“Square, level, and plumb” is the carpenter’s creed, the golden rule for amateurs and professional alike. No matter whether one is remodeling a kitchen, building a workbench, or standing up walls on a house, all three of these trade tenets are equally important. But thanks to modern technology, none is easier to achieve than striking a perfect reference line with a laser level. When a traditional bubble level is not adequate, or you need to project a level line onto multiple surfaces at once, a laser level is the way to go. Here are a few features to look for as you consider adding this sophisticated tool to your kit.
For the home handyman, a small laser level will do everything from setting a level line on a tile backsplash to mapping the precise height for wainscoting around an entire room. Look for a unit that has vertical as well as horizontal beams for setting both plumb and level lines.
Large outdoor construction jobs, like pouring a sidewalk or laying out a foundation, call for a level capable of reaching every point on the project from a distance. So, pay attention to the range limits of the laser beam as well as the margin of error (e.g. +/- 1/8” at 50’). If excavating is part of the task, a built-in slope function allows you to achieve exactly the right gradient from drain fields to driveways.
A laser tool that can level itself rather than requiring you to fiddle with adjustment screws or bubble vials saves time. And on a job site, time is money. But if the tool also has a manual leveling mode, that’s good insurance for cross referencing accuracy as well as back-up functionality.
