Nicola Wood Jul 9, 2009:

Should have addded below that I tried looking it up on the websites of various DIY stores here, but had no success.

Nicola Wood Jul 9, 2009:

Hello Richard, I was wondering the same. Could Waagelatte mean what I would call a spirit level? I am certain that I have seen a plumb line being sold as a Richtschnur here in my local DIY shop (and it is also the first listed entry in my German-English dictionary), but I've never actually looked at a spirit level, so I couldn't say. Obviously Richtschnur has various possible translations depending on the exact context, which is why I put in an explanation of my suggestion, and if Waagelatte does mean spirit level then using a spirit level and plumb line would be common advice in England. However, I agree wholeheartedly with your advice that the best idea would be to get a clear explanation from the client.

Richard Stephen Jul 9, 2009:

Austrian German? Is it possible that Austrians use the word 'Waaglatte' for 'Wasserwaage'? Using a bubble level and/or pumb-line to align something would be very logical. But then 'Richtschnur' doesn't really mean 'plumb-line' in German-German either. I think you better check with your client to see just exactly what he does mean. Otherwise better stick with Bernd's answer, which translates the two terms correctly - I'd prefer 'straight edge'.