Never send a man to do a woman's job. You'd think I would have figured that out by now, but I haven't made my quota of mistakes just yet.
Longest of all is the mason's level, typically four feet long (although some models today range up to eight feet in length ) and used to cover broad spans in concrete work to show which cement blocks need adjusting,According to the Australian Institute of Architects� building advisory service, Archicentre�s Trends in Contemporary Home Renovation Report of November 2008.Wood, aluminum, or magnesium is the materials commonly used to make most levels. During the 1800's these tools were often made using iron as the frame. The better wood-framed devices were made using beech and oak, with teak being used for the highest-quality levels.SalesLady snapped the bag back and handed me another. "Your friend will love these Initial bags," she said, showing me several bags with a single classy letter affixed to each. I considered how many bags my friend would have to carry to spell "Help, my dorky friend bought me too many handbags." I asked what else she could show me.The look on SalesLady's face said just one thing: "Men!""They are not real," SalesLady assured me."Trendy? You want trendy? We have lots of trendy!" SalesLady got all excited. "How about this very popular high heel shoe handbag?" she offered.I handed her the money. "Thank you," I smiled. "I thought about getting the 205-piece socket set for my friend, but I know she will love this new handbag."Taking Care of A Level.Oops. SalesLady was taken aback again. "Ladies do not engage in pillow fights.""Donald Trump wears one of these?"The torpedo level is popular and handy in that it fits where its longer cousins won't. It is also equipped with both plumb and level vials.Without the common level as we know it we would be seriously challenged to build above one-story without fear of the whole structure coming down on our heads. In this article I intend to cover some of the types of levels in use today as well their care and storage.So if you are one of the many Aussies considering renovating this Easter weekend and you�re wondering where you�ll find the cash, have a chat to your bank or your financial advisor about the options available to you and whether re-draw is the way to go.I looked at the bags. "I don't know. These look kind of boring to me."I tried to picture a leopard wandering into the bookshop caf�. "I don't think 'wild' quite describes her.""Now you're talking! My friend loves horoscopes."With re-draw, there are usually no fees or charges for taking back the money, so all you lose is the gains you would have made in terms of reducing the interest.Types of LevelsFew jobs could be completed without this humble, but necessary implement. Whatever the job there is a level available to aid in the completion of it. Choose the right one, take care it and it will take care of you for years to come.And if you think about the equity you are building in your home, this may outweigh any extra interest you pay."Handbag?" asked the confused clerk staring at the toolbox in my hand.But renovations cost money. And charging up the credit card to help pay for the new deck is not a great wealth-creation strategy."Ah. Well these corset bags are not quite as wild," SalesLady offered.It�s not the solution for everyone and will of course depend on your own home and whether you can add value without over-capitalising, as well as on your own financial situation, but in these lean economic times it�s worth considering every option.I had to admit it was original. And trendy. But I wasn't sure about giving my friend a bag she could kick me with.Of course if you�re leaving the drop sheets and paint brushes at home and heading to Noosa for the weekend, good luck to you! Have an extra mango daiquiri for me.The good news is that because a huge number of Australians have been doing the smart thing with the recent rate cuts and maintaining their prior repayment level, they might just find they have a big pool of cash available in their redraw facility."Casual? We can do casual," SalesLady assured me. "Check out these suede handbags. Feel that texture. Soft as a baby's bottom."The sales clerk at the hardware store rang up my purchase. "That'll be $29," she said."But..."I blushed at the site. "That might be a bit too stylish for her. She's more...uh..."Shortest of all is the line level, which is used suspended from a string that has been pulled taut. This is done for long-span leveling, as in road grading or foundation work on homes or buildings.I looked at the tiny purses. "They are cute, but they don't have much room to carry, say, a chainsaw."Although having no moving parts a level is still susceptible to damage caused by rough handling or neglect. Considering the price of a quality level it is in ones best interest to take care of it. A simple wipe down and keeping it stored in a carrying case is more than enough to keep most levels on the job for decades."I know," SalesLady interrupted "She can find her horoscope in the newspaper. Let's try something else. How about these little evening handbags?""What kind of handbag," the smiling sales lady asked helpfully.An hour later...
"Yes. And if she doesn't, at least she can't kick me with it."
Author: David Leonhardt
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