Tool ID

[Levaughn]

Hello all. Could someone help me identify what this is and what it was used for. It looks like a mini telescope with a level inside and outside. Thanks.

 

[930dreamer]

surveying?

 

[mnoeltne]

A sight level.

Google "vintage sight level" on the Google Images page and you'll see a lot of similar looking ones.

I don't have a clue what they were used for, but surveying sounds like a reasonable guess.

 

[Provincial]

Purpose:

Determining if an area is level, or nearly so, by marking a reference point while sighting through the device with the bubble centered. Once the reference point is established, move to different points in the area to be checked and sight at the reference point. The diffenence between the reference point and the point the crosshairs indicate is how far from level the point you are standing on differs.

You can use it to measure slope, too, but it is more involved. That involves measuring distances and trigonometric calculations.

 

[crguy]

I always thought those would be awkward to use. You have try to keep it level by checking the level vial, and also look thru the tube for the distant point.

Am I missing something? These don't come with a stand to mount them on.

 

[Provincial]

The bubble is visable as you look through the tube, so it is pretty easy to keep track of.

 

[crguy]

The bubble is visable as you look through the tube, so it is pretty easy to keep track of.

That makes sense, thanks.

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

Yep...as you look through, half the field is your view of the target area and half is a 45 degree mirror showing the level...you just align the bubble and then whatever part of reality lines up with the centerline of the level is at the same level as your eyeball.