Inexperienced Self grading / contemplating buying a transit

[/pine]

There are some very interesting things that can be read in very old surveying logs in the Florida historical archives...notations in the logs that sate things like "rod man lost to alligator", "rod man lost to quicksand", "rod man lost to indians" etc...also stories about opening old burial crypts when cemeteries had to be moved and finding remains with gobs of hair clutched in the finger bones...and the inside tops of boxes clawed up...!

 

[skipperbrown]

I recently bought a johnson laser level kit for about $600. I plan to use it for construction projects over the next 2 years and then I'll sell it and hope to recoup a few bucks.

 

[cdaigle430]

Why the heck does every link on this forum go to walmart? Mohammad getting money for these redirects? Fix it...

 

[/pine]

Why the heck does every link on this forum go to walmart? Mohammad getting money for these redirects? Fix it...

It sounds like your browser may have gotten hijacked...try using 'hijackthis'...it's a free open source anti-malware tool...

HiJackThis download | SourceForge.net

 

[Industrial Toys]

I bought a new Top Con self levelling from Tiger Supples. Used prices were just too high. Some day I intend to sell it, and it will probably be in new condition.

It has been usefull in smaller jobs but not as usefull as I had thought. We have undulating terrain, and you have to work with what you have. Often, trying to get terrain level results in a loosing battle of one sort or another.

It is often amazing though, how much elevation difference there is, over what you thought.

 

[Jim Nelson]

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.

 

[GE7EA]

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.

 

[fried1765]

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.

There are some non-complementary reviews of that Bosch, saying that it is China made, with poor quality plastic parts.

 

[ddgood]

I bought a Dewalt builder level setup last year and have been using it to layout footings for a barn we are building. You need another tripod or stand to hold the measuring rod if working alone but it has been adequate for my usage. Would like a laser level but was looking at $600-800+ for the ones I wanted.

 

[fried1765]

I bought a Dewalt builder level setup last year and have been using it to layout footings for a barn we are building. You need another tripod or stand to hold the measuring rod if working alone but it has been adequate for my usage. Would like a laser level but was looking at $600-800+ for the ones I wanted.

Strap the rod to a little empty 15 gal. lubricant barrel.

 

[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.