If you where going to buy a laser tomorrow, and you where going to use it for setting up cabinets in horribly out of level old buildings and possibly using it for tile layout (floors and backsplashes) would you go for a rotary or line laser, and what would you pick?
I did search, and it seems most of the posts are old enough to wonder if there is new better information or long term wisdom on what to avoid!
Jeff
Replies
If your work is principally indoors, a self-levelling non-rotary unit will serve you fine in my opinion. The rotary units are brighter for daylight outdoor use. The cheap POS self-levelling non-rotary unit I have is too dim to see outdoors during the day, that's for sure.
PLS 2
http://www.plslaser.com/
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
i am very impressed with my robolaser,you rotate it with a remote.if mine broke i'd buy another one tommorrow.daytime it will read out to abou 150',nightime probably 750'[it will go a city block at night! larry
hand me the chainsaw, i need to trim the casing just a hair.
What calvin said... PLS 2 can be had for $219 at tool crib and would be perfect for what you want to do . It has crosshairs for your layouts, it's accurate , small, and one of the most useful tools I own. BUIC
pls 2
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
I like overbudget have the Robolaser line but have the 5 beam non rotater,
i like it and have checked it and it is dead on over at least 50 feet--the thing the 5 or 3 beam will do over the rotatator is a plumb line--nice for wall layout in basements and such
I can set it and spin in around on the tripod and snap lines around the room to give me a level reference line.
you will only find it under the PC name cause they bought the right to the tool but Robo still makes them. Comes with a padded case that hold the mount , batteries and red glasses.
Adam Savage---Mythbusters
My boss and I do strictly commercial tile setting. We us them both. Depends on what we are doing at the time as to which one we use.
The rotary that we have also does 90 degrees. Handy for when going down a hallway and into a room were you have to keep things straight. Just set it up on the center line and it will light up the way. Turn the head and it shows us the high spots on the concrete floor that might give us trouble with those 16 x 16 tiles. Sure would be nice if those crete guys would start using them. It is also self leveling. It sure beats trying to mess around with that big fold up square in a small closet. It also came with a pair of special glasses so you can see the beam in bright light.
Usually use the non rotary to set up the center line. It has a narrower beam on it and points only in one direction.
I think that most rotary ones can have the beam stop rotating if you want. If you want something that will show your centerline not only on the floor but up the wall and across the ceiling, such as for a shower, then the rotary is your best choice. Put it on a tripod in the center of the room and it will help keep the tiles, on the wall, on the same horizontal line all the way around the room. You would have to find one that you can raise and lower the center of it with a hand crank for accuracy.
How did we do it before we had lasers? Already got young ones asking what is a plumb bob.
Maybe I am tired enough now so I can get some sleep.
edit: The one that we have is a DeWalt that cost somewhere between 450 to 500 US dollars.
Dane
I will always be a beginner as I am always learning.
Edited 4/24/2005 4:17 am ET by DaneB