Replies

1. 
   bill_1010 | Jul 28, 2003 01:18am | #1

   See if the david white's male end is reversible or possibly removable to accept the tripod mounting screw.

1. 
   briankeith | Jul 28, 2003 01:29am | #3

   No, the DW threaded end is part of the base of the unit. Molded.

   But I hadn't checked that, thanks.View Image

2. 
   rasconc | Jul 28, 2003 01:19am | #2

   Have you checked to see if the screw in the level base allows you to take the male thread adapter out leaving you a 5/8- 11 female threaded area?  I made an adapter from a 5/8 inch 11 thread/in bolt drilled out and tapped 1/4-20 so I could use my builders auto levels on a heavy duty camera tripod. 

1. 
   briankeith | Jul 28, 2003 01:38am | #4

   Take the screw out and whole thing just falls apart.

   Cool idea making an adapter for a camera tripod. That would allow easy elevation, wouldn't it?

   This is actually a DW level with bad optics that I am trying to use for a base for a Robo torpedo level. View Image

1. 
   m2akita | Jul 29, 2003 03:34am | #5

   Dont know if you feel like spending the money, but I know CST/ Berger makes a base for mounting laser levels to a tripod.  Lowes has them for something like $40.00 - $50.00.  Toolcrib also has it ( http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00002258I/qid=1059438639/sr=1-23/ref=sr_1_23/102-4796509-2552934?v=glance&s=hi).

   Good luck on making your own adapter.

   M2akita

1. 
   briankeith | Jul 29, 2003 04:13am | #7

   M2akita,

   I've seen them, but thought it would be grand to recycle the old David White into something useful. But that may be where I end up.

   Thanks,

   BrianView Image

3. 
   coonass | Jul 29, 2003 03:52am | #6

   Bee,

   Apears to be different threads on each, so get a union to fit each. Cut them in half and weld or glue together. I bought a camera tripod for my robovector for $18. Works great for under houses.

   KK

1. 
   briankeith | Jul 29, 2003 04:20am | #8

   KK,

   I have a little more info right now than I did when I started the post.

   The Tripod is a standard 5/8"-11 thread.

   And the David White is 11/16"-26 thread. That one may be hard to find.

   But I like your idea.

   I'm thinking there must be a factory made adapter to make this work, but haven't found one yet.

   I've Googled and eBayed and Yahood till I was blue.View Image

1. 
   joeh | Jul 29, 2003 04:47am | #9

   Bee, the tripod mount in the right picture looks just like my Stabila.......is there is a hole all the way through the screw for a plumb bob string?

   If you take the screw out of the bottom of the DW mount, can you get a piece of 1/4 x 20 allthread and use that to:

   A. hold the DW mount together by putting the allthread in where the screw is now and put a washer and nut on it? then

   B. with the allthread continuing through the tripod mount with another nut and washer on the bottom, can you tighten it to the tripod?

   Hard to cludge something by Braile, E-mail the pieces to me, will you?

   Joe H

1. 
   ian | Jul 29, 2003 02:50pm | #13

   is there is a hole all the way through the screw for a plumb bob string?

   string ??  good theodolites and levels have an optical sight that looks through taht hole so you can centre on the mark.

1. 
   joeh | Jul 29, 2003 06:50pm | #14

   Ian, I gotta string.

   Joe H

2. 
   briankeith | Jul 30, 2003 01:34am | #15

   Got it figured out....

   There is an adapter to make this work. I even found one on the net for $13 plus postage. Just a female 11/16"-26 X female 5/8"-11 coupler, (or is that a union?). Too much for what it is, but that is to be expected.

   There was some talk about there being a part missing, but from what I can tell, most builder's level adjustment screws bear on the tripod top.

   But all the auto levels have a base under them.

   Thanks to everyone for the help and ideas.

   It's nice to have someone to talk to about this kind of stuff.

   BrianView Image

2. 
   rasconc | Jul 29, 2003 04:50am | #10

   Call David White which is now Cst Berger I believe.  Ebay usually has the base for lasers for $39.  I keep forgetting to look at my David White but my Sokkia just has a 5/8 - 11 tpi hole in the base.

4. 
   xMikeSmith | Jul 29, 2003 04:51am | #11

   bee, on some of the tripod setups i've seen, there was another part that screwed onto your leveling base, it had a thin sheet brass plate and a center screw.. the center screw was  female to go over your instrument center screw  and was also female on the bottom to receive a standard tripod mounting screw

    it was made of brass so the 4 leveling feet would wear the brass out instead of themselves.. in your picture you can see the bottoms of the leveling screws are worn.. with the non-existent brass sheet , the brass would have the indents from the leveling action..

    in other words, i think you are missing  a part  ( duh )

   Mike Smith   Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

1. 
   eborg2 | Jul 29, 2003 02:16pm | #12

   bee,

   I've never used much four-screw equipment, but I've never seen an instument without a base plate.  I think Smith's correct; you're missing a piece.

   Topcon has an autolevel, legs and rod for $395.  Can probably use the DW for bird watching.

   Eric