Warning: That $400 laser level I bought was a total waste of money

I got talked into a fancy self-leveling laser for laying out tile patterns, thinking it would save me hours. Used it on a big kitchen job last week and the thing kept drifting out of level after 20 minutes. Had to re-check every line with my old 4-foot level anyway, which just added more steps. For the cost, I expected it to be dead-on reliable, not a constant headache. Ended up returning it and going back to my chalk lines and a solid straight edge. Has anyone actually found a laser that holds its calibration on a real job site, or are they all just for show?

4 comments

4 Comments

thomasgonzalez3mo agoMost Upvoted

My Bosch unit did that same drift thing on a concrete floor, it's so frustrating.

kelly.patricia3mo ago

Man, that's rough but my experience has been totally different. I've used a DeWalt cross line laser on multiple bathroom remodels and it stays put for hours. The key is making sure the surface you set it on is actually stable to begin with, a wobbly table or saw horse will ruin any tool. Maybe you just got a bad unit or the brand wasn't up to the job, which sucks for that price. I'd be mad too, but they aren't all junk in my opinion.

the_viola3mo ago

Wait, hours? My laser starts drifting after like twenty minutes, even on solid ground. That's wild yours holds that long.

pat_roberts5513d ago

Hold on, twenty minutes? That's nuts. @thomasgonzalez I hear you on the Bosch drift, but my old Manfrotto tripod setup will hold a level for like three hours before I need to tweak it even a little. I think you might have gotten a battery issue or a defective unit, because going out that fast on concrete just sounds broken.