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Johnson 40–6660 laser review

alrightythen | Posted in Tools for Home Building on February 11, 2007 09:50am

I was need of a laser level, and in a rush picked up the Johnson 40-6660. upon getting it home, discovered the accuracy specs were 3/8″ over 100′. which was a less than what I’d hoped for. figured I’ll bring it back and find something else. In the mean time I was dealing with restructuring a floor with two new beams, and had to incorporate a recessed drop ceiling detail, to hide the beams, as well as deal with the floor joists that were all over the place as far as level. So I figured I have the tool, I might as well try it out, ‘cuz I don’t’ have time to find something else.

as far as working in a 14′ by 25′ foot room, I sure couldn’t find any noticeable discrepancies in accuracy. in fact I was quite impressed. So I tried it out in a few other applications.

I was blown away by the user friendliness of this tool. I thought the little stand was kind of hokey at 1st, figuring I’d mount it to my builders lever tripod most of the time. turns out the stand is quite cool. it allows you to easily plumb over a line on the floor and swivel 360 degrees. with fine tune adjustment.

the fine tune adjustment is awesome, compared to using a laser that you have to move back and forth with your hands, like hilt’s version similar to the PLS5 which I’d used in the past. moving back and forth to line up when squaring you’d always be a tad too much or a tad to little. with the 2 knobs on the Johnson, you can move your beams by fractions of a degree.

the other, thing I couldn’t get over was the lines it creates. not dots, not a pulsing blur that you get from rotary lasers, which I find to be almost distracting. ( some not as much depending on speed.) not only does it cast great visual lines but it casts many. you get opposing squares on the floor as well as the ceiling, accompanied by 2 squares on the wall, and a plumb dot below the unit. basically a PLS5 in line format. PLS5 is great, but the problem with dots is all you get is a reference mark. you still have to get out your level and plumb off your reference mark. The Johnson will give you square lines right on the floor,( or wall , or ceiling) but not only that, with the degree scale on the base, laying out 45 degrees couldn’t be any easier!

quite simply put, I have not been able to find any other laser that does all that this laser does, and in such an enjoyable manner.

now for the down side. 1st of all the accuracy over distance could be improved for sure. 3/8″ +- over hundred feet doesn’t cut it for me on a lot of stuff. it does come with a detector, so I’d be fine with it for excavations, and maybe even setting footings, but for level strips and most other distance work I’ll be pulling out my builders level.

 that also leads to another down side, while it can be used outside with the detector – the unit is not meant to get wet! well here in BC, other that in the summer, that rules out a whole lot of days. But I mostly consider it an inside level anyway.

another minor downfall is that unlike rotary lasers or the PLS360 the horizontal beam is not a 360, but closer to a 280 degree beam. which is not a huge deal, but still; just means you have to pivot. 

in the end I think this laser is great! I would have paid more for improved accuracy,( and told the Johnson company so)  and would love to see it weather durable. but once you get all the beams going it is just so much fun to see and use. So I have decided to keep it, and use in conjunction with my builders level. down the road I may invest in a rotary or something like the PLS360E for more of the outside work.

My background is as a framer, I have built my own house, and recently have gone out on my own. I am currently busy with mostly home renovation and additions, and in the next year or two looking to go full time building. I have used rotary lasers, as well as the dot laser that I have mentioned. I hope my personal review, is useful to anyone looking at this particular laser or lasers in general.

 

View Image


Edited 2/11/2007 11:36 am ET by alrightythen


Edited 2/11/2007 3:54 pm ET by alrightythen

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Replies

  1. reinvent | Feb 11, 2007 04:48pm | #1

    I seriously doubt your builders level has an accuracy that is better than 3/8" in 100'. Move it just a tick and it has probably changed like an inch.

    1. calvin | Feb 11, 2007 05:07pm | #2

      How much?A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.

      Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

      http://www.quittintime.com/

       

      1. VAVince | Feb 11, 2007 05:16pm | #3

        Around $900.00

        1. calvin | Feb 11, 2007 05:25pm | #4

          thanks vince.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.

          Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

          http://www.quittintime.com/

           

          1. VAVince | Feb 11, 2007 05:40pm | #5

            Don't own one but have used one on job site. I liked it!!  Checked into buying one, lots of green.

      2. alrightythen | Feb 11, 2007 07:21pm | #7

        I paid $799 plus tax CDN. not cheap but worth it, I also have 1 year with no interest to have it pay for itself.

    2. alrightythen | Feb 11, 2007 07:18pm | #6

      most builders levels I have checked out are spec'd around the 1/8 to 1/4" over 100'. so I would say any decent builders level should be at least 1/8" but no worse than 1/4", the even better one's are spec'd at 1/16".

      I tested the Nikon I own for accuracy, and it was about 1/32" at about 30'. the test I did was simply to take some heights, I moved it about 10' away and rechecked the heights. There is a more specific test that you can do that I found on a surveyors site ( sorry I don't have the link - if I find it I will post) but basically, you set up your level take heights 50' in either direction. you then move your level 10' closer to one side then recheck heights. I think this basically can be considered your +- over 100' ( I'd have to confirm that)

      one thing that I find and really like about using a builders level is the cross hairs are deadly precise when looking at a tape. this I think add's to the accuracy of a builders level vs a line that changes thickness the farther you get. not that centering the thickness a laser line is that far off, but I still do enjoy looking thru the site and seeing those cross hairs show up right on the mark.

      Edited 2/11/2007 11:43 am ET by alrightythen

      Edited 2/11/2007 12:54 pm ET by alrightythen

      1. VAVince | Feb 11, 2007 07:41pm | #9

        This may sound crazy, but it worked. Years ago a friend gave me a builders level that had got way off. I thought about sending it off for repair or trying to repair myself using another site level for alignment.

        I never seem to get around to doing things until I need it right then. Well the day came I was starting a deck and really needed the level. I got to thinking what I could use to adjust. As I was thinking I am standing beside a pond and It hit me. Use the pond. I adjusted it so the stick just touched the water (no wind that day) and then went to the other side (about 100') and adjusted the little allen screw. The builders level worked great for many of years after.

        1. alrightythen | Feb 11, 2007 11:59pm | #11

          ah yes...the water level.   wonder what it's plus minus is?    :)

  2. User avater
    BillHartmann | Feb 11, 2007 07:36pm | #8

    "Johnson 40-660."

    Which one are you talking about. You are missing a digit.

    40-6600 or 40-6660 or ?

    I see that you have the correct number in the title.

    http://www.acculinepro.com/products.aspx?id=104
    http://www.acculinepro.com/products.aspx?id=150

    I see that there is one on eBay now for $300 Buy It Now.

    Amazon has them for $900.

    .
    .
    A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.



    Edited 2/11/2007 11:46 am by BillHartmann

    1. alrightythen | Feb 11, 2007 11:58pm | #10

      yes one in title is right, thanks Bill.

    2. User avater
      EricPaulson | Feb 12, 2007 01:48am | #12

      I see that there is one on eBay now for $300 Buy It Now.

      Never been dropped. Honest![email protected]

       

       

      It's Never Too Late To Become What You Might Have Been

       

       

       

      1. Orbs | Feb 12, 2007 01:58am | #13

        read recently that a laser will never be dead accurate because the beam is straight and the curvature of the earth isn't. maybe the earth is curved more where you are.............

        Orbs

        1. calvin | Feb 12, 2007 03:53am | #14

          When you read about digging straight down to china, and end up, upside down, falling out of the hole..............let me know.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.

          Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

          http://www.quittintime.com/

           

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