Dropped $80 on a laser level and it paid for itself in one day

I was on a job out in Hillsboro last week, big living room with vaulted ceilings and a ton of corners. Grabbed a cheap self-leveling laser from Home Depot for 80 bucks, mostly to just try it out. Set it up in the middle of the room and marked all my stud lines in like 20 minutes instead of snapping chalk lines for two hours. Did it save me time or did I just get lucky, anyone else find these things actually worth it or do they crap out fast?

3 comments

3 Comments

uma_williams1mo ago

You used it on a job with vaulted ceilings, which is exactly where those tools shine. My question is how did the laser hold up after you packed it away and maybe tossed it around in the truck. I've seen cheap ones drift out of calibration if you drop them on concrete, even from just a couple feet up. Did you notice the beam staying sharp and level on the second or third use, or did it start getting a little fuzzy? That's usually the weak point with budget models.

avery_jackson1mo ago

Sharp and level after a few drops, but that’s the exception, not the rule in my experience.

the_jennifer1mo ago

Tossed mine in the truck bed and it still works fine, just don't drop it off a roof.