[chicken steve]

Having been privy to the desires of lighting designers , 'center' vs, 'symmetry' is always a consideration.

For instance, centering a chandelier in a bay window vs. a room

Or worse, the old furniture (grand piano, long table) specific lighting debacle.


~CS~

 

[Mshow1323]

Poor man's method - mark your first and last fixtures on the floor, pull a string between the two and then use your laser plumb. Laser plumbs are cheap; rotaries are not.

This is true, but some of us also work on finished ceilings.

 

[99cents]

This is true, but some of us also work on finished ceilings.

I pull the string on the floor, not the ceiling.

 

[Mshow1323]

My two weapons:

 

[Mshow1323]

A string line on the floor with a laser plumb is probably faster, but lasers flowing through the house always impresses my customers. Customers are generally impressed with technology...

 

[Joefixit2]

Tripod? I just set it on the floor. I mark both ends on the ceiling and then align the laser with those 2 marks. BAM! Nice perfectly straight line, done in less than 2 minutes.

I don't use a tripod. In construction/renos I'll set it on the floor or screw it to a stud with that magnetic attachment to adjust up and down freely. In finish work, I still put it on the floor for ceiling work or I set it on stuff to get the height I want for wall work. It's self levelling, why bother with a tripod?

I'll try without the tripod. The reason I got the tripod is for kitchen layouts, we can get all the countertop receps the same. A lot of the kitchen remodels we do get tile backsplashes and being off even 1/8" will show. Sometimes the floor is off a lot from one end of the kitchen to the other.

Before I had the tripod we would just set it somewhere like you do and measure from that line and snap a line, the tripod just makes it easier to center the laser on the top screw hole of the box. This way when using more than one type of box/p ring they are always exact.

 

[Mshow1323]

I'll try without the tripod. The reason I got the tripod is for kitchen layouts, we can get all the countertop receps the same. A lot of the kitchen remodels we do get tile backsplashes and being off even 1/8" will show. Sometimes the floor is off a lot from one end of the kitchen to the other.

Before I had the tripod we would just set it somewhere like you do and measure from that line and snap a line, the tripod just makes it easier to center the laser on the top screw hole of the box. This way when using more than one type of box/p ring they are always exact.

A tripod for horizontal lines is a winner. Adjusting it up and down is a breeze, adjusting it on a three dimensional plane, not so much.

 

[FrunkSlammer]

For counter receptacles, I just screw that magnetic base plate into a stud on the other side of the room somewhere. I put it roughly where I want the laser to shoot, then it can slide up and down freely.. probably about 4" of free adjustment.

I have yet come across a situation where I needed a tripod.

 

[Mshow1323]

I use it for two reasons:

1. People don't like it screw to a finished surface in a remodel
and
2. I've left two screw to a stud somewhere. My tripod is easier to see and remember :laughing:

 

[TOOL_5150]

I almost always use my laser. Thing was cheap and has made me a lot of money back in time saving.

One of the few things Dewalt makes good.

Bosch makes it better though.

 

[FrunkSlammer]

Bosch makes it better though.

Possibly, also costs a bunch more. That Dewalt laser is the best budget laser for value. I picked it up for like $130cdn which should be about $100US.

When I was shopping I think the comparable Bosch lasers were starting around $200cdn.

 

[Nobaddaysinak]

Pls180 is the ticket!