Swear to god, I didn't know what that little screw was for. Learned something!

@WoodByWrightHowTo

19 күн бұрын

You should take it apart sometime it's a little mechanism inside is rather genius.

@frrapp2366

19 күн бұрын

well my thought to you rex is any tool is good to have! yes as a carver, or wood crafter you may not use certain tools very much BUT wait till you need to set a rafter or repair a window in his shop ! no disrespect rex i love your hand work But:)

@CeeJayThe13th

16 күн бұрын

My comment I was composing in my head started with "I swear to God" lol

They used spirits because it didn't freeze.

Old bricklayer/hobbiest woodworker here, I like using a level instead of winding sticks when I'm hand planing boards flat. You don't have to keep setting up the sticks and walking around to sight them, just plop a level down right where you're standing.

@tatehogan5685

15 күн бұрын

@@ronchurch8068 interesting method, I'll have to give that a try... after I level my bench 🙃

@thepizzagod420

Күн бұрын

​@@tatehogan5685 level the level to the level of your bench

Rex is making his dis track right now.

@Michaelsmercedes

5 күн бұрын

Dude I heard he's getting stumpynubs to produce it. It's gonna get dusty

I had heard that the use of 'spirits' (a.k.a. alcohol) was so that they wouldn't freeze, which also led to them being referred to as 'whiskey sticks'.

Never knew wooden ones were adjustable, even though it totally makes sense. That said, I never owned one, but always like to learn more. Thanks for showing that!

I find my spirit level useful as a straight edge. I use it for that way more than for putting up curtain rails

@kent5400

20 күн бұрын

As a straight edge with parallel edges, a pair of them also make a good pair of winding sticks.

@mikeking7470

19 күн бұрын

And the aluminum levels work better in that role than the plastic ones, although a 4-foot plastic level works OK just don't try it with a 8-foot level, too much flex.

The "Dadness" of the spooky spirit level did garner a chuckle. Thanks for that.

When the spirit moves you, new video ideas bubble up!

I just got my first 3 wooden levels as part of a vintage tool lot I bought. Had seen Rex's video, so didn't think too much of them. Glad you made this video!!

That’s the spirit 👍🏼

@ianpearse4480

19 күн бұрын

Or is that Whiskey? LOL.

I for 1 appreciate you leveling w/ us.

I also didn't know you could adjust an old level!

“They filled them with spirits! OOOOoooooOOo” killed me 😂😂. Laser levels are so cool and useful for a million things… plus, everything’s better with lasers!

These videos keep getting better, you really are leveling up your content!

When I worked in an cabinet shop we used them to build stages that we would then use to build accurate woodwork.

Levels are handy, therefore we all need one

The spirit moves me

You’re always so levelheaded James great video

Thanks for leveling with us. Always informative and entertaining.

Im glad you finally called out that charletan. Every time I watch one of his videos as soon as it comes out early on patreon I just think this guy grrrrr.

James, there's a huge difference between needing something and wanting something. And I do want one! 😂 Thanks for the video!!! Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

@randallthomas5207

19 күн бұрын

True, but if you are an American, your want to need threshold can be measured in milliseconds. And most Americans have a hard time differentiating their wants from their needs.

The wood working drama plot thickens....

Hahaha, I especially loved the title and the first minute of this video :D I can guess your nxt video: Why Rex was wrong and you actually do need plans for woodworking!

I use two different levels (one wood, one aluminum) as winding sticks.

@peterfitzpatrick7032

16 күн бұрын

Never hear much about those useful things anymore... strange, given the poor quality of lumber these days... 🙄😕

This video moved me to another level. Thanks for sharing.

I tend to only use mine if the thing i made needs hanging, or, like you said, if i made a stool or chair, since my bench is level. There have been a couple cases where i was making something with weird angles and curves that had a shelf i wanted parallel to the ground though, and i used a level there to mark out where my joinery needed to be.

They would sometimes mix them with coke levels too.

Worked with a guy once who used a water level. 30 or more feet of plastic tubing and water. It worked very well, in fact, well enough for them to use when building the pyramids in Egypt. Now days, every one uses the laser levels.... that is cheating, but it does work....

😳 Ha! A tool that I love and actually use quite often! 👍 Many totems are like a "post" and need to be true plumb, which is quite difficult when you are trying to eye-ball-it on sloped or uneven ground... or in gardens or with flowerpots. 👍

your video made me smile and a slight chuckle. thanks james

Finally, the beef we've all been waiting for!!

I'm old now but when I was young the old carpenters called them whiskey sticks.

Started to frame my parent's garage with a new level and found out after 3 walls that the level was off quite a bit.

Ah c'mon James ... you can level with us!

Some of us do both woodwork & construction. On a slightly different note I have a book, published in 1926 called 'The Building Educator' which shows a bricklayers level which is a plumb bob in a close fitting frame, very accurate for plumb but level relies on a 90 degree square. I think a lot of the time they just eye-balled level ( also judging from the internal bricks, usually covered in lime plaster).

This was an excellently entertaining video. I always love it when you and Rex play with each other! Keep it coming. I really enjoy your channel and have learned a lot. You and Rex got me started on my woodworking journey. I had a thought that there might be another good reason to use alcohol in your "sprit level" rather than water. It keeps the vial from freezing and breaking in cold weather. Alcohol freezes at -173.5 degrees and mineral spirits at about -105 degrees depending on the formulation. I suspect that is the "real" reason they used mineral spirits or alcohol rather than the stated reason that it makes the bubble move faster. I think the old time carpenters were patient enough to wait for the bubble to settle, but probably thought it was quite a paint to replace a broken vial. Just a thought.

@WoodByWrightHowTo

19 күн бұрын

Right on. There are several other reasons for it. I just mentioned one of them.

@stephenaubuchon2442

19 күн бұрын

@@WoodByWrightHowTo Cool! What are they?

@WoodByWrightHowTo

19 күн бұрын

It has less chance of getting foggy from bacteria. It won't expand as much in the sun. It is easier to seal the glass as it boils at a hotter temperature. Lower surface tension will let the bubble move easier.

@stephenaubuchon2442

19 күн бұрын

@@WoodByWrightHowTo Great, Thanks!

Thanks for leveling with us (sorry, not sorry). However, I have about 15 levels (don't ask), many wooden, and zero of them have the adjustment screw! Fortunately, I now know that I need none of them.

Heh: Rex is wrong? Honestly, most of the times I used my level was as a nice handy straightedge. But when i decided I hew out my own lumber from a tree I cut down, I found the level was indispensable: Get the log fixed in place, got the small end and determine what size square you want: draw it up plumb and level, then go to the fat end, and draw the same square on that end also plumb and level and you're going to hew a log without too much wind or twist on it's length and the sides basically parallel from the git go, which makes truing up the final beam much easier. Used that process for my Roubo-workbench-from-trees project.

Better have one and not need, than need one and not have it :P

Snide remark!

Noooo, i use my vintage tools when i do timberframing, it will look odd to have a modern level in my tool chest.😮 I have modern levels, but only at home.

Whiskey Stick!

One of the very few channels i to to summon up the strength to leave a comment each and every time.

Love the cross overs! And double the views!

My plumb is so old it a prune...IYKYK

6:39 and if all that still doesn’t work for a 4leg taburete or chair place some cork in the legs or carpet or something squishy because can happen that you check it on a flat surface but the floor that’s gonna be used isnt that flat or the floor is from ceramic tiles and those also warp and expand like wood does with the grain

The biggest use of my levels are for hanging anything on a wall, Trying to level from a plumb is a challenge I don't have a 3rd hand for.

I have a few levels; an old small one and three modern raging from torpedo to three feet+ (100 cm). I use them rarely. However, the largest one I have came in handy when I needed to check the base of my new workbench. It's upside down and checking the underside of the bench top and comparing the ends of the legs and the stretchers was just quick and easy with a level.

Thanks for the fun today, James!

I use 2 levels in my woodworking very, very frequently. But not to level things--as cheap, easily balanced straightedges. :)

I think you did your level best on this one.

I appreciate that you know that the people supporting you on Patreon would be called patrons, not like those other people that call them patreons.

The only thing that follows me home anymore are $5 saws. Especially ones with clean and straight plates.

As a howitzer section chief, seem lil I as always asking my gunner about his bubbles.

... A very level-headed assessment.

I believe its called a carpenter's level that you have there. If you are not a carpenter, you probably will never use one. There are many uses for levels when building them. If Rex doesn't need one, then too bad for him. It's hip to be square, level and plumb.

Gotta hide this one from my other half or i'd have to get rid of some tools. I've got two 6 footers, plus a 4 footer, a 3 footer and a 1 footer. Oh, and a home made water level.

thanks James.

I build flintlocks rifles and I use many different levels all the time both in wood in metal work along with angle gauges and depth gauges and good old rulers and straight edges , Love your video's

Great tutorial! Thanks for sharing this.

I thought I was right once. Lol🤣

Excellent video! Both very educational and fun.

Actually, they used spirits as a way of drinking at work without having to bring in a bottle.

@ricos1497

16 күн бұрын

Yep, as long as you don't swallow the bubble, you can top it up and use it again the following day.

I think you and Rex should fight. With levels. 😂

If you are doing an epoxy pour it’s important that things are level or your epoxy could run off. A level can also be used if you’re trying to align guide rails for a slab flatting jig for a router… admittedly not hand tools. I also use two as make shift winding sticks when I need long winding sticks or one as a long straight edge. A level is probably a tool most home owners are going to have anyway. But great video… just commenting to comment.

On the level as always

I am using two identical levels, good quality made from aluminium alloy as winding sticks

A level is a handy shop tool for a long straight edge

Very interesting!! Thanks for covering this topic!

Thank you Sir.🎉

as a carpenterI use a level all the time

Yea! No more levels! That’s on the level!

This video is on the level

I love your videos and rex's just watched you hand tool restoration video was great. Anywho I need a Stanley 55 left sided fence and a center screw for the adjustable skate. 😊

Thanks for sharing that!

I use my levels in the workshop as straight edges. Every time I joint some boards or true up warped timber.

I know I'm spreading heresy here; but I use my 2' and 4' aluminum levels heavily for handtool work. They're my winding sticks, straight edges, and a decent enough ruler for layout work. I also like to put masking tap on the unmarked face and use that as a reusable story stick. They come in handy for checking plumb and level, too.

Very little editing. Scary stream of consciousness. You da man.

I've used levels a lot when I installed all the doors and windows in my house, and when I did the siding.

@WoodByWrightHowTo

17 күн бұрын

Yup. Carpenters use them all the time.

Levels make really good straight edges.

In the spirit of appreciation, I would have categorized this video as 'level headed', but that pun didn't appear in the video. So sad.

An old hillbilly I knew used to call them Whiskey sticks

Got to level with you I use my levels,for working on the house does that count .As I wouldn’t be allowed to have my precious shed if I didn’t work on the house.

I have newer levels. Really only use them when I need winding sticks. So nowadays, l just wing it when I need to be on the leve. 😂😂

You need to reach the level where you need a level. 😉

When I watched this video I thought you were a half bubble off. So I flipped the phone 180 degrees and you were still a half bubble off. So if what you say is true, I guess you’re on the level.

One time , during a high rise building, when I was done with the multi level parking underground, I was assigned to a much needed position of Stairs ways since they had lost 3 crewmen in the ever increasing height of the stairs ways not formed up. Right away I saw 2 issues they didn’t. 1- there was no safety deck to protect the workers inside the shaft that had missed 7 pours ! This was because the crew had been nearly killed by falling debris! 2- the back wall was badly out of plumb and I pointed the out right away at the 2nd floor level. It was 3/4” per floor out of plumb as I without a large 8 foot level could see using just my tape measure and common scene. Did they listen? No, and when the building reached the 12 and final floor the ramparts were 8 inches out of alignment !! Needless to say, the construction company lost their license… All because they didn’t check their crews plumbers and level of their levels

I tried my level best to find something witty to say, but being level headed and not wanting to burst anyones bubble I decided to stay true to the spirit of you tube and say nothing ! flat.

That’s a plumb bob? (No it’s a screwdriver…which is a kind of chisel….)

Yeah in woodworking it's basically only gonna be useful during install and only on pieces that have a permanent or semi permanent position. Bench tops, tables, shelving, etc. Obviously not helpful for something like a chair that's gonna be moving from place to place. I definitely use my level most often as a straight edge, but occasionally I have a need to use it as intended and I'm glad to have it.

Put a level on the level...

Wholesome woodworker beef

As with any tools, if you need a tool, you need to have it. Or do you need that 5 and 16/4 smoothing Jack rabbet plane?😅

I have noticed that most level-headed woodworkers have at least one level in their shop. (Caveat: correlation does not imply causation).

Snide remark: Your bald

Spirited away down below

Whiskey stick

I thought Rex said you don’t need a vintage level, because unlike many modern hand planes, modern levels work just fine

@WoodByWrightHowTo

19 күн бұрын

For the most part. It's not that modern levels work just fine it's that there really isn't a huge use for them and really no need for any of the longer ones just a simple small bubble level will do fine.

I have a old wooden level that followed me home from my in-laws house 😂