Tool Talk

What's-It Forum => What's-It Forum => Topic started by: mtds on September 05, 2012, 12:29:54 PM

Title: Looks like some sort of level... pic inside
Post by: mtds on September 05, 2012, 12:29:54 PM
Leather case marked "KR".  Brass body with threaded caps. Optics inside.  A bubble level on the outside of the main tube.  What is it?  Age?  Field of use?

(http://fototime.com/3B7DDF63CA8D088/orig.jpg)
Title: Re: Looks like some sort of level... pic inside
Post by: jimwrench on September 05, 2012, 12:58:26 PM
 Thats a Kuker-Ranken sighting level. Still for sale currently.
Title: Re: Looks like some sort of level... pic inside
Post by: rusty on September 05, 2012, 06:05:26 PM

OK, I'm game, how do you look through the sight and look at the bubble at the same time?
Title: Re: Looks like some sort of level... pic inside
Post by: jimwrench on September 05, 2012, 06:12:53 PM
 Maybe consequently not concurrently ?
Title: Re: Looks like some sort of level... pic inside
Post by: Lewill2 on September 05, 2012, 07:09:01 PM
One eye for each..........
Title: Re: Looks like some sort of level... pic inside
Post by: HeelSpur on September 05, 2012, 07:30:18 PM
You'd have to be really cock-eyed to do that.
Title: Re: Looks like some sort of level... pic inside
Post by: rusty on September 05, 2012, 07:49:53 PM
You surely would be after doing that.....LOL

It was a little bit of a serious question tho, I have seen small sighting glasses designed for a transit, usually there is something to hold it level after you set it up with the bubble to point at a horizon line...

I'm wondering how helpfull a bubble is on a pocket glass...
Title: Re: Looks like some sort of level... pic inside
Post by: mikeswrenches on September 05, 2012, 08:48:18 PM
These are properly called a Locke level, after the gentleman that invented it.

They are hand held and are useful for quick leveling or checking level at a construction site.  Generally used where precision isn't required and you don't want to take the time to set up a builders level on a tripod.

They are a lot easier to use if you hold it against some kind of support, like a pole.

http://constructionmanuals.tpub.com/14043/css/14043_137.htm

Mike
Title: Re: Looks like some sort of level... pic inside
Post by: gibsontool on September 05, 2012, 09:25:07 PM
I remember using these before the days of laser levels,they were good for quick checks on excavations and rough grades. I don,t recall the brands I worked with but they were brass and did look similar to yours
Title: Re: Looks like some sort of level... pic inside
Post by: Billman49 on September 06, 2012, 03:09:14 AM
see http://www.mytoolstore.com/dwhite/hand.html $68 + $14 for the case...

used on archeological digs etc where an expensive level is not needed, to expensivem or too bulky to carry, see http://www.beg.utexas.edu/coastal/thscmp/fieldprocedures.htm
Title: Re: Looks like some sort of level... pic inside
Post by: Branson on September 06, 2012, 07:32:27 AM
Thats a Kuker-Ranken sighting level. Still for sale currently.

Hence the impressed KR mark on the holster.  Still made, and online:

http://www.krinc.net/17770/Kuker--Ranken-Hand-Levels.html

>OK, I'm game, how do you look through the sight and look at the bubble at the same time?

"The level vial is mounted atop a slot in the sighting tube in which a reflector is set at a 45° angle. This permits the observer, who is sighting through the tube, to see the object, the position of the level ..."
Title: Thanks to all for answering my question!
Post by: mtds on September 06, 2012, 05:02:24 PM
Thank you all for answering my question, plus the additional interesting comments!
Title: Re: Looks like some sort of level... pic inside
Post by: Papaw on September 06, 2012, 05:08:55 PM
That's what we do!
Title: Re: Looks like some sort of level... pic inside
Post by: rusty on September 06, 2012, 05:22:13 PM
>a reflector is set at a 45° angle

Ahhhh!