Laser Levels

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Steven6095

Steven6095

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
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Nicholasville, KY
Going to do some hanging down a long hallway at a school.

Anyone ever use a laser level?
Any brands better than others? Drawbacks?
 
have a small one & use it occasionally---too old fashioned????? I think it's as accurate/quick the measure using tape from floor/ceiling/side to side-----do rely heavily on my 3' & 4' levels!
 
I grabbed a cheap laser level at Home Depot a few years ago when I needed to hang a fairly tight grouping of photos at home. The cost was about $20 or so – but they threw in an electronic stud finder (whoopee!). I’m not sure of the brand, but it was something like “AccuView” or “Straight Line”. All I remember is that it was yellow and black.

The level is held on the wall by those one-time adhesive strips which removes without any residue. Once you plop the level on the wall, you level the level with a built in bubble like you find on a carpenters level. It works pretty well. It saved me a lot of aggravation.

Especially in an older house that may have settled a wee bit, trying to measure consistently from the ceiling or the floor will make your hanging parallel to these surfaces, but not necessarily level.
 
I used one on my camera tripod last year to hang 12 xmas plates for a customer and it made it a snap! I was able to align them with a set of shelves next to the area and once the line hit the shelf, I knew I was in sync visually. Once I had the line where I wanted it, I marked the wall where each plate went and placed the hangers and... done!

Don't know what make it was as it belonged to a friend of mine and had to give it back.
 
Got the Black and decker one as well. It has a built in stud finder and will tell you if electrical lines are on the other side.

Has saved a lot of time for me.

Bob
 
Personally I wouldn't spend the money on a laser level in additon to the cost of replacing or recharging batteries for it's lifetime. Every hardware store carries 24" to 48" levels with one side a measuring stick, usually for under $10 bucks, nothing to break or replace.
 
The battery in mine is 1 aa battery and can show you a level line for about 30' (ft)acurately. Unless you want to carry around a 30'(ft) level with you, it is not nearly as convenient.

I think I can spend 1.00 for a battery every year or two.

Bob
 
They do work. IMO too well, but then I have used them in old houses! The pictures hung level with the ground, but not with the walls or floor! After a couple hundred years I guess even buildings suffer from sagging!

I have used a measuring stick to get the pictures the same height relative to the floor, then used the PP hangers on the frame with some good success. Then while the pictures aren't technically level they matched the sag of the house and looked level!
 
Bob Doyle said:
They do work. IMO too well, but then I have used them in old houses! The pictures hung level with the ground, but not with the walls or floor! After a couple hundred years I guess even buildings suffer from sagging!

I have used a measuring stick to get the pictures the same height relative to the floor, then used the PP hangers on the frame with some good success. Then while the pictures aren't technically level they matched the sag of the house and looked level!
Click to expand...


It'll really drive you crazy when the ceiling goes one way and the floor the other way and don't even "average" level - just had to do that in an 1850s show house hallway.
 
Bob Doyle said:
I have used a measuring stick to get the pictures the same height relative to the floor, then used the PP hangers on the frame with some good success. Then while the pictures aren't technically level they matched the sag of the house and looked level!
Click to expand...


You could also do this with your Lazar level. Instead of leveling it, simply measure your starting point and then set the line off-level but at the same distance from the floor at the opposite end.
 
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