Levels
Levels are tools that are used anywhere from construction to carpentry. Although there are several different types, the basic idea behind a level is that it tells you whether or not whatever you are doing is perfectly horizontal or vertical.Uses of Levels
Levels can be used in any area where precision is important. Because they measure whether or not something is exactly horizontal or vertical, they can give you straight lines on which to hang shelves, carve wood, cut drywall, etc. Levels can also be used to measure lines other than simply horizontal or vertical, as they indicate the degree to which they are tilted, thus allowing you to cut or measure something precisely at the degree you wish it to be. Specialty levels, called tilting, dumpy, or automatic levels, can also be used in surveying to determine differences in height between large areas.
Types of Levels
As mentioned above, one specific type of level is the tilting, dumpy, or automatic level, used in land surveying. This is accomplished by reading the degree of difference between height measurements taken at various points.
Another type of level is the simple carpenter's level. Usually shaped like a board or plank, it has embedded in it a glass tube with colored liquid. This isn't filled to the top, leaving a bubble. The position of the bubble indicates whether or not the level is horizontal. This type of level usually includes readings for both horizontal and vertical measurements, and has notches to indicate where the bubble should be if it is level.
Laser levels are a fairly recent development. These are useful in large projects, because they project the line across the entire wall or floor, thus eliminating the need to reposition and remeasure. They can also project lines to certain degrees, creating patterns to follow for hanging things or other projects.
Line levels are small levels that hang from strings. These allow you to create vertical lines as well as check the horizontal. Often, for projects such as hanging drywall, the string is chalked with a colored powder. When the line is perfectly vertical, as indicated by the level, the string is pulled back and snapped against the wall, leaving a chalk line guide.
There are other levels available. Many have different features, such as more or less accurate readings depending on the precision you are looking for. Determine what your needs are in a level, and look around for the type that best fills those needs.