A Fine Tool: The LevelThe level does not measure quantity, rather it measures quality. It does not ask how far an object is in relation to another, nor does it ask for the size of an object in arbitrary units. What the level really measures is perfection. It asks for the ideal plane. Perfectly flat. Perfectly level. Of course there is not much in this world that can live up to the level’s expectation of perfection. So we set about fixing these things. Making them as perfect as they can be in hopes of satisfying the level, because if the level is satisfied we are satisfied. The level is not just a tool, it is judge and jury, and we are the executioners. Checking the judgement and honesty of any level is quite simple. Many methods may be used, but we feel this one is one of the more accurate ones. First place your level horizontally on a wall or any flat surface you don’t mind writing on with the bubbles facing you. Carefully adjust the level until the the horizontal bubbles read that it is perfectly level. Next make a few small marks on the wall along the length of the level. Now flip your level over along it’s long axis and align it to the marks you just made on the wall. If the bubble still reads level you know that it is still in good working condition. Repeat these steps with your level vertically to check it’s vertical accuracy as well. If you discover that your level is no longer true, retire it with a small ceremony and place it in a position of prominence in your workshop to honor all the work it has done. We recommend marking any tools you retire by either writing ‘Retired’ and the date directly on the tool, or with some other easily identifiable and highly visible mark to show that it is no longer in service. There’s not much more frustrating than using a tool you thought was fit for service only to discover through it’s failure it was not suitable at all.
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A Fine Tool: The Level

The level does not measure quantity, rather it measures quality. It does not ask how far an object is in relation to another, nor does it ask for the size of an object in arbitrary units. What the level really measures is perfection. It asks for the ideal plane. Perfectly flat. Perfectly level. Of course there is not much in this world that can live up to the level’s expectation of perfection. So we set about fixing these things. Making them as perfect as they can be in hopes of satisfying the level, because if the level is satisfied we are satisfied. The level is not just a tool, it is judge and jury, and we are the executioners.

Checking the judgement and honesty of any level is quite simple. Many methods may be used, but we feel this one is one of the more accurate ones.

First place your level horizontally on a wall or any flat surface you don’t mind writing on with the bubbles facing you. Carefully adjust the level until the the horizontal bubbles read that it is perfectly level. Next make a few small marks on the wall along the length of the level. Now flip your level over along it’s long axis and align it to the marks you just made on the wall. If the bubble still reads level you know that it is still in good working condition. Repeat these steps with your level vertically to check it’s vertical accuracy as well.

If you discover that your level is no longer true, retire it with a small ceremony and place it in a position of prominence in your workshop to honor all the work it has done. We recommend marking any tools you retire by either writing ‘Retired’ and the date directly on the tool, or with some other easily identifiable and highly visible mark to show that it is no longer in service. There’s not much more frustrating than using a tool you thought was fit for service only to discover through it’s failure it was not suitable at all.

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