Switched from a 4-foot level to a laser for a big commercial job in Austin and it changed the game.

The foreman wanted us to stick with the old levels for a 30-foot retaining wall, but I rented a DeWalt laser for the week. We finished the layout in half a day and the line was perfect the whole way. Anyone else made the jump to lasers for big runs and never looked back?

3 comments

3 Comments

phoenix_lewis16d ago

Gotta disagree on this one. For a 30-foot wall, a string line and a good level are just as fast once you know what you're doing. Lasers are great until the battery dies or the sun washes it out. I've seen guys waste more time fussing with the laser setup than it would take to just run a tight string. The old ways work if your crew is solid.

reesej2716d ago

I mean, I get what @phoenix_lewis is saying about a good string line. For a straight wall, a tight string is just as true and you never have to worry about a dead battery halfway through. Maybe it's just me, but I've seen more problems fixed with simple tools than fancy ones.

alicecraig17d ago

Honestly, I was a total holdout for years. Thought it was just a fancy toy and my trusty old level was all I needed. Then my crew used one on a long foundation pour and I had to eat my words. The speed and accuracy just can't be beat on those big runs. It's hard to argue with results.