What is this tool used for?

farmerjohn

Well-known Member
This was found at a yard sale, has a wooden case with it. It is a level of some kind as it has two bubbles on it and the base has a groove as to sit on a pipe or something. The label was with it and assume it belongs but have no guarantee of that. What is the specific job that it was made for?
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I have a similar one from Starret, the vial isn't adjustable, and it's a millwrights level...
 
Like others have said, it"s a precision level. One of the uses is to level up actual machine tools. For instance you can set it on the ways/bed of a lathe, milling machine, etc lengthwise and get it level that way with the bubble in line long ways, and at the same time get it level side to side with the bubble in line with it side to side. Price wise your looking somewhere around $200 to $250 if you were to buy it new.
 
It could be a drunk-o-meter to see if you are in any condition to walk home without falling into the ditch. (It is also ambidexterous for both the left and right ditches.)
 
It is the best of the best. We have them here in my gunsmithing machine shop. Mostly used in Milling.

David Pidgeon
 
Not something you will probably use on the farm! I have one that I probably should sell now when the economy is good, but it's hard to admit that I will probably never use it again. I paid about $45 in Grandy's Ace Hardware in Virginia MN in 76.
 
We used "98's" doing turbine work. It's a precision level used for leveling machine tools and setting up equipment. Good for leveling turbine rotors for lifts, too. You really want 180+ tons to be level when you lift it.
 
This is a shaft level used to set up machinery. I have 3 and I use them to check accuracy of my lathes. We also used them at work to set up and align hydro-electric turbines. An excellent tool.
 
It is a machinist level, mostly used for machine set up/precision leveling. each graduation on the main vial is .005/ft. To check and calibrate you need a nice flat and level surface , a granite surface plate or mill bed will do. Mark spot you set level then turn end for end and set in same spot. It should read the same. If not you will need to adjust until the same. To get an idea how sensitive this level is put your finger on the end of the vial you want the bubble to go towards. If it is within a couple graduations already the heat from your finger will make bubble move towards your finger. They make an even more precise level than this called a master level that is graduated in .0005/ft maybe even finer.
 

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