Laser lines

[Tom]

Hi all,
I am considering buying a laser line generator to speed up work where chalk lines get smudged or covered. I saw one at the HD for 50 bucks, although I'm willing to spend a little more if that one puts out lines that I have to cover the windows to see. Does anyone have any experience with these? Any recommendations? Thanks.

[Bri]

Hi
I have one that attaches to my spirit level...still haven't figured out how to get it to work correctly....You make a mark on the wall, then lay the level on this point, and it shoot a level all around the room..which is great..but if the wall I have the level on is out of plumb, the the level line isn't any good. I would suggest that a laser that sits on a tripod, that you can adjust to level in all directions, is a better idea.

[Bud Cline]

I have a rotary laser and love it. It will mount on a pole but I prefer to mount it on a camera tripod. I use it primarily for commercial wainscott.

It takes too much time to set up repeatedly to use on a floor layout because it would have to be moved every couple of tile rows.

The best use I've found for it (well two actually) is in large custom kitchens with islands. Set the laser on top of the island (on it's tripod) and layout through the island is then a breeze.

The second use, is in a room full of mirrors, turn out all the lights (total darkness) and, get high man. Far out!!!

Hi Tom

Gary Katz has written 2 excellant articles about lasers for Journal of Light Construction. You can find him at the Finish Carpentry Forum at http://www.jlconline.com.

I am doubtful that a $50 laser from H*** D**** will be a quality, long lasting addition to your tool arsenal. I bought one with a splitter for a hundred and change from HD, and immediately returned it because it was a piece of junk.

[tileguytodd]

One other use i have found for a simple line laser (you know the on thats about 12 inches long and is sposed to shoot level square and plumb)commercial additions where you need to match up a pattern and straight line for a distance.run back into your pattern 20-30 feet lay it on the floor on your grout line (use a card to line up with the end of the tile to be certain your straight,remove card and make your mark on the distant wall.snap your chalk line.
(other than this it s pretty much an anchor)
Todd

[Bud Cline]

Rotary is the way to go.

[John Bridge]

Hey Bud, What was that thing Dave G. showed us up in Dallas?

By the way, I'm moving this to the hangout.

[Bri]

Hi
I like my Water Level...hasn't failed me yet..and cost about 5 bucks(for the clear tubing)

Ok..it's official...1000 posts....I have no life

[JC]

Disagree with just about everyone.

HD and Lowes do not sell the right kinda laser.nor do 90% of laser companies.

What you need is a laser that shoots 2 LINES (not dots like most of them do ) at a 45 degree angle.

Don't waste your money on anything else. These things will make laying out rooms a breeze...no more 6-8-10

a straight laser will not be any better then a 5 dollar chaulkine and you will indeed have a hard time seeing it.And it will be 1/2 wide after 40 feet.

A rotory does not give you 45's and has limited use and longer set-up time.


There are two I would reccomend one is 400.00 the other 800.00. they have the same size lasers. I use the cheaper one but never tried the more expensive one yet but the more expensive one can do the extra horizontal line(follow the link).
The cheaper one is an advantage also as it comes with a angle finding plate.

heres the links:

Remember these are LINES not tiny useless dots that take a PhD is physics to figure out.

Also remember they shoot at a true 45 degree and most all others can't do this feature. This is the most useful feature a laser can do for you, don't think of buying one that can't do this..makes set up really easy.

the expensive one, introducing the SL-24



http://www.contractorstools.com/lasersquare_sl24.html


the one I use:

it's called the Accusquare





http://www.contractorstools.com/leve...pecsacsqr.html

[John Bridge]

That looks like the thing Dave Gobis had.

[tileguytodd]

Ah Man,why does Dave get all the cool stuff.
That SL 24 looks good but does it Grout????
Todd

[JC]

I don't even know of any other brands that make these 45 line lasers.

[Tom]

Thanks everyone for the links - I thought that $50 one might be too good to be true. I'll look into everything here.

[Bud Cline]

Dave had three or four lasers there (Dallas) I think and I didn't pay much attention at the time. It was Latney that had the real interest.

But of course I had my useless no good rotary waiting at home and was happy with it. But I didn't have JC to tell me what I needed either.

Where is Davis anyway?

[JC]

Sorry Bud, if it will make you feel better I do think rotories work better on walls and real areas.