basing the accuracy of your site on a line level. Do you have any experience with a transit or maybe a buddy with one? I watched the construction of my barn recently with particular interest in the accuracy of the site measurement. They shot every pole to make certain that this foundational step was accurate. Good luck on the project.
 
   / How accurate is a line level? #13  
I laid a slabe 16 x 34 last year. Used a line level to set the forms. A neighbor had a pro laser level and brought that over. The forms were a 1/4" off in the 34 feet......
 
   / How accurate is a line level? #14  
I built a deck using a line level and was off 3/4" in 24', which actually turned out to be quite a problem. It just depends on how accurate you need to be.
 
   / How accurate is a line level? #15  
Due to streach and sag I put the level a foot or two from the post holding the string and check it on both ends. The Lazer level is great for the same thing just be sure you keep the measurement on the space between the emitter and the base.
 
   / How accurate is a line level? #16  
I did something like that once. Turned out that the line level I was using was for drains so it had a slope built in. Something like 1/4" per 10'. My dad laughed hard! (then he helped me correct it)

Edit:
Whoops. Think it was 1/4" per foot. Anyway, whatever it was, my dad was still laughing hard (probably is right now /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif )
 
   / How accurate is a line level? #17  
I used a line level over a twenty foot area and found it to be 12" lower on one end. I was at Costco and found a laser level for $18 and used it on the same area. The line level was right on. As others have mentioned the important thing is to get the line tight.
 
   / How accurate is a line level? #18  
I never have had good luck with a string level. I can never get it tight enough. I have a robo laser which works great for setting heights on fence posts or setting grades.
I also bought a $20 electronic water level when I did my gutters. Trying to set my laser up 10 feet in the air was not practical.
I was shooting for a 1/8 inch per 10 foot drop. When I got the gutters installed and tested them, the water flowed right the first time.
The other nice thing about the electronic water level is you can shoot a level around corners.
 
   / How accurate is a line level? #19  
I bought a package with two line levels in it from Lowes once to do my 20' x 40' shed with. I went all around perimeter and was 2" off when I got back to start. Turns out one level was back (Yes, I should have checked it.) After switching to the other level (I checked it this time) I marked all posts and was 1/16" off when I got back to start point. I can't figure how two levels in one package could be so far off. Not much quality control anymore. But now you have me wondering if one was for sewer installation...
 
   / How accurate is a line level? #20  
The old timers taught me to always assume the level is off till you prove otherwise. Levels can go off by riding in a tool box, or getting dropped.
Checking any level is a simple 5 second job. Set the level on a fairly flat spot and note the reading, then turn the level 180 degrees, end for end and if the reading is the same, the level is good. If not, find out why, or use another level.
 

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