Thread: Laser Level With Remote Control On/Off

Hi Chris,

If you can find a laser level that has the ability to start up and set itself when you plug it into the wall, you could consider that unit with a separate remote control such as this one: https://www.jaycar.com.au/controller...-auto/p/LA5575 (I'm sure many other 240V remote control options exist, this was one that came up and would be readily available).

As far as I am aware all laser levels are battery powered but I stand to be corrected on that.

Originally Posted by Chris Parks

As far as I am aware all laser levels are battery powered but I stand to be corrected on that.

Hmm - fair point!

In that case, it strikes me you will need to climb up on a ladder once in a while to change battery (or remove battery, charge and replace).

I'd think seriously about getting a transformer that has enough grunt and the right voltage to power the laser to avoid having to do that. I wouldn't think it'd be too hard to find a unit that you could "access" the battery area and wire one in (or find a model that uses a popular battery and ask folks here if they have a dead one you could Frankenstein up).

Naturally, remote control could then be achieved in the same way as I noted above...

It's my understanding that what is needed for this application is not so much a levelling device but a laser line device? These are a slightly larger than usual laser pointer with added specially shaped lens that turns a point spot into a line, mounted on some sort of a bracket. This also explains why they are so cheap. They are widely used in industry to mark out sheet goods like fabrics and plastics for cutting and for setting up processes.

There are plenty of typically 5V DC/1A PSU unit powered ones on ebay for about $20
It would be handy to find one with an AUS (240V) PSU but if not you could swap the one supplied with a suitable replacement.

Thanks Bob, that was the sort of thing I was thinking of but I didn't know what to ask Google for. If I shine it at the saw at a perpendicular angle do I get a line or a spot? Put simply will I get a line if it is not a rotating laser?

Originally Posted by Chris Parks

Thanks Bob, that was the sort of thing I was thinking of but I didn't know what to ask Google for. If I shine it at the saw at a perpendicular angle do I get a line or a spot? Put simply will I get a line if it is not a rotating laser?

I should start by saying I have only ever used a high end laser line device on an experimental optics bench for distances up to about 1m.

Generating a line from a laser can be done in a number of ways. Rapidly rotating the laser though an angle faster than the persistence of human vision generates a line around that a angle. This is the easiest way to get a line 360º around an internal space. The other way uses a specially shaped lenses (usually an aspherical plastic and/or Quartz Cylindrical) which spreads the spot out along a line. The further away the laser is from the surface the longer the line and the more diffuse the line is at the longer distances, but given these laser line devices are used for marking out many metre long pieces of material they can't be that diffuse.

My guess is you'd probably need one that can be focussed so make sure it can

Here's one that clearly shows the line in one of the images that it looks like it can come with an AU/Chinese PSU. Might want to check with the seller.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Red-Line...4383.l4275.c10
The blurb says it works for distances of up to 4m, my guess is that's where the line stays focused and beyond that the line will start to diffuse (dimmer and not so well focussed).

The length of the line generated depends on the lens itself and the distance of the laser from the surface the line is being formed on.
Typically they have a 90º divergence so a laser 2m from a surface will form a 4m long line. Longer lines can be made by tilting the laser but the line furtherest from the laser may be more diffuse.

BTW beware some more industrial laser line generators use quite powerful lasers to maintain a bright focussed line over long distances. The regs on laser power are quite complex but if you stick to lasers of class II or lower and 5mW and lower you should be OK. Also Laser power ratings out of china can, like hifi amplifier power ratings be suspect.

Here's a higher end industrial model from a range that goes up to 12mW - note the steep price rise.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Quarton-...4383.l4275.c10

I have far from done a comprehensive search of these devices and there may be better performers and value devices out there.