MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
I think it is about time I had one. Just as a handy alternative to juggling a spirit level one handed while drawing a line and then doing it again because it moved a bit!
The makita UML15M5 looks ok. it includes a pipe / stud / wire detector as well.
Any reccomendations? or ones to avoid? I guess something that stuck to the wall easily would be useful
I've never had much lick with stud, wire and pipe detectors as I discovered most of the walls in my house are brick.
Laser levels fall into two groups spirit levels with a laser and rotating laser levels
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I've never used a spirit levels with a laser, I'd imagine that they are good for putting up pictures and curtain rails, anything that requires an extended line on one wall
A rotating laser level will protect a horizontal plane on a surface and is closes to the levels that surveyors and engineers use. I have used on of these and they are good for putting up picture and dado rails. I'm told that they are also good for levelling floors as well.
Which one is better for you will depend on what you are planning to do.
I suspect if I'm honest (and I love buying new expensive tools!) my requirements are more like needing the spirit level type, just making life easier when drawing lines on ceilings and walls etc. I've no doubt I might need something like a rotating one at tome point but I could always hire a decent one if I do (they looks really expensive!)
I have had one of these for a couple of years,
http://www.laser-level.co.uk/erol.html
I am a joiner to trade, it's self leveling & think it's brilliant for lots of stuff,ie. setting out over large areas, finding high low spots, erecting partitions showing straight lines, setting out square but no laser level will replace a traditional bubble level for accuracy on actually leveling things like shelves etc. the line it projects is 2-3mm depending on how close it is, they work over at least a 30m distance, but don't get me wrong it's a godsend for speed on marking things.
I paid £57 on a special deal from my local irongomonger.
They are not good if bright sunlight is steaming in your window or outdoors unless you have a reader, but that can be overcome with a bit of ingenuity.
I looked at the more expensive Dewalt at £200, it had a slightly wider arc & had a more intense beam, but no pole, after 2 years use I have no regrets & would buy it again if it broke.
Since seeing it, at least 10 other tradesmen I know have all bought one.
Definitely the dogs bollocks & no I don't work for Stan.
Forgot to add, pipe/stud detectors are pish, I do have an ultrasonic measure with laser pointer, which is handy for estimating & reasonably accurate, but they can pick up obstructions if not in an empty room, you need to try it at least twice & then by experience judge if it is telling the truth, they cost around £30, an actual laser one like Leica costs lots more. I see Bosch do one for £90 but I would like to see one actually working before I bought one, even then I would only use it for estimating.