Hilger Watts Theodolite Manual !free! Jun 2026
Whether you are encountering any (like stuck knobs, stiff movement, or foggy optics).
Factory-only adjustments (e.g., circle graduation errors) are clearly marked.
Main scales and micrometer graduated directly to 1 second of arc. 2. Set-Up and Leveling Procedures
Add the two readings together for your final angular measurement. 5. Maintenance, Care, and Preservation
: A cornerstone of their lineup, featuring glass elevation and azimuth circles read through a single eyepiece on the left side of the instrument. hilger watts theodolite manual
Hilger & Watts Ltd was formed in 1948 through the merger of two renowned instrument makers: Adam Hilger Ltd (founded in 1874, famous for optical components) and E.R. Watts & Son (founded in 1856, famous for precise surveying circles).
Coarse locking screws paired with fine-adjustment tangent screws for both the horizontal (azimuth) and vertical (elevation) movements. 3. Step-by-Step Operating Instructions
Field accuracy begins with a solid setup. A Hilger & Watts theodolite typically mounts to a heavy-duty timber or fiberglass tripod using a standard
The tangent screws and moving parts require specific lubricants. The manual will often specify specialized watchmaker-grade oils or greases; automotive or general-purpose grease will cause the instrument to seize in cold weather. Whether you are encountering any (like stuck knobs,
Sight a highly defined target roughly 50 to 100 meters away with the instrument in (vertical circle on the left side of the telescope). Record the horizontal and vertical angle readings.
I can format a clean, printable meant for quick reference when setting up on-site.
| Model | Accuracy | Typical Manual ID | Notes | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | 6 arc-seconds | Pub. No. 160/56 | Most common; glass circles 6" dia. | | TM 1A | 1 arc-second | Pub. No. 157/58 | Precision geodetic; 4 kg weight. | | 20-second | 20 arc-seconds | Pub. No. 150/54 | Economy model; direct reading. | | Microptic No. 2 | 1 arc-second | Watts pub. 1940s | Pre-merger model. |
Rotate the upper instrument body (alidade) until the long plate bubble level is parallel to any two of the three leveling footscrews. Maintenance, Care, and Preservation : A cornerstone of
The is more than a set of instructions—it is a time capsule of mid-century precision engineering. While electronic total stations have made optical theodolites obsolete, there is a growing community of restorers who prize the tactile experience of reading a circle to 20 seconds of arc using nothing but light and prisms.
Finding an original can be difficult. However, several resources exist:
Separate controls for horizontal (azimuth) and vertical (elevation) motion. The clamps lock coarse movement, while the tangent screws provide fine, smooth adjustments. 4. Operational Step-by-Step Manual Step 1: Setting Up and Centering
Search for "Hilger and Watts" theodolite manual . Several users have uploaded scanned PDFs of the Tavistock Model 3 instruction book. The quality varies (some are photographed by phone), but they are readable.
Online communities such as The Surveying Forum or specific vintage machinery groups on Facebook and Reddit are excellent resources. Members frequently share digitized manual copies or provide step-by-step troubleshooting for specific model variations.
