Help calibrating/adjusting Stanley 36G machinist's level

[Sam Shankar]

Hey there. I'm at a loss about how to adjust this vintage Stanley machinist's level. I see the set screws (there's one on either side, and (hooray) they move freely, but they only seem to loosen the vials. Does one shim the vials and then tighten them? I'm sure this is blindingly obvious to everyone but me. But what's an internet forum for if not this?
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[Cameron Wood]

I doubt that that is made to be adjustable. Usually the vials are set in putty.

[Sam Shankar]

Hm, I didn't see any putty in there.

[Cameron Wood]

It does say 'adjustable'. Maybe the screw is eccentric so rotating it a small amount adjusts the vial.

"In the 1930's, the vials were adjustable by a single screw" (From Tool Collector's guide.)

[Bruce Page]

I'm just curious. What standard will you adjust it to? Another level?

[Richard Coers]

I'm just curious. What standard will you adjust it to? Another level?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lw80aOSf0KU

[Bill Dufour]

https://www.shars.com/media/manuals/master_precision_level_calibration_instructions.pd f

[Bill Dufour]

I have read it is that crude. Loosen the screw and slip paper shim under one end to adjust it. I would think the screw tip is cone shaped and will tend to force the vial down.
You get to use trig for this.
Bill D

[Bruce Page]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lw80aOSf0KU

Thanks Richard.

[Sam Shankar]

Darn. It's such a lovely and solid tool. Shame that it's so clunky to calibrate.

[Bill Dufour]

.021"/ft per division. not very sensitive.
A starrett 98 level is 0.005"/foot or 80-90 seconds. It is used to rough in a lathe bed then a 0.0005" is used to tweak it into place and eliminate twist. The starret 98 is fine for wood working machines.
They make 0.0001" levels that are too sensitive for shop use. Really only useful in a climate controlled setting. Walking up to the machine may move that bubble enough to see the reading change.
Bill D