There's a very simple method to get accurate points of level with using a clear plastic tube and water.
The longest standard type of beam level (with vials) I have is 6'. There's been times I needed to get level lines longer than that, and used a straight edged board and just placed a level on the straightedge. Or, keep using the length of the level from a previous mark. That is cumbersome and not easily held in place especially if you have to make a line or marks, and you're working alone. I recently had to hang a series of wood carvings with them all lined up level on a 10' wall, and around the corner, continue with the same level line.
A single tube water level can be made as described here. Or, just using a clear tube, of any length, fill with water and hold (or tape to the wall) one end. Then at the other end, reduce the water in the tube to have a float height that is short of the length, but sufficient to find a level point for the length you want to mark off. As you raise or lower the unsecured end, the water level in the tube will be equal to the secured end. Then just make a mark for that point.
I may not have explained this sufficiently, but to get the idea of how it works, for an example, take a clear tube approximately 8' long, 3/8" - 1/2" ID, and hold the ends together and allow the loop at the bottom to hang free. Fill with water so the water line is about 2"-3" short of the ends. Then move the ends up or down to each other and the water level stays even.
When using a tube longer than needed, the tube can be gathered on the floor. This type of water level idea has been around a long time. IIRC, a 25' length of 1/2" ID cost less than $8.
If you're a laser level lover (say that fast 5 times)...this will work if your batteries go dead, or it breaks, or if it's out of adjustment, or if you can't find it, or you loaned it out and didn't get it back, or you're out in bright sun light.
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The longest standard type of beam level (with vials) I have is 6'. There's been times I needed to get level lines longer than that, and used a straight edged board and just placed a level on the straightedge. Or, keep using the length of the level from a previous mark. That is cumbersome and not easily held in place especially if you have to make a line or marks, and you're working alone. I recently had to hang a series of wood carvings with them all lined up level on a 10' wall, and around the corner, continue with the same level line.
A single tube water level can be made as described here. Or, just using a clear tube, of any length, fill with water and hold (or tape to the wall) one end. Then at the other end, reduce the water in the tube to have a float height that is short of the length, but sufficient to find a level point for the length you want to mark off. As you raise or lower the unsecured end, the water level in the tube will be equal to the secured end. Then just make a mark for that point.
I may not have explained this sufficiently, but to get the idea of how it works, for an example, take a clear tube approximately 8' long, 3/8" - 1/2" ID, and hold the ends together and allow the loop at the bottom to hang free. Fill with water so the water line is about 2"-3" short of the ends. Then move the ends up or down to each other and the water level stays even.
When using a tube longer than needed, the tube can be gathered on the floor. This type of water level idea has been around a long time. IIRC, a 25' length of 1/2" ID cost less than $8.
If you're a laser level lover (say that fast 5 times)...this will work if your batteries go dead, or it breaks, or if it's out of adjustment, or if you can't find it, or you loaned it out and didn't get it back, or you're out in bright sun light.
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) more easily.
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