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  1. #1
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    Default Are low-cost cross-line laser levels worthwhile?

    Just thinking that I want to use a cross-line laser level on my next cupboard fit-out, etc.

    But I'm low on cash right now. So I'm looking at a couple at around $150. Like the Bosch GL330G, and the DeWalt DW08802CG-XJ,
    here https://www.totaltools.com.au/130077...vel-0601063v80 and here Sydney Tools

    Both these have green lasers, which may provide some marginal outdoor capability. The Bosch has stated accuracy of 8mm/10m and the DeWalt has 7mm/10m. (I noticed that the sub-$100 ones get more accurate as they get cheaper!)

    In practice, will a unit with stated accuracy of 7 or 8mm/10m be generally useful?

    Or should I just wait until I've got at least $500 and get a real one, while I keep using a spirit level in the meantime?

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  3. #2
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    I have a few a few lasers and this is the favourite https://www.bunnings.com.au/bosch-bl...laser_p0028289 even though it is a red beam
    I also have a more expensive green beam unit from Sydney Tools but the red Bosch is much better to see despite what they say about beam colours. My green one just sits on the shelf these days

    The quality of the beam is much more important than the colour so I look for a more accurate tolerance than the one you have chosen in a cheaper red beam if that is what the budget allows

  4. #3
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    Beardy, I can see why you'd recommend that Bosch GLL 3-80 three-plane red laser. I wasn't previously aware of it. Has much better accuracy (3mm/10m) and you've got 360 degree lines so it's much more versatile, and also longer range.

    When I looked it up on eBay, there's a lot of stock at $700+ (still for the red beam version) so looks like the price must have dropped a lot at some point, to where Bunnings and Total Tools are selling at $400.

    I agree. It's better. Maybe I'll contend with my spirit level for now and mark this beast as my target purchase down the road a bit.

  5. #4
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    I guess it depends on what you intend to use it for other than a kitchen fitout but the crosshairs and vertical plumb aspect has been invaluable for me doing vaulted ceilings and large grid format floors and great for hanging doors
    Once you have one you will be surprised how many uses you will find for it. Having both hands free when working is much better
    When I bought mine they had a bonus tripod included

  6. #5
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  7. #6
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    The absolute cheapest way is a water level. Or hire/borrow a good laser level and put reference marks on the walls, those marks could be tape to allow easy removal and use those to measure from. Don't use a tape measure use a story stick when working from those marks.
    CHRIS

  8. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Chris Parks View Post
    The absolute cheapest way is a water level. Or hire/borrow a good laser level and put reference marks on the walls, those marks could be tape to allow easy removal and use those to measure from. Don't use a tape measure use a story stick when working from those marks.
    During fitouts I do this as part of setting up the laser(s).

    My lasers have been knocked about frequently enough over the years that I don't trust their levelling systems. So I use water levels to mark horizontals at the (let's call them) cardinal points of the room, then set up the laser(s) to match. The bonus here is it gives me repeatability of set up even should some drongo nudge a laser while I'm still using it.

    A good tripod can make a big differencefor several reasons, not least because people are more likely to SEE it.

    It is very nice when you have lasers in Y & Z axis as well, but a plumb bob works wonders if you can't justify the extra expense.
    I may be weird, but I'm saving up to become eccentric.

    - Andy Mc

  9. #8
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    A laser is no more accurate than water levels, levels and plumb bobs but is much quicker and more convenient and a one man operation that often requires two with other methods
    Unless I had numerous other projects that I wanted to use it for I wouldn’t bother with one for a kitchen
    A good spirit level and straight edge will do the job just fine

  10. #9
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    You'd have to wonder what the hidden compromises are when this product for $150 has the appearance of what would be a $500+ machine if bought locally. If anyone has bought one and has a genuine buyer's recommendation for it, would be interesting.

  11. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Beardy View Post
    A laser is no more accurate than water levels, levels and plumb bobs but is much quicker and more convenient and a one man operation that often requires two with other methods
    Unless I had numerous other projects that I wanted to use it for I wouldn’t bother with one for a kitchen
    A good spirit level and straight edge will do the job just fine
    Agreed. If using one regularly the extra expense of a good one makes economic sense.

    They do have the advantage of always being straight, though. (Unless you buy a rotating one that's so cheap the laser isn't coplanar.)

    If you just consider it's use as a long straight edge and ignore every other 'feature' as irrelevant, then a cheap laser becomes quite versatile.
    I may be weird, but I'm saving up to become eccentric.

    - Andy Mc

  12. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Beardy View Post
    A laser is no more accurate than water levels, levels and plumb bobs but is much quicker and more convenient and a one man operation that often requires two with other methods
    Unless I had numerous other projects that I wanted to use it for I wouldn’t bother with one for a kitchen
    A good spirit level and straight edge will do the job just fine
    Yes, it's a convenience for domestic projects rather than a necessity. That's why I'll just continue with my spirit level until I've got more cash.

    I'd put $150 on paying for the convenience but maybe not $400 at this stage. But $150 just doesn't seem to get you anything that's going to satisfy in the long run. Particularly with accuracy there's not a lot of point in getting something you don't trust, hence the need to go up in price. Though I did notice that Bosch has a very low power unit with good (3mm/10m) accuracy, their GLL 2-10 (at $150). But that one really does seem to be low power, so when you need it for a big job (like when we buy our next house and reno the **** out of it), you'd be buying another $400 one anyway.

    Yeah, I've gone off the $150 ones.

    PS I'm not sure I could be bothered with a water level -- been there, done that, I really found it frustrating. Though possibly I was being too low tech (like, I just used a length of clear vinyl hose only, no fittings or whatnot).

  13. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gunnaduit View Post
    You'd have to wonder what the hidden compromises are when this product for $150 has the appearance of what would be a $500+ machine if bought locally. If anyone has bought one and has a genuine buyer's recommendation for it, would be interesting.
    I can’t open the link Chris posted perhaps because I am in Vietnam at the moment but assume it is the little rocket ship looking units?
    If it is, I bought one when I was in China five years ago and it worked fine and the beam was strong but the self levelling prisms stopped working after a little use rendering it useless , not complaining as it was fine when it was working and was cheap.
    I might of been unlucky with mine and you could be fine but keep in mind they are a precision optical instrument and you are looking at the low end of the quality scale
    The brand name units can be recalibrated, I doubt they would touch the cheapies

  14. #13
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    A one man water level, so simple.....

    CHRIS

  15. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by Chris Parks View Post
    A one man water level, so simple.....
    Looks like the right way to do water levelling! Better than going with just a roll of clear hose, that's for sure. Theoretically I suppose that's about the most accurate you'll practically get without spending thousands.

  16. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by Beardy View Post
    I can’t open the link Chris posted perhaps because I am in Vietnam at the moment but assume it is the little rocket ship looking units?
    Yes it is. Since you actually got one, it's interesting to read your experience of it. Kind of confirms my prejudices. I don't like cheap stuff that's gonna break quickly and then needs to be thrown out.

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