Today we were hanging soffits in a basement finish, the method we use is a cleat nailed to the joist and one to wall with plywood hanging from the top cleat and 2×2 running back to the wall cleat from the bottom of the plywood, heres the problem
Everything was level using an 8’ft level on 15′ of soffit, the cleat on the wall was level end to end and the cleat attached to the bottom of the ply was level the same. The interesting thing is this, on one end of the room it was level across the bottom of the ply back to the wall cleat on the other end it was almost 3/4″ out on about a 2′ run,
For the life of me I cant figure out why if both the horizontal runs are level across there length and at one end the return from the ply to the wall is level why it would be out on the other end.
I know the level is in good shape and reads true If anyone can answer this it would probably make my headache go away.
Thanks
Replies
All I can say is that it's pretty difficult to get things level using a spirit level like you're doing.
I'd get a water level (or laser level if you want to go high-tech) and investigate the situation.
Ragnar
It doesn't take much to compound a slight sight error.
Place your 8' level against the wall, sight carefully and draw a horizontal line. Turn the level end for end, place it to that line and see if the bubble is EXACTLY in the lines. If not, adjust one end of the level up or down until the bubble is centered. Note the difference. That's one possible way to create an error which would be doubled in 15" Also, if the instrument is where the error is and you had reversed the level when making the second observation (either the wall line or the soffit face line) then you doubled the error again. Make sure you use the same element for all measurements. An ever so slight difference in alignment between elements can also mess you up. It would be a good idea to check each element and compare readings. Now go get your hammer and beat those soffits into submission.<G>
Stop going to the Tavern for breakfast, Taverns are for lunch.
3/4 is alot better than 4/3
Cag: The two lines just are not parallel...meaning one or both are not level and thus are diverging from each other.
I teach my helpers to flip the level at each iteration on long runs when drawing lines. No level is perfect and this evens out any error. I once won a bet with a tile guy with this. I was more accurate with my $12 2' level flipped each time than he was with a $60 4' level unflipped when we went around a small room and compared it to the start point.
Its rare I need to use this as an electrician but it is something an old timer spent time to teach me. I still remember the geezer long after I have become a geezer myself.
The water level would be my choice if I had more than one line to place. I like the lasers but I'm not convinced that they are inherently more accurate than other methods. More than one contractor I know double check their laser against a water level before important work.
Thanks all
I just got a 5 way laser unit, and it was money well spent. I suspected some level problems and sure enough, I was right. Bingo. And the time savings are tremendous. Well worth it. My only mistake was waiting this long.
Jake
Just curious, which unit you purchased and what the price was?
I got the RoboToolz unit that shoots five beams. A plumb beam up and down, a horizontal left and right, and a 90 degree horizontal one forward. I'm sure you can figure out plenty of uses. It self levels after ANY movement...takes about 4 or 5 seconds.
I got the unit from the Tool Crib (Amazon) for $199, and they included the set up pole...a necessity. Free shipping if you're patient.
Thanks, 199 sounds like a decent price too. I looked at the dewalt one, but for starters I didnt want to spend that much, and secondly I havent had good luck with them.
Why are you using a level?Seems like the easy way would be to measure down from the bottom of the joists ,snap a line and frame to it.May not be perfectly level,if the joists are 'running' a bit but it should look o.k. Regards....Jerry Hill(don't know where in the H ' this 2122 thing came from!)
This site has been messed up seriously for the last couple of days is wherere that 2122 comes from.
Excellence is its own reward!
"The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit. The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are." --Marcus Aurelius
Lasers are too cheap now to ignore. For less than the cost of your level, you could probably find a unit to do what you need. Yeah, you still have to level the laser. But left in place, across the room on a tripod, you can strike the repeating parallel lines you need to come out looking good on your soffits.
Throw aside the level and snap some lines. Even the best levels can wander a bit.