Use Alternatives in Place of a Total Station
A Total Station is a surveyor's measuring device. It can be used to determine elevation and distance for construction purposes. Less than .0001% of the population will need to know how to use this device and they will either get proper training in school or on-the-job. Instead, this article suggests alternatives for you to use at home, without the need for comprehensive understanding of a total station.
Steps
- Use a transit level.
- Set base to level, attach unit to base, level unit.
- Now you can determine straight lines over a long distance and the handy degree ring on the unit turntable base mount will allow you to pivot the device to lay out grids or confirm your building to the proper grid lines.
- Use a laser building level.
- Set base to level set unit onto tripod base and power on. The device will auto level and then the head unit will spin up and produce a visible (you might need red or IR glasses to see the laser line in lower end units).
- These units have a target that can see the beam and when it is in range of the beam you will hear it start to beep:
- fast beeps mean that you are too low with the target
- long pulse beeps mean that you are too high on the beam.
- when it beeps steady and unbroken, the target is level with the beam.
- Now you can determine your bench mark / elevation ( a laser unit has a limited range and is not practical for use at distances over 100')
- If you are an advanced carpenter / surveyor/ layout person, use a builder's level. This is similar to a transit but has 2 axis unlike the 1 axis if a transit.
- The set up is the same as a transit: level tripod, attach head unit level it. You can use it like a transit and determine straight lines at extreme distances and with the second axis you can also determine various elevations.
- Be familiar with geometry. A basic understanding of geometry and geometric formulas are required to use these common building tools.
Tips
- You must have advanced math and computer skills to properly utilize a total station.
Warnings
- If you don't understand how to use these common tools then don't use them; call a professional and let them layout your construction project. They are inexpensive compared to even the cheapest transit and extremely precise and fast.
- If you are out even by only 1/8 " when you set up the tool, you will be out by {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} at {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} / {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} at {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} / {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} at {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}.
