All in one laser needed! - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

dkillianjr · 10-21-2009, 07:08 PM

Hey guys, I've been looking to pick up a plumb laser, I would love to find one that would plumb, square, and shoot a beam around a room, say for installing chair rail or something or for finding deck post heights.

Is there such a product? I am clueless with lasers. What are you guys using? I've been looking at maybe something in the middle of the price scale.

Thanks, Dave

WarnerConstInc. · 10-21-2009, 07:37 PM

I have a cst/berger that I have been happy with.

It's few years old, does a plumb line as well. Has fast and slow rotation, short and long sweep, spot and can be used on it's back for tile layouts. I have the tripod, benchmark stick, card, case and reciever unit.

dkillianjr · 10-21-2009, 07:45 PM

Thanks Warner, that sounds pretty sweet, you wouldn't happen to know the model of it would you?

Dave

WarnerConstInc. · 10-21-2009, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkillianjr

Thanks Warner, that sounds pretty sweet, you wouldn't happen to know the model of it would you?

Dave

I can't and I really don't feel like going out to the trailer to look.

Let me see if I can remember.

It is basically this set-up here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-CST-BERGER-R...item5635c5ee52

Not as nice as the Hilti's but, I have used it for things like suspended ceilings, level line in a old crooked house, forming concrete steps (grade from sidewalk to porch floor), layed out tile with it as well.

Jayrek · 10-21-2009, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarnerConstInc.

I have a cst/berger that I have been happy with.

It's few years old, does a plumb line as well. Has fast and slow rotation, short and long sweep, spot and can be used on it's back for tile layouts. I have the tripod, benchmark stick, card, case and reciever unit.

Whats the model #, and can it be used for a balluster layout?

**Leo G** · 10-21-2009, 08:06 PM

Can't believe Festool doesn't make a laser.

WarnerConstInc. · 10-21-2009, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leo G

Can't believe Festool doesn't make a laser.

They have dual one's on the Kapex.

You are right though, seems odd. They tend to stick to speciality items, unless they can revolutionize an existing tool.

They finally have a jobsite radio, with one speaker!!

WarnerConstInc. · 10-21-2009, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayrek

Whats the model #, and can it be used for a balluster layout?

Not sure, at all really.

Greg Di · 10-21-2009, 08:26 PM

I tried to review a CST/Berger for JLC and it was so, so bad, I couldn't deal with it on a real job long enough to eek out a review. When I say "bad", it was an understatement.

I don't remember the exact model, but it was like three lasers combined into one and it just stank.

I have PLS lasers and absolutely love them. Check them out.

ETA: You really need three lasers to do what you want to do...well. A 5-way dot laser, a cross beam laser, and a squaring laser. I have five lasers on the truck depending on what I need to do. If I could only have one, it would be a PLS90e with detector because you can do a lot with that one single laser.

**Leo G** · 10-21-2009, 08:28 PM

http://www.plslaser.com/

tgeb · 10-21-2009, 08:41 PM

I tried out the CST/Berger LM30 and found it to be a piece of junk.

I ended up with a David White 3175.

http://www.davidwhite.com/Laser_tools/483175.html#

I have been pretty happy with it. Has a remote, it can do pin point, selective sweep, and works on the vertical.

It has dual grade capabilities that you probably don't need. Check out the David White site and see if there is something that suits your needs better.

dkillianjr · 10-21-2009, 08:56 PM

Thankyou for the info Warner! Thanks guys for the input!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayrek

Whats the model #, and can it be used for a balluster layout?

Its funny you should bring that up jayrek. Thats acctually what I am buying this thing for in the first place, to lay out rail ballusters. But I would love to be able to do a bunch of stuff with it.

Dave

Inner10 · 10-21-2009, 10:54 PM

I have a hilti dot laser, I need to get a cross beam at some point and the PLS seems real swell for the money...but then it won't match my other lasers

Winchester · 10-22-2009, 12:15 AM

PLS180 is my favourite

Kgmz · 10-22-2009, 12:47 AM

Most companies make great items and budget items. And CST does also.

So it depends on which CST laser you are looking at. And you cannot compare a manual LM30 to the other CST's, big difference.

Also most models of David White and CST Berger lasers are the same internally, and are the same company.

Look at these links to a CST LM30 and a David White ML-450N, is the David White better or are they the same.

http://www.cstsurvey.com/Products/La...M_30Wizard.htm

http://www.davidwhite.com/Laser_tools/474720NT.html

It is better to stay away from any manual leveling laser, no matter what brand.

I own and have used several lasers. I own a Spectra Precision L600, a CST LM800, a CST ALGR, and a Spectra Precision pipe laser. These CST's have the same features as Warner's, and maybe more like dual slope, etc.

I have used Topcon's, Leica's, and Trimble's before they bought out Spectra Precison. These CST's are just as accurate, usually have more features and are half the price of these brands.

For good prices go to:
http://www.engineersupply.com/

dkillianjr · 10-22-2009, 10:47 PM

Thanks guys for more info!

Thanks for the links kgmz!

Hmm so many choices, Its probly gonna take me a year to make a decision

Dave

MikeNeufeld · 10-23-2009, 08:37 AM

Have you had a look into the Bosch Family of LAsers. They have some pretty nice stuff coming out( mind you it is all made in China ) I would vote for the PLS 180 myself. It is truly a great laser, priced well and get's the job done.

dkillianjr · 10-23-2009, 11:04 PM

Thanks Mike,

Yup I was just looking at the bosches. They deffinetly look like nice units, but like you said they are made in china thats almost a deal breaker for me.

The PLS's is what I keep going back to, they are just so nice

Dave

Kgmz · 10-30-2009, 10:41 PM

Something I ran into on the web today regarding the Bosch lasers.

At the end of 2007 Bosch bought RoboToolz who is the manufacturer of the lasers Bosch now sells under their name. In June 2008 Bosch bought CST Berger/David White/Rolatape from Stanley Works. In the future you will be seeing some Bosch lasers that are actually CST Bergers/David Whites.

Another interesting thing is some of the RoboToolz laser also say Porter Cable on them. Not sure if Porter Cable once owned RoboToolz or what.

Kgmz · 10-30-2009, 10:41 PM

Some more pics