> This gizmo looks interesting, but I can't figure out what it's for. Any ideas?
Are you thinking that it isn't a rod level?
> Are you thinking that it isn't a rod level?
Not now, I'm not. That's so obvious I had to do a head slap. I kept looking at it as though it would be laid upon a level surface somehow, and just wasn't getting anywhere.
It's cute, but it sure isn't $300 cute.
3rd pic looks like fold-up opera glasses.
Then again, could just be a manifold flapper from the dingle stater arm of a retro-encabulator.
😀
Agree that third pic appears to be fold up opera glasses.
My mother had a pair similar to that when I was young, she might still have them around somewhere.
It is a rod level. I'll look around in a little while to find a catalog entry and post it.
I think that you unfold it in the opposite direction from the third photo so that you can place the flat sides up against say a corner of a wall, and somehow the level bubbles provide some useful information in that way?
That's what I was thinking. I have a fence post level that has a similar configuration.
I found it in Gurley Manual of Survey Instruments 42nd Addition. It is Rod Level #545.
Neat find. Not really sure what the seller is referring to using the word "binoculars."
1921 K&E catalog
Here's a scan from a catalog:
Some sort of blue plastic material.
Framing Corner Level
Set against inside corner studs to plumb the corner both ways at once. Despite who made it, it is a carpentry tool.
My uncle was a union carpenter and was required to have a lot of specific tools. I got two 4' long boxes of his tools for $100. I most prize his chisel set and auger bits. I'll checjk to see if he had one of these.
Paul in PA
Some sort of blue plastic material.
Yep, it’s called “roofing material” here in Florida World. Still covering a million or so houses after the last hurricane, whenever that was. 😉
> > This gizmo looks interesting, but I can't figure out what it's for. Any ideas?
>
> Are you thinking that it isn't a rod level?
^^^^ this cracked me up!! 😛
maybe it's a Decepticon...
a.k.a post level
Paul, you mean something like this one
I've only had need for one less than half-dozen so I just used one of other regular levels I had handy. Usually my 6" torpedo (also my favorite for laying block) since it fits in the back pocket more easily than my 4'.
I love carpenter gadgets!!
If I'd known the one in my link was so cheap I'd have bought one even if only to be used a few times. Helluva lot cheaper than my 4' was - even with my contractor discount. I should have taken advantage when they were giving me that discount. I've never been a licensed contractor now worked but one but at the time doing a HUGE remodel job I was buying very large amounts of material so maybe they just figured I was. I suppose they can give the discount to whoever they want really. They were always giving us goodies - hats, pencils, pocket razor knife, etc.
They even let us cull our own lumber. Lots of place don't like you doing that anymore. Guess they figured it just saved us all time in the end. If they brought us a load, we'd set aside crooked or knotty boards and make them come pick them up and credit the project.
I always loved building stuff. Guess that's why I always enjoyed surveyor projects with the construction crews on site. We actually got to watch things being done with our work.