I swear to god there's a meme of Hank Hill checking his levels with other levels that I desperately want to post here.
post
You need a level checking level.
In all seriousness, they make levels like this, they're just a more high-dollar, specialty item. At work we have a "true table", a tested flat and level metal surface, to check and adjust them.
Edit: Here are some examples
Question: if the bubble is correct on one side, but incorrect on the opposite side, wouldn’t that suggest that one side is misplaned and any attempt at adjusting the bubble part would still come out inaccurate?
I guess maybe I’m not fully understanding the situation?
If you have a miscalibrated bubble level on a truly level surface, the bubble will sit more toward one side - say, left. Flip it 180 degrees, and it'll shift to the right.
On an inclined surface, the level might read level one way and show incline the other way.
Here you could just adjust the screw until the bubble stays in the exact same spot no matter which way you flip the level.
That assumes that it's the bubble tube that's not installed evenly but doesn't remove the problem the other person suggested, which is a non-flat or non-squared other side?
Not entirely. Like the OP mentioned, (may not have explained it well enough) you would just adjust the ampule's rotation so that it will report the same offset either direction the level is oriented. I.E. if the bubble is 5mm to one side of the ampule when the level is facing one direction, it should report the same offset but at the opposite end of the ampule when the level is reversed.
I see what you're saying. Make the bubble offset "evenly", but then you're doing Kentucky windage with your bubble everytime?
I think this becomes entirely moot if you mark which side of your level is the "accurate" side. I have a torpedo level that's damaged on one side, but I like that it has magnets, so I explicitly use the magnet side which I know is accurate.
does that make a practical difference?
Okay, now I’m picking up what you’re putting down. Thank you! Off I go to test my levels! 😅

Here's one extreme example of what they are describing, other situations might also be bowed, twisted etc.
Well ..... Where to calibrate it then? You'd need a reference. Just a clear tube with water works all the time. But yes, it has some inpractical issues
This might be a stupid question, but what do you calibrate against?
I can't with certainty say that anything in my home is level.
You don't need a level surface for it. Say your level is off by 5 degrees. On a 5 degree incline it'll either show 0 degrees or 10 degrees depending on which way you have it. Just adjust it untill you get the same reading both ways. This is easier to do on a digital level but the same principle applies on a bubble level as well - you just need to eyeball it.
Machinist's levels usually have adjustment screws on each end: https://www.ebay.com/itm/406571322248
Here's one in use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ue5W2fwKb4s
I fully agree with you. I've got a very old wooden one which has adjustment screws, and I'm pretty sure older "Stabila" brand ones used to be re-calibratable - though it doesn't look like any of their newer ones are. I don't remember seeing adjustment screws on any other levels though. I suppose at least they're "guaranteed level" for 10 years, and they can take quite a beating and still work properly.

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