Laser Level

[Chris Parks]

I want to buy a laser level for a fairly big job and beside that I like toys. I know some don't work well outdoors but I don't know what I am looking for so the big question, does anyone know if this will work outdoors or can point me to one that will. Thanks.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-Green-Beam-Auto-Self-Levelling-Rotating-Rotary-Laser-Level-Tripod-Staff/161145434035?_trksid=p2045573.c100034.m2102&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140410092834%26meid%3D6b45fb795a254923a20199b8eb049027%26pid%3D100034%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D8%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D151766828198

[issatree]

Hi Chris,
I have a young Friend who has a Laser Business, here in Nth Geelong, Vic.
I could get him to help you with your decision. He has been in business for quite a few years now & I'm fairly certain he knows his stuff.
PM me & I can put you in touch with him & a Ph. No. wood be a help.

[DaveTTC]

Green is definitely the colour recommend for out doors. Still on a bright day you will likely be relying on your reciever

It does not clarify whether or not the remote is a reciever as well or not. Mine is.

It looks to be excellent bang for bucks. Mine was about 5x's that price (on sale) some 10 years ago

Dave TTC
Turning Wood Into Art

[DaveTTC]

Hi Chris,
I have a young Friend who has a Laser Business, here in Nth Geelong, Vic.
I could get him to help you with your decision. He has been in business for quite a few years now & I'm fairly certain he knows his stuff.
PM me & I can put you in touch with him & a Ph. No. wood be a help.
Does your friend do repairs. My laser level was not used for 13 months or so and the battery acid leaked. Now it wont work

Dave TTC
Turning Wood Into Art

[rwbuild]

I want to buy a laser level for a fairly big job and beside that I like toys. I know some don't work well outdoors but I don't know what I am looking for so the big question, does anyone know if this will work outdoors or can point me to one that will. Thanks.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-Green-Beam-Auto-Self-Levelling-Rotating-Rotary-Laser-Level-Tripod-Staff/161145434035?_trksid=p2045573.c100034.m2102&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140410092834%26meid%3D6b45fb795a254923a20199b8eb049027%26pid%3D100034%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D8%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D151766828198

Bargain price, nothing wrong with that one. I paid $900-00 for a second hand one 12 years ago.
Laser levels have come down dramatically in price the last few years as a result of competition and the ease of use (1 person instead of 2) as well as accuracy.

[issatree]

Hi Dave,
Will take me a couple of days to get your question answered.

[Chris Parks]

Thanks guys, I will order one and start work.

[DaveTTC]

Hi Dave,
Will take me a couple of days to get your question answered.
Thankyou

Thanks guys, I will order one and start work.
Hope it works well for you. Love a review after you have used it

Dave TTC
Turning Wood Into Art

[FenceFurniture]

Well I'm in the market for a laser level as well, but I don't want to spend anything like $500. I'm thinking something more along these lines:

https://sydneytools.com.au/bosch-gll-5-50-50m-self-leveling-5-line-laser-professional

How well do the red laser glasses work?

I just want to be able to find levels outside, and maybe the odd one inside. It's not something I will use that much so don't want to invest too much.

[DaveTTC]

If you use at dusk red can be seen real easy.

The ad mentions a receiver. If it had a receiver they work great and does not mater if you can see it or not.

Not ecer used glasses so cant coment on that

Dave TTC
Turning Wood Into Art

[rwbuild]

FF, spend $20-00 and get 20Lm 12mm clear plastic tube, mix a bit of food colouring with water (makes it easier to see) and use as a water level.
Since you said only occasional use, just need to get your good lady to operate your datum end, just make sure you get ALL air bubbles out.
Accurate to +/- 1mm. Works around corners with both ends hidden from each other, laser won't do that. The advantage of the laser is 1 person operation and easier quicker set up. Leaves you with spare $'s for workshop toys :rolleyes: opps! meant essentials

[Chris Parks]

FF, spend $20-00 and get 20Lm 12mm clear plastic tube, mix a bit of food colouring with water (makes it easier to see) and use as a water level.
Since you said only occasional use, just need to get your good lady to operate your datum end, just make sure you get ALL air bubbles out.
Accurate to +/- 1mm. Works around corners with both ends hidden from each other, laser won't do that. The advantage of the laser is 1 person operation and easier quicker set up. Leaves you with spare $'s for workshop toys :rolleyes: opps! meant essentials

Brett you can make a one man water level really easily and they are accurate if a little slow sometimes and that is how I have done it on prior jobs. This explains it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HMBZlZkqU4

As you are doing an internal fit out as well the laser will come in very handy. The only reason I have not bought one before has been cost, I have a Cowley level here if you want it but you really don't, they are a two man pain in the bum to use. I built my workshop with it and can't bring myself to throw it is the bin.

[FenceFurniture]

Thanks chaps. Yes I think I may stick to plastic pipe and dyed water which was the original plan.

[FenceFurniture]

That's a good vid CHris - a couple of good ideas in there - thanks.

[BobL]

Well I'm in the market for a laser level as well, but I don't want to spend anything like $500. I'm thinking something more along these lines:

https://sydneytools.com.au/bosch-gll-5-50-50m-self-leveling-5-line-laser-professional

How well do the red laser glasses work? .

I've used one of the small Bosch units with the red glasses to set up a 6 x 1.5m concrete slab.
Inside no problems, outside in direct sunlight - hopeless.
In the shade, only good for about a meter.
As Dave says I ended doing the levelling at dusk.

[rustynail]

Avoid windy days with water levels.

[DaveTTC]

With a good quality level you can change the rotation speed or even stop the dot. Then even out doors you can see it. Or you can have the dot fan over a small area.

Dave TTC
Turning Wood Into Art

[Chris Parks]

I've used one of the small Bosch units with the red glasses to set up a 6 x 1.5m concrete slab.
Inside no problems, outside in direct sunlight - hopeless.
In the shade, only good for about a meter.
As Dave says I ended doing the levelling at dusk.

Hence my concern about the one I linked to, I need it to shoot over about 20 metres in day light. I might have gotten lucky, a mate of mine reckons he has one that will do the job.

[doug3030]

I got a very primitive laser level about 10 years ago. It is literally a spirit level with a lazer pointer in it and a tripod with a pivoting and rotating head.

It is pretty good for annoying the cat, but thats about it...

CHeers

Doug

[NCArcher]

I have a Cowley level here if you want it but you really don't, they are a two man pain in the bum to use. I built my workshop with it and can't bring myself to throw it is the bin.
Is that a dumpy style level Chris? Two man operation but they work fine in bright sunlight.

[DaveTTC]

Is that a dumpy style level Chris? Two man operation but they work fine in bright sunlight.

Better in bright light ;)


Dave

The Turning Cowboy

[Chris Parks]

Similar but it has a split prism/mirror inside it. A vertical staff is used and a horizontal cross piece of the nearest bit of timber is placed against the staff and moved up or down until you no longer have a split view of the cross piece then you have your height, ever used a split view camera? It has no zoom or binocular effect so is limited to short distances. We were using it over about 15 metres and it was OK. My workshop is level so it worked OK. There is one for sale here http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/bakery-hill/antiques/old-cowley-automatic-level-x-2/1079810256

For sale, one Cowley level, best offer! Perfect condition, tuition given.

[NCArcher]

OK, I have seen those before and I think I would prefer the water level.
I used a water level when I built my last shed. I set all the formwork up then hurt my back so I called in a concreter to pour the slab.
He quite smuggly said "We'll fix the formwork up before we pour so it's level. Set up his laser and came back after a little while and said it was spot on and they didn't have to change anything. He didn't believe me when I showed him the water level I used.