I am a general contractor looking to buy a laser tool. I do a lot of remodeling, carpentry, trim work, drop ceilings, decks, framing,etc, and would like some advice on a laser tool to help with my work. I have used an inexpensive manual leveling rotating Lasermark but I would really like something self leveling. I am overwhelmed with all the choices and features as well as prices. Anything under $500.00, rotating,self leveling, can be seen outside, that a jack of all could use would be really helpful.
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I've had my PLS180 a cpl of weeks now and really like it a lot.
"Revolution is not something fixed in ideology, nor is it something fashioned to a particular decade. It is a perpetual process embedded in the human spirit". abbie
"Give them what they want" abbie
Had a PLS 2 for several yrs. Indoor only-excellent for Leveling/aligning. Kitchens/baths/some tile/some ceilings. Most often used at initial job checkout-find the problems b/4 you bid.
Have the PLS 180 now with outdoor sensor. Better indoor work because of the larger spread beam. Same reliability. Outdoors the sensor works as advertised.
Convenient, small size, easy to cart around.
The company is first rate and stand by their products.
A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
I've only heard praise here on BT for the PLS2, 3, 5, and 180....but I don't understand how they are so useful? Aren't they limiting in usage compared to similar priced rotary lasers? I like lasers and have a few, but I learned to do things old school so I really haven't yet learned how to efficiently use my lasers. Maybe you laser veterans can give some tips, tricks, and pointers on laser use. I have a rotary laser w/detector and tripod, 2 laser squares, a plumb laser, and a laser line generator. I've been thinking about selling the rotary (Laser Alignment LB2). To replace it I was looking at the Robotools RT-7690-2 rotary level and plum line generator; or if I could save up more money then the Stabila 05000 system. Any thoughts on those....or should I just try a PLS system?GK
I really don't know what to tell you. You've got a slew of lasers (I'm not familiar with the ones you mention). I've only had one-well two if you consider the PLS2 then upgrade to the 180. Oops, 3 since I won a stabila dot laser. I've used transits and bldrs levels-have those also. I would use them again if the opportunity arose where that was the way to go. Lot of walking back and forth for one guy.
I've used rotary lasers both indoors and out on commercial work-and they performed the task well. A little bulky at that time-the case looked like a small suitcase.
For most of my work-the level and plumb line with the locking square that the 180 is does the trick. The ext. rcvr has added another dimension.
The compact size of it is a real prize.
Like I said, you've got several-don't they do you what you want?
A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
It sounds like you would do very well with the PLS180 kit with the outdoor sensor. It's a good, very portable all around tool. They are smaller (the size of a Fat Max) than the more cumbersome bigger ones and they perform every bit as good with all the same functions.
I have the PLS2E system that the 180 just replaced and absolutely love it. It's very user friendly and you can easily get the kit for under $500, I think it's three-something. Get a tripod ($35 at Sears).
From what I'm reading these days, Stanley, CST and the rest of them have copied the PLS pocket concept and they are now making their own models that do the same thing, so it's like choosing miter saws. You pay your money and make your choice.
Good luck.
I've got a Porter-Cable/Robotoolz 7690-2 Dual Plane rotating model. It's got a remote, it's self-leveling, and it's VERY accurate:
I shot a beam onto a wall about 125' away (I'll have to got back and measure just how far one of these days). Then I picked the laser up, turned it 180 degrees, and set it back down to self-level. It was within 1/8".
Naturally, it takes a bit of fiddling to calibrate it just right, but it holds the setting well.
It's a bit high ($600) for the price range you mention, but it's good.
I saw a similar level that also had the added feature of dropping a single plumb point down. That would be nice, but it was 2K.
The P-C/RT will not give you square layout lines on a deck --the ability to lie on it's side and work is lacking. I've seen that feature on other lasers, and it's very useful. Since you've already got two beams rotating at 90 degrees to each other, it should be easy to add that feature, but...
5-dot lasers are really versatile.
My ideal laser would be a 5-dot, with the ability to spin the three horizontal dots into a solid beam, and the ability to lay the tool on its side to get a vertical beam, with two horizontal dots. Tricky to engineer, but it would be sweet!
Good luck, and report back to us,
AitchKay
PLS 3. I've got a couple of them that the crews fight over. It shoots a solid line instead of just a dot.
You'll love it.
Ed Williams
I was thinking about buying a pls 180 last year and as i was walking thru home depot I noticed stanley had their version of a self leveling line generator. I figured I would try it out and if it didn't live up to my expectations I would return it and buy the pls laser.
I still have the stanley model. I think it was right around a hundred dollars. It has been far more useful than I would have ever imagined and has withstood countless falls and it still shoots a line accurate enough for the light construction and countertop work I do.
I think the main reason I would upgrade to a pls laser is the sensor for using it in daylight/bright light. It hasn't been a big issue yet so I am still using the stanley.
Karl
I just picked up the new Hilti Combilaser from my buddy a few months ago. It is a great all-in-one: plumb line, level line, plus plumb, level, and square dots. I still need to get the receiver for outside work but this little laser does almost everything in a palm sized package.
I've also used a simple Robotoolz remote controlled dot laser and it is very handy for price - spend quite a bit of time looking for the dot if it is bright out.
I like Hilti stuff and got a chance to play with a rotary at the Mining Expo in Vegas last month. It is amazing. Fully remote controlled, two axis slope, auto finds the reciever at set level for slope, wig wag for visible line outdoors. The high-end rotary lasers are great at what they do, but setup and bulk is a factor. If you plan on doing any excavation or forming that requires a slope then the rotary is your only choice.
Really, the Hilti PMC 36 does EVERYTHING for just a little more than the single functions. Plus the dots are all on the same plane, no measuring back an inch when squaring the layout.