Hand Levels

Land surveyors, developers, and excavators use a hand level to get a rough idea of where the grading is on a particular area. This type of sight level is great for doing preliminary land survey work and distance estimation, because it’s an easy way to come up with a “cut and fill” plan while grading a site for construction. It can also give you an easy way to determine if a specific area of land is generally level. If you’re looking for any type of hand-held sight level that you can use for your next project, feel free to look at what we have at Engineer Supply.

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Johnson Level Hand Held Sight Level 80-5556

ES2805

$24.99

David White 620 2X Sight Level (43-D620)

ES6446

$26.99

SitePro Hand Level (2 Models Available)

ES5937

$68.50

Seco 2X Stadia Hand Level 4300KR

ET13085

$153.99

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Hand Levels Features

Read our Helpful Article: Hand Levels and Abney Levels and Dumpney Levels

Simple operation

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Built for professionals

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WHAT IS A HAND LEVEL?

This type of sight level is a hand-held telescope with an attached spirit level. When you look through it, you can compare different points against a specific reference point. And its internal stadia marking helps you to determine distance. This hand-held sight level is not for precision work, but it’s good for getting estimates of grade and distance. It can be used by professionals who do paving, brick laying, as well as any type grading or excavation work. If you’re looking for a hand level from a top-rated manufacturer, be sure to look at what we have at Engineer Supply.

HOW TO MAKE HAND LEVEL ADJUSTMENTS

You want to make sure nothing is loose inside, which you can do by shaking it. This will make sure you get the best results. Tighten the lens by taking a screwdriver and pressing it down on the ring until it doesn’t shake. Removing the lens will expose the screw. Take a Phillips screwdriver, and turn it clockwise to raise the line of sight. Turning it in the opposite direction will lower it. The best way to adjust this type of hand-held sight level is to use a 5-foot steady stick and placing it on a level floor. Take a 6-foot folding pocket rod, and stand it against the wall. Stand 20 feet away from the rod, and center your bubble precisely. If the readings on the rod is within five feet against the wall, the hand level is well calibrated. Otherwise, you’ll have to adjust the line of sight if you’re too high or low.

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THE IDEAL TOOL FOR A QUICK GRADING REFERENCE

A hand level is an ideal tool for getting a quick grading reference in a specific area. And at Engineer Supply, we carry some of the best brands in the industry. Not only do we have a variety of models, but we can also offer them to you at a reasonable price. That’s why we’re one of the best choices for finding quality survey tools online. If you’re looking for this type of sight level, be sure to look at what we have in stock.

GETTING ROUGH ESTIMATES OF LAYOUT AND DISTANCE

If you need to get a rough estimate of layout and distance, this hand-held sight level is the perfect tool. While it’s not for precision work, it can give you some idea of what you need to do going forward. A hand level is great for anyone who does excavation, lawn layouts, or any job that requires layout and leveling work. Feel free to look at what we have in stock, so you can find the right sight level for your specific needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a hand level?

A hand level is a practical and inexpensive tool that can be useful for both professionals and consumers, and it has a variety of uses. It allows you to compare different points against a reference point, which makes it handy for doing rough leveling work. While it’s not meant to give you precise results, professional land surveyors and grading contractors will use this type of sight level to do a rough estimate instead of setting up a tripod with a more precise leveling instrument.

How does a hand level work?

A hand level is a spirit level that’s inside of a telescope. You just look through the device, but you want to make sure you don’t place cover the spirit vial because it will be hard to see the bubble if there isn’t enough incoming light. From there, you can raise or lower the front end until the bubble is center.

How do I use a hand level?

You can properly use a hand level by taking the following steps:

Hold the device at eye level and look through the telescope.
Make sure you don’t cover the spirit vial, because it will be hard to read if there isn’t enough incoming light.
Raise or lower the front end of the hand-held sight leveluntil the bubble centers in the viewing window.

Once the bubble has centered, you have found level.

Can a hand level be used for surveying?

While it’s not meant for precision work, professional surveyors and grading contractors will often use this type of sight level to get a rough estimate of the area’s grade level instead of taking the time to set up more precise equipment. It’s a great tool for performing preliminary survey and distance estimations, which can be helpful in the following applications:

Lawn layouts
Paving
Brick laying
Building retaining walls
Grading and excavation
Sheds and pergolas
Fencing

Feel free to look at what we have in stock, so you can choose from a variety of hand levels from top-rated manufacturers.

Where can I buy a quality hand level?

If you’re looking for a place where can find a broad selection of hand levels as well as a number of surveying and construction tools, Engineer Supply has everything you need. If you’re ready to buy a hand-held sight level that you can use for preliminary grading and layout work, be sure to look at what we have in stock.