Hi all,
I’ve finally gotten the prep work out of the way and am ready to start laying out the walls for my basement finish. I’m doing this by myself, so using the good old 3-4-5 method gets challenging. I’ve got a 5-beam laser but I’m not completely sure of the best way to go about using it. I did a search, but mostly found discussions of different brands of laser, not necessarily how to use them.
Here’s what I was thinking – would appreciate any comments and suggestions. Hopefully, my description will make sense.
I am going to make two “targets” for the laser. They’d just be a couple small pieces of 3/4″ ply butted together to make an L. The bottom of the L would sit on the floor. The vertical piece of the L would have a vertical line in the middle. The idea would be to simply aim the laser at the line and then transfer down and mark the point on the floor. Do the same thing off beam 2. Finally, mark the spot where the plumb laser line hits the floor and I’ve got three spots to pull my first two chalk lines. (Still haven’t figured out how to easily do that by myself since it’s a concrete floor.)
Once I’ve got the first two chalk lines, the rest should be fairly easy. Put the plumb laser on the previous “end point”, line up the first target with the last line and use the second target to get the next “end point.” Keep going till I get back to the starting point.
Does this sound logical? Are there better ways of doing this?
Thanks much.
Replies
You can drill a tapcon into the concrete to hold the end of the chalk line.
Try using a cement block on top of the chaulk line. Believe me the line will stay like a good dog.
And yes you seem to have the basic idea straight for laying out with the laser. A little patience and some double checking always goes a long way...Buic
Edited 12/13/2005 11:42 pm ET by BUIC
Sometimes in a pinch, I use a 5 gallon bucket with a little 1/8" slot cut in the bottom flange and slip the chalkline in the slot. Fill the bucket with rocks, if it is empty.
I have never been able to trust the lasers for 90 degrees, although I have used it for a quick check.
I actually use the bucket method quite a bit, and keep the chalk, paint and squares in the bucket also. Been known to call it Bucky, my apprentice.
Mike
Trust in God, but row away from the rocks.
Mike - I've got a pair of horses I made that have their names written on them. One's Jake, the other's... Elwood. Seemed funny at the time. When someone asks I tell them it's so I can tell them apart. I'm easily amused <lol>.... Buic
Let me guess. Are they painted blue ? Mike
Trust in God, but row away from the rocks.
Sounds good to me, but I have never used a laser for layout. (Old School Builder)
You could also make a perfect reference square on the floor / check the diagonial dimensions for true square, and layout everything off this square.
Haven't you got a girlfriend, wife, tape or someone to help hold the dumb end of the stringline?