Pinpointing all of the holes to cut in a new drywall ceiling takes time. Measuring off walls or other drywall-sheet edges and marking holes is a slow process and is prone to mistakes. Now I use my laser level’s plumbbob function; it saves time and is more precise.
Before hanging any ceiling drywall, I place the laser beneath the center of each ceiling penetration—electrical boxes, recessed can lights, HVAC ducts—and mark the subfloor. (A piece of tape can be used on remodeling projects with existing flooring.) After lifting and tackscrewing up a drywall sheet, I reposition the laser over each marked spot. The beam shows me where to poke my drywall saw.
—Mike Guertin, East Greenwich, RI
Edited by Charles Miller
From Fine Homebuilding #249
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If your plumb bob laser is busted, you can also do this with an actual old fashioned plumb bob or even your chalk box. I can tell you from experience it's not as fast as a laser and you need a short ladder, but it's faster and more accurate than measuring.