Transit questions

[Fullers Farmalls]

Has anyone ever made a fairly accurate transit? I have a tripod, bullseye level, and an old rifle scope, and mechanical skills. I bought a laser level with tripod from Harbor Freight and it works well but i wanted a transit. I may end up springing for a real one from lowes or the like. But they can be pricey. Any input would be appreciated.

 

[State of Jefferson]

I'm guessing you are talking about an eye-piece level, rather than a transit, which is a VERY precise surveying instrument.
Either way, I think you'll be better off buying one. They're complex mechanisms, and if they aren't accurate, they're kinda pointless. I havea fairly no-frills lazer level that I use for dirt work, but I only trust my eye-piece level for building projects.
Seems like I spent $1000 on the lazer, and about $500 on the eye-piece. But it's gnats hair accurate, the lazer is good to within 1/8" in 100 feet.

Ben

 

[Wile E]

I think you could make a decent one that could give some accuracy. But the real problem is how would you calibrate it and know the accuracy of the instrument. If you made one and it was repeatable then that would be a good start.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Water level used properly is an accurate and cheap substitute.

 

[MarkB_MI]

You're not going to be able to make an acceptably accurate level from a rifle scope. For one thing, most rifle scopes don't have parallax adjustment, making them useless at short distances. Not to mention you have to construct some sort of mechanism to level the thing in two axes and allow it to pivot.

Better to purchase a level or autolevel. Home Depot sells a new Berger autolevel for under 500 bucks, including a grade rod and tripod. Conventional level kit is under 300 bucks. You can also take your chances on a used level or autolevel off eBay. Because of the shift to lasers and high-end digital theodolites, you can get a very good deal on used optical surveying instruments. Just be aware of any item sold with "no returns accepted", as the repair bill for an old autolevel could be many times its purchase price.

Lietz is a famous brand for autolevels, while David White is a good conventional level brand. You can find these brands on eBay for a song.

 

[Uncle Ernie]

Yep! Water level is good for what I do! That and the 3-4-5 rule for making square corners.

 

[Puddles]

Just some fuel for thought. A 1/2-degree blow in angle at 100-feet, is almost a 10 1/2-inch mistake. Can you live with that?

 

[Geo-TH,In]

I purchased a dewalt self leveling laser transit. Used it once and it paid for itself. If I were off my 1/4 inch, it cost me $100 in concrete.

Don't use it a lot, but it's sweet. Uses my 18v dewalt batteries.

I think I got everything for around $800, tripod, stick, laser detector, laser, battery and charger.

If you were close to Terre Haute, I would loan it to you.
George

 

[jackinok]

10,000 year old transit=take a bowl and fill it 3/4 full of water. Set it on any post and carefully mark the water line. drill two holes across from each other and insert a straw to look through,the exact distance from your waterline mark or on your mark.Any time water is touching your mark all the way around its perfectly level.By using a stick you can figure your grade. structures built with this system rival any built today.Much easier and faster than a transit,and its self calibrating rivaling any modern device. Used by the inca,and others, building terraces,and irrigation ditches on mountain slopes where anymore than a 3% grade causes them to wash out. These have been in use for hundreds of years and still functioning perfectly!

 

[Butch(OH)]

My input is might be a fun project to try to build one but first look at Ebay link before you spend much time or effort. They dont bring much used as anyone who does much work is using some form of GPS, lazers etc.
Current Ebay selection here

 

[JMOR]

(quoted from post at 09:04:53 06/26/12) 10,000 year old transit=take a bowl and fill it 3/4 full of water. Set it on any post and carefully mark the water line. drill two holes across from each other and insert a straw to look through,the exact distance from your waterline mark or on your mark.Any time water is touching your mark all the way around its perfectly level.By using a stick you can figure your grade. structures built with this system rival any built today.Much easier and faster than a transit,and its self calibrating rivaling any modern device. Used by the inca,and others, building terraces,and irrigation ditches on mountain slopes where anymore than a 3% grade causes them to wash out. These have been in use for hundreds of years and still functioning perfectly!

arden hose with 3 or feet of clear tubing on each end. Fill with water. Perfectly correct every time!

 

[jackinok]

thats true,but not many water hoses back then!Ive got some of those ends you put on a hose around here someplace.used it when my dad poured some concrete for a shed,worked slick.

 

[Bret4207]

I taped a 3x9 scope to my laser level. The laser was useless at any distance, but it has a nice vee groove in the top. I set up the tripod, leveled the laser and used the scope. The foundation was less than 3/8" off in 70 feet.

 

[Dusty MI]

I had a problem with using a hose for a water level once. I filled the house at the yard hydrant, fastened on end to a fixed object and dragged the other end around marking the elevation. After a while the elevations had changed. It was a warm summer day and well water is about 55*. The sun had warmed the water in the hose, and with one end at a fixed elevation, things change.

Dusty

 

[Ultradog MN]

When I put the addition on my house and was laying up the block I used a 25' piece of clear 3/8" plastic hose. One day the building inspector came by and saw it and said "What's this a water level?"
The way he said it kind of caught me off guard and I told him, kinda embarassed, that I hated to rent a laser level for several days.
He looked at me and kind of chuckled and said he never sees them on jobsites any more, that all the big contractors have their own lasers and homeowners just rent them. He said when he built his deck he used the same thing and was sort of glad to see that someone still knew how to use one as they are Very accurate.
I shoved an empty caulking tube into one end which made it much easier to fill.

 

[Cliff(VA)]

Transits are going the way of the dinosaur. Since they require 2 people to use effectively, most builders now use some sort of laser device.

Buy one used. They no longer have much value, but there is still plenty of supply. That is what I did when I built my house. Just make sure everything moves smoothly and that it has a good set of crosshairs. Having one repaired is still pricy.


Cliff (VA)

 

[Brad Buchanan]

Well I think you are looking for a sight level. A transit is a whole 'nuther animal, able to do grades and elevations.

I have had one for 15 years or so that I paid about $400.00 for and it is accurate to 1/4 inch at 100 yds. I believe. If memory serves me right it is a David White.

I have poured a few hundred yards of concrete and it has proved accurate enough for that task. I imagine a person could fabricate an accurate substitute but the few dollars in rental saved could evaporate quickly as errors in foundation work kinda come back to bite you later.

Good luck,

Brad

 

[Puddles]

I got the impression people were confused between levels and transit. I've had this old thing for years. I bought it used, can't even remember what I paid for it. :?



For shooting grade by my self I have a laser level, it works pretty good.

 

[dpendzic]

A transit is used for turning angles in degrees, minutes seconds. You can also turn a vertical angle.
I was taught in my survey class to never use a transit to set grades---use a level which is more accurate for grades.

 

[Kevin S SC]

I like water levels too, just cumbersome and not good through woods/brush. But howbout scope on tripod leveled with waterlevel @ 150'?

 

[Jerry/MT]

I like you fill tube! Very clever and inovative.