Stabila LA180

[Munkul]

Don't forget that a laser is invaluable for measuring up modification type work... Which is probably more bread and butter for brad than setting bolts in foundations... Or at least, more paying time wise.

Edit : Brad you posted more or less the same thing while i was typing

You'll always have a line laser getting broad as you get further away, that's just life. None of them are perfect. I think the PLS green line lasers were about 5mm wide at 40m. The older red one i have is about 8 or 9mm at same distance. You learn to find the centres...
Oh actually by the way, green is way better than red, it's incredible how well green works in well lit or daylight areas compared to red.

 

[pressbrake1]

edm?

Electronic distance measurement machine.
My neighbour jay has one as his main job is setting out construction works albeit roads, sewers or buildings

 

[Agrismith]

Oh for sure, i agree 100%

This is exactly the thing i want something for.

Obviously i'm not a surveyor/site engineer etc, i'm just trying to muddle my way through recommended practices and booklets published by surveyors.

Often it's not going to be a new build i'm working on, it's going to be onsite altering an older building, as it was recently.

Very difficult to get someone in on a remedial job, because you're demolishing parts of a building as it progresses putting the new steel up.

Perhaps there is a course or some training on theodolites etc.

Never touched one.

We did try a cross line laser. A £400 dewalt job plus a receiver. What we noted was even when using 6,8,12 square, the laser line was getting very broad - like 3-4x wider than near to the laser. It was impossible to see without the detector or a reflective target.

Results were fuzzy at best, and tapes did not confirm our readings with the laser.
In the end we went with the tapes.

Hence looking for something a bit more high end.

Luckily the dewalt wasn't mine. I did hire a nice hilti rotary for the job.

Not for theodolites but they do a 5 day citb course on use of auto levels and total stations. It's a very good course. I have done a lot of tickets or courses and the setting out for construction course is by far the most informative and educational one I have done.

 

[Erie Fred]

I like using string and batter boards.....I've put up a few sheds with only that.

 

[mike os]

Can't really advise on current models as I've not used for a while

All I will say is think about where you are going in the middle term ... obviously tech will change but good kit will still be accurate and serviceable for several years

Probably spending double what you expect ( no real idea on budget but it just seems the way of it)

Don't compromise too much if it's a tool you are going to use regularly