The ingenuity of men knows no bounds. It always amazes me how before modern technology and using simple, basic tools and equipment such as you demonstrate they could build such impressive structures as cathedrals and wooden sailing ships.
The idea of rediscovering & using heirloom ways of making & building things has been a goal of mine for many years. Thank you for sharing your wisdom Mr Blackburn.
That’s something that fascinates me. Old buildings constructed with basic materials and tools like these are perfectly straight and level, with perfectly square corners. In my brother-in-law's brand new house, built by "professionals", with precision tools (laser level, micro adjustable miter saw etc.) and stable materials, nothing is square or level . The lure of profit seems to have won out over quality, love and pride in a job well done. That being said, I understand the economic issues very well. But it makes me realize what a psychological difference there is between building a house quickly that will probably be torn down and replaced in a few decades, and building a house that could be passed down from generation to generation. Thank you Mr.Blackburn for everything you teach us.
Nice! I'm preparing for a late-medieval party where I want to present myself as a carpenter or furniture makers. These little tips come in very handy! Thanks Graham.
I imagine the masons of old used such devices as your plumb bob gauges when building their castles and churches. Similar to your line gauge is the water gauge with two vessels joined with a hose filled with water. Not so useful for cabinet work but useful for house building. Nice lesson. I remember my dad showing me how to check a level by leveling a surface one way and then reversing the level to check that it still showed level. If not then the bubble was out.
Great video! In addition to the flipped "T", one can make an archipendulum, which is a right isosceles triangle where the plumb is attached at the right angle and a mark is at the middle of the hypotenuse. Images can be found on the web.
My dad used vertical plumb bobs all the time in construction. Goes to show you that you can use very simple tools for figuring out if you're straight or level.
The square with the level built into it is known as a combination square in the UK. Vertical is also known as plumb. Plumb, Line and Level being the three primary datum to consider when laying out a construction site.
Perhaps a good thing to also mention about all that is accuracy for the spirit level, the bubble float due to a curve in the glass and I recall that an average carpenter spirit level tool is made to give 0,5 -1,5 mm per meter tolerance or more, good enought in most cases but not always...🤔
Another leveling devise is the water level. A hose filled with water where like the string level you can hold the tube at a given point and take the other end to another point to find level. Sometimes that other point can be 50’ maybe 75’ away depending on the length of the tube. Water will always finds its level.
One winter I got the ‘brilliant’ idea 😖to fill my hose with window cleaner liquid, and blue food colouring, but proably got the washer mixture uneven, must have had some plain water left in one end, got a one centimetre error. I used a small transparent hose since usually an air pocket in the hose will give you a serious error… With a fat big hose and plain water, no mixtures, it a good tool.🙂
I recently came into possession of a Stanley pocket level from my grandfather in law, and I was wondering what the screw was for, but now I know, so thank you! Of course, the screw is missing on this one, so I won't be using it any time soon, but I think it's still a cool thing to have.
I've never owned a plumb bob, but I've always wanted one. They are some very nice tools! I think I will make one somehow, maybe from laburnum and brass. I just don't have a lathe, which would definitely make it easier, so I will have to resort to carving and files :^) Thank you for a great video as always. I'm still really enjoying your books! They are such a pleasure to read :^)
I can see how the plumb bob would be very useful to a carpenter building a house, other structures, or even built-in furniture. Not so much for cabinet- or chair-making. While I have a 4' aluminum level, I use it more as a (crude) straightedge than for its intended use. Still, a very interesting video. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
To use a spirit level to say, put long line of shelves along a wall, you can compensate for any possible inaccuracy in it by reversing the direction of the level as you step it across the wall.
Graham, in one of your videos you gave a name to the style of hand plane that had a very low tote, thus moving the center of gravity down low when you pushed. I can't find any reference to a "name" of that style and I don't remember what video of yours it was. Do you remember what you called that style of hand plane?
Your age is showing! 😀 Turn of the century no longer means around 1900s for those under 35 (which I am not but I realized talking to my kids that this phrase no longer means for them what it does for you and me).
Shipwrights set their levels off the engine block so as when it is in the water everything is level it is clever and maybe a thousand years old just like yourself haha you can’t use any of your gadgets,offshore rigs are the same you knew they were brand new when anyone came offshore with a level.Research that would it would be interesting for all them land lovers me harty.Nice video no laser levels either well just how and again maybe.
The ingenuity of men knows no bounds. It always amazes me how before modern technology and using simple, basic tools and equipment such as you demonstrate they could build such impressive structures as cathedrals and wooden sailing ships.
Very true!
The idea of rediscovering & using heirloom ways of making & building things has been a goal of mine for many years. Thank you for sharing your wisdom Mr Blackburn.
Very welcome!
It's always a pleasure to watch your instructionals. Always presented with great A-plumb.
remind me not to square off with this guy, I'm not on his level
lol very punny!!@@contestwill1556
Thanks!
That’s something that fascinates me. Old buildings constructed with basic materials and tools like these are perfectly straight and level, with perfectly square corners. In my brother-in-law's brand new house, built by "professionals", with precision tools (laser level, micro adjustable miter saw etc.) and stable materials, nothing is square or level . The lure of profit seems to have won out over quality, love and pride in a job well done. That being said, I understand the economic issues very well. But it makes me realize what a psychological difference there is between building a house quickly that will probably be torn down and replaced in a few decades, and building a house that could be passed down from generation to generation. Thank you Mr.Blackburn for everything you teach us.
You're very welcome!
Einfach klasse! Danke Herr Blackburn
Bitte schön!
Thanks a bunch, Graham! 😊
Another fantastic lesson!!!
Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊
Thanks, you too!
Another great video Graham. Thanks.
You're welcome!
Turly thanks ... for sharing all your knowledge ... which I will now go bumming around..heehe OORAH!!
You're very welcome.
The Egyptians 5000 years ago used to similar device - a triangle with s plumb bob. Very simple and accurate.
Yes indeed!
Love old tools, thanks for the information. Any chance of getting a shop tour someday?
My cameraman keeps trying to show more of the shop...
Thanks Graham - Great Video & Camera Work. Interesting discussion about the origins of Plumbing. Noticed the Bandage on your hand - hope all is ok. 🙂
Hand was a slight sailing accident.
Nice! I'm preparing for a late-medieval party where I want to present myself as a carpenter or furniture makers.
These little tips come in very handy!
Thanks Graham.
Good luck!
Thank you!
You're welcome!
I imagine the masons of old used such devices as your plumb bob gauges when building their castles and churches.
Similar to your line gauge is the water gauge with two vessels joined with a hose filled with water. Not so useful for cabinet work but useful for house building.
Nice lesson. I remember my dad showing me how to check a level by leveling a surface one way and then reversing the level to check that it still showed level. If not then the bubble was out.
Good idea, thanks!
Great video! In addition to the flipped "T", one can make an archipendulum, which is a right isosceles triangle where the plumb is attached at the right angle and a mark is at the middle of the hypotenuse. Images can be found on the web.
Just like the Egyptians used.
My dad used vertical plumb bobs all the time in construction. Goes to show you that you can use very simple tools for figuring out if you're straight or level.
Absolutley.
The square with the level built into it is known as a combination square in the UK.
Vertical is also known as plumb. Plumb, Line and Level being the three primary datum to consider when laying out a construction site.
Exactly!
thanks for sharing
My pleasure
Another winner. Good video.
Glad you enjoyed it
Thank you for upload. That was very interesting
Thanks for watching
Perhaps a good thing to also mention about all that is accuracy for the spirit level, the bubble float due to a curve in the glass and I recall that an average carpenter spirit level tool is made to give 0,5 -1,5 mm per meter tolerance or more, good enought in most cases but not always...🤔
True!
Another leveling devise is the water level. A hose filled with water where like the string level you can hold the tube at a given point and take the other end to another point to find level. Sometimes that other point can be 50’ maybe 75’ away depending on the length of the tube. Water will always finds its level.
One winter I got the ‘brilliant’ idea 😖to fill my hose with window cleaner liquid, and blue food colouring, but proably got the washer mixture uneven, must have had some plain water left in one end, got a one centimetre error. I used a small transparent hose since usually an air pocket in the hose will give you a serious error… With a fat big hose and plain water, no mixtures, it a good tool.🙂
Love it!
I recently came into possession of a Stanley pocket level from my grandfather in law, and I was wondering what the screw was for, but now I know, so thank you! Of course, the screw is missing on this one, so I won't be using it any time soon, but I think it's still a cool thing to have.
Not sure about your pocket level, but in general Stanley used unique thread pitches, so it's hard to find replacements.
I've never owned a plumb bob, but I've always wanted one. They are some very nice tools! I think I will make one somehow, maybe from laburnum and brass. I just don't have a lathe, which would definitely make it easier, so I will have to resort to carving and files :^)
Thank you for a great video as always. I'm still really enjoying your books! They are such a pleasure to read :^)
Thank you so much!
Brilliant
Thanks!
I can see how the plumb bob would be very useful to a carpenter building a house, other structures, or even built-in furniture. Not so much for cabinet- or chair-making. While I have a 4' aluminum level, I use it more as a (crude) straightedge than for its intended use. Still, a very interesting video. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
You're very welcome!
Nice.
Thanks!
To use a spirit level to say, put long line of shelves along a wall, you can compensate for any possible inaccuracy in it by reversing the direction of the level as you step it across the wall.
Exactly!
I see you have infill plane there on the rack. Can you make a review of that plane?
Not sure what you are referring to, but I think you must mean planes with boxwood-infills at delicate wearpoints. Check out episode 44b.
@@gjbmunc I mean the smoother plane that looks like a Norris with infill body.
Graham, in one of your videos you gave a name to the style of hand plane that had a very low tote, thus moving the center of gravity down low when you pushed. I can't find any reference to a "name" of that style and I don't remember what video of yours it was. Do you remember what you called that style of hand plane?
The term is 'razee' and originated in shipbuilding.
@@gjbmunc Ahhhh! Thanks, in context, that makes perfect sense.
Bubble style levels are handy and quick - if they are adjusted correctly. Gravity wins.
Always!
Nije gravitacija nego odnos težine i gustoće!
Your age is showing! 😀 Turn of the century no longer means around 1900s for those under 35 (which I am not but I realized talking to my kids that this phrase no longer means for them what it does for you and me).
You are right! It's sometimes hard to remember we're now in the 21st century!
I'm good. I'm 50.
Shipwrights set their levels off the engine block so as when it is in the water everything is level it is clever and maybe a thousand years old just like yourself haha you can’t use any of your gadgets,offshore rigs are the same you knew they were brand new when anyone came offshore with a level.Research that would it would be interesting for all them land lovers me harty.Nice video no laser levels either well just how and again maybe.
Yep, we owe a lot to shipbuilders.