Harbor Freight laser levels any good?

[Voi]

I need to mark some elevation lines over about 40' of sloping terrain. At this point of the project I only need to get close to level and mark some trees and ground with orange paint as a visual aid to decide about some site work.

Are any of the Harbor Freight laser levels any good?

http://www.harborfreight.com/motorized-rotary-laser-level-kit-69247.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/levels/16-in-laser-level-with-swivel-head-69259.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/levels/self-leveling-laser-level-kit-69243.html

 

[gungatim]

don't know about the other two, but the yellow one in the middle, I have one and it *****. at 12ft. the beam is so scattered it is pitiful...

do you have a cheap tasco rifle scope laying around? it's easy to make a transit with an old rifle scope and camera tri-pod...

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Get some clear tube and make a water level. Much easier and accurate over long spans.

 

[engineer2]

but the yellow one in the middle, I have one and it *****

I agree. It's a toy, not a tool.

 

[gungatim]

Get some clear tube and make a water level. Much easier and accurate over long spans.

that would certainly do the job as well...you can use garden hose and then just put clear plastic on the ends.

 

[Browning1]

I have the yellow one. If you plan on using the laser during the day you better be in the shad. Laser beam will disappear in the sunlight. And you have to walk the beam to the object if it is a good distance away from you. But if just using the bubbles it works great

 

[bcradio]

Get some clear tube and make a water level. Much easier and accurate over long spans.

that would certainly do the job as well...you can use garden hose and then just put clear plastic on the ends.

I may be missing something, but how would this work and be accurate for a 40ft span?

I could see if you said buy a string level, but not a heavy water level.

 

[jakemac]

I bought the #69243 model a few years ago to put up 27' of pegboard in my shop, and to set a level line for my benches. The floor in my shop has 2" of undulation and the joists for the floor above sag, so I couldn't use either for measurements. A laser level was the easiest way to go. Non of the HF models are built like the more expensive professional models, but this one seemed the best of the bunch.

I don't know how well it will work in sunlight, I only used it down in the shop. It gave off a good line under the fluorescent lights, but I still turned them off to mark my lines so that I wouldn't have to squint in the brighter areas.

I gave this one a pass on the HF pass/fail thread. It was worth the money to get the job done, without having to spend a lot of money for the limited use it would get. I think you will need an opinion from someone who has used it outside before you decide though.

(the shop is still a work in progress)

 

[jakemac]

I may be missing something, but how would this work and be accurate for a 40ft span?

I could see if you said buy a string level, but not a heavy water level.

It doesn't matter if the tube is 10 feet or 10,000 miles. As long as the pressure in the tube is the same at both ends, the water in the tube at both ends will always seek to match the level at the other end. Simple physics ensures accuracy.

 

[gungatim]

you fill the tube with water, the level at one end, will be the same at the other end. you hold one on a board at a marked height, have someone adjust the other end of the hose against another board and mark the water level. that will be the same point. gravity, ya know...

 

[burger]

Get some clear tube and make a water level. Much easier and accurate over long spans.

Exactly this. You won't find a cheaper, more accurate way.

 

[bcradio]

you fill the tube with water, the level at one end, will be the same at the other end. you hold one on a board at a marked height, have someone adjust the other end of the hose against another board and mark the water level. that will be the same point. gravity, ya know...

so it doesn't matter if the hose/tube is bent or laying on the ground?

 

[cowboy73]

As long as there are no kinks in the hose that prevent the free flow of the water, nope! The hose can be coiled up, it just has to let the water flow freely. A few drops of food coloring make the water easier to see. Here's a kit to adapt a garden hose into a water level. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004YZP8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[bcradio]

As long as there are no kinks in the hose that prevent the free flow of the water, nope! The hose can be coiled up, it just has to let the water flow freely. A few drops of food coloring make the water easier to see. Here's a kit to adapt a garden hose into a water level. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004YZP8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Sweet... I think I understand

That is a good way to go.

 

[Coach James]

I bought the #69243 model a few years ago to put up 27' of pegboard in my shop, and to set a level line for my benches. The floor in my shop has 2" of undulation and the joists for the floor above sag, so I couldn't use either for measurements. A laser level was the easiest way to go. Non of the HF models are built like the more expensive professional models, but this one seemed the best of the bunch.

I don't know how well it will work in sunlight, I only used it down in the shop. It gave off a good line under the fluorescent lights, but I still turned them off to mark my lines so that I wouldn't have to squint in the brighter areas.

I gave this one a pass on the HF pass/fail thread. It was worth the money to get the job done, without having to spend a lot of money for the limited use it would get. I think you will need an opinion from someone who has used it outside before you decide though.

(the shop is still a work in progress)

How did you get all the cool signs?

Coach

 

[jakemac]

Ebay, Yard Sales, and Flea Markets. Not always as cheap as I would have liked.

 

[pcmeiners]

Laser level setup which requires a bubble level ? If it requires a bubble level for accuracy it is a lost cause.
Agree on the water level, very accurate if handled properly.

 

[DekeT]

You can get an electronic water level that will beep when the water level is even with your mark at the opposite end. That way it's a one man job.

 

[UncaJim]

Just bought one over the weekend and was impressed. The biggest issue was the laser light. The flat beam is barely visible unless it dark and close up. Switch to the dot (slide the light holder to the up position) and it is very bright. I was working on a landscape project and needed to establish drainage and the laser level worked like a charm. Well worth the small investment. A very useful homeowner fool.

 

[22george]

The clear tube water level is something that on first glance sounds stupid but is pretty ingenious.