How to choose a laser level or level - characteristics, varieties and selection criteria
If you build a house without using measuring devices, then everything will turn out awry, and for a long time it will not stand idle. Our ancestors also knew this, and they necessarily checked the horizontal and vertical planes for the absence of errors. They used the devices that were available in those days.
Of course, these devices could not be called perfect, but there were no others. We were more fortunate - now every master has access to a level that works on laser beams, which makes measurements quickly and accurately. You will read below how to choose a laser level so that it does not disappoint at the right time and suits exactly your needs.
- About the laser level: principle of operation and basic characteristics
- Video. Everything you need to know about laser levels
- Varieties and types of laser levels
- Video. Classification of laser levels
- Video. Leveling classification by leveling mechanism
- Choosing a specific model: 9 tips
- Video. About the choice of levels
About the laser level: principle of operation and basic characteristics
This measurement mechanism uses a thin and bright laser beam. For its appearance, a special design is going on diodes. By the way, laser radiation was originally used only by the military. Then, after a rather long period of time, it came into medicine, and after that it gradually took root in other areas of our lives, found application in industry and construction.
The body of the laser level consists of plastic. It has latex or rubber inserts that prevent liquid or dust from getting inside the precision instrument. After all, the level is by no means cheap, and at a construction site sand can get on it, and cement, and water, and drops of paint. Therefore, housing protection is vital to this device.
Laser levels can be used both at the construction site and in the apartment for domestic needs. Manufacturers produce these devices of various types, so you can always choose the right laser level, focusing on the tasks that you need to perform with it.
Advantages of devices of this type:
1. The measurements carried out with their help are very accurate: the error per meter does not exceed a few tenths of a millimeter.
2. A point or line, perfectly visible, is much more convenient than the sighting mark, which ordinary levels are equipped with. Indeed, you can work along this line immediately, without marking, for example, by starting construction equipment along it.
3. The device makes measurements with lightning speed, you do not need to prepare it for work, just get it from the case and that's it.
4. By placing the device horizontally, you don’t have to worry about the future: he will take the measurements himself, and very quickly.
5. You do not need to be a specialist to work with a laser level - anyone can handle it.
6. It does not require several workers for measurements - the device is serviced by one person.
In general, a laser level is nothing more than a more modern descendant of all other measuring instruments: theodolites, tape measures, levels, ordinary levels. Check them with any vertical and horizontal surfaces that require accuracy.
Knowing how these devices are classified (after all, different types have different names and even purposes), you can get a very clear idea of how to choose a laser level according to your needs.
Video. Everything you need to know about laser levels
Varieties and types of laser levels
1. Rangefinder, commonly called laser roulette, is the simplest device.
Builder - in everyday life is called the "laser level" or "laser level".
2. Static builders.
- Static line builders (other names - cross-liner or multi-prism builder)
- Static axis builders (other names - pointer, point laser).
3. Rotational buildersbuilding planes (other names - multi-prism builder, level).
Static Type Builders
Typically, such devices are used in the construction and decoration of apartments, facades, small plots.
Line builders
Crossliners produce beams that are static lines. These lines are formed when the laser beam passes through a special prism, and its splitting, and not by rotating the laser beam around its axis. Typically, these split rays are far from reach - twenty meters, no more.
If the builder is used with a special receiver, then its range can be increased to fifty, or even hundreds of meters. The more powerful the LED and the design, the further the rays stretch.
Crosslinker operation example.
Since there are several diodes and prisms used, the builders are called multi-prism. There are, however, unpretentious models where there is only one beam, vertical or horizontal. But there are few of them. Basically, there are two of these rays: vertical and horizontal. This results in a cross of laser beams. Complex models have several lines and crosses, and there are those that can be used as a plumb line, they shine up (zenith) or down (nadir).
The sweep angle of the lines of a standard builder is one hundred twenty degrees. For more “cool” models, it is one hundred and sixty degrees. The larger the angle, the more additional intersections of the lines. It also happens that all three hundred and sixty degrees are used (when the lines are connected in a full plane).
In crossliners, a self-leveling system, a pendulum or electronic type, is usually built in. To ensure that the readings are accurate, level the instrument horizontally using a level with a normal bubble. The pendulum compensator instantly positions the device so that its plane becomes parallel to the ground. And during operation, compensation for shifts and jitter is slowly occurring.
This makes the self-leveling system. The maximum allowable angle for compensation at many laser levels is three degrees. Although there are models where this angle is five and six degrees.
If the angle is larger than this value, the automation signals that it is necessary to manually adjust the position of the device. This can be done by twisting the legs, or you can move the device to another location. When a plane or line is needed not strictly horizontal and vertical, but inclined, you can turn off the automation, relying only on yourself and adjusting the position of the device manually.
Marking the wall with the help of a line builder fixed to the wall.
Axis Builders
These devices are also called point lasers. They do not have a radiator that rotates or prism systems, so they give only points indicating the desired direction. But these points can be seen much better than the line of the previous type of builders. This is especially evident when sunlight is dazzlingly bright. Indeed, in the builders of the axes of the prisms that dampen the beam, there is no.
Therefore, deciding which laser level to choose for a very large room, get just such a model - you will not regret it. And on the street it will be comfortable to work with her.
An example of the operation of a point laser.
Such a device has three or five rays. They are directed up, forward, down, left and right, respectively. The dotted lines are perpendicular to each other. Such a device can mark out the formwork, projections of floors, frames, partitions, walls. Sometimes such devices are called laser plummet, which does not give a complete description. Zenith can be obtained by placing the device on the floor, and nadir - lifting it with a tripod.
An example of marking the ceiling using a spot laser.
Rotational Plane Builders
In these devices, the light beam is not scattered by a prism, but rotates, due to which a plane is formed. In general, this is a point type pointer with a powerful rotating laser. The range of the device is very good, so it is often used in construction, where impressive areas. Although indoors (especially large), such builders are also quite possible to successfully apply.
For example, such a laser level can check the surface of the supporting structure. Additionally, a rotational builder can create a laser beam aimed at the zenith. It is very convenient with such a device to measure the difference between the heights.
An example of a rotation builder.
If in addition, there are no devices, then the range of the laser beam of such a device is from fifty to seventy meters. If you use a receiver (usually included), the range increases simply fantastic: up to three hundred, and even up to four hundred meters. A sensitive receiver catches a beam at a construction site and gives a signal about it.
As a rule, laser levels allow you to adjust the speed of rotation of the beam. The radiating head can be made to spin at a speed of ten to six hundred revolutions per minute - this is a solid range. Moreover, the adjustment helps to reduce the consumption of the power source, leaving its resource more complete. And the functionality of the device, the ability to adjust, significantly increases.
Work markup using a rotational builder.
Builders with a rotating beam can only form a horizontal plane, but can also be adjusted on a tripod, showing both a vertical plane and an angular one. But about the last, inclined, plane, we can speak only when the model is very "advanced".
In this case, the horizontal compensator is simply turned off, acting manually. Although there are models where one axis is compensated and the other is set manually, in some cases this can be useful.
There are rotational builders with a remote control duplicating buttons located on the device body. This is convenient - you can control the device, moving away from it at a considerable distance. Also, all rotational levels have a function called “off level”. She will not allow marking up something wrong.
Video. Classification of laser levels
Video. Leveling classification by leveling mechanism
Choosing a specific model: 9 tips
Well, we have examined the main types of laser levels, now it remains to go to the parameters of the devices to which special attention should be paid. And also let's talk about what can limit the functionality of such a device as a building laser level.
1. A very important indicator is the projection error. So, having bought a laser level of an unknown manufacturer on the market at a low price, do not rely on its high accuracy. Up to three (!) Millimeters for every ten meters will be an error, and this is a lot. If you buy a model more expensive, and also a good brand, then the error will not exceed one, or even only half a millimeter.
Rotational builders are more accurate. When buying, be sure to check what error the device gives out.
2. Ranges (visible and scanned), otherwise, the range is also significant. Typically, well-known companies here underestimate the numbers. How to start using it - the result is much better. But this is not bad, because on the contrary it would be much worse, agree. The size of the working area, which is important for rotary devices, is calculated differently from different manufacturers. Here, see the radius or diameter in question.
Some firms may write the first, while others may write the second. If you are buying a static builder, ask if it can work with the receiver. Even if the receiver is not included, it would be good if there was such an opportunity.
3. We study in detail the characteristics of the laser in the device passport.This is its wavelength, power and class. The most commonly used laser with a wavelength of six hundred thirty-five nanometers. It has a red beam with a little yellow. The green ray is more powerful, bright and pleasing to the eye - its wavelength is five hundred thirty-two nanometers. Previously, lasers with a wavelength of six hundred and fifty nanometers were used, but now they have already been discontinued.
4. Another important point: features of self-leveling. A not-so-good option is a limit angle of three degrees. Better, of course, if this angle is five degrees. The passport also indicates the time for which the compensator is configured. Naturally, the smaller it is, the better for the user.
In addition, sometimes it becomes necessary to turn off the self-leveling device - there should be such an opportunity in a good device. This is necessary, for example, when working on a slope or when moving the device.
5. Now the power source. It is he who determines how long the device can work without a break. The static builder runs on finger batteries or rechargeable batteries for at least ten hours. To save power, we turn off unnecessary rays. Since more energy is needed to rotate the laser, rotary devices will not cost with finger batteries.
They operate on alkaline, nickel-cadmium or nickel-metal hydride batteries. In this case, the capacity of the device for charging and its speed are important. Rotary laser levels can work without interruption from twenty-five to forty hours.
6. The ambient temperature necessary for normal operation is also indicated in the passport. Models of professional-level levels from reliable manufacturers can work in cold weather (at minus twenty degrees) and in heat (at plus fifty degrees). In addition, pay attention to such an indicator as the temperature allowed for storage of the device - usually here the temperature range is greater than necessary for operation. Do not confuse these two values.
7. The security of the case can be different, it can be easily determined by marking. So, the standard protection - marking IP54 - will give you the opportunity to use the laser level on a dusty construction site and in the rain. In order to protect the device in case of a fall, it is equipped with damper pads. In addition, the quality of the body material and its ergonomics are important here.
For example, Spectra Precision produces models where the passport states that nothing will happen to the device even if it falls from a meter or a half. Naturally, provided that the level is mounted on a tripod.
8. Equipment. What is attached to the laser level, except for the level itself, and is all this necessary for work? So, complete with the device can be delivered:
- Bag or case;
- special glasses to help you see the laser beam;
- remote;
- several flat targets;
- tripod;
- Charger, rechargeable batteries or batteries;
- staples or magnets to mount the device on the ceiling or walls;
- geodetic rail;
- receiver for intercepting the beam.
9. Manufacturing firm. In the first place in the ranking you can put the company BOSCH. It should be noted that Bosch laser level is highly appreciated by professional builders and home craftsmen. Prices for household and professional appliances of this brand can differ from each other quite significantly, but the quality of even the cheapest model is excellent.
Condtrol also produces very good laser levels and levels. Of course, they are slightly inferior to the products of the previous manufacturer, but they have a very nice price. The company Matrix, experts say, does not produce very good professional levels, but household models are at its best. Kapro brand products, both professional and domestic, are best used indoors. There they showed themselves well, on the street - worse.
Those who have acquired a high-quality laser level for work have never regretted their decision. After all, this exact instrument has solid advantages, it is just perfect.Although its price is not very low, the high quality of work and time saved are worth a lot!
Video. About the choice of levels
