Rant: Laser levels vs the old water tube method on a sloped site

Honestly, I used to swear by my water level tube on every foundation job. It was slow and messy but it never lied, you know? Then we got a job on a steep slope near Austin last summer and I finally caved and bought a green rotary laser. That thing was a beast, kept a consistent line even in the direct sun. But then the batteries died halfway through the morning and the backup pair was dead in the truck. Had to grab the old hose from my truck bed while the laser sat there useless. The tube got the job done in about 20 extra minutes while my helper drove into town for more AAs. Has anyone else had a situation where the fancy tech just totally let you down on a hot day?

2 comments

2 Comments

bencampbell6d ago

The laser is GREAT until it isn't. Drained my rotary's batteries twice last summer on a 2-day footing layout and had to run an extension cord to charge them in the truck overnight. Meanwhile the water level tube in my gang box never has battery problems. It's just a hose with water, man. That dead laser noise is the worst sound on a jobsite.

maxhart6d ago

I think I still have tinnitus from that exact same beeping sound echoing across a slab at 6pm on a Friday... nothing like a dead laser to turn a simple layout into a full-on search and rescue mission.