Who says beer equipment isn't versatile??

**Bernie Brewer** · 02-26-2008, 11:33 PM

I'm in the middle of redoing a room in my basement. Right now it's a toyroom for the kids, eventually it will house a pool table.

I was hanging the ceiling grid today, and needed something to ensure that it's level. I'm not about to spent a zillion dollars on a spinning laser that the pros use. Hell, I'm too cheap to even rent one.

So, I decided to do it the same way the Egyptians leveled the pyramids- with water!. I took a spigot from my bottling bucket and put it onto an ice cream pail. I put 20'of clear tubing onto that and put a picnic tap on the other end. Filled it with water, hung it from the ceiling, and voila! Instant water level. I could've bought one for around $25, but this cost me about $4 for the tubing.

Pictures are kinda fuzzy, my digital is a POS

Seawolf · 02-27-2008, 01:13 AM

how does that work as a level?

McKBrew · 02-27-2008, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bernie Brewer

I could've bought one for around $25, but this cost me about $4 for the tubing.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/KeywordSearch?storeId=10153&catalogId=12605&sortOp tion=PRICE_LOW_TO_HIGH&viewItems=20&pageNum=1&keyw ord=level

Just flipping you some sxit. If it worked, it worked. I hang up so many pictures and shelves every time my SWMBO buys them or when we move, so I have had a level for years.

**raceskier** · 02-27-2008, 01:33 AM

BB,

That is very cool. Great thinking!

Anybody see that TV commercial for a level where the cat is sliding off the bookshelf on the wall because it's so crooked?

**Bernie Brewer** · 02-27-2008, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McKBrew

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/KeywordSearch?storeId=10153&catalogId=12605&sortOp tion=PRICE_LOW_TO_HIGH&viewItems=20&pageNum=1&keyw ord=level

Just flipping you some sxit. If it worked, it worked. I hang up so many pictures and shelves every time my SWMBO buys them or when we move, so I have had a level for years.

Oh, I have several stick levels, but they aren't practical for ceiling tile. Hence the need for the water level. But I wasn't going to pay $25-$30 for that.

slnies · 02-27-2008, 03:24 AM

I will say only "Laser".
Good show with the water though.

**Bernie Brewer** · 02-27-2008, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slnies

I will say only "Laser".
Good show with the water though.

As I said in the OP, I'm not about to spend over $100 on a wall-mounted laser, or even the $20-25 to rent one. I'm a cheap bastid.

doubleb · 02-27-2008, 01:02 PM

Nice work. I probably would've bought the level, but now that I see there is a cheaper way I'd more likely opt for the cheapness. I'm a bastid too.

slnies · 02-27-2008, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bernie Brewer

As I said in the OP, I'm not about to spend over $100 on a wall-mounted laser, or even the $20-25 to rent one. I'm a cheap bastid.

LOL, My to, I just happen to have access to all of those types of goodies, If I had to rent or buy I would be doing exactly what you are. Thinking outside the box. It looks like it worked well though from the pic. S.

**RobertHSmith** · 02-27-2008, 04:23 PM

I did the exact same thing in my last house when I hung a ceiling. It works well and no need for a lazer. Then I used it to line up some new siding pieces and for eliminating the sag in some joists on a new back porch.