Ever found yourself in need of a level to hang a picture or build a shelf, but didn't have one handy? Don't let that stop your DIY project! With a few simple household items, you can create a makeshift level that's good enough for most tasks. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make one.
What You'll Need
Before you start, gather these simple materials:
A long, straight edge (like a ruler, yardstick, or even a long piece of cardboard)
A small, empty bottle (like a water or soda bottle)
Water
Duct tape (optional, but helpful)
Creating Your Makeshift Level
Step 1: Fill the Bottle
Fill the empty bottle about two-thirds full with water. This will provide enough weight for the level to work effectively. Be careful not to overfill it, as this could make the bottle too heavy or cause it to leak.
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Step 2: Seal the Bottle (Optional)
If you're concerned about the bottle leaking, you can seal the opening with duct tape. This isn't strictly necessary, but it can provide extra peace of mind.
Step 3: Attach the Straight Edge
Now, attach the long, straight edge to the bottle. If you're using a ruler or yardstick, you can simply place it against the bottle and hold it in place. If you're using a piece of cardboard, you might want to secure it with duct tape for a more stable makeshift level.
Step 4: Test Your Level
With your makeshift level assembled, it's time to test it out. Hold the bottle and straight edge against the surface you want to level. The water in the bottle should stay at the same level on both sides of the straight edge, indicating that the surface is level.
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Tips for Using Your Makeshift Level
While your makeshift level is a handy tool, it's not as precise as a professional level. Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of it:
Use it for small-scale projects where precision isn't crucial, like hanging pictures or leveling a small shelf.
Be aware that the level's accuracy can be affected by temperature changes, which can cause the water to expand or contract.
If you need to use your makeshift level for an extended period, consider filling the bottle with a non-toxic, food-grade dye to make the water line more visible.
When to Use a Professional Level
While a makeshift level can be useful in a pinch, it's important to know when to use a professional level. If you're working on a large-scale project, like building a deck or installing cabinets, a professional level will provide the precision you need. Additionally, if you're working in an area with a significant slope, a professional level will give you a more accurate reading.
In conclusion, a makeshift level is a handy tool to have in your DIY arsenal. With just a few household items, you can create a level that's good enough for most small-scale projects. So the next time you find yourself in need of a level, don't let the lack of one stop you from getting the job done. Happy DIYing!
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* DIY Ideas for Leveling Backyard That are Budget Friendly2.6M views · 10K reactions | Another way to make a level line #oxtools #speedsquare #chalkline #level | Go Build Stuff | Facebooka piece of wood sitting on top of a grass covered field next to a sidewalk20 Different Types of Levels and Their Uses (with Photos)How to Make a Garden Leveller for Top Dressing the Lawn - Using a Rake and Wood3M views · 24K reactions | 🚀 DIY Hose Level HACK! 💧 Build Flawless Structures in MINUTES! (No Expensive Tools!) | Kayu BakartHave you ever used this setup?a person holding a fork in their left handHow to design levels for a platformerOnly Pro know this construction trick! 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Ours is more for building smaller houses. So, there's three main reasons we bought the one we did and it's very good at what we need it for. Um it's very accurate if you use it on the inside mode. It has a flat base on it so you can actually use it without a stand and it has no moving parts so the batteries last a long time and that's always good for us. This model comes with a reader if you're going to use the laser outside, has a on-off switch, two modes of accuracy, and you can also the beeping on or off. The beeping is very loud so that you can hear it over machinery but if it's right next to your ear, it'll nearly deafen you. This reader has a screen on the front and also the back. So, whatever side you're looking at, you have a screen and it will tell you up or down, you're too high or you're too low or you're dead center and that's how we determine what is level using this reader. So, here's a real quick and simple demonstration about how this works. I've got this laser turned on and it's an outside mode. Now, it's shooting a laser beam perfectly horizontal in all directions because it's self leveling. I've also got this reader and it's got a sensor that senses lasers. Uh basically, when this thing moves up and down, it will sense when you get the laser exactly on this red mark. I'm going to back up here because in outside mode, you have to be 20 feet away and show you how this works. Right now, I have the reader below the laser level line. I'm going to slowly move it up until it crosses the laser level line and this sensor picks up the laser. We're going to be using the laser for two purposes today. One is to set this block on the front row exactly level the block on the rest of the wall. Secondly, we're going to check this gravel that's in for underneath the slab and we're going to check that it's at a even grade so that when we pour the slab, the slab is the same thickness throughout. So, I'm going to turn my laser on to outside mode. I'm going to take my receiver over here to the wall we've already built and I'm going to establish how high this first row of block is so I can match it on this front corner block right here. So I'm going to put the base of my grade pole on top of the first row of blocker which is what we are trying to match height wise right here I'm going to pin it to the wall of my knee now I'm going to run this reader up and down this grade pole until I hear it beep I just got a measurement of one foot 11 and a quarter from the bottom of this grade pole to where the laser level is crossing it now I'm going to clamp this reader on so I can go over here set my grade pole on top of the block that I'm setting and set it at the exact same level I'm going to pull a string line between the two and lay this whole row block through here. Next, I'm going to reset this reader on our pole to give me the top height of where I want this gravel to be in our slab. I'm then going to check a bunch of points on the gravel to make sure the gravel is all at an even grade. I want four inches of concrete on top of this gravel and I want my slab to end up at the top of this first row block. So, I've got four inches from gravel to top row block and I've checked that with my square. Now, I'm going to run this reader up my pole again and get it at the right height. Let me turn it on. Two foot six and a half and I'll clamp it on. I'm going to run around and check a bunch of different points on this gravel and then I can add gravel or take away gravel to make it level later. Alright, I've got this thing set up in my office and you can see that it is throwing a level laser line all the way around the whole room which is so helpful if you're trying to set cabinets or do shelves that are level or do anything that you need level like stark tile on a wall. This will give you a level line and it's really awesome and throws a nice, bright line when you have it on inside mode and so here's a quick tip about how I usually use this inside. I usually use this laser line as a reference line. I don't actually set the laser at the height of the top of the cabinets or the height of the shelves that I'm trying to put up. I just let it shine a wall and you can measure up or down from this line to the point that you want to set whatever it is for instance we're going to use this as a reference to see if this ceiling is level so I'm going to measure right here to this drop ceiling is 48 and 3 quarters let's go down the wall aways 48 and 78 so from those two points the ceiling is an eight inch at a level and that's using this laser as a reference and that's the way we usually do it and just in comparison here is our old scope it is not auto leveling you have to turn the scope in line with these and then you level it spin it level it use this bubble which you can get it nice and level but the very way you use it can knock it out a level by touching it and spinning it you can bump the thing out of level and then you're in trouble because you may have done half a project and then bump your level by accident now you have to start over. So, that's one huge disadvantage to this is it does not stay auto leveled and you're actually touching the part that has to stay perfectly level which is not a good idea in general. One advantage of this visual scope is that it does not take any batteries. The batteries will never go dead but the huge disadvantage, it takes two people to do it. One person has to look through the scope and another person has to stand somewhere with a grade pole. Okay, so let's do a quick demonstration of how this works. I'm going to sight through the scope Adjust right here so that it becomes clear, find the grade pole, and then I'm going to read a number off of that grade pole. You can see that that takes a lot more time and it takes two people. That's the advantage of the laser. Hope you guys enjoy the video and learn how to use a laser level. 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