I am looking for a self leveling laser level. Almost all of my work is in remodeling kitchens and baths. Was looking at the PLS360e and was wondering if that is the one to get or do any of you have something you would recommend. I definately want something that is self leveling.
Thanks alot for any of your thoughts.
Replies
I use the PLS 2E. The thing is great. I've wished i had the 360 at times, but you make do. For me I find having the horizontal and vertical lines to be benefical at times. I've used it to lay out a drop ceiling, install collar ties, install beaded board on the lower half of a basement wall, etc. I recommend the 2E, and bought it on the recommendation of other folks around here. Good luck!
For the work you describe, the PLS 2 has served me very well.
A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
I have the PLS5x and like it more and more everyday. It shoots 5 points that comes in very handy in alot of situations.
I saw the PLS 360n in action the other day and it got my gears going. Might be time for another tool.
Matt
in looking at the spec's I am under the impression that the level line is only a dot and not a continous line. Is that correct.
The PLS5x only shoots dots. The 360 puts out a line.
Matt
Like bri, I have the PLS2e and love it. You really can't go wrong and the 360 sounds great. I love the portability of mine, I can wear it like a tape measure. If youdo get one, get it with the sensor (2e), so you can do layouts in the bright sun. You're going to be surprised how much you use it.
I have a PLS5x and a 360e. The 360e makes for one-man work, and it has a detector for outdoors. I need both of those features a lot of the time. The 5 or a similar stationary laser will do you quite well in a lot of situations.
For remodeling kitchens and baths, the PLS2E is exactly what you want. You won't have the continuous horizontal line that the 360 can do but you can just rotate the PL2E on the tripod. The PLS2E gives you everything you want for a kitchen and bath, vertical and horizontal lines which are great for everything from setting cabinets to tiles. It also has a over ride so you can use it without the self level and use the lines for diagonal pattern tiles or whatever else. It works great, one of the best purchases I've made. Check out coastal tool, they always seem to have the best prices and the shipping is cheap, no sales tax either.
Stanley makes one that is similar and cheaper, don't know how that works though.
I bought one at HF the other day, its almost like a flash light with cross hairs. cheap, very cheap but it seems good for tile. came with tri pod. Man its cheap. I felt bad but it was cheap
I have owned a pls 5 for a while now, but I just bought a Stanley RL350, and while it was serious coin (1500.00 Canadian with taxes) I have to say that I have never been happier with a major tool purchase. I has every imaginable bell and whistle - remote grade feature, suspended ceiling mount etc.- what sold me is that it projects a circle and shoots a plumb dot up. You just put a plumb bob on the transit mount and you can get up and down. What's really cool though, is that if you lay it on it's side it self levels a vertical circle, and the dot is shot horizontally. I'm a homebuilder, and this thing is going to pay for itself on the house I'm building now.
the lines this laser creates are unbelievable! lines everywhere, not dots - lines. very cool. I'm very happy with it.
Johnson 40-6660
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Edited 7/1/2007 1:04 am by alrightythen
Edited 7/1/2007 1:09 am by alrightythen
How much?
$740 at Hechingerhttp://tinyurl.com/ypzcjv
I thought Hechinger went under?Greg
http://www.wernerbuilding.net
They did. Here's the wikipedia rundown on it.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HechingerI thought I recalled that some guy, who was enamoured of Hechinger as a kid, wound up buying the name at the bankruptcy sale. From the size of Home Decor Products, I'd say he must have turned around and sold it to them.In any case, they are strictly an online outfit now, no physical stores.
I paid $900 CDN at HD. although it comes with detector for out side use. it is not weather proof. also accuracy of it over long distance is not the greatest. but for inside work I have not found a single laser of any make or model that casts the amount of lines that this laser does.
I prefer lines to dots any day, for obvious reasons.
I thought the stand was a gimick stand, but I was surprised to find how much I love the little stand. you can dial in exactly where you want. unlike a hand unit where you are constantly to far one way then too far the other way.
for interior work I don't think there is a laser that beats it.
for outside work I would get something else. View Image View Image
Thanks everyone for all the info. Just ordered the Johnson 40 6660 from a private party through Amazon. They said it is new and got for $350. Never bought anything like that on line before. Hope I won't be sorry.
Have you recieved your laser yet? tell us what you think when you get it. View Image View Image
Yes, I did get it a couple of weeks ago. Was on vacation last week. Did have the opportunity to use it today. I am well satisfied with how it works. I was a little disappointed in the manual, not very clear on a couple of things. Used it to establish a level line to install base cabinets and at the far end of line (Approximately 15 ft) I thought the line was a little weak. But so far am satisfied and getting a used one for about half the cost of new makes it all the better.
hmmm....the line mine generates is nice and clear. were you working in a bright room? any laser will loose clarity the brighter the conditions. View Image View Image