brooklyn1 writes:

On Fri, 09 Apr 2010 21:12:52 -0400, wrote:

(Una) writes:

I would use a water level. That's a clear flexible hose, open on both
ends. Pour water in, holding both ends up so it doesn't run out. The
water level is equal in both ends no matter what.

For my last project I made my own water level out of clear flexible
hose. I don't know why but I found it difficult to get consistent
readings and difficult to prop up both ends of the hose.

You need to mark off graduations from the end of the hose and proper
use requires two people, however there are factors such as parallax
and surface tension that render such a device inaccurate... at best
it'd give a rough approximation.

That's what led me to the string level.

A string level is fine if you want to set something approximately
level but is pretty useless for determining pitch.

Huh?

If I have 2 pegs in the ground, and I've marked level on each,
pitch is just measuring down one of the pegs the pitch I want.

That's not what I'd call useless.

As I remember I could easily get within a quarter inch of level
on a 20 foot run. That's based on how far I could move the string
and see no difference in the bubble.

Una wrote:
I would use a water level. That's a clear flexible hose, open on both
ends. Pour water in, holding both ends up so it doesn't run out. The
water level is equal in both ends no matter what.

wrote:
For my last project I made my own water level out of clear flexible
hose. I don't know why but I found it difficult to get consistent
readings and difficult to prop up both ends of the hose.

Hose alone is difficult. For good tips on how to make a really easy
water level, see http://www.factsfacts.com/MyHomeRepair/WaterLevel.htm

Una

brooklyn1 wrote:
On Fri, 09 Apr 2010 21:10:13 -0400, wrote:

"David Hare-Scott" writes:

khevlan wrote:
Hi all

I'm trying to level a section of garden to put down a patio. I have
read guides on the internet about how to do this but do not
comprehend the information well (I'm a real gardening beginner).

My understanding is that I need a "master peg," a spirit level and
level planks but am not sure exactly what to do with them.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

How big is the area and how level does it need to be? Laser levels
are quite cheap these days and much more effective over a large area
if it needs to be accurate.

I believe laser levels are difficult to use outdoors.

Read that somewhere...

This is true, the beam is not very visible in daylight... nor are all
laser levels similarly accurate, especially not over distances greater
than the typical house room... they're fine for setting kitchen
cabinets but don't rely on a laser level to frame an entire house.
When using a laser level to set cabinets it'd be wise to double check
with a carpenter's bubble level.

Nonsense

David

brooklyn1 wrote:
On Fri, 09 Apr 2010 21:10:13 -0400, wrote:

"David Hare-Scott" writes:

khevlan wrote:
Hi all

I'm trying to level a section of garden to put down a patio. I
have
read guides on the internet about how to do this but do not
comprehend the information well (I'm a real gardening beginner).

My understanding is that I need a "master peg," a spirit level
and
level planks but am not sure exactly what to do with them.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

How big is the area and how level does it need to be? Laser
levels
are quite cheap these days and much more effective over a large
area
if it needs to be accurate.

I believe laser levels are difficult to use outdoors.

Read that somewhere...

This is true, the beam is not very visible in daylight... nor are
all
laser levels similarly accurate,

That is a pure out lie!! Land surveyors & house builders use them all
the time, almost exclusively!!

Tom J

"Tom J" writes:

brooklyn1 wrote:
On Fri, 09 Apr 2010 21:10:13 -0400, wrote:

"David Hare-Scott" writes:

khevlan wrote:
Hi all

I'm trying to level a section of garden to put down a patio. I
have
read guides on the internet about how to do this but do not
comprehend the information well (I'm a real gardening beginner).

My understanding is that I need a "master peg," a spirit level
and
level planks but am not sure exactly what to do with them.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

How big is the area and how level does it need to be? Laser
levels
are quite cheap these days and much more effective over a large
area
if it needs to be accurate.

I believe laser levels are difficult to use outdoors.

Read that somewhere...

This is true, the beam is not very visible in daylight... nor are
all
laser levels similarly accurate,

That is a pure out lie!! Land surveyors & house builders use them all
the time, almost exclusively!!

What land surveyors are using is of little interest to the average
homeowner.

I see prices ranging from $40 up into the hundreds of dollars.

I doubt the $40 model is going to be any good outdoors.

wrote:
"Tom J" writes:

brooklyn1 wrote:
On Fri, 09 Apr 2010 21:10:13 -0400, wrote:

"David Hare-Scott" writes:

khevlan wrote:
Hi all

I'm trying to level a section of garden to put down a patio. I
have
read guides on the internet about how to do this but do not
comprehend the information well (I'm a real gardening
beginner).

My understanding is that I need a "master peg," a spirit level
and
level planks but am not sure exactly what to do with them.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

How big is the area and how level does it need to be? Laser
levels
are quite cheap these days and much more effective over a large
area
if it needs to be accurate.

I believe laser levels are difficult to use outdoors.

Read that somewhere...

This is true, the beam is not very visible in daylight... nor are
all
laser levels similarly accurate,

That is a pure out lie!! Land surveyors & house builders use them
all
the time, almost exclusively!!

What land surveyors are using is of little interest to the average
homeowner.

I see prices ranging from $40 up into the hundreds of dollars.

The tool rental stores where I live have them for rent & 1/2 day
should be enough to do the job, IF IT HAS TO BE LEVEL. That I
question.

Tom J

On Sat, 10 Apr 2010 12:08:45 -0400, "Tom J"
wrote:

wrote:
"Tom J" writes:

brooklyn1 wrote:
On Fri, 09 Apr 2010 21:10:13 -0400, wrote:

"David Hare-Scott" writes:

khevlan wrote:
Hi all

I'm trying to level a section of garden to put down a patio. I
have
read guides on the internet about how to do this but do not
comprehend the information well (I'm a real gardening
beginner).

My understanding is that I need a "master peg," a spirit level
and
level planks but am not sure exactly what to do with them.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

How big is the area and how level does it need to be? Laser
levels
are quite cheap these days and much more effective over a large
area
if it needs to be accurate.

I believe laser levels are difficult to use outdoors.

Read that somewhere...

This is true, the beam is not very visible in daylight... nor are
all
laser levels similarly accurate,

That is a pure out lie!! Land surveyors & house builders use them
all
the time, almost exclusively!!

What land surveyors are using is of little interest to the average
homeowner.

I see prices ranging from $40 up into the hundreds of dollars.

The tool rental stores where I live have them for rent & 1/2 day
should be enough to do the job, IF IT HAS TO BE LEVEL. That I
question.

Tom J

Finally someone who is literate... patios are NOT supposed to be
level... string levels and laser levels are of absolutely no value for
building a patio.