Replies

1. 
   FastEddie1 | Jan 22, 2003 06:07am | #1

   Check into the PLS-2.  It's about the size of a pack of cigarettes, self leveling, projects a vertical line or a horizontal line or both, with a 90 degree fan angle so you can hit three walls if you set it in the right place.  You can also lock the head and turn it to face the floor, abnd then it projects cross hairs good for tile layout.  $300.

2. 
   junkhound | Jan 22, 2003 07:16am | #2

   At $9.99 I could not pass up trying out a Harbour freight "Dr Spirit" level.  Nice heavy milled Aluminum housing, tough polycarbonate vials, really bright laser. LOOKS like a $200 level.

   However, have not yet figured how to open it up except with the bandsaw, and the encased vials are almost 1/2 degree off for the horizontal and over 3!! degrees off on the vertical.

   Anybody figured out how to open these guys up and adjust the vials??

   Maybe a resellers market her <G>....

   Maybe get a few comments at the next presentation using it for a pointer<GG>

1. 
   Lunicy | Jan 22, 2003 03:24pm | #3

   I have a robo-toolz 5-beam laser and the Pacific PLS2. They are both great tools, but it all depends on what you are doing. The pls is great for tile work and such, but I find myself using the robo for drop ceilings and such. A little info on each:

   Robo 5 beam: Self-levels, has 5 beams (dots only) front, right, left, up, and down. All 90 from one another.

   PLS2 : Also self levels, has 2 lines out the front, one vertical, one horizontal.

   The robo has more of an "out of level tolerance" ex. The PLS has to be pretty close to level to accually self level.

   Can't I go 1 day without spilling my coffee?

3. 
   Velmason | Jan 25, 2003 07:24am | #4

   I bought the DeWalt Rotary laser about a year ago and don't have any complaints about it. I got it without the laser detector, though it still was usable outside (the less sunlight the better). I will probably get the detector if I do another foundation though. I used it for leveling slab floors, setting post heights and ledger boards, checking footers, etc. I like the variable speed on the rotation, as well as the ability to stop the rotation and manually turn it to where you want it. You do have to set the level pretty carefully to make sure its reasonably accurate, especially for long distances. The twin beams are helpful, but the dots are almost 1/8" in diameter each. Its right at the top of your price range I think.

4. 
   andybuildz | Jan 25, 2003 04:39pm | #5

   Paul

       I'd like to know the same thing.especially doing mud jobs for tile and also to have my lines for the tile work visable cause I'll be damed if I can ever see through the thinset at my pencil lines.

   Be straight plumb and level (cept on Friday after work)

                              Namaste

                                         andy

   "Attachment is the strongest block to realization"
   http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

1. 
   r_ignacki | Jan 25, 2003 04:57pm | #6

   dude.............. you need to gt yerself a grabber LVS3

   Recharchable nicad battery

   Rotating beam (variable speed)

   Bottom plumb beam

   Top plumb beam

   Wireless remote( change speeds of beam, tilt beam, etc, like, if you are down the hall from the thing)

   wall hanging brackets, adjustable feet, etc etc...

1. 
   andybuildz | Jan 25, 2003 06:00pm | #7

   Red..Cool, gonna check out their site then look on Ebay

   Thanks

           Be level (sometimes)

                                   NAmaste

                                                 Andy"Attachment is the strongest block to realization"http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

2. 
   andybuildz | Jan 25, 2003 07:26pm | #8

   red

        Dont see it listed anywhere

   Be LS25

                Namaste

                            Andy"Attachment is the strongest block to realization"http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

1. 
   r_ignacki | Jan 25, 2003 07:50pm | #9

   http://www.grabberman.com/lvs3.htm

5. 
   ninthwind | Mar 04, 2003 09:49pm | #10

   I just found a heck of a deal at Coastal Tools.  Granted, this is a "basic" unit, but for a rotary model, nothing else even comes close for the money!  For my purposes, (i,e, hanging crown, chair rail, cabinets, drop ceilings, etc.) it does exactly what it's name says ... "Laser Chalk Line."  It comes with a great hard case and many of the accessories already included.  It works both indoors and out (with the included Digital Receiver).  It will do horizontal and vertical lines. It is not self leveling and does not offer a remote control, but for the price who cares?! It also has a tolerance of 1/4" @ 100' vs 1/8" @ 100' for the pricer models, but in my residential work I rarely ever need anything more the 50' so that doesn't bother me.

   This is actually the same unit that DeWalt sells for more than twice the price.  DeWalt recently bought this manufacturer (Momentum Laser, Inc.) and is repackaging the same thing with their logo and much higher prices.  This package has been discontinued (why would DeWalt want to be their own competition?) but Coastal told me that they have the last 50 available coming in this week on a shipment which has been confirmed.  If you're just getting into Laser and/or don't need anything super hardcore, I can't imagine you could beat this package at this price.  The direct link to this unit is:

   http://www.coastaltool.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/a/ab/moml/molaser.htm?L+coastest+pgfw9876ff881188+1046888101

   I recently got the Bosch Digital MitreFinder from these guys for less than anyone else I could find on the Net and found their shipping to be fast and their service to be good.

1. 
   NickNukeEm | Mar 11, 2003 11:56pm | #11

   I've been looking at laser levels, but was unwilling to drop so much cash for one.  Thanks for the h/u, I just ordered one from Coastal.  You should demand a commission.

1. 
   ninthwind | Mar 12, 2003 12:17am | #12

   Nick,

   Glad to hear I could be of service, but no commission required! LOL  Believe me, I have gotten plenty of info from this forum that has saved me LOTS of money (on materials AND mistakes!) so anytime I can return the favor I am all too happy to oblige.

   I'd be interested in hearing how the unit works out for you.  I just used it on a site the other day and literally had 5 grown men standing there in awe, it was pretty hilarious.  I placed the unit in the first floor doorway of a new home and shot the line in such a way that I was able to hit the foyer, living room & dining room at one time (with a few missed spots) I then proceeded to run the base board through three separate rooms at dead level by myself.  You'd have thought that the guys had just seen an alien.  I know these lasers are hardly new stuff, but it was certainly new to them!

   Anyway, good luck with it.  I know you'll soon wonder how you ever lived without one.

   Andy

1. 
   Snort | Mar 12, 2003 02:14am | #13

   I care about self leveling, dang, after centuries of using transits, that's all I care about. You might want to rent a self leveling laser to find out exactly how much you don't care for the money you're going to spend. Ebay has some deals, too. EliphIno!

1. 
   KenHill3 | Mar 15, 2003 06:03am | #14

   Snort-

   I agree- why buy a friggin' laser level that you have to set up with vials???? If I'm gonna be manually levelling my instrument, I'd much rather have a traditional optical builder's level. VERY accurate.

   Ken Hill

2. 
   andybuildz | Mar 15, 2003 04:19pm | #15

   Bucky

          I'd rather continue using my water level if I cant get a self leveling lazer level. what the point????

   So what is the best "self leveling" lazer lever for the best price?

   I'd really like having a laser level that will hold a line on the floor for when I tile. Snap lines never really work in that instance even when I darken them with my carp pencil.

   Be Ebay

           Namaste

                  andy"As long as you have certain desires about how it ought to be you can't see how it is."  http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

3. 
   calvin | Mar 15, 2003 05:14pm | #16

   Andy, When you tile, do you grid out the floor with lines (an area you can lay w/o reaching too far).  If so, learn to apply the thinset up to the lines, leaving them open.  Pulling the trowel from the line to you.  As to the laser.  I recently purchased the PLS 2 from plslaser.com.  (http://www.plslaser.com/level/laser/prodspecfs.htm)  Email them, attn Mike, he helped me out.  Plumb line, level line, plumb/level cross line all self leveling, plumb/level locked cross hairs (mount up high,clamped to a ladder leg or tripod mount to set square lines on the floor).  Set it on the floor, will project line more than thirty feet.  Though it doesn't spin, gives a level line almost around the whole room.  Line is not too big (more'n a pencil line), small unit, easy to carry.  Paid 269 @ drywall supplier.  Long batt life (3-AA).  I am satisfied having laid out walls, drop ceiling, leveling short wall studs on an outta whack floor.  To get anything more, I feel you have to spend more.  Might be worth a look.__________________________________________

   Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

   http://www.quittintime.com/

4. 
   andybuildz | Mar 15, 2003 06:17pm | #17

   cal

       that is what I usually do...thinset or glue "up to" the lines/ grid but it'd be nice not to have to is all.

   thanks for the lead..I'll definatly look into it.

   Namaste

             andy"As long as you have certain desires about how it ought to be you can't see how it is."  http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

5. 
   Snort | Mar 15, 2003 06:40pm | #18

   The PSL 2 sounds like the ticket. I wish it had been out when I was in the market. I got a Gizmo III with a 12' pole off ebay. $200.

   Does lines (verticle and horizontal), but not nearly around the room. If it wasn't for the self-leveling, I'd go with a water level, too.

   Get a laser, you'll find a million, no, a billion ways to use it...

   see the light, man EliphIno!

6. 
   jonblakemore | Mar 15, 2003 07:14pm | #19

   Calvin,

   Do you think you could use the PLS2 for exterior if you got one of those receiving plates?

   Jon Blakemore

7. 
   calvin | Mar 15, 2003 09:02pm | #20

   http://www.plslaser.com/level/laser/index.html  I don't know jon, try and contact mike at this site and see what he has to say.  They do have units that work outdoors with a target, just don't know if the 2 would do it.__________________________________________

   Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

   http://www.quittintime.com/