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In reference to making the water level tool work just a teensy bit better: First, when the water is almost at the same level at both ends of the tube, the differential pressure is almost nil - so any resistance to free flow will leave a residual error. One of the major sources of such resistance is surface tension at the air/water/tubing ID interface (with some plastics that the tubing is made of, being far worse than others). This effect can be significantly reduced by mixing a small amount of detergent (liquid dishwashing type works fine) into the water before pouring it into the tube. I've also found that adding a bit of food dye to the water as well makes it much easier to read.

Also, if you remember your high-school chemistry lab work, the surface of the water inside the tube will form a curve with the low part in the middle. (This curved surface inside the tube is called the meniscus -in case you're interested) and you should use the bottom of the meniscus as your measuring level at each end - it provides the most accuracy.

Lastly, get ALL the bubbles out.

By the way, I read somewhere that the ancient Egyptians used a similar method to level the foundations of the Pyrimids, so there really isn't anything new under the sun - at least in this century.

Cheers, Dan Schaefer
N235SP