Torpedo level restore
I have this beautiful torpedo level – ‘but it was out of level’...
Here it is – quite nice yes! It will be a perfect match in my tool box with the old school tools.
Opening it up.
Carefully digging out the level glass, I used a dentist tool.
It seemed to be set in a kind of plaster of Paris!
(I thought it was putty that was used, since I seemed to remember the smell from I was young).
And found some new screws for it.
Here a close up, where you can see it set in the old ‘stuff’.
There is a brass fitting in the button that allows you to adjust after its set.
Quite clever.
Brand and new screws.
Notice I had to bore out the old since they had rusted.
Old ‘set stuff’, I think it’s too white to be putty, but perhaps the English putty are more white.
But I had a confirmation that it was putty we use for this.
Filling some new putty into each end, level are cleaned – ohhh yes, and having and espresso, while checking for new input on LJ.
Checking for level, and setting it in the putty.
I gave it a little extra on top, to secure it.
The level became fine, except the marking on the level from birth is a little of.
Since the putty will not be visual after, there is no reason for beauty.
Now the same tour with the little fellow for vertical level.
And here set, notice the new brass screws – dandy yes.
And finally some wax, and we are all ready to go!
(The dry up time for putty are up to two weeks).
Hope someone can bring some old levels back to life,
Best thoughts,
MaFe
-- Mad F, the fanatical rhykenologist and vintage architect. Democraticwoodworking.
10 comments so far
Napoleon
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786 posts in 1006 days
#1 posted 976 days ago
Nice restorations work on a wonderfull old tool.
Hmm there is missing something Mads…
Aha now i know what is…..were the heck is your pipe ?? :D
Well done mr jig :)
-- Boatbuilder&blacksmith
Dennisgrosen
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10851 posts in 1312 days
#2 posted 976 days ago
so you noticed it too Thomas ha ha ha
but its maybee becourse it ain´t a jiig and the coin is missing too …lol
great toturial Mads hope it will serve you well for a long time
take care
Dennis
SPalm
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4174 posts in 2079 days
#3 posted 976 days ago
Mads, it looks like you are having the time of your life.
Good for you.
I don’t have an old level, but it was fun watching you perform your love.
Steve
-- -- I'm no rocket surgeon
Chip
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1904 posts in 2289 days
#4 posted 976 days ago
Mads, are you sure you’re not from Antwerp, because you really know how to turn an ordinary rock into a priceless gem. ;-) Is it just me or does anyone else love the brass all over these tools he either makes or restores. Simply wonderful and thanks for the tutorial also!
-- Better to say nothing and be thought the fool... then to speak and erase all doubt!
swirt
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1864 posts in 1168 days
#5 posted 975 days ago
Nice restoration. I have an old 24” level that has a broken tube and glass …. one of these days I’ll get to it.
-- Galootish log blog, http://www.timberframe-tools.com
Napoleon
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786 posts in 1006 days
#6 posted 975 days ago
Aha Dennis so thats why he make so many jigs :D
-- Boatbuilder&blacksmith
mafe
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8084 posts in 1286 days
#7 posted 975 days ago
Ok – first of all! I do not smoke when I restore old levels, at least not this time, it’s a rule of life I have, or had…
Napoleon, I’m impressed you spottet that, but I tryed this time with a espresso!
Chip, I’m the same, brass on old tools, there are something about it, thats hart to beat for a 8 dollar Stanley plastic one…
Dennis, me too.
Swirt, you can buy these level tubes on e-bay, so just go for it!
Steve, do you have a new level? You seems to be such a staight guy, that perhaps you are just ded on… ;-)
Best thoughts,
Mads
-- Mad F, the fanatical rhykenologist and vintage architect. Democraticwoodworking.
Napoleon
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786 posts in 1006 days
#8 posted 975 days ago
Mafe when i read your first line i am not getting any wiser on if never smoke w´hen restore old tools or sometimes or or or….......LOOOL….......:D
Anyway i have found a place for that cup of coffe to today…
A place were there is a lot of old stuff ia any way you can think of and yes also old TOOLS…
And yes its for sale…..
Soo see you soon mate :)
-- Boatbuilder&blacksmith
mafe
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8084 posts in 1286 days
#9 posted 975 days ago
Wauuu that sounds just wonderful see you later mate,
Mads
-- Mad F, the fanatical rhykenologist and vintage architect. Democraticwoodworking.
Schwieb
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1136 posts in 1658 days
#10 posted 975 days ago
Good fix and a new life for a fine old tool. It will go well in the dovetail tool tote.
-- Dr. Ken, Florida - Durch harte arbeit werden Träume wahr.
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