Laser level,manuel vs self leveling
andybuildz
| Posted in Tools for Home Building on
I’m looking for a laser level and found a good deal for a DeWalt “manual” leveling unit.
I’m just wondering how much time difference and accuracy there is between the two.
I also see some good deals on the PLS 5 which is self leveling.
So whats the scoop?
Be well
andy
The way we regard death is critical to the way we experiance life.
When your fear of death changes, the way you live your life changes.
Replies
Gary Katz did a review of lasers over at JLC. i think the article can be found there for free.
If not a JLC then try Tools of the Trade. They are sister (brother?) pubs and have simlar tool reviews.
I read a thread here with in the last week or so, concerning, both a self leveling and manual leveling, not sure where so I can't point you to it, but the gist is, go with the self leveling, unless you want to spend a lot time, continually leveling yours and checking it.
Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, Professionals built the Titanic.
Neil
Yeh, I read that too but I also read that some guys bought the manual leveling lasers....I just really wonder how much of a hassle it is or isn't....plus, I also understand that the self levelers have to be recalculated every now and then and that, that costs a bundle....
I'm so blonde.....lol....
Be well,
andy The way we regard death is critical to the way we experiance life.
When your fear of death changes, the way you live your life changes.
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
I don't know anything about it, just relaying what I read.
you could go and rent one for a day or so and play with it a bit.Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, Professionals built the Titanic.
Hi Andy,
No laser expert here, but I am also "shopping" for one.
In fact I tried to find the one on eBay that you were looking at, but never found a user name that I thought was you. Not that I would have bid against you. I also collect Zippos and it is an unwritten rule not to bid against someone you know.
Anyway, I do have a thought or two on the subject. One of the things I would like to do with a laser is have the ability to raise it up to near ceiling height. It seems like a self leveling unit would be the only way to go for that.
Also, I'm almost positive that the robotoolz line can be recalibrated on site. So no costly service.
I also work around some guys that probably wouldn't mention that they had just kicked the tripod.
I know this doesn't answer anything, just more to think about.
Be sure to give us an evalualtion when you get one.
BrianView Image
bee
Just bought the DeWalt self leveling off of Ebay, paid a total of $410 which included shipping and an $89 tripod.
Both my excavation guy and concrete guy say the self leveling is a breeze and doesnt ever need to be recalibrated.
I watched them set both up and seemed to take only a few seconds.
Good luck
andy The way we regard death is critical to the way we experiance life.
When your fear of death changes, the way you live your life changes.
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Well good,
Now you can try it out and give me a real assesment of it's performance.
That will get me one more unit closer to deciding which I should buy.
One question.
Isn't the DW073 that you bought a manual leveling unit?
Be sure to let me know how you like it.
Thanks,
BrianView Image
DeWalt Laser level & tripod 18v DW073
I'll give ya a shout. Its being shipped out Monday.
andy The way we regard death is critical to the way we experiance life.
When your fear of death changes, the way you live your life changes.
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Andy: Based on my experience with both manual and self leveling I would go with with the self leveling. Granted, my manual is a "very" entry level rotary by Empire. It took quite a bit of time to set and then it seemed to be just a little bit off when I would recheck it.
My self leveling rotary (Agatec) works like a dream but cost about 6 times as much as the manual. : ( Just turn it on and in about 5 seconds its good to go. This is especially nice when you're moving it around alot.
When I got mine about 4 years ago I too had heard that recalibration could be pretty pricey. Agatec does it for free for the life of the laser. They also through in some bells and whistles so made a sale. The only thing is you have to send it to them in Wisconsin for recalibration.
On a sad but semi-related topic I was using it last night at home and it stopped shooting the beam. Couldn't get it to turn back on so took the battery cover off and was immediately greeted with that wonderful aroma of acid reacting with metal and plastic. One of the D-cells has started leaking and started melting it's guts away. I really hope the damage is limited to the battery contact and plactic case. called the company today. They said to ship it off and they'll look at it. They seemed pretty confident it could be repaired. They also added that their repairs usually run about 1/3 of other companies. Hope so.
Rugby
I really like my little self leveling laser. It's about the size of a tape measure and all we do is set it on the tripod and aim it. I dropped it once and it cost me $150. to get fixed.
I had the David white rotary and didn't like it much.
Everyone has a different spin on the subject but I vote for self leveling to save you time and money."Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
I have only used the self leveling type laser, I have a RoboLaser. It seems to work nicely, sure beats my old optical type. No more worrying that it got kicked or bounced when I didn't know it. It doesn't even need to be on a tripod.
It also came with a line generator which splits the beam up into a dotted line. Great for cabinet installs, I don't even use a ruler anymore to measure height. Just a stick with a mark on it.