I needed to level off an area around a driveway entrance. I was installing sliding gates and the rail the gate was to slide on. So this is my low-tech solution. Cut a few lengths of steel pipe with an inner diameter of 1/2 inch or more and about 6 inches long. These are driven flush into the ground. A 1/2 inch nut and bolt are loose fitted into the pipes. The idea is that by moving up and down the nut on the bolt, you can precisely control the level of the top of the bolt. You can have as many of these levellers as you like. The max distance between levellers is determined by the length of your spirit level.
Grade the gravel or whatever material you’re leveling to the top of the bolts after you have them at the height you want. The bolts just slip out when you are finished and can be re-used. The sections of pipe can be left in the ground if need be.
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Great tip, Vincent! That looks so much easier and more reliable than trying to use wooden stakes and string. Thanks for sharing.