torpedo level / slope / 2" pipe
#1
08-26-14, 02:30 PM
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 284
Received 0 Votes
on
0 Posts
torpedo level / slope / 2" pipe
Im going to reveal my stupidity here...
Im trying to figure out how to use a torpedo level to find 1/8 of an inch slope on a 2" pipe. I have been running the pipe and using the level where the bubble is just slightly encroaching one of the lines indicating I am not level but sloping in the desired direction.
I don't have a 4' level. If I need an 1/8" slope, is slightly encroaching a line about right?
Im trying to figure out how to use a torpedo level to find 1/8 of an inch slope on a 2" pipe. I have been running the pipe and using the level where the bubble is just slightly encroaching one of the lines indicating I am not level but sloping in the desired direction.
I don't have a 4' level. If I need an 1/8" slope, is slightly encroaching a line about right?
#3
08-26-14, 05:04 PM
Whenever I get a new level I like to check that it's accurate. Find a surface where the level indicates level. Pick it up and turn it exactly 180 degrees and see if it still indicates level. Then flip it over and repeat to make sure that it's accurate on both sides.
For establishing a slope I cheat a bit. If the level is 6" long I tape something thats 1/8" thick to one end to give me 1/4" per foot fall. If the level is 1' long I tape something 1/4" thick to the end to give the same fall. That way I'm always going for a even bubble. By varying the thickness of the spacer you can reliably hit any angle you want and don't have to worry about what half a bubble means to one worker versus another.
For establishing a slope I cheat a bit. If the level is 6" long I tape something thats 1/8" thick to one end to give me 1/4" per foot fall. If the level is 1' long I tape something 1/4" thick to the end to give the same fall. That way I'm always going for a even bubble. By varying the thickness of the spacer you can reliably hit any angle you want and don't have to worry about what half a bubble means to one worker versus another.
#4
08-26-14, 07:27 PM
Super Moderator
A 1/4 of a bubble on any level is 1/4" per foot slope....1/8" bubble is 1/8" slope ect.....
The line , left or right of the bubble, is not the same measurement on all levels.
Longer levels are more accurate is all...
The line , left or right of the bubble, is not the same measurement on all levels.
Longer levels are more accurate is all...
#6
08-27-14, 09:24 AM
Wirepuller I think i know what mike means.
Well I’ll be danged! Just put my 2 foot level up on my desk, propped up the end so ¼ bubble was past (on the outside of) the line, and sure enough the gap between the end of the level and the desk was ½ inch. So I guess that does indicate ¼ inch drop per foot. Never knew that!
Now that is a really great idea. Putting that in the old memory bank.
A 1/4 of a bubble on any level is 1/4" per foot slope....1/8" bubble is 1/8" slope ect.....
Well I’ll be danged! Just put my 2 foot level up on my desk, propped up the end so ¼ bubble was past (on the outside of) the line, and sure enough the gap between the end of the level and the desk was ½ inch. So I guess that does indicate ¼ inch drop per foot. Never knew that!
For establishing a slope I cheat a bit. If the level is 6" long I tape something thats 1/8" thick to one end to give me 1/4" per foot fall. If the level is 1' long I tape something 1/4" thick to the end to give the same fall. That way I'm always going for a even bubble. By varying the thickness of the spacer you can reliably hit any angle you want and don't have to worry about what half a bubble means to one worker versus another.
#7
08-27-14, 09:40 AM
Super Moderator
Add me to the "Learn something new everyday" crowd, though I did know about using a spacer. Since most of my use of a level has been wanting level, not slope, I never really had to do it though, except on some concrete work
#9
08-27-14, 02:39 PM
Super Moderator
LOL.. I thought everyone knew this to some extent...
( I guess its a plumber thing.. Opps I let the secret out!!!
)
They make vari pitch levels, but I was taught with a bullet level and how to pitch pipe over 30 years ago.
For large pipe and long runs I use a 2ft or 4 ft level.
Empire Level - How to Read Vari-Pitchâ„¢
Empire Level - Torpedo Levels
I use any cheap one like this..
[ATTACH=CONFIG]37176[/ATTACH]
( I guess its a plumber thing.. Opps I let the secret out!!!
)They make vari pitch levels, but I was taught with a bullet level and how to pitch pipe over 30 years ago.
For large pipe and long runs I use a 2ft or 4 ft level.
Empire Level - How to Read Vari-Pitchâ„¢
Empire Level - Torpedo Levels
I use any cheap one like this..
[ATTACH=CONFIG]37176[/ATTACH]
