Level doesnt show level when turned 180 degrees?

[JEDI]

i'm using this to level a picture frame.

Lowes:

the horizontal bubble is on the left vial.

when I got the picture frame leveled, it doesn't look level when I step back and look at it.

I put the level back on the picture frame. the bubble in the vial is now close to the line instead of center.
I noticed this time the horizontal vial is on the right side of the level instead of the left.
I swap it back so that the vial is on left side, it shows perfectly level.
(I put the level in the same spot.)

WTF?!

 

[JManInPhoenix]

Not sure if this is what you are running into but houses generally are not perfectly measured. I hung a two pictures - one of the left side of the wall and one on the right and when I stepped back, one looked lower. I had measured from the ceiling down on both of them. Lo and behold, the room was about 2" shorter on one side than the other.

 

[videogames101]

shitty level?

 

[Rakehellion]

I put my level back on and the bubble is close to the line. but vial is now on the right side.

What?

 

[JEDI]

What?

I put the level back on the picture frame. the bubble in the vial is now close to the line instead of center.
I noticed this time the horizontal vial is on the right side of the level instead of the left.

 

[who?]

The long edges of the level aren't perfectly parallel. If you can't find an imperfection that's causing this figure out which side is perpendicular to the ends and work on the other side.

 

[who?]

I wonder if it's more accurate when the printing is right side up.

 

[lxskllr]

Your level's dicked up. Figure out which side is right, mark it, and use it all the time. There may be adjustments on it to fix the bubble, but probably not.

Edit:
Ignore above. That doesn't apply to your level.

 

[herm0016]

i always check them on both sides to make sure the sides are parallel when i purchase.

i would return it and check the next one before purchase.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Make sure it isn't bent. Get another straight edge and compare. Aluminum levels are bad about getting bent if dropped.

 

[Humpy]

I wonder if it's more accurate when the printing is right side up.

No, but it is more accurate if the printing spells out Stabila.

 

[mikeford]

The bubble tube always will show true level. The issue is that the bubble tube is not oriented parallel to the edge of the level. Replace the level with a good one.

 

[silverpig]

Did you flip it and rotate it, or just rotate it?

Like, did you use the same side of the level being down for both measurements?

If the same side of the level was resting on the picture frame, then it sounds like the picture frame is bent, or there is something sticking up on it somewhere.

If the bottom of the level in the first measurement is now on the top in the second, then you may have an issue with the bubble in the level not being parallel to the edges.

 

[Jaepheth]

If you got it at Lowes you should be able to exchange it without issue.

 

[JEDI]

Make sure it isn't bent. Get another straight edge and compare. Aluminum levels are bad about getting bent if dropped.

The bubble tube always will show true level. The issue is that the bubble tube is not oriented parallel to the edge of the level. Replace the level with a good one.

thx. will get another one

If you got it at Lowes you should be able to exchange it without issue.

bought it a while ago. no receipt.


so basically, if the level doesn't read level when you turn it 180 degrees, then it's a bad level.
time to get a new one?

 

[lxskllr]

so basically, if the level doesn't read level when you turn it 180 degrees, then it's a bad level.
time to get a new one?

Levels should have two vials. I suppose one vial could be double ground though. Anyway, the way you did it should give you the same result, and I have no idea why it isn't, especially looking at the picture. With a two vial level, you measure one way, then flip it end over end 180° to check it the other way, and it should be the same.

 

[spidey07]

There's an up side to the level. You should see a slight curve in the glass. Put the curved middle so it's higher than the sides. Meaning you can't just reverse the level and expect the same results as you are now using the level upside down.

I always knew OP was a half bubble off plumb.

 

[DaTT]

No, but it is more accurate if the printing spells out Stabila.

Indeed. Then again, not everyone wants to spend a bajillion dollars on a level.

 

[phucheneh]

For cheapo levels, I like the plastic ones. Plastic doesn't get bent. It just breaks and you buy a new one. And who cares; it's cheap.

Also, who uses a level for a picture? You have eyeballs [probably]. It will look 'more level'...if you base the level off of...how it looks.

 

[Humpy]

Indeed. Then again, not everyone wants to spend a bajillion dollars on a level.

$5 or $10 more than the one pictured. Include a trip back to Lowes and it is about equal for the lifetime tool. Still, the one the OP bought should be have been good to begin with. It wasn't an inexpensive level.

 

[JTsyo]

Sounds like you need a level calibrator.

 

[SphinxnihpS]

No, but it is more accurate if the printing spells out Stabila.

A. Starrett. Stabila levels are OK rough work though.

B. Since the surroundings are probably not level or plumb, perfectly level is not the best looking.