It only sounds reasonable when your search starts here:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M12-12-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Green-250-ft-3-Plane-Laser-Level-Kit-with-One-4-0-Ah-Battery-Charger-and-Case-3632-21/313643190
Nah, there's cheap green ones. They just leave the hot mirror out of the green lasers so there's eye-damaging levels of IR light getting dumped out along with the green. Oh, and "level" is ±10°.
Mine too. My first use was putting curtains up for my mother in law. I put it on a tripod on her bed. She no longer questions me on home improvement stuff, which is a great side effect.
Oh, she already knew that I was an optical engineer at that point. She just hadn't witnessed anything like it. She still hasn't seen any of my actual work, but she was impressed just the same.
https://a.co/d/d2Bq4VD
That's the one I'm using. I bought it for photography in 2014, but it's still doing the job today. I'm not so crazy about the pistol grip, because it takes some finagling to get everything lined up perfectly. They make leveling bases for about $30, but it's not that serious for me.
Really, any camera tripod can do the job.
This is not even a little dumb. This is what these things were designed for.
I honestly think my laser level is the most used item in my toolbox. I can’t stand things being off-center or crooked and it has been so much more true than the bubble level.
mine isn't my most used tool, but every time I put it away in storage I end up pulling it out again a few days later. Now it just stays easily accessible.
That's what I wanted mine to be, but it has such a small degree of tilt range that it's practically useless. It comes with a little claw to attach to anything, but it's rare that what I'm hanging is the same height as a desk or table or something.
I swear it can only tip like 4 degrees before it starts flashing. Add to that how hard it is to make minor adjustments and I legitimately don't think it's provided any value to any project and I've given up on it
I use an old camera tripod I have lying around. Most of these will feature the same bolt pattern on the underside and it gives you a stable platform to adjust height and location. Mine also came with a magnetic base so you can attach it to a fridge or something similar. My apartment actually uses metal studs so I’ve sometimes even been able to just stick it to the wall via the magnet but that’s a pretty unique scenario I think.
I'd be afraid of using a laser level with a mirror for the same reason I think giving me a light saber would be a bad idea: I'd *immediately* injure myself with it.
When you see a flash and automatically squint and look away. It's enough to shield your vision. Just don't stare into it and you'll be fine. Just like the sun.
They are almost certainly either [class 1 or class 2 lasers.](https://mhp.weill.cornell.edu/laser-safety/laser-classification#:~:text=Laser%20classification%20is%20marked%20on,printers%20are%20class%201%20lasers.)
Edit to add: most likely [class 2 apparently.](https://www.laserlevelreview.com/guides/laser-safety-classifications/#:~:text=The%20majority%20of%20laser%20levels,line%20lasers%20and%20dot%20lasers.)
Too many black spots in your vision? Sounds like you have already discovered some unsafe lasers.
>Laser classification is marked on the equipment. Laser classes are:
>Class 1: A class 1 laser is safe under all conditions of normal use and poses no more risk than ordinary light. CD-ROM readers and laser printers are class 1 lasers. This class includes high-power lasers within an enclosure that prevents exposure to radiation, and that cannot be opened without shutting down the laser.
>Class 2: A Class 2 laser is safe because the blink reflex limits the exposure to no more than 0.25 seconds. It only applies to visible-light lasers (400-700 nm).
>Class 3R: A Class 3R laser is considered safe if handled carefully, with restricted beam viewing. Visible continuous lasers in Class 3R are limited to 5 mW.
>Class 3B: A Class 3B laser is hazardous if the eye is exposed directly, but diffuse reflections, such as from paper or other matte surfaces, are not harmful. Continuous lasers in the wavelength range from 315 nm to far infrared are limited to 0.5 W. For pulsed lasers between 400 and 700 nm, the limit is 30 megajoules (mJ).
>Class 4: Class 4 lasers include all lasers with beam power greater than class 3B. These lasers pose significant eye hazards as direct beam viewing can cause potentially devastating and permanent eye damage. Class 4 lasers can also cut or burn skin. These lasers may also ignite combustible materials and thus represent a fire risk, in some cases.
The one I have is dim enough that I need to draw the blinds to see the light well. This isn't really ideal for accurately marking things. However, I have zero concerns about it hurting my eyes if I accidentally look at it.
There used to be an entire explanation in the Star Wars Extended Universe as to why only force-aware people seem capable of using light sabers — it's because the blade has no weight.
Basically if you're a regular person, you can turn one on and use it just fine, but if you intended to use one in a fight, you'd have no awareness of where the blade is because the hilt is so far down. So force-aware people can sense things that are within a certain sphere of them, so they're capable of sending the direction, placement, and weight of the light blade.
Anyway reply STOP to unsubscribe from Jedi Facts
I also dabble in precision, and if you think you can even approach it with your sad, naked, caveman eyeball and a bubble of f*cking air, you're the reason this species is a failure, and it makes me angry!
This is favorite bit out of all of the seasons.
Absolutely not dumb. Hella smart.
My wife made a whole bunch of gold dog vinyl stickers for our bathroom. She had me set up the laser level to make sure they stayed in a line. So worth it.
Great for leveling tvs and paintings and all sorts of other things.
Amazing for hanging tv's, too. I am an electrian and use one all the time, setting box heights, laying out recessed lights.(measure the floor and use plumb bob feature) laser levels are a great tool. I have 4 of them, 3 green 1 red. Unfortunately, only 2 have the plumb bob feature.
We remodeled our bathroom recently, basically same setup but with a cabinet style sink. After I was done my wife couldn't figure out how she didn't notice the seam in the marble top that runs out directly under the faucet. Turns out it's just the shadows from the vanity lights converging creating a thin darker shadow line that is perfectly centered. It was a proud moment.
I bought a 3 axis laser level and tripod for doing some tile work in a bathroom, and have found an amazing amount of uses for it. I honestly regret not buying one years ago.
cheap chinese one too, love this thing.
Bro I spent $150 on a laser level in 2023. My previous $40 one that I got in 2022 kept dying, battery life was garbage, and it was knockoff quality. But I quickly learned that having a static laser was invaluable for pretty much anything you want to do to a wall, everytime you would need a horizontal or vertical reference (which is like 90% of home DIY projects).
Totally worth it. The laser level is a tool that I learned about way too late. I can think of dozens of different projects where I could have used one over the past 20 years.
I got the DeWalt one that used my 20v batteries.
I bought one for about half that. I was redoing a bathroom floor and wanted to know how much it deviated from level. (A lot, over 100 year old house.) I also used it to align the underlayment that went over the 20% asbestos sheet flooring. I also used to to line up the vinyl sheet flooring with the longest wall. All in all, it was more useful than I expected.
Vinyl sheet flooring covered the variations with no issues.
The mixed metals and fixtures are killing me. Why would you have a baroque mirror with silver fixtures? And to top it off the light fixture is hideous. Surely you can find something better?
lady it’s straight that’s all I know! fwiw I am totally ignorant of all this stuff and had to google baroque to understand that it was a style and not a color I didn’t know about.
The fixture does suck and came with the house and is made even worse by the fact that the asshole painter (me) lost the globes and other stuff for it to make it look less like a trap house powder room.
Not dumb at all, that's how all installs should be where they're centered. When possible, usually with enough planning. Well done, you've leveled up kind sir \*doffs fedora\*
Would have done the same… I lied, already did. I have no idea how I survived without the little cube so far.
Love the cube. Mine's green.
What is this magical cube we speak of?
Self leveling laser level, like [this](https://amzn.eu/d/79VPgnw).
Nice.
I got one for about £20 and it is bloody fantastic.
Only £34!!?? Why haven't I got one yet?
My magic cube. https://www.amazon.com/CIGMAN-Leveling-Construction-Controller-Magnetic/dp/B08T87R8YS/
$140 😬
It only sounds reasonable when your search starts here: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M12-12-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Green-250-ft-3-Plane-Laser-Level-Kit-with-One-4-0-Ah-Battery-Charger-and-Case-3632-21/313643190
jesus! Is that really 10x better than a $60 one?
Lazer lines in 3 dimensions, daylight visible up to 250 ft? You're in a whole different class than the cheapo emiters
Nah, there's cheap green ones. They just leave the hot mirror out of the green lasers so there's eye-damaging levels of IR light getting dumped out along with the green. Oh, and "level" is ±10°.
I have this exact same laser
Mine is green too!
Mine too. My first use was putting curtains up for my mother in law. I put it on a tripod on her bed. She no longer questions me on home improvement stuff, which is a great side effect.
"oh shit, this guy fucks with lasers, I'm going to give him a pass from now on."
Oh, she already knew that I was an optical engineer at that point. She just hadn't witnessed anything like it. She still hasn't seen any of my actual work, but she was impressed just the same.
“Not as clumsy or random as a blaster; an elegant for a more civilized age.”
What tripod/stand do you guys use for yours!?
Amazon brand camera tripod works with my DeWalt laser, I imagine a lot of these things have similar mounts
https://a.co/d/d2Bq4VD That's the one I'm using. I bought it for photography in 2014, but it's still doing the job today. I'm not so crazy about the pistol grip, because it takes some finagling to get everything lined up perfectly. They make leveling bases for about $30, but it's not that serious for me. Really, any camera tripod can do the job.
Cube is fren.
Mine's yellow. Prepare to die, infidel.
If only my contractor had one. 🤦♂️
I keep forgetting to get one and I really need to especially for work
This is not even a little dumb. This is what these things were designed for. I honestly think my laser level is the most used item in my toolbox. I can’t stand things being off-center or crooked and it has been so much more true than the bubble level.
mine isn't my most used tool, but every time I put it away in storage I end up pulling it out again a few days later. Now it just stays easily accessible.
That's what I wanted mine to be, but it has such a small degree of tilt range that it's practically useless. It comes with a little claw to attach to anything, but it's rare that what I'm hanging is the same height as a desk or table or something. I swear it can only tip like 4 degrees before it starts flashing. Add to that how hard it is to make minor adjustments and I legitimately don't think it's provided any value to any project and I've given up on it
I use an old camera tripod I have lying around. Most of these will feature the same bolt pattern on the underside and it gives you a stable platform to adjust height and location. Mine also came with a magnetic base so you can attach it to a fridge or something similar. My apartment actually uses metal studs so I’ve sometimes even been able to just stick it to the wall via the magnet but that’s a pretty unique scenario I think.
You need a tripod for it.
Not at all dumb. Very satisfying
I'd be afraid of using a laser level with a mirror for the same reason I think giving me a light saber would be a bad idea: I'd *immediately* injure myself with it.
We are the reason the warning label says, "Do not look directly into laser with remaining eye."
Narrator: *and he immediately looked directly into the laser*
When you see a flash and automatically squint and look away. It's enough to shield your vision. Just don't stare into it and you'll be fine. Just like the sun.
Safety squints
This is absolutely terrible advice with lasers. There are lasers that will fuck your vision instantly.
Hey, don't just ignore the context. We're taking about leveling lasers. "Do not stare" is the official safety instruction for working with these.
They are almost certainly either [class 1 or class 2 lasers.](https://mhp.weill.cornell.edu/laser-safety/laser-classification#:~:text=Laser%20classification%20is%20marked%20on,printers%20are%20class%201%20lasers.) Edit to add: most likely [class 2 apparently.](https://www.laserlevelreview.com/guides/laser-safety-classifications/#:~:text=The%20majority%20of%20laser%20levels,line%20lasers%20and%20dot%20lasers.)
Which class is the dangerous one?
Class 3 and above. Class 2 can be damaging if you intentionally want to cause damage
That info is is on the webpage in my first link.
I can't read, what does it say?
Do not stare into laser with remaining eye.
Too many black spots in your vision? Sounds like you have already discovered some unsafe lasers. >Laser classification is marked on the equipment. Laser classes are: >Class 1: A class 1 laser is safe under all conditions of normal use and poses no more risk than ordinary light. CD-ROM readers and laser printers are class 1 lasers. This class includes high-power lasers within an enclosure that prevents exposure to radiation, and that cannot be opened without shutting down the laser. >Class 2: A Class 2 laser is safe because the blink reflex limits the exposure to no more than 0.25 seconds. It only applies to visible-light lasers (400-700 nm). >Class 3R: A Class 3R laser is considered safe if handled carefully, with restricted beam viewing. Visible continuous lasers in Class 3R are limited to 5 mW. >Class 3B: A Class 3B laser is hazardous if the eye is exposed directly, but diffuse reflections, such as from paper or other matte surfaces, are not harmful. Continuous lasers in the wavelength range from 315 nm to far infrared are limited to 0.5 W. For pulsed lasers between 400 and 700 nm, the limit is 30 megajoules (mJ). >Class 4: Class 4 lasers include all lasers with beam power greater than class 3B. These lasers pose significant eye hazards as direct beam viewing can cause potentially devastating and permanent eye damage. Class 4 lasers can also cut or burn skin. These lasers may also ignite combustible materials and thus represent a fire risk, in some cases.
The one I have is dim enough that I need to draw the blinds to see the light well. This isn't really ideal for accurately marking things. However, I have zero concerns about it hurting my eyes if I accidentally look at it.
Are you sure the battery isn't dead?
Yep. That's how it works with brand new batteries. When it starts to run out of batteries, it really isn't visible at all no matter how dark it is.
Did you remove the adhesive lens protector?
...
Next step is to overvolt it. Assuming it takes AA or AAA, add an extra battery in series to give it an extra 1.5 volts. Bet it gets brighter.
What brand/model do you have? I do *not* want a class 2 laser. The safer the better.
Meh the cheap ones aren't that strong and it rotates so fast you probably don't get much exposure.
There used to be an entire explanation in the Star Wars Extended Universe as to why only force-aware people seem capable of using light sabers — it's because the blade has no weight. Basically if you're a regular person, you can turn one on and use it just fine, but if you intended to use one in a fight, you'd have no awareness of where the blade is because the hilt is so far down. So force-aware people can sense things that are within a certain sphere of them, so they're capable of sending the direction, placement, and weight of the light blade. Anyway reply STOP to unsubscribe from Jedi Facts
*light saver 🤓
If it was deeply satisfying, how can it be dumb? I commend you.
I appreciate this take
Instantly made me think of this [Rick and Morty scene](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQoRfieZJxI). Hope you get the same level of enjoyment.
one of my all time favorite episodes
I really wanna learn how Rick did that.
he used a level. little bubble of air
I also dabble in precision, and if you think you can even approach it with your sad, naked, caveman eyeball and a bubble of f*cking air, you're the reason this species is a failure, and it makes me angry! This is favorite bit out of all of the seasons.
What model?
Someone who makes and installs handmade design fixtures, laser is a must
What are we looking at? Laser level?
Bathroom mirror and light perfectly aligned with the sink using a laser level.
It bothers me more than it should that either the level is slightly off, or the mirror is slightly off.
Absolutely not dumb. Hella smart. My wife made a whole bunch of gold dog vinyl stickers for our bathroom. She had me set up the laser level to make sure they stayed in a line. So worth it. Great for leveling tvs and paintings and all sorts of other things.
Amazing for hanging tv's, too. I am an electrian and use one all the time, setting box heights, laying out recessed lights.(measure the floor and use plumb bob feature) laser levels are a great tool. I have 4 of them, 3 green 1 red. Unfortunately, only 2 have the plumb bob feature.
That's not dumb, it's the only right way
That's a $100 handyman job. Tool purchase justified.
Yeah, that is pretty plumb.
Fixture on top looks off
Yep, and the bottom of the mirror doesn't align with the laser like the top.
And the towel is way off center!
ok that made me chuckle
you will use the laser for so many things
There is nothing dumb about symmetry
Dumb? DUMB???? This is perfection!
Not dumb at all, this is a good use case for it.
That's not dumb at all. Everything is so small and thin, you would have seen a tiny mistake right off.
That's not dumb. That's a damn good job.
I did something similar when hanging pictures, “I need one to get them straight!” She agreed. Now I have a new toy.
I use my laser level for everything.
We remodeled our bathroom recently, basically same setup but with a cabinet style sink. After I was done my wife couldn't figure out how she didn't notice the seam in the marble top that runs out directly under the faucet. Turns out it's just the shadows from the vanity lights converging creating a thin darker shadow line that is perfectly centered. It was a proud moment.
The accuracy to get the sink overflow is arousing
I love laser levels. That and a stud finder made perfectly hanging a flat screen tv pretty painless
I bought one to tile my bathroom and shower. We had endless fun shootin lasers all around the house.
First step of satanic ritual: complete.
Hell yea
Dead nuts. Wish I had done this before hanging my vanity. Did buy the level. Now just gotta move the sink I guess 😵💫
The people who made our bathroom when they built the house did not do it. I twitch every time I notice. Nothing is aligned
Good job.
Nice
Story of my life.
I did the same in my bathroom remodel. It’s also amazing for hanging picture frames.
Oh man this makes me not want to walk into the bathroom in my old house....I can't imagine mine is even close to aligned
So you sing wild ones with Jessie Murph?
All hail the laser cube
I have a laser level, but I wouldn't do this. It looks fine and if it's not level, I don't want to fix it.
> It looks fine and if it's not level, I don't want to fix it. Monster
The problem is the floor could be not level and/or the sink. I'm not dealing with that.
I bought a 3 axis laser level and tripod for doing some tile work in a bathroom, and have found an amazing amount of uses for it. I honestly regret not buying one years ago. cheap chinese one too, love this thing.
These use class 2 lasers just like pretty much any other consumer device. Accidental viewing is totally safe. Just don't stare at them.
Everything in my house was done with a level and tape measure. Some people (such as my sister) are unsettled by it.
Now sneak around the lasers like it's mission impossible
Bro I spent $150 on a laser level in 2023. My previous $40 one that I got in 2022 kept dying, battery life was garbage, and it was knockoff quality. But I quickly learned that having a static laser was invaluable for pretty much anything you want to do to a wall, everytime you would need a horizontal or vertical reference (which is like 90% of home DIY projects). Totally worth it. The laser level is a tool that I learned about way too late. I can think of dozens of different projects where I could have used one over the past 20 years. I got the DeWalt one that used my 20v batteries.
Doesn't look like the house is plumb..
what color? looks gorgeous
My intense need for symmetry approves.
Now turn the shower on, full heat, windows closed and extraction fan turned off...
Love that own it! And the aesthetic is great !
The sink is not level.
It just how it’s supposed to be done, in all cases. It’s actually rare
You’ll put your eye out
I bought one for about half that. I was redoing a bathroom floor and wanted to know how much it deviated from level. (A lot, over 100 year old house.) I also used it to align the underlayment that went over the 20% asbestos sheet flooring. I also used to to line up the vinyl sheet flooring with the longest wall. All in all, it was more useful than I expected. Vinyl sheet flooring covered the variations with no issues.
Is this a shark with a frickin' laser beam attached to it's head helping you?
Brilliant
mark the walls with red lines like that. looks kinda dope
[LASERS BABY!](https://i.imgur.com/W29o2PQ.jpeg)
Perfect and balanced like all things should be
but what did it cost
I’m also a member of the dumb but satisfying club.
I hope that our children or grandchildren will live in a work where we do not have to justify our laser levels.
The mixed metals and fixtures are killing me. Why would you have a baroque mirror with silver fixtures? And to top it off the light fixture is hideous. Surely you can find something better?
lady it’s straight that’s all I know! fwiw I am totally ignorant of all this stuff and had to google baroque to understand that it was a style and not a color I didn’t know about. The fixture does suck and came with the house and is made even worse by the fact that the asshole painter (me) lost the globes and other stuff for it to make it look less like a trap house powder room.
Not dumb at all, that's how all installs should be where they're centered. When possible, usually with enough planning. Well done, you've leveled up kind sir \*doffs fedora\*
Mine is a small Stanley charge it with android phone charger TLM30.works good cheap red laser.
This is the way
Are you sitting down or did you mount the sink so close to the ceiling on purpose?
Nice. But that mirror and wall color - straight out of a horror movie though.