Laser Level

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 11:08 am

I have had this Laser Level for a long time and occasionally I have used it to cast a level line across a wall for pictures. I have used it to determine how much higher the Mark V table is than my work bench.

However, I am not sure how to use it at a job site.

Any help, especially with calibration, will be appreciated.

Here is the problem: My work bench in the shop "is level". When I set this unit on the work bench, the bubble levels indicate that it needs adjustment. The three adjustment screws can be used to produce a "level" indication.

I know that the work bench is level because pencils and balll bearings don't roll off of it and the Wixey (in both axis) says so.

Then when it is placed on the work bench, it indicates that the work bench is out of level.

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foxtrapper · Post by **foxtrapper** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 11:37 am

Are you saying it's not repeatable on the same bench, or that it's different going between two benches?

If it's not repeatable, in the same position on the same bench, the unit is defective.

If it's not repeatable between two different benches, the two benches are not on the same level.

If it's not repeatable on the same bench when turned in a different direction, the bench is not level.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 11:51 am

foxtrapper wrote:Are you saying it's not repeatable on the same bench, or that it's different going between two benches?

If it's not repeatable, in the same position on the same bench, the unit is defective. It is repeatable in any given location as long as you do not change the adjustment screws.

If it's not repeatable between two different benches, the two benches are not on the same level.

If it's not repeatable on the same bench when turned in a different direction, the bench is not level.

My concern is this: I consider my workbench to be very, very close to dead on level as indicated by both a bubble level placed in many different locations and by a bulls-eye bubble level.

If that is a valid assessment, I think I should be able to zero this laser level on that work bench and then carry it to another bench to check level --OR--
place it on a tripod, level it on that tripod and then cast a level line all the way around a room.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:02 pm

dusty wrote:My concern is this: I consider my workbench to be very, very close to dead on level as indicated by both a bubble level placed in many different locations and by a bulls-eye bubble level.

If that is a valid assessment, I think I should be able to zero this laser level on that work bench and then carry it to another bench to check level --OR--
place it on a tripod, level it on that tripod and then cast a level line all the way around a room.

Speculation on my part(I only have your input and my understanding of the purpose of that gadget).

Have you checked the 'levelness' of the laser beam relative to the bubbles?

Methinks the bubble vials are calibrated to the beam, not the base.

If so, the adjustment screws are to level the beam, not determine the 'levelness' of what it is setting on.

Now as to your 'portable comparative surface level function, I think so! It should be no different from any other bubble vial level. Nice thing about that one is it indicates both ways. Is it possible that something moves(internally???) when picked up and does not return to it's position when 'calibrated'?

I do believe the transit scheme would work, but does it not already have a beam splitter for at least a partial circle?

foxtrapper · Post by **foxtrapper** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:44 pm

Don't expect too much from a level like this. Pinpoint precision is not a strong point of them. You're also assuming the laser portion is aligned and calibrated with the bubble portion. That often times isn't very true.

None the less, you should be able to use it as described. That's what it is for. Both ways.

terrydowning · Post by **terrydowning** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 2:34 pm

Your bench may very well be level, flat and true.

There is nothing saying that the bottom of the device holding the level or how the level attaches to it is true, square, or 'level'. Hence the leveling feet. It's a lot cheaper and easier to produce an untrue part with adjusters than it is to machine something perfectly true.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 2:39 pm

I'm almost sorry that I rediscovered that I had these. I was sorta trying to straighten out the hidden areas (infrequently visited areas) within my shop and these laser levels reappeared (I have three all different).

Now I have digital levels, bubble levels and bubble levels that cast a laser line.

I suspect that they are all reasonably accurate but only if I learn how to use them correctly.

Example: If I point the laser level into a corner, the laser line can be see on the two adjacent walls but that laser line does not necessarily extend out level from the corner.............unless the laser points directly into the corner from a point on a line that dissects the angle of the corner.

There is more to this than I expected!:eek:

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 2:44 pm

terrydowning wrote:Your bench may very well be level, flat and true.

There is nothing saying that the bottom of the device holding the level or how the level attaches to it is true, square, or 'level'. Hence the leveling feet. It's a lot cheaper and easier to produce an untrue part with adjusters than it is to machine something perfectly true.

Yeah, you are right.

I may go back to a plumb bob on a piece of string, a bucket of water filled to a line that extends all the way around the bucket and a clear 50' rubber hose filled with water.

The Egyptians may not have ever completed a pyramid if they had had digital and laser devices.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 3:09 pm

dusty wrote:Yeah, you are right.

I may go back to a plumb bob on a piece of string, a bucket of water filled to a line that extends all the way around the bucket and a clear 50' rubber hose filled with water.

The Egyptians may not have ever completed a pyramid if they had had digital and laser devices.

Adding food coloring recommended!

Bisect , not disect!;)

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 5:22 pm

Dusty
I have one of these and I use it fairly often. The level vials aren't telling you the surface you are on is level or not, they are only saying the laser itself is not level.

Level it up and turn the front until it throws a horizontal line. Shine that on a wall and then take a level and check and see if the line is level or not. Then turn the front to cast a vertical line and again shine it on a wall and again check it was a true vertical level and agan check to see if the line is level.

If it checks out in both directions then it is right on, if however the line is off then using a permanent marker remark the level vials after you have adjusted the line level. It is that simple.

Don't over think the thing it is just a cheap closed enough level. Mine has hung many pictures and lines to paint stripes on walls. I used it to level a foundation wall and I have built a couple of fences using it. Works for me