Old school string line vs laser level, guess which one I still trust

Been putting up chain link for 20 plus years and I remember when a string line and a good eye was the only way. Last spring I finally broke down and bought a rotary laser level, thought I was stepping into the future. First big job in Tulsa with it, sunny day, and the beam was useless past 30 feet, washed out completely. I went back to the string line for that run and the customer even commented how straight it looked. The laser is fine for indoor work or short runs, but out in the open sun it can't touch a simple taut string. I still keep the laser in the truck for post hole alignment in tight spots, but my string reel is never more than an arm's reach away now. Anyone else find the old school stuff still beats the new gear in the field or am I just stuck in my ways?

2 comments

2 Comments

smith.lee4d ago

Funny you mention Tulsa, I did a job out there years back with an old transit level and a string line for a fence line that went over a hill. The laser just couldnt show me the dip in the ground no matter how I set it up, but pulling a string tight and sighting down it gave me the whole picture in seconds. I mean, I get why folks like the new stuff, it's fast and feels fancy, but there's something about the feedback you get from the string that a glowing dot just doesnt have. The laser has its place, sure, but for open ground and long runs, I'm with you all the way. Maybe it's just knowing the string is always gonna work, no batteries, no sun glare, no guesswork.

emma_lee224d ago

That string line's got 20 years of straight runs on a laser that quits in sunshine.