Laser transit/level suggestions - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

R Leo · #1 12-20-2005, 03:19 PM

I'm close to starting on my cabin out at the farm and I think a laser level-transit thingy might be a big help in laying out the structure. In addition to being a chalk line substitute, it seems like it should be able to shoot angles and things too.

There seem to be a zillion different ones on the market ranging from $50 to $2500+; I guess that I don't want to spend more than $200 or so.

Any suggestions? Personal experiences?

#2 12-20-2005, 03:50 PM

I'm a Stabila guy. Very precise German levels and laser tools. I have there spirit levels, and a laser level that has transit sights on it. I also, have a contractor Robo-Toolz rotating self-leveling xy laser level. All great tools.

Shaun

R Leo · #3 12-20-2005, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaun McCarren

I'm a Stabila guy. Very precise German levels and laser tools. I have there spirit levels, and a laser level that has transit sights on it. I also, have a contractor Robo-Toolz rotating self-leveling xy laser level. All great tools.

Shaun

Do any of these units have a 90° beam capability for laying out corners?

Botnst · #4 12-20-2005, 04:16 PM

Go rent a Total Station. Read the manual. I like Leica. Nikon makes a good one. Etc.

It will allow you to turn horizontal and vertical angles to 1-2 seconds of arc. It has a built-in EDM to mm accuracy over short distances.

If you've can do trigonometry you can solve the survey yourself.

Nate · #5 12-20-2005, 05:31 PM

PLEASE USE SOUND CONSTRUTION... Dont set the damn thing on concreate bricks, like the P/Os of my uncles kit cabin... We just put in a concrete footing (i think)

Mabey you know this, and think I'm stupid... Might be true, might not. What I know is that its a pain in the butt to move a cabin even with housejacks
~Nate

R Leo · #6 12-20-2005, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nateid15

PLEASE USE SOUND CONSTRUTION... Dont set the damn thing on concreate bricks, like the P/Os of my uncles kit cabin... We just put in a concrete footing (i think)

Mabey you know this, and think I'm stupid... Might be true, might not. What I know is that its a pain in the butt to move a cabin even with housejacks
~Nate

Does this mean I can't use duct tape? Maybe I'll just use strawbales instead.

R Leo · #7 12-20-2005, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

Go rent a Total Station.

LOL. That's a mighty big hammer for shooting 90°s and leveling a 25' x 35' structure...

Botnst · #8 12-20-2005, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R Leo

LOL. That's a mighty big hammer for shooting 90°s and leveling a 25' x 35' structure...

Ohhhh you want simple. Heck, the Egyptians leveled ground with water and you could do the same in a more efficient manner. Fill a hose with water. Lift each end. Voila' level is when the water ceases surging in the hose.

Want 90 deg? Scale a 3-4-5 triangle out of wood appropriately to your needs. Don't use string as the catenary will mess you up. Catenary is the string drop due to gravity. Gets its name from the Latin root of chain (spanish is cadena, I think). Romans noted the drop and its constancy and worked out an engineering solution for it.

Nate · #9 12-20-2005, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

Ohhhh you want simple. Heck, the Egyptians leveled ground with water and you could do the same in a more efficient manner. Fill a hose with water. Lift each end. Voila' level is when the water ceases surging in the hose."snip"

Or the water ceases to surge from the hose when you've dripped enough of it out, and it collects in the middle of the bend...

Mabey with a clear ridged tube it could happen... ALMOST like the common leval

Might have to put a strait line on it for good measure, so you know when its all good, or wrap some lines around it to get a range of "good" and "not so good"

~Nate

mzsmbs · #10 12-21-2005, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

Go rent a Total Station. Read the manual. I like Leica. Nikon makes a good one. Etc.

It will allow you to turn horizontal and vertical angles to 1-2 seconds of arc. It has a built-in EDM to mm accuracy over short distances.

If you've can do trigonometry you can solve the survey yourself.

that's it.. topcon is excellent too.. you don't need to do the math.. the TS can do that for you so can data collector.

mzsmbs · #11 12-21-2005, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

Ohhhh you want simple. Heck, the Egyptians leveled ground with water and you could do the same in a more efficient manner. Fill a hose with water. Lift each end. Voila' level is when the water ceases surging in the hose.

Want 90 deg? Scale a 3-4-5 triangle out of wood appropriately to your needs. Don't use string as the catenary will mess you up. Catenary is the string drop due to gravity. Gets its name from the Latin root of chain (spanish is cadena, I think). Romans noted the drop and its constancy and worked out an engineering solution for it.

in 3-4-5 foot distances the sag is negligable man (6-8-10 maybe pushing it though).. use good string and string it tight..

MS Fowler · #12 12-21-2005, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

Don't use string as the catenary will mess you up. Catenary is the string drop due to gravity. Gets its name from the Latin root of chain (spanish is cadena, I think). Romans noted the drop and its constancy and worked out an engineering solution for it.

Great trivia question if anyone is talking about the St Louis Arch ( our the Jefferson Expansion memorial). Ask if anyone knows the shape of the arch. It is a reverse cantenary. Almost no one knows this, ( except Bot).

Jim H · #13 12-21-2005, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MS Fowler

Great trivia question if anyone is talking about the St Louis Arch (the Jefferson Expansion memorial). ...the shape of the arch... is a reverse cantenary. Almost no one knows this, ( except Bot).

Like he said.

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/history/us/monuments/stlouisarch/

R Leo · #14 12-21-2005, 09:15 AM

You guys remind me of a bunch of lawyers...100% accurate information that's damned near useless.

I think what I need is a moderately priced(<$200), tripod-mounted, self leveling, 'laser chalkline'.

Merrry x-mas!

Botnst · #15 12-21-2005, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MS Fowler

Great trivia question if anyone is talking about the St Louis Arch ( our the Jefferson Expansion memorial). Ask if anyone knows the shape of the arch. It is a reverse cantenary. Almost no one knows this, ( except Bot).

I didn't know it was a reverse catenary. That's interesting. Also interesting is it's survivability when the New Madrid Fault lets go in the not too distant future.

By the way, we had an earthquake here in Louisiana this week. I think it was around 3 or so.

Like natural phenomena? We got it all right here. Except volcanoes. Hope springs eternal.