LT-55, raising/lowering laser

[RANDYMURPHY]

Hi guys,

When raising/lowering the laser, should we be un-tightening the screw on the side , then re-tightening the screw, and then re-level? Will just keeping the the screw snug, but not too tight, enough to be able to raise/lower the laser without massing up the level? We've had some problems recently with a couple of templates, and we think that having to raise and lower the laser is what is causing the issue.

Thanks,

[T.J. Henderson]

Our screw is set to snug and that's where it stays. Couple things we do to keep things all good as well:

1. We figure out how the kitchen will be shot and try and only raise one time per shoot. So if it's a template over old tops we set all our targets on top of the counter, shoot those then raise up to shoot along the back wall(we also try and hit exposed wall at counter level with a cross whenever possible to verify the wall isn't out of plum. We have had a couple of times where the wall is out 3/16 from the tops of the splash to the actual countertop.)

2. After raising the laser up/down verify the level

3. Make sure that you are raising in a smooth motion too, vigorously raising and lowering can cause the tripod to move which is baaaadddd

[clhilde]

We used 5 inch strips of Plastic that used to come with the kits and used the slide targets upside down to gauge the overhang so we didnt have to raise and lower at all. We were able to hit the wall above the splash and hit the targets with out moving this way.
When we would raise it for a raised bar we would start a new page.

This was a big reason I switched to the leica. No touching the laser = less user error.

[Darryl Miller]

Our screw is set to snug and that's where it stays. Couple things we do to keep things all good as well:

1. We figure out how the kitchen will be shot and try and only raise one time per shoot. So if it's a template over old tops we set all our targets on top of the counter, shoot those then raise up to shoot along the back wall(we also try and hit exposed wall at counter level with a cross whenever possible to verify the wall isn't out of plum. We have had a couple of times where the wall is out 3/16 from the tops of the splash to the actual countertop.)

2. After raising the laser up/down verify the level

3. Make sure that you are raising in a smooth motion too, vigorously raising and lowering can cause the tripod to move which is baaaadddd

T.J., have you been secretly watching me template? This exactly the way I do it also. Leave the screw snug!

[T.J. Henderson]

T.J., have you been secretly watching me template? This exactly the way I do it also. Leave the screw snug!

I'm watching you!!!

[Drew T]

Leave the screw snug. Do not relevel. I assume your have the lt55 and not the 2d/3d

[T.J. Henderson]

Leave the screw snug. Do not relevel. I assume your have the lt55 and not the 2d/3d

Why do you recommend to not re level?

Whenever we raise and lower the laser to head moves around quite a bit so it's never in the same position from one crank to the next.

[clhilde]

When you re level or raise it up and down it changes the point of reference. Keep in mind this is just a laser measure device set up on a tripod with a program doing all the work. The program knows that the zero point is at the first position shot from and uses this as the zero point being the location of the tripod.

The measuring device has no way of knowing weather it has moved out of position or not.

Basically if it moves out of its 2 dimensional starting point, measurements will be skewed.

This why I recommend setting targets that will be in plane above the back splash and start a new page if you need to move anything.

[Drew T]

Chris is correct. This is also one of the reasons we went to the 2d/3d laser. There is no more lowering tripod and less targets

[Darryl Miller]

I have raised and lowered mine for 7 1/2 years. Laser Products did the same as part of the training. I don't have any problems with mine if I am only raising and lowering within a 2 to 3 inch range. If I raise it more than that I have to make sure the bubble doesn't move. That's when the point of reference gets shifted and will throw your template off. Keeping the screw snug helps keep the shaft of the tripod from straying left or right as it is raised and lowered. But you can't re level after either action because it will definitely move the point of reference then.

[Steve A]

Its LT-55 basics but just in case you miss this action; Always start by shooting a reference mark and end your measures shooting the same reference mark. Then measure the distance between the marks. What level of tolerance you choose to accept is up to you, but I like to see in within about 1/8. If the distance between your start and end mark are way off you know something went wrong and it would probably be a good idea to re-shoot the job.

[Drew T]

Have you watched the training videos?

[pwukusick]

The levelness of the tripod itself has the greatest impact on measurements taken when raising and lowering the laser IMHO. Think about it - if the tripod is level, the slide should be plumb as it travels up and down. There would be no difference in the horizontal distance to the target. If the tripod is not level, (visualize it at a large angle like 30 degrees) and you crank it up and down and the laser will travel towards or away from the target (the travel has a horizontal component as well as a vertical component). Slop in the slide mechanism would also allow horizontal movement which is why the screw should be adjusted so the slide doesn't wobble as it is cranked up and down.
In practice, I check the level of both the tripod and laser and crank the thing up and down as much as I need to, being careful not to move the whole tripod.

[Drew T]

Randy,

Just give us a call and we can do a webinar or you can come to our place for training or when we have a guy in your area he can come by. We can show you the proper do's and dont's with the system you have. Call me if you have any questions or PM me

[clhilde]

Are you saying he can get more educated from you than from people that use it every day??


There's the standard slap in the face that we are all used to from you. Took a little longer than I expected.

[Drew T]

Chris

it was not intended to be a slap in the face at all. I am just trying to help the guy out from the manufacturer. I thought it would be right to teach him how we recommend using it then let him perfect his techniques on his own or with the help of users.

[Dan R.]

I must have missed the slap in the face portion, I just read the response as an honest offer to help.

Thanks Laser Products.

[ash20ash]

I'm with Darryl on this.

I been using mine for 5 years now and have zero issues out of it. Any errors have always been yours truly messing up.

pete is spot on on the tripod needing to be level. Absolute must when you need to raise it up or down.

Feel free to call me if you want. I can explain much better on the phone on what to watch for.

[ash20ash]

The levelness of the tripod itself has the greatest impact on measurements taken when raising and lowering the laser IMHO. Think about it - if the tripod is level, the slide should be plumb as it travels up and down. There would be no difference in the horizontal distance to the target. If the tripod is not level, (visualize it at a large angle like 30 degrees) and you crank it up and down and the laser will travel towards or away from the target (the travel has a horizontal component as well as a vertical component). Slop in the slide mechanism would also allow horizontal movement which is why the screw should be adjusted so the slide doesn't wobble as it is cranked up and down.
In practice, I check the level of both the tripod and laser and crank the thing up and down as much as I need to, being careful not to move the whole tripod.

This is all you need.

[Darryl Miller]

The levelness of the tripod itself has the greatest impact on measurements taken when raising and lowering the laser IMHO. Think about it - if the tripod is level, the slide should be plumb as it travels up and down. There would be no difference in the horizontal distance to the target. If the tripod is not level, (visualize it at a large angle like 30 degrees) and you crank it up and down and the laser will travel towards or away from the target (the travel has a horizontal component as well as a vertical component). Slop in the slide mechanism would also allow horizontal movement which is why the screw should be adjusted so the slide doesn't wobble as it is cranked up and down.
In practice, I check the level of both the tripod and laser and crank the thing up and down as much as I need to, being careful not to move the whole tripod.

This is all you need.

x3

[RANDYMURPHY]

Thanks for all of your replies. We're going to shoot and cut a few more kitchens using the suggestions posted and see our results. One of our templators was making it a habit to loosen the screw, then raise or lower, then tighten it back up again, which was probably messing things up.

Once again, thanks for the suggestions.

[Darryl Miller]

Sounds like you found the problem

[T.J. Henderson]

Changed a couple things in our process based off this post. Thanks guys!

[warestone331]

Wow, 6 years ive been doing template with the LT-55xl and never thought to level the tripod. I could never figure out why my pieces where always long by several thousandths. sometimes 3/16"

/facepalm

Thanks for this post. I will be making some changes myself.

[ash20ash]

always double check with a tape measure before leaving the job to make sure you have it right