Laser Measure

 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 10-10-2009, 03:06 PM   #1
Member
 
KMRLLC's Avatar
 
Trade: Remodeling
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Independence, KY
Posts: 34

Laser Measure


I just purchased a stabila LD400 laser measure.... any of you guys use one of these yet? Just with playing with it today...every measurement is within a 1/16' of an inch on my tape.

I am excited about being able to walk around a room "shoot" all of my measurements for the base board (it will hold the last 10 measurements in the unit) and head back to my saw and start cutting.

Not yet field tested but seems pretty cool.

KMRLLC is offline  
Warning: The topics covered on this site include activities in which there exists the potential for serious injury or death. ContractorTalk.com DOES NOT guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information contained on this site. Always use proper safety precaution and reference reliable outside sources before attempting any construction or remodeling task!

Old 10-10-2009, 03:26 PM   #2
Pro
 
AJAX's Avatar
 
Trade: GC, Remodeling
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Central, MN
Posts: 177

Re: Laser Measure


Hope it works out for ya. I tried one once, didn't really like it. I have a system I use and it's hard to break it. For the level of accuracy I need I make 2-3 trips to the saw for each side of the miter anyway...
AJAX is offline  
Old 10-10-2009, 05:40 PM   #3
Project Manager/Carpenter
 
TBFGhost's Avatar
 
Trade: Carpentry/Reno
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Lebanon, NJ
Posts: 3,266

Re: Laser Measure


Quote:
Originally Posted by AJAX View Post
Hope it works out for ya. I tried one once, didn't really like it. I have a system I use and it's hard to break it. For the level of accuracy I need I make 2-3 trips to the saw for each side of the miter anyway...


That is alot of down time... means you went to the saw 8 to 12 times in a four corner room.... Or...eash side of the miter....that is more like 16-24 times.....

Last edited by TBFGhost; 10-11-2009 at 07:27 PM.
TBFGhost is online now  
Old 10-10-2009, 05:49 PM   #4
President of the world
 
world llc's Avatar
 
Trade: general contractor
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: chatham, nj
Posts: 1,468

Re: Laser Measure


i have the hilti laser range meter and it too is within a 16th! i have only used it to do estimates so far... when i get a low end job i'll try it out for trim...

im sure between the laser and the bosh angle finder there is a way to make it work flawlessly...
world llc is offline  
Old 10-18-2009, 11:15 AM   #5
Trimguy
 
CVGFir's Avatar
 
Trade: Carpenter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Washington
Posts: 24

Re: Laser Measure


I've been thinking about getting that model too for measuring crown. Could be a time saver if the accuracy is there. Let us know how this thing performs. Thanks
CVGFir is offline  
Old 10-18-2009, 12:07 PM   #6
Member
 
tuffplay's Avatar
 
Trade: Playground Design and Construction
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 45

Re: Laser Measure


I have one and I love it, what I love even more are my laser levels, self leveling. I have one dot, and one beam. They save so much time, and its nice to have cool tools!
__________________
PaulAndSon
tuffplay is offline  
Old 10-18-2009, 07:28 PM   #7
I like Green things
 
WarnerConstInc.'s Avatar
 
Trade: Custom Carpentry Services
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: In a van, down by the river. Auburn, IN
Posts: 11,657

Re: Laser Measure


Quote:
Originally Posted by AJAX View Post
Hope it works out for ya. I tried one once, didn't really like it. I have a system I use and it's hard to break it. For the level of accuracy I need I make 2-3 trips to the saw for each side of the miter anyway...

That is crazy. That is a ton of wasted time.

Sounds like you need a better saw, blade, or technique.

You are wasting a tone of time.

I can put a tick mark with a knife, line it up with my laser, cut it and go put it up. I dont even have to make a trip anywhere now with the dust collection.

Yes, the laser measurer's are pretty darn accurate.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by Leo G View Post
Thanks for that tidbit of information Darcy.
Warner Remodeling ll Auburn Indiana Remodeling ll Dekalb County Remodeling ll Custom Woodworking Auburn Indiana
Warner Remodeling Facebook
WarnerConstInc. is online now  
Old 10-18-2009, 08:14 PM   #8
The Duke
 
KentWhitten's Avatar
 
Trade: Cabinet Maker
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Portland, Maine
Posts: 10,086

Re: Laser Measure


I have had some experience with laser measuring systems, not quite like the Hilti, but the same concept. We found that you need to be careful if your target is a porous wood, like Red Oak. From our debatable conclusion, we think that because of the pores, the laser tends to creep into the wood and the accuracy of the measurement decreases. We found some instances of 1/2" off. For the most part, 1/16" was a normal tolerance. Whether that is acceptable to you and what you're applying it to, that is your decision.
__________________
If you correct your mind, the rest of your life will fall into place ~Lao Tzu

Custom Cabinetry - Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough, Kennebunkport, Yarmouth, Falmouth, Cumberland, Ogunquit, Maine


Salmon Falls Cabinetry
KentWhitten is online now  
Old 10-19-2009, 01:54 AM   #9
Palisade Point Const.
 
TempestV's Avatar
 
Trade: Remodeling/Finish/Framing/Log
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Bozeman MT
Posts: 1,781

Re: Laser Measure


For framing, I could see being able to make use of 1/16" accuracy. However, for trim, until they bring out a model that reads in RCH's, it's only going to be good for rough measurements anyways.

Quote:
Hope it works out for ya. I tried one once, didn't really like it. I have a system I use and it's hard to break it. For the level of accuracy I need I make 2-3 trips to the saw for each side of the miter anyway...
I've had to make that many trips (or even more) before when matching to existing and the angles are all over the place. It's not a normal thing though. For the less challenging stuff, I would expect to need 2-3 trips per piece, not per side, and I try to bring 4-5 pieces every time I go back and forth.
TempestV is offline  
Old 10-19-2009, 11:04 AM   #10
I like Green things
 
WarnerConstInc.'s Avatar
 
Trade: Custom Carpentry Services
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: In a van, down by the river. Auburn, IN
Posts: 11,657

Re: Laser Measure


Buy a protractor, that will save all that extra trips and walking.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by Leo G View Post
Thanks for that tidbit of information Darcy.
Warner Remodeling ll Auburn Indiana Remodeling ll Dekalb County Remodeling ll Custom Woodworking Auburn Indiana
Warner Remodeling Facebook
WarnerConstInc. is online now  
Old 10-21-2009, 09:21 AM   #11
Finishing Carpenter
 
Mrmac204's Avatar
 
Trade: finishing Carpenter
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Coquitlam B.C. Canada
Posts: 905

Re: Laser Measure


yup you will love it. I have the Hilti, its great on doing estimates. I find that for measuring crown, I have to cut my "line" off about 1/16", and you have to be very careful where you aim the dot, I have a small line on the wall (corners) where the bottom of crown will rest, so that's my target.

NOt sure about going to the saw multiple times, I cope the inside corners, and use the bosch miter finder for the outside corners - accurate and quick - mostly!

I'm getting way more crown jobs than baseboard these days, some of the fooring stores are installing baseboard as an extra- 1.25/ft. I can't compete with that! I've seen the work, its worse than most HO's can do- chopped 45 deg cuts, not even pushed tight! then in places gobs of caulk.

good thing I like doing crown better

Laurie

www.lauriescustomfinishing.ca
Mrmac204 is offline  


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Laser rangefinder / estimator user30697 Tools & Equipment 18 04-30-2011 12:41 PM
Laser Screeds tchawks81 Concrete & Paving 0 11-24-2008 01:02 PM
Laser tape measure, worth having? Michaeljp86 Tools & Equipment 30 07-27-2008 01:33 PM
Best Tape Measure Journeyman T Tools & Equipment 39 02-26-2008 02:14 PM
Laser level for top plates on partition walls? personalt Framing 3 11-12-2006 09:58 AM

Join Now... It's Fast and FREE!

Privacy Badge
I am a professional contractor
I am a DIY Homeowner
ContractorTalk.com is for
PROFESSIONAL CONTRACTORS ONLY!

At ContractorTalk.com we cater exlusivly to professional contractors who make their living as a contractor. Knowing that many homeowners and DIYers are looking for a community to call home, we've created www.DIYChatroom.com DIY Chatroom is full of helpful advices and perfect for DIY homeowners.

Redirecing in 10 seconds
No Thanks
terms of service

Already Have an Account?