Replies

1. 
   shoemaker | Sep 02, 2004 01:09am | #1

   stabila is always nice but pricey. Lowes actually has a good deal on a laser. It's a David White  i believe for only $140. not a bad deal. Also a Mark 2 and a Mark 4 for $99. and $219. all self leveling but none are 360 degrees.

   http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=productList&function=search&categoryId=LASER_LEVELS.CATEGORY&topic=goShopping

   Thats not a blemish....we call that character

2. 
   handhewn | Sep 02, 2004 02:08am | #2

   Dave,

   I was able pick up a Porter Cable last year as a close out. They are now sold as Robo tolzs as far as I know. The one I have is plumb and level as seperate heads. It also is self leveling and comes with a remote. I and all of my buddies love this thing.

   P.S. You can slowly advance the position of the head so as to be able to see the dot in a single spot or let it spin to show a line.

   Curly

   Hand Hewn Restorations Inc.

   Restoring the past for the future.

3. 
   Shep | Sep 02, 2004 02:14am | #3

   I recently bought the CST/Berger 5- beam laser for $200 at HD. Have only used it a few times so far, but it seems to be well built.

4. 
   Sasquatch | Sep 02, 2004 02:44am | #4

   I do have a few favorite brands, such as Stabila and PLS; however, there are so many lasers out there that are excellent that you can hardly go wrong.  Today my basement digging crew came in for my current job.  They brought a back hoe, a case 1840, a shovel, and a laser.  Naturally, I examined the laser, which worked fine, and which they had used for some time.  I had never even heard of the name.  I can't even remember it now.  I have always been afraid to buy laser equipment before it is proven.  I think if you get a good deal, it is worth the risk to tray an off brand, although I am not sure if I would follow my own advice on this.  Make sure that the package includes a detector for outside work.

   Les Barrett Quality Construction
5. 
   dieselpig | Sep 02, 2004 06:16am | #5

   I have a Porter Cable 5 beam which I believe ran around $225.  I like it, but wish I could get my money back and put it towards a better one.  I've been using the GC's Porter Cable that cost about twice what mine did and would spend the money in a heartbeat to have the options this one has.

   We are remodeling an old house where footings have settled, beams have failed, lumber has shrunk, and NOTHING is plumb, level, or square.  His laser shoots a continuous 360* beam at level and a 360* plumb line.  This job would have been a nightmare at best without his laser, and still would have been frustrating with only mine.

   Pick the one you think you can afford.... and buy the next model up!

6. 
   Dinosaur | Sep 02, 2004 07:09am | #6

   Could you stand to work with a static laser level? I picked up a Johnson last year for about $40, and if you don't mind walking back and forth, you can even use the thing solo if you make up a story stick.

   It's got a good, bright laser that's easy to see even in daylight without the red goggles, and a decent (but not super H-D) tripod. Best of all, Johnson's customer service is A-1. Silly stuff: one of the case hasps busted and I e-mailed them to order a replacement.

   They sent me a whole new case so fast it came in by courier before the reply e-mail got here....

   Dinosaur

   'Y-a-tu de la justice dans ce maudit monde?

7. 
   gzajac | Sep 02, 2004 12:38pm | #7

   Dave- I use a PLS5 everyday. Its pricy but accurate. Probably a pain to use for grading, but for a framer, its a dream come true. When I bought my laser, there were many brands available and it was hard to make a choice. I purchased mine at a store that specialized in lasers, transits etc,and I was able to play with 10-15 different models.I picked the salesmans brain, went home and thought about it,and bought one a week later. Spend at the top end of your budget, and for the type of work it will be used for most often.Self leveling is great feature. Also ask where can you get it serviced? greg in connecticut