Last fall I started researching levels and settled on building a plumb level as illustrated in Peter Nicholson's The Mechanics Companion, 1831. If you've never heard of, or seen, a plumb level it's no surprise since they were replaced by spirit levels in the 19th century. Adding an angle gauge makes an inclinometer.
My version replaces the string and lead weight with a brass rod, attached to a wood axle press fit into a roller bearing, allowing free swing. The plumb bob and axle are turned from ebony. The frame is cherry, the white strip is American holly harvested from my backyard. Finish is beeswax and oil. There is no advantage to the rod and bearing, I did it simply to modernize the design and be different. I would show a picture of the bearing but after pressing in the axle I couldn't remove it. The brass rod is actually canted back toward the frame and the plumb bob is flat on the back. On a level surface the pointer will be centered on the white strip. Gravity will push the pointer toward the low side.
Version 1: Cherry, striped ebony, holly.
Version 2: Cherry, walnut, holly. Changes from v.1, the center isn't glued, the angle brackets are attached with brass screws to allow adjustment, and the plumb bob is completely round instead of a flat back.
My version replaces the string and lead weight with a brass rod, attached to a wood axle press fit into a roller bearing, allowing free swing. The plumb bob and axle are turned from ebony. The frame is cherry, the white strip is American holly harvested from my backyard. Finish is beeswax and oil. There is no advantage to the rod and bearing, I did it simply to modernize the design and be different. I would show a picture of the bearing but after pressing in the axle I couldn't remove it. The brass rod is actually canted back toward the frame and the plumb bob is flat on the back. On a level surface the pointer will be centered on the white strip. Gravity will push the pointer toward the low side.
Version 1: Cherry, striped ebony, holly.
Version 2: Cherry, walnut, holly. Changes from v.1, the center isn't glued, the angle brackets are attached with brass screws to allow adjustment, and the plumb bob is completely round instead of a flat back.
