Posted: 2/16/2008 8:33:18 AM EDT
| I need to get a laser level, the type that goes on a tripod and uses an indicator, not the cheaper type for picture hanging, etc. I want to use it to do things such as grading a level pad for a home we intend to build in the new future, setting form boards, leveling some equipment in my shop, etc. I was looking at a CST/Berger Model 57, have any of you ever used one or a similar model? If so how are they? This is the one I've been looking at: CST/Berger Level |
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At that level of expenxe, I'd sooner buy an optical transit. it'll do your leveling job, plus any other surveying work you can imaginbe. There is a much steeper learning curve with an optical transit over a laser level though. For the jobs you specify, a water level, (two clear sections that fit to a garden hose) will accomplish your objective if price is a consideration. I used a 5 mW Helium Neon laser , on a homemade angle iron mount and camera tripod and achieved good results, at distances of 100 to 200 feet. Even the higher powered laser was hard to see excet at dusk. As the earlier poster noted, the results will be directly proportional to the time and success youput into leveling the device to begin with. I would not blindly shoot grade for any structure, including a tool shed or outhouse, with an automatically self leveling device, without some sort of independant corroborating check first. In the case of the ad hoc laser described above, I repeatedly swung the arc (9to multiply and magnify any levelling errors) between both ends of the house foundation to ensure my bubbles were worth trusting. |
| That's my concern with an auto level type is knowing if it's actually level. Over the last 3 or 4 years we've hired several people to do grading and concrete work. They were using auto level type laser levels and it seemed like none of them were accurate. They didn't appear to take good care of them and didn't get them calibrated often from what I could tell so I'm sure that contributed to the lack of accuracy. Normally I do most of this work mself without a helper is why I was thinking of going with a laser level and indicator stick. I was thinking with the manual level type I could have good luck if I got it setup correctly. |
There is no "calibration: for a good auto level laser. Any decent one uses a pendulum to orient the emitter, and then mirrors to generate the beams from that. Unless you can produce a VERY large mass near the unit it will hang perpendicular, jus tlike a plumb bob. They work every time. For smaller jobs even a 'robo laser' works fine. It only does a dot, but w radio remote control allows moving the dot as needed. AS long as you place it on something within about 110 degrees of level it will ALWAYS project a level line. It blinks the laser on and off if it is out of level at any spot (the rest of the sweep is still level though). |