Author Topic: Question on Laser Levels  (Read 10914 times)

Offline DecorativeWalls

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Question on Laser Levels
« on: August 25, 2006, 06:28:49 AM »
I don't have one,  but would like to get one if they really work.   I have been looking at some but they seem to have little teeth where you attach right in the wall.   I don't think I want something that will leave little holes in the wall just to have to fix.

If you have one  ,  do you like them?    Do they accurately give you the correct measurements ,   will they meausre  arches,  curved walls,  or vaulted ceilings ,  or do they just do vertical and horizontal measurements.        Will they add all the meausrements up for you and does using some kind of tri-pod help with the leveling instead of the little holes in the wall.

Sorry for all the questions.   :-\

Thanks for any suggestions or recommendations.  :)

Offline ProWallGuy

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Re: Question on Laser Levels
« Reply #1 on: August 25, 2006, 08:00:33 PM »
I use one all the time. Kinda hard to remember how I worked without it.  8)
If you do decide to get one, don't get a cheap one. The ones you see at lowes or HD aren't worth squat. The best I've found for a reasonable price is the PLS2.
Made by Pacific Laser Systems, do a search on ebay, you can find them brand new for around $225 or so. They sell them at Amazon also. It self-levels (which sets them apart from the cheaper bunch), and the magnetic arm it comes with sticks very well to corner beads, door hinges, etc. Well worth the money. Mine has taken alot of abuse on commercial job sites, and even been dropped off scaffolding, but still works fine. It also has a very bright beam for such a small unit. I'll try to find some pics of it in action. Here is a stock photo of one:


Offline ProWallGuy

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Re: Question on Laser Levels
« Reply #2 on: August 25, 2006, 08:12:26 PM »
Here care some action shots:

This is on a residential wall in preparation for a photomural:



This is in an office, you can see the unit sitting on my paste machine:



And this is from a commercial job for one of our larger murals. The laser was probably about 25-35 ft away, and on the floor, but the beam is still highly visible:



If you had one of these for that plaid deal, it would have been a walk in the park for ya.
And no, I don't work for PLS, just think its a great little tool.

Offline DecorativeWalls

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Re: Question on Laser Levels
« Reply #3 on: August 26, 2006, 07:10:36 AM »
Tim, wow-  that looks like some impressive tool and does carry a hefty price.  Just browsing found prices ranging from 189 to 269 & above.
 
When reading about it I also like the fact it will read  simultaneously (v/h) and the beam will reach up to 30' away.  That must be a pretty powerful output to see a beam up to that distance.   Haven't checked ebay out yet.

Like the magnetic wall bracket and knowing it will attach to your own camera tripod.

Do you use a tripod or just level on table , etc.?    Have you checked for the self leveling accuracy.  That was probably a stupid question- I'm sure you followed up with that part.  Do you find it pretty easy following the beam line it shoots?    For that price , yeah it should perform to an 1/8" as mentioned.  That looks like a nice Christmas (on the wish list item).  Does the magnetic arm stay pretty much attached where you put it?

That's some mighty impressive wall finish you did there.  Love the detail in it.  :)  Your paste machine looks like a great item to use for hanging canvas murals also.   Care to elaborate -  probably need to sit down on the price of that one. 8)

Thanks for the info. and some action shots.  That was really helpful.  :)

Offline ProWallGuy

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Re: Question on Laser Levels
« Reply #4 on: August 26, 2006, 01:13:16 PM »
Do they accurately give you the correct measurements ,   will they meausre  arches,  curved walls,  or vaulted ceilings ,  or do they just do vertical and horizontal measurements.        Will they add all the meausrements up for you and does using some kind of tri-pod help with the leveling instead of the little holes in the wall.
Sorry, I just re-read your first post. Now I'm not sure what you are looking for. There are laser levels, which I posted about, and there are laser measuring devices. 2 different animals.
The laser level just provides you with a true level line to use as a guideline.
The laser measurererers :D I've only had limited success with. I bought a fairly cheap one to test drive, and it only gave accurate measurements about 50% of the time. On commercial job sites, it was a complete bust. I was told that heavy dust in the air possibly effected it there. When I asked others about them, I was told the only ones that work good enough to consider were very pricey. This is one that was recommended:
http://www.professionalequipment.com/xq/ASP/laser_measuring_tools/id.15/subID.125/qx/default.htm
Scroll down to see the Spectra Precision HD150, it is the one that came highly recommended from several GC's I work for. I had bought the $129 Fat Max to test drive. You can see the prices on the rest on that page, and understand why I still use a tape measure, or measuring wheel.

As for your last post, you say it is a hefty price for the PLS2. I disagree. It will pay for itself in no time by saving you time over having to snap chalk lines, or draw pencil lines with a level, etc.
There are 4 options for the beam. Click the button once, you get a horizontal line. click again, you get vertical. Click again, you get h/v (crosshairs). Click again, and it 'fixes' the crosshairs, so you can tip it on its side to project an 'X' on the wall, or ceiling, or floor.
It is self-leveling, a free floating mechanism. It is a very true plumb/level, as I check my Stabila levels by it all the time. It it tips over 6 degrees, it will shut itself off.
It is always dead-on accurate. I do all the Subway restaurant remodels here in StL. They have a mural that runs horizontally around the dining area 7' from the floor. It project the h beam at 7', and run the mural to it. My mural will always be level, and it pi55es off the contractor, because it forces him to do everything level too, meaning it the floor or ceiling tiles are out, it will show.

Some use a laser pole to attach it too. It is spring loaded like a shower curtain rod. It will reach up to 12', so you wedge it from floor to ceiling. This works great in a small area like a bathroom. I do alot of commercial w/c, so the ceiling is usually higher than 12', so I have never bought the pole myself. I use an old surveyor's tripod for most jobs, and have a small, cheap photographer's tripod for small residential jobs.
I also just set it up on a table, or my 2' ladder, or wherever I need it.
And yes, the magnetic arm is very strong. It will STAY where you put it. It will stick to a metal corner bead on a wall through multiple layers of paint, and vinyl w/c.

The paste machine is another fairly pricey tool, but it pays for itself, and I wouldn't hang without it. The one in the picture is an Advance 62" Pastmate, and runs brand new from SW around $2500. I scored mine from a local contractor getting ready to retire, and got the Advance and a Tapo 29" (residential machine) for $1200. Quite a steal.
IO don't run canvas through it as canvas will tend to stretch too much when pulling it through manually. We use a TapoFix CB56 motorized machine for canvas, as the motor gently feeds the material through, instead of us pulling it through. Now sit down for the price. The CB56 comes in at $3500, but again, it pays for itself. Anytime I do a large commercial mural, I either figure in a new tool, or piece of equipment. Or, put a portion of the profit aside to a 'equipment fund'. I have recently learned that casinos have very deep pockets. The last mural we did for MGM, the one pictured above, bought me a new truck.
Here is a pic of the CB56 in action. Second pic is a bonus, as you can see the machine, the mural, AND the laser on the tripod.  ;D







Offline DecorativeWalls

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Re: Question on Laser Levels
« Reply #5 on: August 26, 2006, 08:20:47 PM »
As long as it accurately meausures a straight line and I can stop making tick marks that's a great improvement.

Quote
You can see the prices on the rest on that page, and understand why I still use a tape measure, or measuring wheel.

Yes, I can most definitely see why I will  still use my tape measure also. :o

Quote
As for your last post, you say it is a hefty price for the PLS2. I disagree. It will pay for itself in no time by saving you time over having to snap chalk lines, or draw pencil lines with a level, etc.

Yes , you are so right in that respect,   was just a comparison to the ones you see ranging from 30-50.       I can see where the level of the X could come in handy as well.  I can also see if from the accuracy of it , as you mentioned ,  would force something else to be just as accurate.

On the paste machine and the TapoFix CB56 - will pass on that one.  Spilled my drink when I read that one. :o     Yeah,  you really did get a super deal .  I have run into a few things like that also and count my blessings.   

Woo-hoo-   sounds like I am in the wrong business.   New truck-one job.

Beautiful landscape mural.

The distance measurer sounds alot like something I would like to have, but for now I know I definitely will be getting the  laser level.

Now one last question and I promise not to ask anything else.     Fess up-  which one are you  in the picture   or are you the top dog taking the picture.  :D

Thanks a million for your information.    :)  You sold me on the laser .




Offline DecorativeWalls

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Re: Question on Laser Levels
« Reply #6 on: August 28, 2006, 06:06:47 AM »
Beautiful mural picture.

I was flipping through channels late last night - past by a show where the person was using the very same laser level to hang panel boards and strips.  He showed some things it would do,   the same things you mentioned.   Definitely going to get one.
Thanks again, :)

Offline Flawless Finish

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Re: Question on Laser Levels
« Reply #7 on: August 28, 2006, 03:45:48 PM »
ProWall where did you do that ceiling at?

Offline ProWallGuy

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Re: Question on Laser Levels
« Reply #8 on: August 28, 2006, 04:36:03 PM »
That was done at the Charles Town Slots & Races in WV.

Offline Flawless Finish

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Re: Question on Laser Levels
« Reply #9 on: August 29, 2006, 08:22:08 PM »
It looks really good. I thought it might have ben done in the STL area.

Offline ProWallGuy

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Re: Question on Laser Levels
« Reply #10 on: August 29, 2006, 09:54:59 PM »
Nope. I'd love to do a casino here in StL, but they are all wrapped up by union boys.