How Tools Work
Lasers and Levels and Squares, oh my! The goal of Johnson Level's "Levelpedia" is to teach you about tools. In "How Tools Work", you will find descriptions for the most common laser levels, spirit levels and other types of squares; measuring, marking and layout tools; and other construction tools used by the professional contractor, but available to the do-it-yourselfer.
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Laser LevelsBack To Top
Johnson understands some people are intimidated by laser levels initially while others just don't know how laser levels can be used. Once we show you how laser levels work and give you a few ideas of how laser levels can be used, your entire world will change. In "How Laser Levels Work" you will find descriptions for the most common laser levels used in construction today.
What is a Builder's Level? How do Builder's Levels Work?
A builder's level is used in the construction field to set up level points and to check elevations. It is an optical instrument used mainly in surveying and building but is also useful for transferring, setting, or measuring horizontal levels. The tripod the builder's level is being set up on must b...
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Story Poles
Story Pole A story pole, is the simplest type of leveling rod. Story poles are constructed as needed on job sites and simply consist of only the measurements that are needed for the job. Story poles should be constructed of a sturdy material such as lumber and construction netting; they should also...
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Grade Rods: All About Grade Rods
Grade Rod A Grade Rod or leveling rod, is a graduated rod used to determine differences in elevation. Grade Rods can be used with surveyor, optical and laser levels. Grade Rods can be made up of several different materials; however, the most common are made out of: Wood Plastic Fiberglass G...
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Glossary of Laser Level Terms
ACCURACY The tolerance of the laser beam at a certain distance from the tool (i.e. ± ¼" per 100'). This indicates how far the beam may deviate from 'perfect' measurement. APERTURE The location from which laser light is emitted from the laser tool. AUTO-LEVELING A method where...
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Dot Laser Levels / Plumb Laser Levels
Today, the three most common types of laser levels are Rotary Laser Levels, Line Laser Levels (or Line Generators) and Dot Laser Levels (or Multi-Point Lasers). This article focuses on the technical specifications of Dot Laser Levels. Dot Laser Level Output Dot Laser Levels project two, three or f...
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Automatic Levels: All About Automatic Laser Levels
Automatic laser levels, or self-leveling instruments, have become a much more common optical instrument on construction sites. These levels are replacing alternatives, such as builder's levels, because they are easier to use and quicker to set up. Automatic laser levels remain level and accurate no ...
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Transit Levels: All About Transit Levels
Transit Levels A transit level is an optical instrument, or a telescope, complete with a built-in spirit level that is mounted on a tripod. Transit levels are used mainly for surveying and building, but they can be used to determine the relative position of lines and objects as well. Transit levels...
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Rotary Laser Levels
Rotary laser levels are used for construction projects indoors to shoot a 360-degree horizontal or vertical beam around a room, or outdoors to be used with a laser detector and grade rod for excavation for both digging down or building up. There are a variety of rotary laser levels to choose from. A...
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What is a Tripod? How do Tripods for Laser Levels Work?
A tripod is a three-legged stand, important in providing the foundation for laser levels and other leveling instruments such as: rotary laser levels, line laser levels, dot laser levels, builder's levels, transit levels, automatic levels and even sometimes torpedo laser levels. Most laser level ma...
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Laser Line Levels
Today, the three most common types of laser levels are Rotary Laser Levels, Laser Line Levels (or Line Generators) and Dot Laser Levels (or Multi-Point Lasers) This article focuses on the technical specifications of Laser Line Levels. Laser Line Level Line Laser Levels project a beam of light typ...
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Magnetic Pulley (Sheave) Alignment Lasers
Magnetic Pulley (Sheave) Alignment Defined All Johnson pulley (sheave) alignment systems are accurate enough to exceed belt manufactures' recommendations for drive belt alignment. This includes Standard V, Synchronous, Polyflex® and Micro-V® belts that should be aligned within ¼°...
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Theodolites: All About Theodolites
Theodolites A theodolite is a precision instrument used for measuring angles both horizontally and vertically. Theodolites can rotate along their horizontal axis as well as their vertical axis. Theodolites have a lot in common with transits. A transit is a surveying instrument tha...
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Q&A on Laser Levels
Q: Where can I get my Johnson laser level serviced when it is out of warranty?A: Please click the link for Service Centers under Support in the main menu for a complete list of Authorized Non-Warranty Repair Centers. Q: Does the Johnson Level & Tool limited warranty apply to items purchased on o...
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Lasers 101: 27 Question Laser Level Quiz
QuestionsQ1: What are the three most common laser level types?(a) Rotary Laser; (b) Line Laser; (c) Power Laser; (d) Dot Laser; (e) Cordless LaserQ2: True or FalseRotary laser levels project a beam of light 360° allowing the user to establish a horizontal or vertical plane?Q3: True or FalseRotar...
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LevelsBack To Top
Johnson knows levels have been around for hundreds of years but that doesn't mean common knowledge is always common. In "How Levels Work", you will find descriptions for the most common types of levels.
Wood Levels | Spirit Levels
Wood Level Overview The wood level has been around for over 100 years. Over the last 15 years in the U.S. however, there are fewer wood levels sold as professionals begin replacing wood levels with box beam levels. Wood levels can be made either of a solid piece of wood, like birch or mahogany, or...
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I-Beam Levels
I-Beam Level Overview I-Beam levels got their name from their shape; if you look at the level on its end, you can see it looks like the letter "i". I-beam levels are made out of aluminum but their weight can very from a very thick and sturdy construction to a lighter gauge aluminum. Typ...
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Spirit Levels Vials, Pitch Level Vials, Bubble Level Vials
The heart of any level is the vial. And without a strong heart, it doesn’t matter how strong your body is, you will not be effective. This article is all about spirit level vials, pitch level vials and bubble level vials. Typically levels are referred to as spirit levels or bubble...
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Spirit Level Information
There are many manufactures of spirit levels including Johnson Level, Empire Level, Stabila and Stanley or Stanley/Bostitch, to name the most well known brands. But despite the different makers, a spirit levels use and features are roughly the same. A Spirit Level is a tool used to indicate how para...
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Box Levels | Box Beam Levels
Box Beam Level Overview Box beam levels or box levels are a type of spirit level and are called such because of the shape of the level frame. If you were to cut the box level in half, you would see the aluminum is formed (extruded) in the shape of a rectangle(or box)and is generally hollow in the m...
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Levels 101: Spirit Level Vial Quiz
Questions Q1: Why is a level called a spirit level? What is a spirit level? Q2: Is the shape of the level vial a cylinder shape or a barrel shape? Q3: How big is the bubble in the level? Q4: What is the bubble in the spirit level or bubble level made of? Q5: Why do some levels, particularly woo...
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Q&A on Levels
Q: Does the Johnson Level & Tool limited warranty apply to items purchased on on-line auction sites such as e-Bay?A: No. Our warranty states "Seller extends the following limited warranty to the initial purchaser and first end-user only..." We consider anything sold on auct...
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Other ToolsBack To Top
Although Johnson is the leader in levels and lasers, there are more tools in the toolbox than that. In "How Other Tools Work", allow us to expand your knowledge of a variety of squares, measuring tools, marking tools, layout tools and other hand tools.
Service Manuals
Digital Levels 406028406048 40-6060 40-6080 Replace per Service Policy Replace per Service Policy Replace per Service Policy 40-6065 40-64 Replace per Service Policy Replace per Service Policy ...
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Service Policies
Non-Warranty Repairs and Service Guidelines Are there any signs of physical abuse? If Yes, then Non-Warranty Repair Some situations could exist where unit has been clearly abused, but cause of product failure is manufacturing defect. These situations should be dealt with on a case...
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Johnson Level 98-Inch Aluminum Cutting Guide
Johnson Level & Tool J4900 98-Inch Aluminum Cutting Guide The Johnson Level & Tool 98-Inch Aluminum Cutting Guide is a rip guide that is designed to give you a straight edge for ripping plywood stock, doors and other large objects that may be too big to put through a table saw. It is made ...
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Combination Squares
A combination square is a multi-use measuring instrument which is primarily used for ensuring the integrity of a 90° angle, measuring a 45° angle, determining level or plumb, measuring the center of a circular object, find depth, and simple distance measurements. The versatility of the combi...
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Carpentry Tools: Rafter Angle Squares
Speed the job of rafter or angle layout by using our Rafter Angle Square. With one number on our square you can frame a roof or a solar panel support, or layout stairs, cabinets, trim work, or many other construction projects. Johnson's Rafter Angle Square has a handy 6" rule for quick measurements...
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Carpentry Tools: T-Bevels
A sliding T-bevel is an instrument that is used for both laying out and transferring angles. These tools are pivotal for many different kinds of construction jobs, especially for those in which the ideal 90° angles are not possible. With the sliding T-bevel, one is able to conform his/her projec...
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Laser Distance Measure
Accurate Measuring: Fast & Easy How many times have you stood there thinking "How am I going to take this measurement by myself?" Often this situation will generate an inaccurate measurement and usually frustration will lead an unsafe situation. The Johnson Laser Distance Measure (model # 40-60...
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