How to Use a Level and What is Next for EC
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- čas přidán 11. 05. 2022
- The careful use of a level will save a lot of frustration. Understanding it's
capabilities will increase your efficiency. More tools here: • Tools and Gear Recomme...
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Thank you, be safe, and be grateful
I almost feel criminal having access to decades upon decades of passed-down and acquired knowledge and wisdom for free. I am a first generation craftsman, so I had no one in my family line to pass down wisdom, I didn’t grow up shadowing anyone at the job…. your channel is God-sent. Between watching your videos and a lot (A LOT) of trial and error, I am able to build a solid namesake in craftsmanship. I will gratefully pay all of this wisdom forward with my own future generations. My young children already take interest and shadow me often, and boy is it a real joy slowing down to teach them. God bless you sir.
Please make a video to show us your work, and helpers.
🤠🤙🏼
Damn.. I’d hate to know what your guilty conscience is like when you speed or run a yellow light. If this makes you feel “criminal” idk what to tell ya bubba. You should really get out the house & live a little.
@@johnwayne666 I’m a self employed plumber. A buddy of mine has a pretty big local plumbing company named after himself.
“John Wayne Plumbing”
If that ain’t the coolest shit company name idk what is lol. We also used to have a guy when I was a kid who was a karate instructor who also ran his own plumbing business. His LLC was “Ninja plumbing”
Idk I saw your name and figured you’d get just the tiniest sliver of entertainment out of that lol.
I feel the same. It's so helpful and I did nothing to deserve access to this level of knowledge and experience.
You are making a great contribution to people. I admire your knowledge and experience. I am a cattle and meat specialist (Kansas State University Alumni). I am an amateur carpenter, welder ( my education on this comes from working in ranches and farms in Mexico and the USA). I simply want to congratulate you for your work.
My grandfather was a farmer,logger,and blacksmith. He was born in 1870 and built most everything he needed. From barns,to fencing,tools,and equipment, and even their home. I was handed down a few things when my father passed thatd belonged to them both. A #4 Stanley combination plane,a disston d8 crosscut saw,and a beechwood ( I think) stanley level with brass furniture. They mean alot to me,but remain in the conditions I recieved them in. The level especially wood be beautiful with the brass polished and wood cleaned and refinished, maybe the disston saw too,but I probably never will change them
I have a gold ring from my late grandfather. It’s beat to hell and scratched from some sort of tool. But I think it’s great the way it is and will never change it.
My grandfather, born in the 1880’s was a carpenter for 43+ years, my dad (1914) an amateur for all his life and my father-in-law a master carpenter and contractor all past me down many of their tools. Treasures for life and I’m in awe when I pull out a saw, square, level or other tool from one of grandpa’s three large wooden tool boxes. How I wish I could pick his brain or go back and ask more questions of any of the three.
I once got caught out by a tiny bit of cement that must have flicked and dried to the underside 🤣 we live and learn. Love your videos, EC, a wealth of experience, Sir.
Didnt it happen to everybody? :)
Been there done that 🤦♂️
Any time I’m doing something around the house I check this channel to make sure I’m doing things the right way.
Masterclasses on CZcams for free. We are very fortunate to have this channel!👍
"You shoot for perfection but you accept excellence". I wrote this down. It summarises my attitude towards my work in a way that I have felt but could not express in a sentence.
I’ve logged a few years in a tool belt and often have friends ask for my help assessing their remodeling projects, preferable when their contractor isn’t present. My rule is that I will but only with one hand in my pocket and the other holding a cold beverage. One fellow had me walk through his gutted kitchen/dining/bath project because he was concerned that his guy wasn’t being very detail oriented, was framing floors and walls that looked a bit off and dismissed my friend’s concerns as “too picky”. It didn’t take long for me to see what he saw then I noticed the most beat up and battle scarred 6’ Stabila box beam level I’d ever seen standing in a corner. This poor filthy aluminum thing was no longer bright yellow, just a few random flecks of paint remained and it’s end caps were long gone. The only way I knew it was what it once was is that I’d had it’s twin safely stashed in my truck outside. My advise to my friend was to steal and destroy that POS and replace it with the exact same item but brand spanking new. Come Monday morning, his contractor was completely stunned but silently spent the next two days “tuning up” his previous week’s work, no charge.
What a fantastic tip that you shared, that 1/8" is ~1% of a foot. Wow! I'm keeping that one on deck forever. Thank you!
Youre finally going to walk us through timber framing load calculation algorithms on a chalkboard?
I would watch the hell out of that!
Plz
Try for perfection and accept excellence!!!!! You just changed my life. Thank you immensely.
Excellent info on levels. I paused the video and went and checked my level. It’s not that great. It used to belong to my father who passed away in 1988, and I have no idea how long he had it, so it has to be very old. Tho I’m just a 76 year old occasional user, I think I’ll head to the lumber yard for a new level. Was trying to think of a birthday present to myself, and this will be it.
I was a slow learner in shop. Sir, you're the teacher I wish I had. Thank you for sharing your skills, advice, and experience.
Oh and one more thing. My family had a house trailer when I was growing up. When we would set the trailer up in a camp spot, with the jacks, Dad would check the floor of the trailer, fore and aft, and side to side with a 24" level. He wanted it level and solid for Mom. She, as a construction wife, appreciated that.
This video was about accuracy on so many levels. ;)
That is a BEAUTIFUL Starret level. Put that up as a wall decoration to keep it safe (even though it still reads true!)
Great example of "buy once, cry once." And now we have 4' plastic levels that aren't true right off the assembly line, and probably the MOST expensive in terms of ruined work and frustration.
Oh man! I come from a construction family. And I have worked with family members more than enough to APPRECIATE this video on levels. Often I have defined LEVEL and PLUMB for others. It somehow is not a commonly understood concept.
That said, I am weak in math. So I appreciate the numbers and comparisons you shared with us.
Once I was married into a Rhodesian family. I sometimes wonder how our slang or terminology comes across to folks in Commonwealth countries. I like it when they chime in here with their take on such things as well.
Thanks. And We are keeping up the good work.
Maybe a how-to read a blue print video ????
Thank you for sharing knowledge
That would be awesome. Check out Mattbangswood channel. He did a few videos on reading and understand blueprints that's very good.
You're definitely on the level with this video... during my many construction jobs, I worked with a contractor who had a level that was a little out and he used it when they just could not level a countertop to show a questioning customer the counter was level, bad practice but food for thoughts for the costumer, don't always trust a shady contractor.
Hahah clever SOB
Yeah, must be a draft in here blowing that marble onto the floor
Nothing's perfect!! If you think that, you didn't measure close enough!!!
badlandskid used to have a room in the old house that the marble would come back to you
Don't always trust a shady contractor huh? Wow what brilliant advice "thanks"
I have found the steel support collums in Home Depot or Lowes are always straight and surprisingly close to the tool section.
It is a pleasure to listen to understand and observe everything you teach, a great pleasure. thank you very much sir.
Can’t wait to see the shop build! Love this channel and thanks for all your hard work
You never fail to teach me something. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. It's been so great watching your channel grow. i been with you for a long time so seeing you reach post 1 mil is great. God Bless.
Years ago I needed a new level and bought a 4’ Mayes laminated wood level with metal furniture. I’ve checked it many times over the years and it remains dead accurate. Much better than the many 4 or 5 I can’t recall exactly) aluminum 2 footers I’ve thrown in the recycle bin. I was recently given grief by a young craftsman about the weight of my level. I said to him I’m more interested in accuracy than weight. He walked away mumbling.
Today that level is 24 years old and still as. Accurate as it ever was and as stable as any level I’ve ever owned.
Thanks Scott, I appreciate aluminum, but I’m not giving up my laminated wood level.
VAN
24 years old? I've got toe jam older than that.
@@davearonow65 and you’re bragging about it? Congratulation & you enjoy that toe jamb, maybe on your morning toast. I was merely giving it a time frame that some people might find helpful.
We used a water level to set control points for our rear sandstone patio, then used a layer beam to project the desired slope as we laid the stones
Yep the good old water level, love em!
I have officially found the end of CZcams, when I'm watching a video on how to use a level. Good luck world, we are going to need it.
The Carpentry community needs more men like you. I have been working by that motto for 30 years now. Thanks for all the wisdom you are generously give out.👍🤙✌️❤️😁
I had a great Building Trades teacher in High School where the class built a house each year (1979-81). Checking a level was one of his skills he passed on to us and it stuck with me for life. As I eventually became an electrician I would be working with other electricians who would often use cheap junky torpedo levels for running conduit. Often those levels were bad and I would show them.
Great info. You're so good at explaining every detail on whatever video you're doing.
As a tile layer I run the level around the starting shift of tile and if it falls out of +-2 mm (~10 meters or so) I check it for inaccuracy. The tile cutter needs to be set up in a specific way to cut tiles as straight as possible too (and tiles to start with aren't perfect so you want to be as accurate as possible). Always great to check your tools! Thanks for all the vidoes I sure pick up a few tips here and there!
96 eights = one foot. Sounds perilously close to metric to me!😁
I wasn't going to go there...
Love this channel, you remind me of my late father very precise , to the point & easy going , that coupled with great patience makes for a fantastic tutor imparting years of experince & wisdom, such men are few & far between & as such should be celebrated & should be used as material in schools . Best wishes from the UK .
These fundamental info videos like this are excellent. I always learn a lot. Please continue making them. One of my favorites is using string! Sometimes simple is the best! 😄👍
Always practice the fundamentals - in everything.
It's these videos that I find interesting as well as informative. In this day of everyone wants to complain about the quality of craftsmanship, you seek to define what that means and how it's accomplished. This is a far nobler objective. Keep up the "good" work.
Thank you for this video! It brings too mind the following quote:
"If we aim for perfection, we can achieve excellence." - Vince Lombardi
Thanks Scott! Great video!
These videos have been very helpful learning the tool basics that I’ve been using in my plumbing apprenticeship, great work
I just got my plumbing license, keep working on it, you'll get there!
Had a rough day at work today. Your videos relax me, even though I don’t want to even think about my screw gun or a 2x4 until tomorrow. Point being, I would love to work under somebody like you, or at least my idea of you, which is a professional who wants to produce excellent results while teaching the next generation instead of demeaning them.
I wish I could have started out with someone like Scott. I learned carpentry from a guy who if I asked a question about something he had just instructed me to do, he would say exactly the same thing only 10x’s louder. He knew a lot about carpentry but was a total asshole when it came to teaching.
@@universalmonster4972 I hate that. You’re there to work and to learn. Instead they make you feel like an idiot for showing up and putting in the effort. If I was some idiot, I would be going back and working unskilled jobs like I used to. I think it has a lot to do with ego. Some guys want to beat other people down to feel better about themselves. I have little use for that attitude. I like my boss a lot, but he is like Jekyll and Hyde sometimes. One second he’s enjoyable, and the next second he gets heated because something goes wrong and insults me. Both of us make mistakes, but he brushes his off, and makes mine sound catastrophic. He honestly does really good work, but his attitude can be hard to handle. At the end of the day, I’m gonna move on later this season, and I wish him the best. I can’t wait til I have my own business.
@@Belenus3080 sounds like we worked for the same guy 😆
Keep your head up, not many people are even willing to learn and that alone makes you a better worker and human, in my humble opinion.
@@universalmonster4972 Probably thirty years ago, I was helping install some automated assembly line equipment, and the engineer in charge said to use pipe joint compound and not thread tape on the air lines. I asked why, and he said "Because I said so." I replied, "Oh, I intend to, but I'm not any smarter about which one to use when." That got an explanation. Don't know it that will help with the guys you are dealing with, but it worked once for me.
His explanation: Little tiny tape slivers can break free and stick in the lines and in the valves. You may find and remove the one, but you never know how many more are in there. When stopping the machine costs thousands of dollars an hour of production, you don't want to take a chance. Even if there isn't any exposed tape when initially assembled, disassembling a joint and re-making it may break stuff free. (I'm sure he didn't use as many words, but being brief is not my strong suit.)
My first level I bought was a 4 foot Empire I-Beam level, it did me well for a while until it began to bend and become inaccurate. I purchased my first set of Stabila levels a year ago, and I am very pleased with their accuracy and construction so far. Their lifetime warranty on vial calibration gives me some peace of mind as well. Thanks for sharing all of your knowledge EC!
Thank you for this, and continuing to do these. They are much appreciated.
This video is informative on so many levels.
“Shoot for perfection while understanding you will never get it. Accept Excellence”. Great motto! Absolutely love EC. I think the modern terminology is 💯 these days meaning real, genuine, humble, and Awesome 🤣. Well my friends, this channel is 💯 as it gets. Take care everyone. Stay safe out there.
Brandon Sexton
Concrete Finisher
Louisville Kentucky
I wasn't expecting that Machinists’ Level, but I was pleased to see that you owned one. A trick I use to align horizontal surfaces is to get one level, and then span the two surfaces with a long box section straight edge supported on four 1-2-3 blocks (two on each surface. This lets you place the fulcrum points exactly where you need them, and makes it much easier to see the gaps between the straight edge and 1-2-3 block. Usually with the aid of a torch. I have a strong feeling that anyone who owns a precision machinists' level, will also own a couple of sets of 1-2-3 blocks.
To expand on your method of testing a level for true: do as you show by rotating 180⁰. Then flip top for bottom. That way all faces are checked, not just one.
This.
@@DeadlyPlatypus ?
Nope…
This is excellent, accurate advise for anyone. THIS is what people need, information they can apply right way, on the job, in a store, etc.
Once again. Brilliant advice on the levels thank you.
I learn so much from your channel! Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge. I also signed up for the EC Academy with an annual membership.
What a professionally delivered instructional; concise and to-the -point!
I look forward to your video on sloping levels! Its what we do every day installing patios and I'm sure I'll pick up a tip or two as I always do.
Thank you so much, it is always such a pleasure to watch your videos, I enjoy how you present your topics and I always learn from it. Stay safe and well, God bless 🙏
As a young apprentice who is currently completing their apprenticeship, I am glad to have stumbled across this channel mate I tell yah. I have had to struggle through my apprenticeship more than most due to my practical knowledge and poor mathematical ability but in saying that it was also my main reason as to why I really wanted to join the trade in the first place. Seeing these tips and tricks you provide to us all for free with the detailing and explanation behind why and what you're doing truly makes me feel grateful and incredibly lucky at the same time as these are things you simply cannot learn under intense pressure on site sometimes where you are just required to pump it until the job is done. Thank you so much for all this info you provide mate and please keep giving us this wealth of knowledge you possess cause hell i know i sure would be in the shit otherwise haha! Also any chance you will be building an extension off an existing structure anytime soon? Hello and thank you from New Zealand!:)
We appreciate all your shared knowledge!
I absolutely love watching you. I learn so much.
Thank you so much for all you do!
Bought a brand new bad level years ago when they were more expensive relatively to what i made. Had a I beam schultz that was my dads. Never wanted a wooden one because of the reputation for twisting. Then empire came out with a wood like composite. I bit the bullit and laid down hard earned money and one plumb vial was off. Didn't check and didn't realise till it was too late to take it back. I spray painted the vial. I still use it on occasion and it still agrivates me. Good advice to check new.👍👍
Excited about the shop build playlist!
Thanks. Always great content.
I started framing 10 months ago. Been watching your videos the whole way through. Your info has never led me down the wrong path.
Are you seriously learning a trade by watching youtube videos ? In Scotland we do 4 year onsite apprenticeships intergrated with a course at technical college.
Thank you for all the videos I'm new to framing and carpentry ,I am so motivated to learn and these videos are awesome 👌 thank you again!!
I'm so glad you put out this video I've seen countless times of other Carpenters or CZcamsrs using a torpedo level on a nine foot wall or larger or smaller and the significance of even a 16th of an inch is huge I know the convenience of it but I also know the circumstances of it too thanks for the video
Usually the same ones that don’t know the difference between plumb and level.
There is no difference in how sensitive a bubble level is based on length. It just may give you a more accurate reading if the piece isn't that straight. Really important for wood studs but if you imagined a hypothetical house being framed with milled aluminum studs the length of level wouldn't matter.
@@cm01 if you're not dead old with a torpedo level at that itches you're going to be extremely out of level by the time you get to 10 foot I know this for a fact I've been in the business for 32 years
@@minerdave YES SIR
@@cm01 Now imagine that all of those studs are plumb and parallel, but the faces aren't on the same plane...but you can't confirm that because your 12" torpedo won't span 2 studs, let alone 3.
Some things *can't* be measured (or even detected) if the plumb/level isn't long enough. I've seen many a 2x4 that was straight for 6 feet, then straight for the other 2...but they were 10 degrees out of line with each other, if you weren't paying attention to the lumber, you'd think you were fine OR that you weren't.
Wow, that is great information. Thank you
Look after your levels is the best advice. I've got a full set of Stabilla box beams that I use from first fix to kitchens. I rely on them for my job and accuracy. Bizarrely i still find myself using my 6ft for knocking in plasterboard on dot and dab! Sometimes we get lazy and we know it! It's the nature of construction to just get things done quickly....I wish it wasnt, it does take a lot of the enjoyment out of our trades as speed equals money. As I'm getting older I'm finding the middle ground of taking my time and charging accordingly to work best. You become more efficient with experience I reckon. Keep up the great videos guys. 👍
Shoot for perfection but accept excellence. Man, I absolutely LOVE that! More words of wisdom from Mr. Wadsworth!
Always great content. I'm 63 and still picking up knowledge from channels like yours. Thank you. BTW my eyes are old also and I love my Stabilla 24" digital read out. No need to try and see the lines in a dimly lit room.
I'm a nail driver I started as a laborer 3 years ago on a framing crew and I've been paying attention and learning the craft and working my way up and I wish I could work a few jobs with you because you have knowledge in spades and the ability to teach you missed your lifestyle calling by not being a shop teacher
Harley, what you're missing is that 99% of kids in Shop Classes won't give a rat's rosy red rear about what this man has to teach. They're stuck in the class and only trying to look cool. Don't care a bit about craftsmanship. That 1% will, and he's reaching them here.
You know you’re getting good when you can walk a 2nd story top plate and lay out for your joists ;)
Oh thank you!
It is long overdue for someone on the Web to define and differentiate between plumb and level.
More good work by E.C.
I love you, thank you for sharing essential knowledge to all of us. Stay healthy.
Thanks EC! Currently getting a huge patio done. Let’s get that next level video out!
Also while you are at it, maybe touch on the different types of laser options out there. Thanks!
Im a software engineer and MAN, the way you talk about the discipline of building things applies so well to what I do.
I see the same thing. A small mistake in building something is no big deal the first few weeks but over time (as you explain over distance) a complete mess can be made. It can get so bad to where you'll have to scrap it all and start over , basically.
Software is mystical and it can be tough for people to understand the push for perfection, even in software companies (weirdly!).
I might use your video one day as an analogy for building software as this demonstration is far more lucid.
When you explain about compounding deviations from floor to floor. This is exactly what we see particularly in software quality issues.
Great job !
Thanks for being level with us!
(just a naff joke to feed Uncle Algo ;)
Hi from beautiful Tucson Arizona
IAM laying perfect block and using level s
And this info is very important
I appreciate you thank you
Great topic. Well explained.
Wow, I had no idea that there would be bad levels! Good to know. Now I’ll have to go check all mine out. Perfect
Looking forward to the shop build. One day I'd like to build a shop on my property, so that could be a useful series to watch.
Yes we need that project.
That’s a great tip on how to check a level , your a great teacher. , keep it up 👍
I have had a 6' Crick laminated wood level for many years. They are works of art.
Thank you so much for making videos I have learned a ton of information from your Chanel thanks for all that you do here for us
As an opinionated smartass, I am continually impressed at how your videos slap me down. You are a master of your craft Sir
My wooden one is pristine because I was always taught that it was a precision instrument and to handle with care. A friend that I worked with on occasion has a Stabila Electronic one that beeped when level and I loved that. No judgement if the bubble was in the center of the lines.
Make the noise 😎.
project Binky.
The level that’s “bad” is a “Master” brand level if I’m not mistaken. There’s a screw at each vial, on the one side/ edge. This screw is so the vial can be adjusted with a Philips screwdriver to ensure accuracy using the method you demonstrated. For the time it took to find a marker, it most likely could have been adjusted as it was designed. Just my two cents. Cheers
Good day sir you are the only person who explain to me how to buy a accurate level. Which I have been doing for years.
Thank you for sharing these knowledge you have been a great teacher to many Thank you.
prayers for this channel consistently!
Great explanation
You sir are a National Treasure!!!!!!!!!!!!!
really good advice
I'm gonna level with you. That's the plumb best video on getting something true and perfect, with those hand tools.
Oh, wow! This man is right on so many levels!
Excellent video👍👍👍
Endless knowledge like this is so important for the coming generations!!
Sir, much respect to you and yours, from an old machinist, want to be carpenter.
Check your level at the start of every day, another check for plumb is drive two nails in a vertical line closer than your level is long and make comparisons by swapping and flipping your level and observe the difference in the bubbles.
very interesting
I'm glad I watched this.
I made a note and tomorrow with my coffee
I'm going to check my torpeedo - 2 foot & 4 foot
I've had them all for Years and have never run into a problem
with them but I'll see how they check out.
thanks
THANK YOU KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK ! 💫💫💫
Greatly appreciated!!!!
The machinists levels really are on another level... 🙄😂
I have a Rabone Chesterman 6" ( bought 40 years ago) that I take out of the box once in a while & admire, I've used it as you said, for levelling machines... a lathe bed can twist if bolted down and the supporting mounts are off from each other so this is extremely important when setting up a precision machine tool or it will not machine parts accurately...these levels can be sent back to the manufacturer for calibration & certification.
I'm a machinist by trade but an avid DIYer... working daily with thousands of an inch , I naturally aim for precision even in my woodworking & construction work.
I have a Stanley 2' / 4' / 6' level ....
I must say, I find your presentation excellent and you are very articulate & not rushed in your speech...
I always learn something when I'm here... 🤗
Subbed &liked a while back ...
From the Emerald Isle
😎👍☘️🍺
I would always demand of myself when I built something. It was a Saying I thought I made up. It goes like this: " Plumb, Level & Square for all components unless specified otherwise."
Essential Craftsman- Love your videos.
I've noticed if you take two different levels from a big box store they rarely give the same reading. I think the problem is it doesn't matter how solid and straight the beam is, if they're just stuffing cheap little plastic tubes in them with glue (or molding them in plastic, etc.) they're not going to be consistently in line (or perpendicular) to the beam they are mounted in.
Top level, like always.
great host - love this channel
Keep up the good work
Good info.
Thank you !