An inexpensive water level can be made out of a clear plastic 1-gal. jug, a tubeless-tire valve stem (with guts and cap removed) and an appropriate length of clear vinyl tubing, as shown in the drawing. First, drill a hole that is sized to accept the valve stem approximately 2 in. up from the bottom of the jug. Insert the valve stem in the hole, fit one end of the tubing over the stem and tape a ruler to the free end of the tubing to be used as a reference stick. Finally, fill the jug with water and add a few drops of food coloring to make the level easier to read.
Before using the level, be sure to bleed any air bubbles out of the tubing. And during use, keep the free end of the tubing above the level of the water in the jug to keep water from draining out the free end of the tube. Water levels are very accurate, and this one can be just the ticket for someone who doesn’t need one often enough to justify buying a commercially manufactured one.
Jeff Jorgensen, Tonopah, NV
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