I used to install Microsot Windows products for work quite often, and then changed collars from white to blue. I know install windows in residential highrises. My Resume looks odd.

Let's say your balancing a window sill and need to make sure everything is square. You lay down the level, and estimate how much it is off over 4 feet.

You grab the shims you need, remove the level, lay down the shims, pick the level back up, and see if it's bang on.

If not you have to repeat the process.

Small telescoping feet would be at either end of the level, which could be pressed in if the level is pused down against a surface for a regular reading.

When let to sit free, the level would automatically adjust its feet as to sit level, floating as high above the surface as needed to sit square.

You could then just insert your shims between the level and the surface and your good to go. No need to eyeball the bubble, especially in low light or adverse conditions.

Magnets on the feet could hold it vertical against a stud or pipe, and then the level could be locked to use as reference for a another stud or anything else.
-- Giblet, Jan 16 2005

Mercury Switch http://www.shed.com...es/TN.switches.html
Half way down the page is a mercury switch. See my anno. [not_only_but_also, Jan 17 2005]

Self-leveling laser level http://www.amazon.c...104-6139774-8415930
[robinism, Jan 17 2005]

I think I understand what you're saying. Would the level need to be the same length as the window's width in order for the proposed gap to accurately represent the thickness of shims needed?
-- half, Jan 17 2005


Usually when installing a window that is longer then 4 feet, you want to have shims every 4 feet anyways to suppor the weight of the glass somewhere other then the corners. That way you level across the first span, then across the next.

Usually when a window is wider it is seperate windows coupled together.

This applys to sills, coutertops, floors, pretty much any surface that needs levelling.
-- Giblet, Jan 17 2005


Hmm...yeah...yeah, I like it. How would it work? Maybe the self-leveling feet are on screws like on slide projectors, only motorized so they adjust themselves?
-- Etymon, Jan 17 2005


If the bubble in the level was mercury, it could act as the electric switch that runs mechanisms on the feet.

This idea is so cool! Bun for you my windows-ex-windows friend!
-- not_only_but_also, Jan 17 2005


[+]
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Jan 17 2005


No motors or power needed, the slide projector feet would do the job nicely and be cheaper than a motorised solution. Clever little motorised devices never last very long on building sites.
-- wagster, Jan 17 2005


Forgive me if I'm misunderstanding the process, but what would be wrong with taping a level to the sill and leaving it there until the window is installed?
-- wagster, Jan 17 2005



random, halfbakery