Inexperienced Self grading / contemplating buying a transit

[Egon]

One time I was building a small road to a micro wave site for a construction co. I was working for up in the Mojave Desert and because I was so far away I had to do my own grade checking with a hand level and rule. I was within about 50' of finishing and the general superintendent came out and said the customer was questioning something about the way the road was looking. Luckily I had saved all the surveyors stakes and hubs so he set up a laser rig and checked the whole road while I was finishing up and said every bit of the road was within .250 and our allowance was .1 of a foot . He said he couldn't believe that was possible with a hand level. I still have that old level & rule.

Used properly hand levels can yield real good results. Cheap & fast with the proper person using them!

 

[/pine]

Used properly hand levels can yield real good results. Cheap & fast with the proper person using them!

One important area of study for engineering students is learning about error analysis...there is a term in learning about land surveying when dealing with elevations and angle vectors called " integral wind up" (also applies to many other fields)...what it amounts to is learning about calculating errors when measuring...

 

[4570Man]

After much debate, I am going with the Bosch transit model # GOL26CK Bosch 26x Optical Level Kit with Tripod and Rod GOL26CK - - Amazon.com
I think it'll do what I need and not kill the bank. It may take a little more time than a laser system but I'll appreciate the funds saved. My wife and I work at the same company and have both been on reduced hours for much of the year. I would like to get some work on the side using my investments (Tractor and implements) and this tool may come in handy if I do get some work. We'll see. I appreciate the input from the TBN network. It is very valuable to me.

Bosch makes a lazer one that’s about $500 for a grade rod, tripod, the lazer head and the receiver. You probably wouldn’t realize it until you’ve gotten familiar with both rigs but the lazer is 10x if not more faster than other methods.

 

[GE7EA]

I read some of the same reviews. The reason I thought of going with the Bosch model was due to it claiming a little more accuracy. I don't have much Bosch equipment, but I do own a router and it's pretty solid. I also tossed around the idea of the Dewalt model but wondered if it was plastic also. I like the more robust design, if it was to get knocked over, I felt like it may handle the impact a little better. I was going to pull the trigger on it yesterday but with a cyber monday price hike.....I'll wait a little bit. During the wait, I will check local pawn shops. I always feel uneasy about that though. My house and workshop was broken in to. I figure that's where most of my belongings ended up. The only thing that was recovered was a camera. Appreciate the feedback TBN members!!

 

[dodge man]

My experience with auto levels is not so much the quality of the results but how well they hold adjustment. I can’t stress the importance of checking the accuracy of a level. The two peg method somebody already mentioned is the best. It takes about 10 minutes and you adjust the level yourself on most of them. Laser levels need checked also.

It looks like the referenced Bosch setup includes an inch rod if that matters.

It’s also important to understand the limits of both laser and optical levels. When we did higher accuracy work we kept our shots down to 250 feet or less, which is about as far as you can read with optical. Anything much over 600 feet you are kidding yourself as to the results.

The key to good hand level work is short shots. If you are shooting a grade hub 30 feet away you can get good results.