LASERS-PLS180 vs Bosch GTL3 for tile wk
I own the PLS 180 but I’m leaning heavily on getting Bosch’s new GTL3 specifically for tile work on a large tile floor coming up next week or so. Floor is 40×35-ish and the tiles are approx 18 or 16″X24″. Pattern will probably be a sort of V pattern or herringbone-ish.
Working over Ditra makes it a bit more difficult to see you snap layout lines due to the waffle design so with a combination of laser and snapped ink lines it should make life easier and more precise in my mind.
The new Bosch- http://www.boschtools.com/products/tools/pages/boschproductdetail.aspx?pid=gtl3
My PLS180:http://www.plslaser.com/
My question is for tile work on floors I’m thinking the new Bosch would work much better than the PLS180. Worth spending about $170+- for.
Any thoughts on that?
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Hi Andy,
I sent the Bosch laser to Tom Meehan a month or so ago thinking that it would be 50/50 whether he liked the thing. I didn't know whether lasers were gimmicky to him, because I know he's a fan of that enormous 3-4-5 Starrett square.
I heard back from Tommy recently, and he apparently has tried several layout lasers, but had excellent things to say about the Bosch version in comparison. I don't have many details to share, but I just wanted to pass along that a full time tile guy gave it a big old thumbs up.
Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
Thanks Justin...hope alls going well with you.
Too bad you didn't give it to me to try out <G> I should be starting this big floor tile job within the next week or two and will be going over Ditra I decieded.It's a nice sized job which will include a new kitchen...big wndows etc etc but for now the floor is somewhere between 35'-40' long and about 30' wide.
The last two photos show the rooms I opened last year for them...where this new finish work is going.
http://picasaweb.google.com/andybuildz/OpeningSpaces?feat=directlinkThe reason I want to use a Laser for one, is b/c snapping lines over Ditra even with an ink Taj snap line you still get all those empty spaces in the waffles of the Ditra...plus it's such a long run I figured I could set the laser up in the center of the room for the entire job just about.I think my PLS180 wouldn't help all that much because I like getting the three lines on the floor...my 0-90 my 45 and 135 . The porcelain tiles are about 18x24 and look like a dark metal..real contemporary....this kitchen/great room should like pretty dynamic when I'm done...fireplace and all.
The pattern of the tiles I think'll be a sort of V pattern so I think a "laser lay outter" would be ideal for this particular job.I did read one review I found from a forum in the UK and they said it's not quite as sturdy as one other they mentioned which brand I forget...but that it was still a really good tool and well worth the money. the third line should really come in handy too.Thanks for the lil' bit of info....it all helps.
Be well bro
andyView Image
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I too own the PLS 180 as well as a PLS3.
I am a big fan of PLS lasers & their quality.
I really liked the features of that Bosch you linked to, I can really see why that would be a better setup for tile work.
I say get the darn thing, you know you want it ;-). It does look like it would be especially good for diagonal layouts.
I just read about it tonight in Tools of the Trade. Let us know how it works.
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
take one for the team man and get the Bosch ... if it sucks, write it up here and return it.
I LOVE my Bosch laser distance meter but also think my PLS HVR 505 is the bees knees. Please, give me one more excuse to add another Bosch laser to the xmas list!
My customers coming back from their honeymoon Sat so Monday I'll go over there...measure everything up exactly and give them the contract to sign. 95% sure it'd be a go. Te first thing I'm gonna do at that point is buy the laser.Now all I have to worry about is figure out how to get expansion joints in the weird layout thy're gonna want.. It's always sumpin'!View Image
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