Accurate gradients

[adverse camber]

Hi chaps
Was looking at laser levels to bit of surveying for my new garden railroad when I saw this

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat...nid=RT2RY0L5VP11KCSTHZOSFFY?id=79067&ts=73724

Its a spirit level with gradients of 1-4% built in.

Looks ideal for long gradients when track laying or prepairing roadbed. Only £16 so I shall try one, anyone else had a go with one

AC

 

[bobg]

A bricky's string line is just as good, and a little cheaper. It's all I used apart from an ordinary level.

 

[nicebutdim]

I didn't even extend that far, all I used was an old fence post (to make sure the ground was flat, not bumpy) and my eye. Not fool proof but it works!

 

[jacobsgrandad]

I used an ordinary spirit level by sattint the level to the gradient I wanted then marking the centre of the bubble with a marking pen

 

[chris m01]

I used a home made method. This is described on my new but not quite finished website - see http://uqr.freehostia.com/civil_engineering.html

 

[Westcott]

Could be useful over a short distance, or combined with a longer piece of wood or metal.
However, I think you'll find the levels are in degrees, not percent!

1 degree = 1:57 = 1.75%

I used http://www.screwfix.com/prods/41786/Hand-Tools/Lasers-Levelling/Lasers/Finishing/Laser-Level-Kit < Link To one of these laser levels to survey my gently sloping garden to set out accurate maximum long gradients of 1:70 1.4%.

 

[KentKeith]

Just use one of my Father's old spirit levels - half a bubble gives me a suitable gradient

 

[Steve]

Just use one of my Father's old spirit levels - half a bubble gives me a suitable gradient

The best part is he is not joking

 

[JRinTawa]

For laying out our gradient I used a level and lengths of timber with two nails driven in. One nail as a stopper to rest end of level against, and at just under the length of the level away the second nail was driven in to the timber to a predetermined height so when the level sat across it the level bubble read level and the timber was at the required grade.
Hopefully from the picture below you'll get the idea.

 

[gregh]

I made a simple 'staircase' of 3mm thick plywood and use in conjunction with a 600mm long level for laying track or measuring the grade of the finished line.
I did use a cheap laser level for getting the general levels of the whole yard when planning.

or see my webpage for more details:
http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/satr/BeginnersHints.htm#trackLay < Link To http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/satr/BeginnersHints.htm#trackLay < Link To http://www.members.optusn...nersHints.htm#trackLay