Re calibrating Starrett 98 level

[ltlvt]

well, it may have been who worked or validated it not knowing what to do. Or it may have been BS.. who knows. Doesn't give you a good feeling.

Thats for sure. I got a MT-2 Tool post holder in April that was a$$ backwards and I just checked to see who I got it from and it was "Discount Tool " on Ebay that is the outlet for Shars on Ebay. According to Ebay they refunded my money but when I go back to pay pal and track it all the way back to my bank card there is no refund that I can find. I just trusted that they did what they said they were gona do (refund my money) and I agreed the issue was resolved. Oh well it was only $13 and change but it is the principle. I had to buy a tap (10mm x 1.0) to make the thing work which cost me about $15 so "Ya Git whut Ya pay for" lol But on the bright side I now have a tap that I will never use again... LOL

 

[ltlvt]

 

[twhite]

Looks like you should start adjusting to move the bubble closer to center. Once it gets closer within a line or less preferably. Fine tune the actual position of the level. To get it as close to level as possible. Then center the bubble. Turn 180 and see if or how much it moves. Keep repeating until it is where you have it reading level both directions. Keep checking if you are actually on a plane that is level.


Cutting oil is my blood.

 

[ltlvt]

Looks like you should start adjusting to move the bubble closer to center. Once it gets closer within a line or less preferably. Fine tune the actual position of the level. To get it as close to level as possible. Then center the bubble. Turn 180 and see if or how much it moves. Keep repeating until it is where you have it reading level both directions. Keep checking if you are actually on a plane that is level.


Cutting oil is my blood.

I will give that a trial tomorrow and report back. Thanks for responding.

 

[Ultradog MN]

I replaced the bubble with a new one from Starrett. Now I am trying to calibrate it. Not having a known absolute level surface to use I am doing the old rotate the level until you find the level spot then proceed to adjust it. As you can see in the pictures there are shots of the level on the same marks (Mostly to keep me from getting confused). So knowing what the pictures are telling me what the next move should be?. I've tried on my own and seems like when i use the nuts on the adjustable end I can't get enough down adjustment to move the bubble in the correct direction. BTW I have less hair than I did when I woke up this morning.

I don't know.
But water in a pan Is always level.
Maybe contrive a way to float the level?

 

[tq60]

Do you have mill or lathe?

Either one should be heavy an stable.

Use one spot, rotate end for end and bubble should be in same place.

If machine not level, then get some shims to place under one end, sheets of paper work.



Sent from my SM-G781V using Tapatalk

 

[ltlvt]

HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? The only change is the level that I am trying to calibrate was rotated 180 degrees. There is definately something wrong with this bubble. I am beginning to think I put too much plaster in it before pushing the end caps into the tube. I am about ready to order another vial and start over. This is a learning experience for sure not just a plug and play repair. My 12" and 8" will duplicate when rotated end to end on the same spot on the mill table.

 

[woodchucker]

looking at that last set of photos.. I would not think that possible. you show level one way and not the other, but the one next to it is level.
Unless you are a fraction off on the table and have a burr that you are hitting.

is the table stoned?
Did you stone the level to knock any burrs off of it?

 

[ltlvt]

looking at that last set of photos.. I would not think that possible. you show level one way and not the other, but the one next to it is level.
Unless you are a fraction off on the table and have a burr that you are hitting.

is the table stoned?
Did you stone the level to knock any burrs off of it?

Yes i cleand the table top with solvent then stoned it and wiped it down with Boesheild. The bottom of the level is also cleaned. I checked the level plain on the table with my 8" and 12" and they both show level within about .002 so I trust the procedure I am using is as good as I can get.

In response to what Ultradog MN said about water level yes I did that also when I set up the mill. I used a glass jar with water in it. Verified that with a Bullseye level verified that with an electronic level and of course verified that with a Starrett 98.

All being said I will just put the little 6" level back in the drawer and order a new vial for it. It sucks because the one that is in it cost me $28 plus shipping. I bought the level off of Ebay with a damaged bubble in it so when it is all done I should have passed on the level and just bought a new one.

 

[RJSakowski]

A level vial can be made in two ways. The tube can be slightly bent to create an arc or it can be ground barrel shaped. In the case of the former, the vial will be sensitive to axial rotation. This can be observed on older mason's levels. It you tilt the level slightly , it will change the position of the bubble.

For this reason, precision levels have a cross vial and for accurate readings, the surface in the cross direction should be reasonably level. If your vial is one of the former type and it is not installed so the plane of the curve is perfectly perpendicular to the bottom surface of the level, and the surface you are leveling is not perfectly level in the cross direction, you would experience the phenomenon that you see.

Since you have other machinist's levels, I would suggest that you shim up a surface plate on three bosses so it is level in all directions. You should then see no variation in reading when you reverse the level. If you tilt the surface slightly in the cross direction to the measurement line and you then see a variation the vial is not installed correctly.

Note: On their website, Starrett states that their vials a precision ground which would imply that they are the barrel shaped design and therefore should be unaffected by vial rotation. However, there is no guarantee if the vial is of aftermarket manufacture..