Restoration on another LEVEL - Victorian Era Level
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Published 2022-07-24
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Hey everybody,
In this video I am restoring a very old spirit level. Based on my research I assume the old tools is from the victorian era in england. I found the same model in an online antique store with stamps from london. However, this historical spirit level I'm working on has no visible markings of a manufacturer.
The bubble levels are in different condition. One is broken and the other one is cracked as it turns out later.
The spirit level also has an elongated core hole, which is probably used to align the level towards a fixed point. Happy to learn more about this from you in the comments.
The spirit level was sold to me as a mahagony spirit level and is framed by tarnished brass mounts.
I start the restoration by disassembling everything as always. After I have all the parts in front of me, I first pack the brass parts in a vinegar dough for 48 hours. This dissolves surface contamination and simplifies further processing considerably.
After all the parts have been cleaned, the two support surfaces are ground and given a matte finish to protect the optics from scratches during use. On the other hand, I polish the housing of the lateral bubble and the counter plate to a high gloss. I like this contrast of matt and polished finish a lot.
Then i take care of the wood itself. First, I fill the worn screw holes with mini dowels. I then sand down the roughly applied paint.
I discover some markings under the paint. Contrary to my expectations, however, it is in german.
Since it was common in england for stores or retailers to leave their markings on jewelry and tools, it is quite possible that the spirit level I found online is also a german product that was only sold in england.
Since the natural wood color has faded from the sun, I stain the wood in mahogany reddish brown. I show how to stain in detail.
Then i seal the wood with wood wax.
The total of 17 small screws I sand in a mini tumbler that I quickly build.
Last but not least, I replace the broken bubble levels.
I had to look for replacements for a very long time and found only one store that sells such special sizes made of genuine glass.
So if you are also searching, then have a look here:
messtechnik-mollenkopf.de/schleife-Glasroehrenlibe…
Since the smaller bubble level has markings that don't quite fit into the brass housing and the optics are therefore not perfect, I turn the marking of this dragonfly onto the ground. It is so fully visible. In addition, the brass house of the bubble level is helping with orientation anyways.
This time I tested a "Bernstein Bion Kellerbier", which really scored high.
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IMPLOTEX 3000 Compressor:
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Powder Coating Gun:
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Laser Engraver
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Fein Multimaster MM 700
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Bosch Professional Impact Drill GSB 18V-110 C
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Sandblasting Cabinet
420 Liter
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350 Liter
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220 Liter
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Kamera - Sony AX53
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Stay healthy
Dr Beer
00:00 - Intro
00:56 - Disassembly I
01:22 - Stop motion
02:00 - Disassembly I
02:38 - Cleaning brass/ Sanding brass
04:54 - Restoring polished brass
08:52 - Restoring Wood
11:10 - How to stain wood
12:45 - Mini DIY rotary tumbler
14:33 - Nickel Plating
15:20 - Replacement bubble levels
16:24 - Beer Test
17:18 - Assembly
19:27 - Leveling a level
21:11 - Results
22:18 - Wrapping it for auction
Music:
Elegant Logo by Free Music | soundcloud.com/fm_freemusic
Music promoted by www.free-stock-music.com/
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License
creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Stopmotion:
Ecossaise in E-flat by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/?keywords=ecoss…
Artist: incompetech.com/
Result Scene:
Your Lullaby - Per-Olov Kindgren & The Gaugolon Orchestra
with friendly permission by:
Per-Olov Kindgren youtube.com/channel/UCDDq...
Jimmy Quango youtube.com/channel/UCDTh...
and The Gaugolon Orchestra
soundcloud.com/gaugolon.
shindo life codes
All Comments (21)
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WARNING: Dad-level pun in title xD
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I absolutely loved your little stop-motion of the screws "un-screwing themselves" ! That probably took as long as the whole restoration. Very nicely done, all of it.
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To use the crosshairs you put the level at the elevation you want, get it level and then look towards the crosshairs from the other end to a stick marked with elevation lines, it’s basically a very simple site level
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Another not terrible restoration. You continue to do such good not terrible work.
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The screws were brilliant! Not only did they unscrew themselves, but they also lined up behind the scale 🤣. This whole project was exquisite. You, sir, are an artist.
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It's so fun watching your videos. Entertaining but also both educational & calming. Thanks again for your great work 👍👍👍
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It seems that the long bore and the target glass are used to align horizontally a distant point (zbs on a wall) with the spirit level ( funny that in german it is a Wasserwaage). Either by looking through it or by projecting a light in the dark. I guess you need your apprentice on the receiving end!
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I love the stop motion! It is totally underrated and no one realizes the time it takes until you film it yourself. Wonderful job and very satisfying video! 😃 I started a level restoration, but gave up on it… maybe I should try again.
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I'm just binging these videos....without the sound on because my kid is sleeping next to me. Seriously, what a delight. Thanks for sharing.
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This is one of my favorite restorations ever, I felt like you beautifully balanced restoring it to good shape with honoring it for the antique that it is. The wood restoration especially feels authentically old while also clean and in good shape.
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i have seen similar crosshair type lenses on high precision milling machines to mark x and y axis level simultaneously . I believe there should be another bubble vial beneath it. you did an impressive job, congrats .
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Finally a way to watch someone remove several of the same screws that isn't boring lol. The stop motion part was very cool and fun to watch bud
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Never know you to shy away from work. You always go the extra mile. Great to see your work.
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love the way you line up the screwheads, a sign of someone who takes pride in their work
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Next ‘level’ mate. 😄 Great job, I am really impressed! You always put so much love in your work, it’s really an inspiration ✌🏻
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Really nice job, love old tools, the quality and workmanship that went into making them makes them worth restoring. Good work 👍
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Crosshair window was probably used with another lenticular shaped level tube that's since been lost, as a way to check for perfect vertical, such as one finds on the rear of some drills these days. They'd line up the bit and brace to the level, making sure the bubble was centered in the crosshairs, then drill the hole.
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You did a top notch job on this restoration and I REALLY love that you explain everything step by step. Keep up the great work and I wait with anticipation for your next video.
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Your trick with the rotating jar of sand is ultra clever! I’m learning a lot! And thanks for providing such useful information in the CC.
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only found this channel tonight. I was so impressed with this restoration that I instantly subscribed then spent most of my shift at work watching 19 of your videos ! Long may you keep up the good work
