Lazer Level??? Pole Barn

[karoc]

Guys I have a Pole Barn project coming up and thinking about one of those lazer levels. I just want to be able to get all grits the same and will have to be able to do it by myself. When I do dig holes for the poles I would like to get them all the same but I know its not necessary since top will be cut off to correct height. Once I get pass the need of having a lazer level I like for it to keep little resale value so that can pass it on to someone else. But I don't want to spend fortune on one then have hard time to resale. It won't be for just this pole barn I will have couple more projects come up,then try to resale it. Or what about a Transit Level, which I use to have one yrs ago but that is a two man operation but they are cheaper
I know that I can rent one but with me being 3hrs away and only be able to work on it when time permits I think it be cheaper to check into buying one.
Looking for suggestion on what model,where to buy, which one to stay away from.

 

[Dustball]

RR Buildings loves the Stabila LAX300G laser level and the Stabila 350 rotary laser.

Watch through his videos to see how he uses the lasers for all kinds of work.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I have an older Trimble unit. Paid $250 for the laser and receiver (the laser can't be seen outdoors). I lucked into a tripod free. Had to buy a rod. It works fine for grading.
I still use a water level when I can. Less than $10 for some clear tubing and a couple garden hose fittings.

 

[csp]

Are you wanting the simple kind that just projects a visible beam or the type that has a receiver with audible beeps?

Can't say that I've ever bought a tool with the intention of selling it later. There's always a future use you don't anticipate.

 

[karoc]

Are you wanting the simple kind that just projects a visible beam or the type that has a receiver with audible beeps?

Can't say that I've ever bought a tool with the intention of selling it later. There's always a future use you don't anticipate.

Good point and so true, it has happen to me.
I have been watching RR and like his setup but that price is out of my league but I can dream. Have been checking this one out which is little under 500.00,
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bosch-8...t-with-Carrying-Case-GRL-800-20-HVK/308736848
I will also need to shoot grade for slab since concrete is so high

 

[andyvh1959]

Yup, a good old water level is extremely accurate and inexpensive.

Good comparison here of a water or lazer level on a build site:

The one comment he made about accuracy is that one post was off because the person using the water level didn't wait long enough for the water level to fully settle. A laser level is a cool tool, but expensive. A water level is cool, because from the days of building a pyramid centuries past, or a barndominium today, it still works.

Next summer I need to get my decades old asphalt driveway resurfaced, but I also need to alter the pitch along the east side for proper drainage, and for the garage I built this year. I plan to use a water level to determine pitch in multiple planes before I bring in the contractor. If nothing else I'll be able to tell the contractor exactly what I expect.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

I bought a laser level several years ago for one project, thinking I’d sell it when it was done. That didn’t happen! I’ve used it a bunch for big and small jobs.

 

[nadogail]

I too am a fan of water levels, even though I have not used one in years. My last water level was made from 10 meters of clear plastic tubing; I added a few drops of food coloring to make it easier to read.

 

[matt_i]

I regard it as a small price compared to the 5(+) figures its going to take to finish off a building project.

I got a Stablia LAPR 150 which is no longer made but I'd go back with their brand again.

I've messed around with water levels in my youth doing a patio project with my Dad and yes they work but its slow and if the meniscus has enough friction you're going to be wrong by 1/4" sometimes.

I thought at first I'd always be able to visualize the line but I found out I would always be working at night.

Being able to mount the sensor to a post (wood or PVC pipe) is extremely helpful for reaching below grade.

I would recommend hammering in a master grade pin (rebar, concrete block, pour a little concrete monument) that you use to calibrate all references from. In my case I used the existing concrete floor of the shop I was attaching to as a hard point. In any case, all your elevations will reference from that point every time you setup the laser base somewhere new. So it should be protected from any possible disturbance from excavation and grading, from trucks delivering concrete, and from people wandering around the construction site

 

[Dan C]

I went through the same dilemma when I built my barn. Bought the Dewalt in red linked below. There is a green version as well but the red worked just fine for me. Used one of my tripods i had laying around and bought the rod. I had intended to sell after too, but just finished my 3rd project with it (added on a pavilion).

https://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/dewalt-20v-max-red-beam-rotary-laser-dw074lr

 

[ace10]

About 15 years ago I bought an entry level kit from CSTberger.
Came with the stick, receiver, tripod. Everything. Had to manually level it. Maybe $350.

I probably use it at least once a year. Good investment.

 

[greg13]

I just finished mine, You are overthinking it. Save the money and spend it on something you will really NEED. I used a line level on the FIRST row to make sure they were level to start and just measured the rest. Once you have your initial marks everything from there can just be measured and checked with a 4' level.

 

[karoc]

I just finished mine, You are overthinking it. Save the money and spend it on something you will really NEED. I used a line level on the FIRST row to make sure they were level to start and just measured the rest. Once you have your initial marks everything from there can just be measured and checked with a 4' level.

Greg, you are correct I am putting way to much into it. Looking at the prices I was telling myself that I could buy few poles with that money.

Water Level- Well I have order 100' of 1/2 clear tubing since reading that 1/2 will equalize little faster that say 3/8. I have one of those plastic water jugs that has a fitting on side so I think I am kinda set now.
I am still going to keep my eyes open for a used one on CL or if word of month if one should pop up but going with water level.
Thanks for the links to water level, going to watch them several times.

 

[greg13]

I did buy a used builder's level for $25. but that was more for checking my elevation since I am in a flood zone. I wanted to make sure the floor was above flood stage and my elevation mark is 100' away.

 

[OneOfEm]

I picked up a used one on CL and used it for many tasks through the build up to running surface mount EMT and the fixtures on the ceiling. It saved tons of time for me and was well worth getting.

 

[56Mark]

Greg, you are correct I am putting way to much into it. Looking at the prices I was telling myself that I could buy few poles with that money.

Water Level- Well I have order 100' of 1/2 clear tubing since reading that 1/2 will equalize little faster that say 3/8. I have one of those plastic water jugs that has a fitting on side so I think I am kinda set now.
I am still going to keep my eyes open for a used one on CL or if word of month if one should pop up but going with water level.
Thanks for the links to water level, going to watch them several times.

When I need a water level, I use a garden hose. I bought a male and female hose end that has a barb for 1/2" tubing. I put about 18" of clear tubing on the barbs and corks in the end with a small hole drilled in the corks. Anchor the tubing ends to a small board with a hole in it to hang so you can work alone. Then I just unscrew the hose ends when done and put them in a drawer. I also make sure to fill the hose so that I know there are no air bubbles in it.

 

[csp]

Both of mine were purchased used. I was going to have a laser shop check them out, but did my own check using known points of height and distance and they were both close enough for anything I would use them for.

 

[KenC]

When I need a water level, I use a garden hose. I bought a male and female hose end that has a barb for 1/2" tubing. I put about 18" of clear tubing on the barbs and corks in the end with a small hole drilled in the corks. Anchor the tubing ends to a small board with a hole in it to hang so you can work alone. Then I just unscrew the hose ends when done and put them in a drawer. I also make sure to fill the hose so that I know there are no air bubbles in it.

Same here, I've used similar for years. Add a few drops of food coloring (or the stuff used yard sprayers to mark where you've been) and dish soap. The dish soap breaks the surface tension and makes the reading more accurate.

 

[jackson1701]

Good point and so true, it has happen to me.
I have been watching RR and like his setup but that price is out of my league but I can dream. Have been checking this one out which is little under 500.00,
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bosch-8...t-with-Carrying-Case-GRL-800-20-HVK/308736848
I will also need to shoot grade for slab since concrete is so high

I bought the Bosch from Home Depot last year when I did my addition, Its a great tool and you'll find it easy to use, and many more uses afterwards.