A laser level is used to project a constant and common level line of light onto a surface on a horizontal or vertical plane. This is most useful in transferring a level from one place to another as is required, for example, when fitting picture rails or dado rails to the wall of a room.
There are many different types of leveling devices but a laser level will consist of a device which incorporates mainly a spirit level or pendulum level with the use of a laser to find a constant level line over distance.
This type of laser level is a fixed laser level that is fixed in a set position to project a level line of light. It is just for projecting a straight line of light on a single plain from which markings can be made for positioning or using for calculations.
This type of laser level simply points a laser spot at the wall which you transfer by moving the head of the laser. They are very simple to set up and use (Have a look at the video below).
As they are less sophisticated than other types of laser level, they tend to be cheaper and simpler to use. They are less versatile and are ideal for periodic use at home rather than continuous use on site where a more fully featured device might be preferred and warrant the extra cost.
Spot levels are used to transfer a level round the room for 1 item, perhaps getting a new socket to line up with the existing sockets. Spot levels are ideal in the garden; laying a patio to the correct fall for example.
This is a slightly more advanced levels than the spot or line level as it will project a cross on to the wall. This is very useful of you need to make sure that you have a vertical line as well as a horizontal level line.
It is a static laser which you move by hand to transfer a point or continuous line from one side/end of a room to another while another line at 90° to the horizontal line is shown on wall. This is slightly more complex than a simple spot or point laser level, so it does take marginally more setting up, but most models are very simple to use these days. They do tend to be a little more expensive but they allow you to get the job done a little more easily and quickly.
Like the fix or spot laser level the cross line level is ideal for putting up shelves, pictures and hook; anything that you need to attach to the wall and that must be level. A line level is good for seeing at a glance how level the wall you are building is and how it corresponds to the wall you need to build on the other side of the garden or the top of the fence.
Line levels would be used for getting a constant line to put lots of sockets in, or a dado rail, or floor screed, floor slab. When you are working on projects where a level critical all the time and need the line to be constant then a line laser level is what you should use.
Rotary Laser Levels
Rotary laser levels are used for construction projects indoors to shoot a 360-degree horizontal or vertical beam around a room, or outdoors to be used with a laser detector and grade rod for excavation for both digging down or building up. There are a variety of rotary laser levels to choose from. A rotary laser level can be manually-leveling using a mounted bubble level, electronically self-leveling which uses a pendulum leveling system, or automatically self-leveling which uses electronics and gears to find level. This article focuses on rotary laser level technical specifications such as Laser Level Rotation, Laser Leveling Method, Color (Laser Level Wavelength), Intensity (Laser Level Classification), Laser Level Accuracy and Laser Level Working Range. It also features a handy How To Use guide.
Rotary Laser Levels project a beam of light 360-degrees, allowing the user to establish a horizontal or vertical plane. In fact, this beam of light is really a single dot of light that can rotate between 100 and 1,100 RPM, giving the appearance of a 360-degree chalk line.
The beam of light is created by what is called a diode, which in this case is simply a semiconductor which produces light when current passes through it. We see diodes everyday on our CD players, computers and television remote controls.
Rotary laser levels are leveled one of three ways.
The first is Manual Leveling, which means you the operator makes the laser level, by adjusting the laser to bubble vials built into the laser. Accuracy is going to depend on the quality of the level vial and the operator’s eye. Although accuracy can be 1/8th inch per 30 feet and setup is longer due to the manual leveling, it is the least expensive laser level available.
The second method to level a rotary laser is self-leveling, which means the laser levels itself through a pendulum and magnets. Accuracy is typically 1/8th inch per 100 feet, better than manual.
The third leveling method is Electronic self-leveling also called Automatic Self-Leveling, which uses a series of small servo-motors to level itself to the highest accuracy of 1/16th inch per 100 feet.
What is a Crossline Laser Level?
Are you looking to invest in a new laser level but are unsure which to pick? More often than not it can be hard to tell all the laser level technology options apart. Here at Position Partner’s, we know we’re guilty of using technical language which is one of the reasons we’re writing this, to help you understand exactly what our lasers do and how they can help you.
If someone has recommended you use a cross line laser level but you don’t know how it will benefit your project, or even how it is different to all the other lasers on the market, then you’ve come to the right place. As major suppliers of laser levels to the Australian, New Zealand, and South-East Asian markets we’ve become experts at all things laser levels.
To put it in short terms, a crossline laser level is able to produce a horizontal and vertical laser line, either individually or at the same time. This enables you to line up the exact horizontal and vertical coordinates of your project with ease, making your job quicker and easier. The crossline laser level is a popular laser level choice for all industries and applications and often competes against the rotary laser, which we discuss more in our step by step guide for using a rotary laser.
The crossline laser is an evolved version of a line laser and the way it works is very similar to the technology deployed in a line laser. The device projects a laser through an optical lens to project the laser as a line instead of a point. If that overcomplicated your understanding, a simple way to understand how it works is thinking of a piece of glass that is flat on one side and curved on the other. When you shine a light or laser through it, it instantly stretches it.
Crossline laser levels have specially built optical lenses that allow them to project two lasers, one vertical and one horizontal. This gives you the choice between having both on or just one. This choice is particularly important depending on the type of work you are doing, as at times it is more of a hindrance than a benefit to have both lasers on.
Laser Tape Measure Housing Is A Square Deal
Why so square, daddy-o? Well, because the Bosch GLM 15 flat and with a square design, it enables the user to put the line laser on virtually any flat surface and measure accurately. It can measure in any direction. The square back makes it easy to mark precise distances. And those lasers are pretty straight … just exactly how straight are those measuring tapes? With pocket-sized precision, GLM 15 can go where measuring tape can’t. Bending tape to get into corners, or asking for a second set of hands to hold the tape in place is no longer necessary.
How does it work? This page explains how laser measurers get the precision, and this page offers a quick primer on the tool in context of its larger category.
This Bosch GLM 15 is also compact by design. Built for easy portability, this laser tape measure fits comfortably in the hand and effortlessly into the pocket. The Bosch GLM 15 laser measure provides the greater accuracy of laser measurement, especially over longer distances, as opposed to traditional manual systems like a tape measure. The laser measure is accurate to within 1/8" and measures to 50 feet. It makes this measuring tool more accurate, easier and faster than a tape measure.
Construction Laser Levels Explained
With the large selection of construction lasers available these days, it can be a tough job just shopping and deciding on a model to purchase. The task of researching the various models is more than most people want to deal with or have the time to spend.
We will attempt to explain which features do what and which product best fits your needs. Basically speaking, the first thing you should do is figure out what jobs you plan to accomplish with your laser. Do you intend to work only indoors, only outdoors, or both? Do you want to install pipe underground, chair rails in a dining room, fence posts, and construction site grading? These are the questions that will define the features you will want to look for and buy.
What are construction lasers used for you ask? They are used in a variety of jobs where layout is performed and an accurate, level reference is needed. Jobs such as, installing ceiling tiles, installing chair railings in a dining room, installing receptacles for power within a home under construction. Some tasks are small, such as hanging pictures in a level fashion across a living room wall. Some tasks are large, such as installing sewer pipe or handling a site grading plan for a new building.