Laser receiver alternative... Free

[WI/MI Border]

I'm about to have a monolithic slab poured and the contractor was interested when I suggested I'd put in EPS forms myself. It looked like I was going to get the pour done a couple weeks ago so I was rushing to level the base. I bought a Firecore G30 and it was working well until the sun came out the second day I was leveling. I considered getting the matching receiver but didn't have time to wait for delivery.

I figured if I can't see the green line it has to still be there so I built a simple black box to shield the line to improve the view. I was surprised how well it worked on a bright sunny afternoon.

It's a small plastic coffee can. I trimmed it about half its length then opened the bottom to make "flaps" so it would hug my homemade stick. I painted the insides with black spray paint. I slip a white piece of paper into the base and spring clamp it to the stick.

When I find the level I am looking for I move the can so it is centered in the can. I make a small Sharpie mark across the paper to signify level. I was concerned that my efforts might not be level enough so when the contractor showed up I made sure they checked again with their bazillion dollar laser level. He was more than satisfied with the results.

Attached some photos. This was in my basement so the green really shows up without the black box. On a sunny day I can only see the green line on the paper inside the box.

I attached photos but they don't show up. I'll try to edit in a couple days when I get to my PC.

 

[WI/MI Border]

In the sunlight I couldn't see the green light outside of the black box. Just inside it. This being in my basement isn't totally representative of the results.

 

[PCustoms]

Interesting and worth a shot.

My Bosch red laser doesn't owe me anything, but I wish I had something that works outside. Guess I can try this before spending money

 

[no704]

Nice.

 

[WI/MI Border]

Interesting and worth a shot.

My Bosch red laser doesn't owe me anything, but I wish I had something that works outside. Guess I can try this before spending money

Of course if a pro or experienced hobbyist has the cash then the addition of a receiver for the G30 at about 40 bucks and probably worth it. I just get a certain satisfaction out of thinking through this kind of challenge and having a good result. God knows that doesn't always happen.

I was crunched for time with the contractor showing up the next day. Two weeks later due mostly to weather I'm still waiting for the pour. It was satisfying when he said the forms were as level as he had hoped before the crew finished bracing everything.

 

[WI/MI Border]

Nice.

Thanks. I'm fairly sure that the key to success is having a shaded/dark area where the line will stand out. The audible feedback of the receivers is a nice feature but I'm an amateur and I can still bend at the waist to look into the can

 

[PCustoms]

Of course if a pro or experienced hobbyist has the cash then the addition of a receiver for the G30 at about 40 bucks and probably worth it. I just get a certain satisfaction out of thinking through this kind of challenge and having a good result. God knows that doesn't always happen.

I was crunched for time with the contractor showing up the next day. Two weeks later due mostly to weather I'm still waiting for the pour. It was satisfying when he said the forms were as level as he had hoped before the crew finished bracing everything.

So what's an EPS form for a slab look like?

 

[mike93lx]

Great idea.

I have a spectra laser and receiver that works great for stuff line this but the laser is massive, so sometimes it's nice to use the little green line, but I've had the same visibility issues. Even without a grade stick, a cut up plastic Folgers can would be a great shade and they have a handle built in

 

[WI/MI Border]

So what's an EPS form for a slab look like?

The photo below shows the commercially available Mono Slab EZ form. Because the 16" w by 12" high form is no longer made and the closest stock I found (Toledo, 16 hr round trip) is expensive ($135 per 8' run, I need 14 forms. That's $1,890) I made my own version with 4x8 sheets of 1 1/2" EPS ($252 minus 11% @ Menards). I am using 2x8 treated lumber for the stiffener which will removed and used as my sill plate on the stem wall. The void will be filled with an EPS core. Same size as the 2x8.




Pour was this morning. I'll add some photos in a bit.






Forms prior to back filling.

 

[Stuart in MN]

My garage door opener wouldn't work when the sun was shining in the morning, so I stuck a toilet paper tube over the receiver to shade it. Worked great. I didn't even need any duct tape, it was a nice friction fit.

 

[WI/MI Border]

That's my kind of ingenuity!

 

[carcruse]

Interesting and worth a shot.

My Bosch red laser doesn't owe me anything, but I wish I had something that works outside. Guess I can try this before spending money

Get some glasses with red lenses. My Lasermark level came with a pair of glasses with red lenses. They work great to see the line in sunlight even though the line is also red. It's similar to this one:

 

[WI/MI Border]

Interesting. I wonder if there are Green glasses for the green lasers?