If you’ve been looking for a hand level that’s precise and easy to take out into the field, an Abney level can be an excellent option to consider. Let’s take a look at these levels and the types of tasks for which they can be used, as well as take a look at our own professional-quality Abney level.
The Abney level has been around since the late 1800s, named for its inventor William Abney. The device includes a spirit level, as well as a fixed sighting tub and a protractor scale. This device can be used to determine the angle of an incline or slope as well as topographic elevation.
Abney levels often are used by surveyors and construction engineers, and while the level is not as precise as a total station or theodolite, it’s extremely lightweight and easy to carry, which is why these levels are still in common use today.
While Abney levels often are used to survey land for construction, such as determining whether or not the land is level before breaking ground on a new building or housing development, these levels also can be used to determine the grade of a railway or roadway.
This level can be used to measure the slope of a roof as well as check the alignment of solar panels to ensure that the panels absorb as many UV rays as possible. The device also can be used to ensure that drainage systems are graded properly, allowing water to flow away from a structure and out toward the street.
Foresters can use an Abney level to measure tree heights in a forest, and these levels also can be used to measure the heights of mountains, hills and buildings, depending on your needs. Of course, forester’s often use a forestry compass for these tasks, and we have an excellent forester’s compass available on our website.
The Abney level even can be used to measure the angle of a ski slope or even by photographers to ensure a level horizon. In fact, the Abney level’s inventor is considered to be a pioneer of modern photography.
In the past, Abney levels commonly were used to help study geography and to help create functional maps. Amateur cartographers could still use this instrument, as it is easy to tote and often less expensive than other types of cartography equipment.
How To Use An Abney Level
To use the Abney level, you will want to place the level on a flat surface, Jacob staff or tripod, using the spirit bubble to ensure that the surface is level. Of course, the level also can be held by the user, although you will need to ensure that the bubble in the spirit level is level as you complete your measurement tasks.
You then adjust the sighting tub to the target area you wish to measure, keeping the bubble level. Then you will want to read the angle of slope or inclination on the graduated arc.
Keep in mind, the Abney level is meant to be used for rough leveling and measuring tasks, such as an initial survey or a rough estimate of inclination, tree height or slope, etc. While our Abney level is highly precise, it won’t be as precise as one of our theodolites or total stations, but again, it’s lighter and also less expensive, which makes it an excellent practical option for many tasks.
Facts About Our Abney Level
Our WK-40-1750 Abney level is built to last and built for rugged environments. It weighs less than a pound, so it can be taken out into the field with ease. The level includes an internally adjustable bubble magnifier that can be focused to the user’s eye and locked in place, thus eliminating refocusing.
Our Abney level also is furnished with four scales, which allows the user to obtain one or a combination of slope readings, including chainage correction, degrees, topographic arc and percent of grade.
In addition to the Abney level, we also sell other types of leveling equipment and inclination measuring instruments including several digital protractors, electronic protractors, precision frame spirit levels, level meters, clinometers and more.
Contact Warren Knight Today!
At Warren Knight, we’ve been producing quality precision instruments for more than 100 years. Whether you need an Abney level, a clinometer, a theodolite, optical tools, forestry compasses, surveying equipment or even calibration services, the team at Warren Knight is here to help. If you don’t see exactly what you need on our website, contact us at any time as we may be able to provide you with a custom design.