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		Making of Floors - Course: Timberwork techniques. Instruction examples for practical vocational training (Institut für Berufliche Entwicklung, 21 p.)
			(introduction...)
			Preliminary Remarks
			Instruction Example 6.1.: Checking and Levelling of the Beams
			Instruction Example 6.2.: Laying of Mated Surfaced Deals
			Instruction Example 6.3.: Laying of Matched Surfaced Deals
			Instruction Example 6.4.: Fixing of Skirting Boards

Instruction Example 6.1.: Checking and Levelling of the Beams

In the course of this exercise the beams are checked for equal height and horizontal position, and uneven surfaces are smoothed.

Material

- Boards
Thickness: 1-15 mm, also with wedge-shaped ends
Width: Same as the beams
- Nails
Length: approximately 40 - 60 mm

Figure

Tools

Hand saw, hammer, axe, plane

Measuring and testing means

Folding rule, water-level, level board (a straight, parallel, long plank)

Auxiliary accessories

Trestles for supporting the material during working

Required basic knowledge

Testing, measuring, sawing, chopping, planing, nailing

Sequence of operations

Comments

1. Arranging the workshop place, preparing materials and tools.

Check the tools for their completeness and serviceability.

2. Putting the level board across the beams along the wall, checking the beams as to equal height and, by using the water-level, to horizontal position.

Test the accuracy of the water-level before.

3. If the height is equal and the beams are horizontal, putting the level board lengthwise on a wall beam and checking horizontal position.

Make sure that the level board rests completely on the beam over its total length, if necessary, remove cuttings and the like.

4. If this horizontal line is guaranteed, too, putting the level board along the other wall across the beams and checking. If all beams are in horizontal position and of equal height, laying of the deals can be started.

If the beams were laid accurately, levelling of them before laying wooden floors is hardly necessary.

5. If the layer of beams is uneven, finding out the highest beam. Examining it in longitudinal direction and, if required, levelling it horizontally.

6. Transmitting the height of this beam to the beams along the wall, levelling these horizontally according to the given height.

The heighest point may also be a wall beam; in this case level this and transmit its height to the opposite wall beam.

7. Then putting level board across the beams which are now horizontal and levelling the height of all beams in between.

Levelling is made by nailing boards on the beams the thickness of which equalizes the difference.
The beams are adapted in height over their full surface.
Chop the boards to the required thickness - also with wedge-shaped ends - plane them or cut them with the help of a circular saw bench.

8. Final checking.

Beams (naked flooring)

Sequence of operations	Comments
1. Arranging the workshop place, preparing materials and tools.	Check the tools for their completeness and serviceability.
2. Putting the level board across the beams along the wall, checking the beams as to equal height and, by using the water-level, to horizontal position.	Test the accuracy of the water-level before.
3. If the height is equal and the beams are horizontal, putting the level board lengthwise on a wall beam and checking horizontal position.	Make sure that the level board rests completely on the beam over its total length, if necessary, remove cuttings and the like.
4. If this horizontal line is guaranteed, too, putting the level board along the other wall across the beams and checking. If all beams are in horizontal position and of equal height, laying of the deals can be started.	If the beams were laid accurately, levelling of them before laying wooden floors is hardly necessary.
5. If the layer of beams is uneven, finding out the highest beam. Examining it in longitudinal direction and, if required, levelling it horizontally.
6. Transmitting the height of this beam to the beams along the wall, levelling these horizontally according to the given height.	The heighest point may also be a wall beam; in this case level this and transmit its height to the opposite wall beam.
7. Then putting level board across the beams which are now horizontal and levelling the height of all beams in between.	Levelling is made by nailing boards on the beams the thickness of which equalizes the difference. The beams are adapted in height over their full surface. Chop the boards to the required thickness - also with wedge-shaped ends - plane them or cut them with the help of a circular saw bench.
8. Final checking.