Self Levelling laser what's decent ?

[Soulsurfer]

Hey all, after a strong light / non cheapy laser to project horizontal & vertical lines for downlights and metal boxes etc.. my mate from up North just got a green one for his ceiling fixing company think was a Hilti, said was £600 plus but long distance and apparently much better in bright light than red ? But not spending that kind of cash ! Dewalt ones seen a lot and around £180 here, any other opinions on them ? Cheers.

 

[Octopus]

Had my Dewalt for a few years now - its excellent. In addition I bought a Stanley 3.6m tripod / pole to use with it, and that too has proved invaluable

 

[polo1]

Had my Dewalt for a few years now - its excellent. In addition I bought a Stanley 3.6m tripod / pole to use with it, and that too has proved invaluable

Which model Murdoch?

 

[Joshua]

I've got the Dewalt 088k, can't go wrong with it. It's got a magnet so you can stick it to the metal stud in plasterboard walls. Got mine for around £130

 

[Risteard]

Most use the deWalt. I've a deWalt laser and spotter. The Hilti rotates whereas the deWalt has a solid red line.

 

[rolyberkin]

Dewalt DW088K is fantastic for the money.

 

[Soulsurfer]

Think the ceiling boys use Dewalt with the magnetic / clip on brackets I think, might be on offer at moment for £120 odd but didn't know if bright enough but should be I think, thanks all

 

[stevethesparks]

I have only owed the Bosch range of which have served me well. In recent months I purchased the GLL2-80PBMCC of which gives 360º for both horizontal and vertical projection of which I find more useful. A little pricey, but depends how much you use them I suppose. It has a 40 mtr range and also comes with a decent case and universal mount. About £330

 

[stevethesparks]

I don't think the line lasers are suitable for large ceilings, I see a couple of Polish lads use a DeWalt in a supermarket refurb a couple of years ago in Ramsgate. It was all over the place. If I were installing ceilings of any size I'd prefer a water level over the the cheaper line lasers.

 

[Octopus]

Which model Murdoch?

087.....

 

[Midwest]

I bought a Stanley Fat Max SC-LD from this company; Laser Levels Online - The Laser Level Specialists - Online Store - http://www.laser-level.co.uk/

Quite a good web site with pics of what some of the lasers can do. I went for the Stanley as you can lock the cross lasers and sit it on its back to project a grid on a ceiling (useful if your marking out a load of down lights), laser dots and price.

Green is better than red laser, if you intend to use in daylight, but pricier.

Also research if you can get spares for you chosen laser. I had a Bosch, which was rendered pretty much unusable after I cracked the glass lens, with no spares available.

 

[Ib≤In≤Iz]

I have a dewalt dw088k & it's been great so far, saves so much time.

 

[LeeH]

DW088K for me too.

 

[HandySparks]

I don't think the line lasers are suitable for large ceilings, I see a couple of Polish lads use a DeWalt in a supermarket refurb a couple of years ago in Ramsgate. It was all over the place. If I were installing ceilings of any size I'd prefer a water level over the the cheaper line lasers.

I think you'll find that it was the users rather than the level that was faulty or inaccurate. My DeWalt is spot on.

It's easy to check the horizontal line. Just put the level on a solid surface facing a wall a few meters away. Make a mark on a wall at that LH end of the line. Now rotate the laser to put the middle of the laser line on the mark and check. Then rotate again and check the RH end of the laser line. It's easy to see if the self-leveling is out. Obviously, the further away the wall is, the more that any out-of-level will show up.

 

[stevethesparks]

I think you'll find that it was the users rather than the level that was faulty or inaccurate. My DeWalt is spot on.

It's easy to check the horizontal line. Just put the level on a solid surface facing a wall a few meters away. Make a mark on a wall at that LH end of the line. Now rotate the laser to put the middle of the laser line on the mark and check. Then rotate again and check the RH end of the laser line. It's easy to see if the self-leveling is out. Obviously, the further away the wall is, the more that any out-of-level will show up.

It might have had more to do with the spread of beam over a distance plus inability to see it clear in strong light, who knows?
They are certainly not that accurate over long distances.

 

[HandySparks]

It might have had more to do with the spread of beam over a distance plus inability to see it clear in strong light, who knows?
They are certainly not that accurate over long distances.

The DW087K is specced at +/- 0.3mm/m, so 3mm at 10m. Whether you regard that as inaccurate will be down to the requirements of the job. For most electrician's work I would have thought it would be good enough. And, generally, you won't have one that's right on the limit.

 

[stevethesparks]

For electricians they are great, I have two, but just dont think they are the right equipment for ceiling fixers - that do large ceilings.

 

[HandySparks]

For electricians they are great, I have two, but just dont think they are the right equipment for ceiling fixers - that do large ceilings.

Fair enough.

 

[The Ghost]

DeWalt as well for me. Does what I need and makes a very visible line imo.

 

[joel_till]

Just getting the DW089KTRI - laser line 089 plus a tripod in a nice sturdy case. Great piece of kit but not cheap.

Buy cheap buy twice!

 

[Ib≤In≤Iz]

The DW087K is specced at +/- 0.3mm/m, so 3mm at 10m. Whether you regard that as inaccurate will be down to the requirements of the job. For most electrician's work I would have thought it would be good enough. And, generally, you won't have one that's right on the limit.

That's one of the reasons I went for the dewalt over the stanley (0.5mm/m)

Have used it on quite a few jobs & it's been great so far.

 

[Risteard]

I think you'll find that it was the users rather than the level that was faulty or inaccurate. My DeWalt is spot on.

It's easy to check the horizontal line. Just put the level on a solid surface facing a wall a few meters away. Make a mark on a wall at that LH end of the line. Now rotate the laser to put the middle of the laser line on the mark and check. Then rotate again and check the RH end of the laser line. It's easy to see if the self-leveling is out. Obviously, the further away the wall is, the more that any out-of-level will show up.

Although it should be remembered what the accuracy is on these. They can legitimately have quite a slope between ends (is it +/- 0.5mm per metre or something?).

 

[Sparkie30]

Had 2 dewalt 088 laser one packed up after 3 mothns and other dropped.

Now i got this
BOSCH GLL2-5
Well pleased with it.

 

[mydigitalhome]

Leica best I have used bright narrow precise lines providing greater accuracy far better than Fatmax IMHO. Suggest try a few next next to each other and differece is evident. Worth spending a bit more.

 

[stevethesparks]

I've not had a Leica level, but do have two Leica laser measures, and they are the muts nuts.

 

[telectrix]

bought a forge steel cross line self leveller from screwfux for £20 on clearance. does all i need.

 

[PEG]

Hilti and Leica are amongst the best,with many of the others mentioned,being cheaper,and acceptable.
Any laser device should be checked with a back-sight,on every setting-out,if accuracy is a priority,but it worth remembering that any strut,rafter or stud,over an inch and a half,will be out 3mm+,if it has a slight twist.

I had a lovely Father Ted conversation ("...this is a model,those are far away...") with an enthusiastic ceiling installer a while back. I told him,on a large enough ceiling,a water level would ensure it was curved,indeed,undulating,while a laser level would keep it straight,but send it in to space

 

[LeeH]

Leica best I have used bright narrow precise lines providing greater accuracy far better than Fatmax IMHO. Suggest try a few next next to each other and differece is evident. Worth spending a bit more.

Different league and price bracket like you said though.

 

[Soulsurfer]

Had 2 dewalt 088 laser one packed up after 3 mothns and other dropped.

Now i got this
BOSCH GLL2-5
Well pleased with it.

Saw a GLL2-50BM with the BM1 mount today £177.45 is that expensive for one ?

 

[Soulsurfer]

Just getting the DW089KTRI - laser line 089 plus a tripod in a nice sturdy case. Great piece of kit but not cheap.

Buy cheap buy twice!

Saw the DW089K today but no tripod £292.95 here but can get one for £229 , that good price ?

 

[Richard Burns]

Saw a GLL2-50BM with the BM1 mount today £177.45 is that expensive for one ?

You should be able to knock at least £30 off that price.

 

[Soulsurfer]

You should be able to knock at least £30 off that price.

Thanks Richard, no V.A.T. here either so that saves a bit.

 

[Sparkie30]

@Soulsurfer
Well i paid 175 over 2 years ago from toolstaion. Just had a look online 135 on tooltrade. Good price i think

 

[Midwest]

Saw a GLL2-50BM with the BM1 mount today £177.45 is that expensive for one ?

Bosch don't do spares.

 

[joel_till]

Saw the DW089K today but no tripod £292.95 here but can get one for £229 , that good price ?

If that's for the kit then a very good price. Got mine from CEF

 

[Toneyz]

DW088K for me too.

got one of these to got for £130 at PE show at cov. was able to try out demo while there it does what we need to do you can get more advance ones that do more but for the price good value .