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Post by rizzoa13 on Nov 6, 2015 6:30:03 GMT -5
Red had a good idea on opening a discussion about construction lasers. I recently bought a stabila 5-point laser bob for $250, a savings of $100 right now over at shopfestool. (Not affiliated just passing along a pretty good sale).
Ill admit I've only ever used crosshairs and single line style lasers and truthfully... I thought this thing shot 5 lines out in all directions. It doesn't ... It shoots 5 dots. I misunderstood and I will not be able to use it for tile layout and such but it was extremely useful in metal framing in a wide open area with no reference points. I especially like that i didn't have to rely on pulling long measurements off of old block walls (which probably weren't set straight or square to begin with).
Thenincluded target was very useful and was used in lieu of having lines shot in the floor. I would take a close and far point from the laser, use the shield and translate the dot down to the ground and then strike a line between them.
If anyone has any experience with these 5 or 3 point Bon lasers and how theyve figured out how to use them differently is love to hear! Also feel free to fill this thread up with other laser reviews or questions.
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Post by lincoln on Nov 6, 2015 8:04:23 GMT -5
I've been using line lasers for about 10 years, for interior work. Mainly installing cabinets, but also feature wall panels on French cleats, toilet partitions, feature bulkheads/soffit etc, etc. The best way I've found, is to not try to work to the actual laser line, but to set it at least 100mm above the top of your cabinet (for example). Then, have a piece of white melamine 200 high x 150 wide, and sit it on top of your cabinet, at the high point. Mark a pencil line where the laser line hits the melamine. Then slide your block to another corner of the cabinet, pack your cabinet up until your pencil line hits the laser line. Continue to all corners, pack up cabinet. This method is great for long cabinet runs, irregular shaped kitchens, straight forward kitchens, anything. Much more accurate than trying to work to the laser line itself. It also works for plumbing walls, with the vertical line. Set your line parallel with your bottom plate, hold your block against it and mark. Then you hold the block against your top plate, moving it in or out until the laser line hits the pencil line on your block. Fix off, or brace, the wall. Very easy, accurate and quick.
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Post by wrightwoodwork on Nov 6, 2015 11:06:50 GMT -5
I've used the hilti cross line lasers for many years. I also use the receiver with mine which is really handy in outdoor situations or maybe in bright sunshine and you can't see the laser. I use mine in a similar fashion to Lincoln.
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Post by erik on Nov 7, 2015 11:52:43 GMT -5
I use the PLS, good company, HVL 100 and their 1000 rotary laser. For interiors the 100 covers a lot of tasks but it does have an immediate blind spot about 8" from its base, so that might frustrate users needing reference locations directly below or around the unit. Rarely use the rotary, needed for footings and site work since it has a detection beeper.
Funny enough, I have been using my Tajima plumb rites more often but I doubt I'll be going back to using a water level anytime soon.
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Post by Red on Nov 7, 2015 13:48:45 GMT -5
I'm on my way out to check a job in progress, but I'll quickly state that I'm a Stabila believer who also employs TopCon and PLS laser products. We own an imported German Stabila elevating tripod, for example, that knocks my socks off every time I reference a bench mark.
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Post by Red on Nov 8, 2015 0:16:46 GMT -5
...As I was saying (earlier today), we have an elevating tripod we imported from Germany, through our [very happy] Stabila rep, that has plenty of very stable height (112-inches) and allows the user to drop the instrument in use to within 2-inches of the ground. Needless to say, this gives the user a lot of range when using a rotating laser and, even more importantly to me, the "transmission" mechanism supplied by Stabila gives you a very smooth action when performing transfers or when moving the tripod is necessary.
By the way, has anyone on the board used the "steering" feature to remotely adjust their laser? I've found it to be one of our rotating laser's most important/useful features.
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Post by wrightwoodwork on Nov 8, 2015 4:39:06 GMT -5
I've had demos of the receiver type you're talking about definitely a handy tool, especially if setting out large buildings. I personally don't have it myself as I wouldn't use enough. I do mine manually with the laser, but it does require a very delicate touch. On the hilti PM 4M it has a fine turn know that can be used to fine tune the position which is handy feature
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Post by jimbouk on Nov 8, 2015 14:17:29 GMT -5
I saw at the tool show the other day dewalt now do a laser that runs off 10.8v batts same as other tools. Great Idea I have not see anywhere else yet. It's green line as well so much easier to see.
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Post by Red on Nov 10, 2015 1:56:18 GMT -5
I've had demos of the receiver type you're talking about definitely a handy tool, especially if setting out large buildings. I personally don't have it myself as I wouldn't use enough. I do mine manually with the laser, but it does require a very delicate touch. On the hilti PM 4M it has a fine turn know that can be used to fine tune the position which is handy feature I'm assuming that you're writing about the steering function I mentioned...If not, I apologize.
I set up a lot of our stuff by myself, so being able to remotely steer the laser has some very clear advantages. There's a delay that takes a bit of getting used to, but it's something that can be mastered with practice.
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Post by Red on Nov 10, 2015 2:03:04 GMT -5
I saw at the tool show the other day dewalt now do a laser that runs off 10.8v batts same as other tools. Great Idea I have not see anywhere else yet. It's green line as well so much easier to see. As I understand this, you're saying that Dewalt is making a battery-operated rotary laser that has a green beam? If so, that's one great idea. The green beam, alone, is a great feature. I wish all of our laser equipment came in green.
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Post by jimbouk on Nov 10, 2015 5:41:57 GMT -5
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