Had to choose between a 6-foot level and a laser for a long ceiling job

The client wanted a coffered ceiling in their living room, a 20-foot run. My old 6-footer is dead true, but the laser is quick. I went with the level, thinking it was safer. Took me three hours just to snap the lines, and my neck is still sore. Anyone have a better method for long, single-person layout?

1 comments

1 Comment

wyatt_mitchell264h ago

That three hour layout is the worst part of the job. I've been burned by laser drift on long runs before, so I get your choice. My go-to now is a chalk line reel with a locking brake. I set one end, walk the line out tight, lock the reel, and snap from the middle. For a 20 foot ceiling, I'll use a lightweight pole to hold the line up without a ladder. It cuts that setup time in half and saves your neck.