Can anyone tell me about this level?

[Jeepster425]

I just moved into a house and my dad gave me a bunch of stuff he didn't want, I came across this, anyone have one? What's something like this worth? It's in perfect condition, all 3 bubbles are good.

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[TalonFE]

My pop used one of these machinists' levels when working with Mergenthaler linotype machines in the mid-to-late 1960s. The matrice racks required fine adjustments and a perfectly level surface to work properly. In the days before offset printing took hold in the newspaper business, these automatic typesetting machines were set row upon row in the composing room, assembling the letters and pages that would eventually end up on the morning and afternoon editions. The linotypes were huge (at least to my young eyes) and made from LOTS of moving parts that required constant adjustment and maintenance to work properly, as well as machinists to fabricate replacement parts and one-off tooling to keep the machines running nearly 24/7. It was loud, oily, and dangerous.....I was attracted immediately.

 

[larry_g]

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INPDFF?PMPAGE=397&PMCTLG=00

New, a Starrett 98 will be in the $200-$300 range and I assume is the modern functional equivalent to that. I'm also assuming that is a calibrated vial in the .005"/foot range, it should say on the vial. That said you might get $50 or so for it, unless it is something special I don't know about in the collectors market.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Carla]

There appears to be 'per foot' lettered on the vial glass, which, presumably, is part of a '.00X per foot' accuracy spec of the vial.

The value of that level would depend on its calibration, so, could you post another photo showing all the lettering on the vial? (if its '.0005 per foot', that would be a level suitable for use in levelling-up machine tools)

cheers

Carla

 

[ssdave]

I have a couple of Starret like this. I paid under $30 for them. They do well on ebay, but probably less than 25% of new price.

 

[davethorik]

Any machine tool will do a better job if leveled. I'm guessing it is .0005/ft. I like machinist levels, I bought a Starrett master level that had been in standing water (?!) Had it re scraped and calibrated, and made $ off if selling it.

 

[crguy]

Any machine tool will do a better job if leveled. I'm guessing it is .0005/ft. I like machinist levels, I bought a Starrett master level that had been in standing water (?!) Had it re scraped and calibrated, and made $ off if selling it.

More likely it's .005. Look how short that vial is compared to a Starrett.

 

[davethorik]

More likely it's .005. Look how short that vial is compared to a Starrett.

You're right, and in the 1st pic you can make out .005 per foot just barely on the vial.