Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
160 Section 1 Preparing to Build
8.4.2 Care of Leveling Instruments
Leveling instruments are more delicate than most
other carpentry tools and equipment. Special precau-
tions must be followed in their use so they will con-
tinue to provide accurate readings over a long period
of time. Here are some suggestions: ■
■ Keep the instrument clean and dry. Store it in its
carrying case when not in use. ■
■ When the instrument is set up, have a plastic
bag or cover handy to use in case of rain. If the
instrument becomes wet, dry it before storing. ■
■ When moving the instrument from its case to the
tripod, grip it by the base. ■
■ Never leave the instrument unattended when it is
set up near moving equipment. ■
■ When moving a tripod-mounted instrument,
handle it with care. Hold the instrument upright
never carry it in a horizontal position. ■
■ Never overtighten leveling screws or any of the
other adjusting screws or clamps. ■
■ Always set the tripod on firm ground with the legs
spread well apart. When it is set up on a floor or
pavement, take extra precautions to ensure that
the legs will not slip. ■
■ For precision work, permit the instrument to reach
ambient (air) temperature before making readings. ■
■ When the lenses collect dust and dirt, clean them
with a camel hair brush or special lens paper. ■
■ Never use force on any of the adjustments. They
should easily turn by hand. ■
■ Have the instrument cleaned, lubricated, and
checked yearly by a qualified repair station or by
the manufacturer.
P R O C E D U R E
Setting Up the Instrument
Use the following procedure to set up a tripod-mounted
instrument.
1. Place the tripod so it will be a firm and stable base
for the instrument. The base of the legs should be
about 3′-6″ apart. Make sure the points are well into
the ground and the head is fairly level.
2. Check the leg clamps on the adjustable legs. They
should be tight enough to carry the weight of the
instrument without collapsing or sinking.
3. Carefully lift the instrument from its case by the
base plate. Before mounting the instrument, loosen
the clamp screws. On some instruments, the
leveling screws must be turned up so the tripod cup
assembly can be hand-tightened to the instrument
mounting stud. Set the telescope lock lever of the
transit in the closed position.
Continued
P R O C E D U R E (continued)
4. Attach the instrument to the tripod. If it is to be
located over an exact point, such as a corner stake,
attach the plumb bob and move the instrument over
the spot. Do this before the final leveling.
P R O C E D U R E
Leveling the Instrument
Leveling the instrument is the most important operation
in preparing it for use. None of the readings taken or
levels sighted will be accurate unless the instrument
is level throughout the work. The tripod must be firmly
set on the ground or it will not remain level during use.
Follow these steps to level the instrument.
Builder’s Level:
1. Release the horizontal clamp screw and line up the
telescope so it is directly over a pair of the leveling screws.
2. Grasp the two screws between the thumb and
forefinger, as shown in Figure 8‑14. Uniformly turn
both screws with your thumbs moving toward each
other or away from each other.
3. Keep turning until the bubble of the level vial is
centered between the graduations. You will find
on most instruments that the bubble travels in the
direction your left thumb moves. See Figure 8‑15.
Leveling screws should bear firmly on the base plate.
Never tighten the screws so much that they bind.
4. When the bubble is centered, rotate the telescope
90° (so it is over the other pair of leveling screws)
and repeat the leveling operation.
5. Recheck the instrument over each pair of screws.
When the instrument is level at both positions, the
telescope can be turned in a complete circle without
any change in the bubble.
Auto Level:
1. Most auto levels have a mirror placed at eye level
that is angled to give the user a horizontal path of
sight to the leveling vial. See Figure 8‑8. Position
yourself so that you can view the leveling vial
through the mirror.
2. Adjust the leveling screws one at a time until the
bubble rests within the center ring of the bullseye
level. The level is ready for use.
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 8‑14. Adjust leveling screws to center the bubble in
the level vial.
160 Section 1 Preparing to Build
8.4.2 Care of Leveling Instruments
Leveling instruments are more delicate than most
other carpentry tools and equipment. Special precau-
tions must be followed in their use so they will con-
tinue to provide accurate readings over a long period
of time. Here are some suggestions: ■
■ Keep the instrument clean and dry. Store it in its
carrying case when not in use. ■
■ When the instrument is set up, have a plastic
bag or cover handy to use in case of rain. If the
instrument becomes wet, dry it before storing. ■
■ When moving the instrument from its case to the
tripod, grip it by the base. ■
■ Never leave the instrument unattended when it is
set up near moving equipment. ■
■ When moving a tripod-mounted instrument,
handle it with care. Hold the instrument upright
never carry it in a horizontal position. ■
■ Never overtighten leveling screws or any of the
other adjusting screws or clamps. ■
■ Always set the tripod on firm ground with the legs
spread well apart. When it is set up on a floor or
pavement, take extra precautions to ensure that
the legs will not slip. ■
■ For precision work, permit the instrument to reach
ambient (air) temperature before making readings. ■
■ When the lenses collect dust and dirt, clean them
with a camel hair brush or special lens paper. ■
■ Never use force on any of the adjustments. They
should easily turn by hand. ■
■ Have the instrument cleaned, lubricated, and
checked yearly by a qualified repair station or by
the manufacturer.
P R O C E D U R E
Setting Up the Instrument
Use the following procedure to set up a tripod-mounted
instrument.
1. Place the tripod so it will be a firm and stable base
for the instrument. The base of the legs should be
about 3′-6″ apart. Make sure the points are well into
the ground and the head is fairly level.
2. Check the leg clamps on the adjustable legs. They
should be tight enough to carry the weight of the
instrument without collapsing or sinking.
3. Carefully lift the instrument from its case by the
base plate. Before mounting the instrument, loosen
the clamp screws. On some instruments, the
leveling screws must be turned up so the tripod cup
assembly can be hand-tightened to the instrument
mounting stud. Set the telescope lock lever of the
transit in the closed position.
Continued
P R O C E D U R E (continued)
4. Attach the instrument to the tripod. If it is to be
located over an exact point, such as a corner stake,
attach the plumb bob and move the instrument over
the spot. Do this before the final leveling.
P R O C E D U R E
Leveling the Instrument
Leveling the instrument is the most important operation
in preparing it for use. None of the readings taken or
levels sighted will be accurate unless the instrument
is level throughout the work. The tripod must be firmly
set on the ground or it will not remain level during use.
Follow these steps to level the instrument.
Builder’s Level:
1. Release the horizontal clamp screw and line up the
telescope so it is directly over a pair of the leveling screws.
2. Grasp the two screws between the thumb and
forefinger, as shown in Figure 8‑14. Uniformly turn
both screws with your thumbs moving toward each
other or away from each other.
3. Keep turning until the bubble of the level vial is
centered between the graduations. You will find
on most instruments that the bubble travels in the
direction your left thumb moves. See Figure 8‑15.
Leveling screws should bear firmly on the base plate.
Never tighten the screws so much that they bind.
4. When the bubble is centered, rotate the telescope
90° (so it is over the other pair of leveling screws)
and repeat the leveling operation.
5. Recheck the instrument over each pair of screws.
When the instrument is level at both positions, the
telescope can be turned in a complete circle without
any change in the bubble.
Auto Level:
1. Most auto levels have a mirror placed at eye level
that is angled to give the user a horizontal path of
sight to the leveling vial. See Figure 8‑8. Position
yourself so that you can view the leveling vial
through the mirror.
2. Adjust the leveling screws one at a time until the
bubble rests within the center ring of the bullseye
level. The level is ready for use.
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 8‑14. Adjust leveling screws to center the bubble in
the level vial.