In general, a level is a device that is used to establish a horizontal plane. This can be useful in many different endeavors from simple household tasks to building skyscrapers to surveying. There are several different kinds of levels, and each one has been designed for a specific purpose.
There are different categories of levels and one of the most commonly seen is the spirit level. Under the guise of spirit levels, there are many different types and each serves a specific purpose. The most common type of household level would be the torpedo level, and most of us have one of these long levels which have a liquid-filled vial in the center. Torpedo levels are used to hang a shelf or perhaps a picture, and carpenters use them for all types of construction. Stonemasons use a variant of the spirit level known as a mason's level to properly install bricks and masonry. When building a fence, one should use a post level to ensure that all of the posts are properly installed.
When even more precise measurements and leveling are required, one can use a precision frame level, which is a type of spirit level that is built in a square shape with a vial along the bottom, prismatic sides and usually insulating handles. This level is used to adjust or check vertical and horizontal surfaces.
Surveyors use a variety of levels, as well, including the bull's eye level which is named because of its circular appearance which resembles a bull's eye. More importantly, it allows a person to level planes in not one, but two dimensions. Bull's eye levels also are used in theodolites, tripods and compasses. These are all still types of spirit levels, so named because the liquid in the vial is usually ethanol, which is a type of alcohol or rather a spirit.
Surveyors typically use a variety of instruments with levels, including the Abney level which contains not only a movable type of spirit level, but also a protractor and a sighting tube. This type of level is named for the man who invented it, Sir William Abney, an astronomer who designed his level while working at an engineering school in the late 19th century. The Abney level measures elevation and the percent of grade and also can measure degrees.
The laser level is used by engineers to ensure that machine parts are completely level. Even the tiniest inaccuracy in leveling can cause huge problems in large-scale equipment. Laser levels also are used in construction and even survey work. While they can be used to set up complex machinery properly, simple laser levels are helpful tools in the home, as well.
There are different categories of levels and one of the most commonly seen is the spirit level. Under the guise of spirit levels, there are many different types and each serves a specific purpose. The most common type of household level would be the torpedo level, and most of us have one of these long levels which have a liquid-filled vial in the center. Torpedo levels are used to hang a shelf or perhaps a picture, and carpenters use them for all types of construction. Stonemasons use a variant of the spirit level known as a mason's level to properly install bricks and masonry. When building a fence, one should use a post level to ensure that all of the posts are properly installed.
When even more precise measurements and leveling are required, one can use a precision frame level, which is a type of spirit level that is built in a square shape with a vial along the bottom, prismatic sides and usually insulating handles. This level is used to adjust or check vertical and horizontal surfaces.
Surveyors use a variety of levels, as well, including the bull's eye level which is named because of its circular appearance which resembles a bull's eye. More importantly, it allows a person to level planes in not one, but two dimensions. Bull's eye levels also are used in theodolites, tripods and compasses. These are all still types of spirit levels, so named because the liquid in the vial is usually ethanol, which is a type of alcohol or rather a spirit.
Surveyors typically use a variety of instruments with levels, including the Abney level which contains not only a movable type of spirit level, but also a protractor and a sighting tube. This type of level is named for the man who invented it, Sir William Abney, an astronomer who designed his level while working at an engineering school in the late 19th century. The Abney level measures elevation and the percent of grade and also can measure degrees.
The laser level is used by engineers to ensure that machine parts are completely level. Even the tiniest inaccuracy in leveling can cause huge problems in large-scale equipment. Laser levels also are used in construction and even survey work. While they can be used to set up complex machinery properly, simple laser levels are helpful tools in the home, as well.
About the Author:
Carey Bourdier enjoys writing reviews on precision scientific instruments. For more information about different types of levels such as a precision frame spirit level, or to find more details about instrument calibration services, go to the Warren Knight website today.