Which laser level/measuring tool is good?

[Koa Man]

I have been looking at the various laser leveling devices to be used for house renovations and building. I have seen prices as low as $35 for a four piece set made by a company I never heard of, to $200 and up for just one piece made by companies like David White, Bosch, Porter-Cable, etc. I don't mind spending up to about $200 for a good one. Even though I am not a builder or carpenter by trade, I do like to buy high quality professional carpentry tools. Does anyone out there have experience using these things? Are they worth buying? Should I just stick to pencil and measuring tape?

 

[Bertram65]

I have a Strait-Line laser measuring device I got for xmas last year, about $40, it's decent but I would not trust it for accurate measurements say accurate to less than 1". The problem I see with them is angle, a tiny change in angle changes the measurement, the greater the distance the greater the change. Repeatability is difficult. I think they are great for measureing rooms or other large things for estimates. If you installed carpet for example they would save a lot of time. I also have a laser level, Smart Level, it is usefull but I have not found too many uses if that makes sense. It is good for locating things on a wall for instance that all need to be at the same height. It was expensive as it is about 4 years old, I am sure they have better cheaper ones available now. Fun toys but I have a hard time not wanting to double check eveything with a tape measure.

 

[Koa Man]

I would like to get at least 1/4" accuracy at 50 ft. Wondering if the old tape measure and chalk line method is more accurate.

 

[daveshoe]

I have a 5-beam unit that shoots straight up,down,and shoots 3 beams at 90 degrees to one another. Paid 750 bucks for it and worth every penny . it is self leveling and has a magnetic mount[nail a steel square to the wall and you are ready to shoot a line in a few seconds. ] The only time i use my rotary laser is outside over long distance. These 5- beam units are now available in your price range,as electronics continue to drop in price

This tool is about the best thing I can think of inside a house. Your layouts are crisply square, you can plumb a wall of any height,and shoot a level beam at any height from ceiling to floor. I also love it to lay out square lines for block masons on footers. It comes with laser sensitive targets that glow when you hit them in an outside bright environment.

 

[Koa Man]

This laser would be used almost exclusively inside a house. I have been gutting out houses and putting in new walls, windows and doors for one of my customers. I am a tree service contractor by trade, but been doing a lot of carpentry work the past few months. I was thinking one of these devices would be helpful in setting up a new interior wall. Yes or no on that??

 

[daveshoe]

YES! Lay out chalk line on floor amd you can line up the ''down'' beam on the line. Look up and there is a bright dot on the ceiling. go to the other end of the chalked line and repeat. to square a line 90 degrees to the first one. shoot the ''down'' beam on the chalk line and point the forward beam to the other end of the line. Now you are shooting two beams at 90 degrees to the first line.

Here is another cool application for this tool. I had a basket case kitchen with 9 foot ceilings [plenty of headroom] Problem was that existing ceiling was bumpy,lumpy and varied in height by two inches. I found the low spot and set the laser a half inch below that. I then set grade all around the room and snapped chalk lines and metal stud channel. I then set lightweight metal studs in the channel and supported them three places across the fifteen foot span with strong hex head siding screws. It was easy to place plywood blocks and shims with the laser . If the screw sucked it up too tight , it was easy to remove and correct. Very inexpensive and a one man operation

 

[GFritsch]

Have had very good luck with these

http://www.plslaser.com/index.html