Considerations When Choosing a Laser Level
All laser levels are not the same, and therefore it is essential to ensure that you choose the best type. Here is a list of considerations you need to make.
- Automatic or Manual?: Auto laser levels do the bulk of the work for you. Also called “self-leveling lasers”, they will turn off if jostled or otherwise disturbed, so you know you have an accurate reading. Manual laser levels, on the other hand, stay on when disturbed, so they’ll require more care when handling. However, they’re still just as accurate as their automatic counterparts when properly set up.
- Beam Orientation: There are a few different beam options to select from in your laser level. Horizontal lasers are perfect for grade leveling, since they can assist with determining your land’s grade variations. If you require both horizontal and vertical beams, a dual-beam laser will be your best choice. For even more versatility, some levels even come with vertical, horizontal, and 360-degree orientations.
- Power Source: Determining how long your laser level’s battery power will last is crucial, especially for bigger projects. Find out how long a charge lasts, what the voltage and amp-hour rating is, and whether or not your laser automatically shuts off to prevent unnecessary power consumption.
- Visibility: The color of your laser isn’t just an aesthetic preference—it has a functional difference, too. Green beams are easier to see in well-lit area, making them the more versatile option. They’re especially ideal for indoor jobs in large spaces. But if you’re trying to save money and mostly work on outdoor surveying or development projects, red beams are a perfectly viable option.
- Mounting: If you need to be hands-free for your job, construction laser levels that come with mounting capabilities and accessories will be essential features when considering the best one for your project. At the very least, you should find one with a tripod so you always have that option.
- Durability and IP Rating: No matter your work environment, you’ll want to find a laser level boasting a high ingress protection, or IP, rating. This score lets you know its durability against water and dust. However, if you’re mostly working on small indoor jobs, this rating isn’t going to play as much of a factor in your decision.
- Remote Control: Remote control capabilities allow you to effectively reduce labor and streamline projects. The range of these capabilities varies, but they can go up to half of the level’s distance.
- Indicators: It’s important to know exactly how much power your level has left, or whether or not it’s calibrated properly. Indicators can be either visual, auditory, or both, but either way, this is a feature that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Laser Level Applications
Laser levels can be applied in both indoor and outdoor jobs. Indoor laser levels applications include:
- Measuring the distance between two points or objects
- Floor leveling
- Measuring the heights of windows and doors
- Aligning furniture or trim
Outdoor applications include:
- Plumbing
- Surveying
- Elevation measurements
- Site layout
FAQs
How do laser levels work?
Laser levels utilize the properties of laser light and leveling mechanisms to project accurate horizontal or vertical lines, aiding in a wide range of construction and measurement tasks with efficiency and precision.
How accurate are laser levels?
Construction lasers are typically accurate up to 250 feet. They offer both horizontal and vertical lines for greater accuracy than the traditional water level frequently used back in the day. And many today are self-leveling, making the job more efficient as well as more precise.
What is a self-leveling laser level?
This is an automatic laser level that does all the heavy lifting by simply turning them on and leveling them, using the leveling knobs. They also automatically indicate a calibration error.
What is a rotary laser?
A rotary laser can be used for indoor applications by shooting a 360-degree vertical or horizontal beam around the room.
What does a pipe laser do?
It acts as a form of electronic level to determine the accurate grade for laying pipes by projecting a high-powered laser beam to a predetermined angle.
What are the benefits of using pipe lasers?
Pipe lasers might be small, but they offer a lot of functionality to make up for it. They’re waterproof and durable, making them a great option for active construction projects, whether above- or below-ground. They’re also more efficient and accurate than manual methods of measuring, while being easy-to-use and cost-effective.