Lasers

BKA

Does anyone have a favorite branded laser tool for taking room layouts? I'm talking about big 100+ft runs. Not a small room that can be done with any old thing.

Also, I'm looking for some sort of laser device to determine when a concrete slab truly is level enough. I'm sick of going across the floor with a straight edge.

seamerdeamer

lasers works well but not always did some jobs where you would only see the beam for only 10 feet cause the humps on the floor were so bad...lol. good old masonry line trick never lets you down, just a thought

fiore22

I've been using Hilti Lasers, love them. I own three different one, the range finder, grading laser, and plumb laser. They are expensive, but I think the best.

firemike

I use the Hilti PD-20, a real workhorse, accurate and durable. I have measured over 200 feet with no problem, even longer with the target.

For leveling, I have a Hilti and a Spectra-Precision (now Trimble or something like that) Both are great and never had a problem with either of them. I think both are rated for 1/8" in 100 feet accuracy or close to that.

__________________
-Mike-

hatchet

I agree - the Hilti is probably the most accurate measuring laser I've used. I've been very happy with my David White laser level.

__________________
Rich
WIT Construction Co.
Superior MT Contractor

BKA

Sorry to rehash this but I have yet to find a solution.

My new Leica has been great. It takes acurate measurements.

However, I am still having issues with floor levelness. I'd like to toss the old straight edge and get something that gets me in and out of the job faster. The old 1/8" in 10' is the problem. I'd likle to find something that I could atleast roll allong the floor to figure if the floor was ok.

PrecisionFloors

Mason's line is the quickest and easiest way you will find.
Remember, you are checking the floors for flatness not level

__________________
Precision Flooring
(772) 237-9900
Tile, Hardwood, Laminate, and Resilient
Installation, Sales & Repair - "We do it right the FIRST time"

Bill_Vincent

The only laser I have is one made by Robotoolz:

http://www.amazon.com/RoboToolz-RT-7...6312108&sr=8-2


it's great for vertical work. I set it up on the tripod, rotate it 3 times, and it's level. I can stop the beam anywhere in the room to get a bench mark-- make sit much easier to see where you're marking.

__________________
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're probably right."

http://www.creativeceramicandmarble.com

BKA

So I take a mason line, set it to a pivot and run it across the floor. And from 80' away I'm going to see a 1/8" change... ok....


Side note:
I actualy AM looking for floor flatness (FF) and floor levelness (FL). I cant afford the time or money to truly observe ASTM E1155.

I'm dealing with an 8000sq ft floating floor so if it is not level it will creep if it is not flat I have to grind it down.

Floordude

Lazer Square!!!!

__________________
**Education is the key to success. Learn more, earn more.**
http://www.AustinFloorguy.com

BKA

Ahh cool. I find this: http://www.lasersquare.com/products/sl24.asp

And this: http://www.lasersquare.com/articles/sl24_deflection.pdf

But not sure how that helps other than establish if the location of the target is level to the laser. I could move the laser two feet to the right and would get a different measure from 80' away.

But would be fine for a bedroom sized room.

PrecisionFloors

You stated 1/8" in 10ft.....not 1/8" in 80ft. Lemme know how that works out for you.....ok...

So whats the product that requires this stringent of a specification exactly? I have laid over 10,000 ft jobs and got them to within 1/8" in 10ft, which is the standard spec for most any floor covering out there. The mason's string line has been used for centuries. It is simple and effective. I wasn't aware you were looking for a machine that would do the job for you....my bad

__________________
Precision Flooring
(772) 237-9900
Tile, Hardwood, Laminate, and Resilient
Installation, Sales & Repair - "We do it right the FIRST time"

Floordude

Actually the common specs for flattness, is 3/16 of an inch in 10 feet, and for smaller areas, 1/8 in 6 feet.

All manufacturers have there own specs for this, if they differ from standard.
Owens Plank wood flooring, is 1/8 in 10

__________________
**Education is the key to success. Learn more, earn more.**
http://www.AustinFloorguy.com

Jerry T

I use a long straight section of 3/4" black metal gas pipe to map subfloors and slabs. That gives me a real quick read to locate and map any problem areas.

PrecisionFloors

Damn good idea Jerry. I have a 10ft magnesium screed that I bought specifically for mapping out slabs with....it works but is a pain in the butt to use. I never thought about a piece of pipe. Easier to store I bet too.

__________________
Precision Flooring
(772) 237-9900
Tile, Hardwood, Laminate, and Resilient
Installation, Sales & Repair - "We do it right the FIRST time"

Floordude

The pipe works good, for mapping. Just roll it and mark the spot where it takes off. Better then picking up the screed over and over all the way across the floor.

The thing is, you still need the screed to work with when the mud is mixed.

__________________
**Education is the key to success. Learn more, earn more.**
http://www.AustinFloorguy.com

Jerry T

That's right. Just for mapping. I work on all the high spots (teeter-totter) first. Then I roll the pipe again because taking down all the high spots will eliminate many low spots I had previously mapped out. After that I use a screed to fine tune everything.

BKA

[quote=Jerry T;329288]3/4" black metal gas pipe quote]

Yea I've got the screed already (what I use) and I've been talking to a friend who uses this pipe optioon too. My question is, with the screed I know it has been engineered to be straight. Is that the same case with gas pipe? Can one buy engineered pipe? That is what I will end up doing if I can buy one that is accurate.

Acutaly I know your answer already .... use the pipe to find the spot then use the screed to measure... But to find a pipe with the same acuracy as the screed would be perfect.

Bill_Vincent

Just about any sprinkler system pipe will be just as accurate.

Just one question for all of you, though-- once you find these hills, what do you use to take them down?

__________________
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're probably right."

http://www.creativeceramicandmarble.com

PrecisionFloors

Bill, diamond wheel on a 7" grinder, preferably with a dust muzzle and vac.

__________________
Precision Flooring
(772) 237-9900
Tile, Hardwood, Laminate, and Resilient
Installation, Sales & Repair - "We do it right the FIRST time"