I’m looking for input on laser levels as I am about to purchase one. Locally I can get the robotoolz, robolaser or the BST/Berger LM30. Or there are others that are available from other sources, mail order or internet. My applications are varied from cabinets, trim work, drop ceilings, decks and just about anything else. who of you have what and what have you found to be the pros or cons of that choice? thanks all.
Steve
S.J.MERRETTE Carpentry & Construction • Robesonia, PA
Nothing is impossible…It just hasn’t been done yet.
Replies
I recently got the CST/Berger 58GIZLTPB from mytoolstore.com for $200, and a laserjamb as well. I haven't used the laserjamb yet since I can't get it home on my bike, but the laser is great. I've only used the horizontal beam so far but it was pretty damn useful, especially for working alone which I do.
I did some shopping around for a laser level type of thing and looked at a number of models before buying. Self leveling seems pretty sweet, and I had a limited budget. Rotary also seems good since then you don't have to turn the laser if the beam spread isn't big enough, and its brighter too, but sadly cost too much for me (and usually way bulkier). I personally thought the vertical beam and the plumb beam would be useful too.
-Holly
I am debating whether to take a robolaser 5-beam unit back for a refund or to try another unit. this is the second one i got from HD. Took the first one, which I got Saturday, back yesterday because it continued to hunt up and down for level. Would never settl down so I could calibrate it.
This one also will not self level, on a dead level (according to a 24" level) table it is about 18" out in 6' (when you rotate it 180 degrees) and does not even attempt to level. It continues to blink slowly which indicates the unit is not level! Supposed to self level if within 4 degrees. When you try to put it into calibrate mode it goes back to the slow blinking when you release the switch.
What is the experience with this unit? Is it worth trying another one or should I get a refund and look elsewhere. They had a good writeup in one article.
JLC did a review of lasers, Gary Katz did it. Check out his findings there.
How about a hint of which of the many issues had the article? ThanksSteve
S.J.MERRETTE Carpentry & Construction • Robesonia, PA
Nothing is impossible...It just hasn't been done yet.
Contact SPECTRA PHISICS ....they are a laser supply and repair company... Nation wide... they supply most of the commercial lases used for drywall interiors, grid ceilings, most general construction lasers... I tend to prefer the PLS-5 as a general purpose laser.... P=plumb ,L= level ,S=square..... It comes with a wall mount for leveling or shooting grades.... Good luck...Mark
Mark, I think PLS stands for Pacific Laser Systems, although your notation is kind of neat too.
I had a supply house demo their PLS2 unit. Cool. Not very big (like a 30' tape) self leveling, comes with a magnetic base that sticks to metal door frames & screws into the tripod hole. Doesn't rotate, but it will shoot a verticle, or horizontal, or both with a 90* spread, so if you set it up carefully it will probably cover the needed area. Cost was $300.
Steve: I have had this Empire laser for years and love it. It throws a vertical or a horizontal red laser line..and I use it for laying out my stairways.
I went and bought the CST/Berger lasermark, LM30. it came with the tripod story pole and detector and a wall mount unit for about $400. I haven't used it in the field yet but it seems ok. It's not self leveling so I figure that's one less thing to go wrong. I've got three jobs that I can use it on but I'm stuck on one job right now that's growing into a monster. let's put it this way my crew is subbed to a large fire and water restoration company and we're refinishing the bar and woodwork after gutting the first floor of the local country club due to mold from the water from the sprinkler system they couldn't shut off after a fire, whew, that was a mouthful. anyway we have to put it all back together afterward, all oak raised panel walls, curved arches, the works. absolutely beautiful, now I just have to figure out how to put this jigsaw puzzle back together. We've documented everything but it's still a huge task ahead of us. that's where the laser is going to be most useful in that the old stone floor is all up and down and I have only one reference point due to having to gut everything else.Steve
S.J.MERRETTE Carpentry & Construction • Robesonia, PA
Nothing is impossible...It just hasn't been done yet.
May 2002
Edited 9/18/2002 10:11:16 PM ET by BILL_1010
Thanks BillSteve
S.J.MERRETTE Carpentry & Construction • Robesonia, PA
Nothing is impossible...It just hasn't been done yet.
One of the better sources for this stuff are places that caters to surveyers. The thing I've learned from them has been that there's substantial difference between the laser you get at Home Depot for $400 vs. the "starter" setup from them for $1400. I don't think the red dot approach is really the best idea. They get harder to see and the beam widens at a distance. The lower end stuff seems to be fine in an enclosed area, but the accuracy isn't as great or as long as something from, say, Sokkia, and when you take them outside, I guess there's some form of compensating system internally that if they don't have it (i.e. Robotoolz) the heat of the sun on the body of one side throws things out of whack. Water can do the same. The red dots get really hard to see at a distance. None of which matters for setting kitchen cabinets. More so setting footings on a house. Depending on what you do, you can get grade lasers with built in X Y axis adjustments so you can set a pitch for running drain pipe.
I carried a "Levelite" self leveling laser for four years. It spent 50% of that time in my tool bags bouncing around with nails, sawdust,chalk, and the constant pond brought on by the constant reality of framing in Seattle. What a great tool. Some one mentioned not getting self leveling to keep it simple, but the technology of self leveling is so simple! It's about as complex as a plumb bob. And you can climb a ladder, barely reach a plate toset it on, point it at a post and walla, thats level to less than 1/4 in 100ft. I had a little square of ply on the end of a pole and i could plumb walls as tall as my height on a ladder plus the length of said pole...that's a tall wall. Unfortunately it did finally have a heart attack. I took it in had the laser part replacedfor a c-note, but what ever shock kiled it,s light also skewered it's view on life. Ineeded the tool as it has become a crutch, so in a fit of selfish disloyalty and impatience I went and bought HD's knockoff. In all honesty it has seemed to work fine, but in handling it you can tell It,s a cheap tool and I never carry it in my bags. This is the four directional laser dot model. My buddy bought the rotary, and has loved it. I've borrowed it to check foundations and such and it rocks, but even if I buy that (which im sure I will eventually)I'll always be hooked on the portabilety and maneuverabilety of the self leveling "dot" style laser boxes. And I will take care of my old friend, the Laserlite as it is one excellent tool and depending on your needs and budget I would look into Levelites rotary, though I liked HD's rotary quite a bit.