I finally tried a laser level after swearing by bubble levels for 20 years

My uncle Rick who’s been framing houses since the 80s kept telling me laser levels were a waste of money. He said they’re just another thing to break on the job site and you can't beat a good old bubble level for accuracy. So I stuck with my Stanley 48-inch level for years, even as the guys on my crew in Denver switched over. Then last month I had to line up some drop ceiling grids in a weird angled room and I borrowed a DeWalt laser level from a buddy. I set it up in under 2 minutes and had all my marks perfect without crouching and squinting. I was wrong to listen to Rick all that time, the laser saved me a ton of hassle. Has anyone else had to unlearn advice from an older tradesman that just doesn't hold up anymore?

3 comments

3 Comments

charles8361d ago

Man I feel you, my dad was the same way about lasers till I showed him how fast I could lay out a whole wall compared to his bubble method. Just keep it charged and treat it like glass and it'll last fine.

henryt181d ago

Oh man, I totally get that. The speed difference is just insane once you get used to a laser, it's like going from a horse and buggy to a sports car honestly. And yeah, people who never handled one think they're fragile but really they're tougher than you'd expect if you just don't chuck them around. I dropped mine off a ladder once (don't ask, it was a long day) and it still works perfect two years later, just a little scuffed up. But the bubble level guys will always have their pride, you know? It's like trying to convince a grandpa that a smartphone is better than a flip phone sometimes.

thomas_price1d ago

My buddy dropped his laser level into a bucket of paint once, and after a solid rinse it still worked fine. I wouldn't try that with a bubble level, it'd be floating in there forever.