Consistently bad measurements from my LT-2D3D (but only when I use it)

[Khuston]

I work with the LT-2D3D every day at work but more often than not my templator gives more very bad measurements. What's maddening though is that it seems to only happen when I use the laser as opposed to someone else. I work with an experienced templator and installer of 20 years. When he shoots the template, the measurements are fine. However when I use the templator, not only are my measurements off (anywhere from a 1/2 inch to 3 inches typically added) but the template itself skews, warps or curves otherwise straight walls. I've read and memorized the procedures in the manual, my lead with 20 years experience (and trained on the templator) can find no fault with my procedure. Often when I'm having difficulty, my lead will step in and without changing anything, even using the same set-plane markers, will be able to successfully shoot the measurements without any appreciable differences in our procedure. I've already called LT's customer service line and they assure me its not my electro-magnetic field or anything (they said that without me even prompting them and I'll admit the thought had crossed my mind). The best they could offer was that I should go to one of their training seminars. It's on my to-do list but in the meantime has anyone here experienced anything like this? Am I crazy? Assuming my procedure and use of the LT is proper, what else could it be?

[BrianStoiber]

If your other templator has no problems when they take over for you I would look at what your hand is doing during the measurement. When you move the laser beam to the next point, do you remove your hand from the laser and then take the measurement or do you keep your hand on it? If you hand is on it, there could be a slight movement in the encoders (what the laser rotates on vertically and horizontally). This change in rotation can cause incorrect values.

Let me know. Hopefully we can get this solved without you needing to spend a couple hours in training.

[Khuston]

I watch my entire body movement, including my hands, very carefully. My hands are not on the laser when I take the shot and when I do move the laser, I do so with the most delicate touch. Again I do this most days f the week while under the supervision of a trained LT user. I cannot stress enough how random this appears to be: just this week I was able to shoot a very accurate template one day, while on the next I had wildly inaccurate shooting (any where from 1/4" off to 1 1/2" off after several reahoots).

[BrianStoiber]

The best, next step would be for you to have Aaron Alexander work with you on this. When you have a moment, call into our office (630-679-1300) and speak with Alex and she can set up a time between you and Aaron to try to get to the bottom of this.

[Ken Lago]

Tighten all the screws on tripod and make sure laser is seated correctly and securely.

[toddems27]

I was going to say this same thing. Make sure everything is tight on the tripod and the laser head is tightened down.

Tighten all the screws on tripod and make sure laser is seated correctly and securely.
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[matt rickard]

I'm training a guy right now and was going through the same thing. His measurements were whack and mine were good and all I did was erase his page and start shooting points. Still used his same plane set up. Finally figured out the issue. He wasn't taking his hand of the laser head and was slightly moving the laser. Something else that I noticed was he ran the USB cord behind the laser and it would be touching the the small side to side adjust knob and cause slight movement. Once I figured all this out he was measuring spot on.

There has to something small like this that you are missing because the laser is only measuring what you tell it to. I have found that most times anything was wrong with my templates I could trace it back to user error

My info is in my signature if you would like to discuss on the phone. I've been runnin LP gear for 11yrs now so I am familiar

[Khuston]

I've made a call to LT Products and currently attempting to pinpoint what the problem is (the assumption is that it's user error). LT will be looking at the log data from the LT application. I just had a shoot today and I still couldn't make it work, the first shot was short 1/2" and the second was big by 1 1/2". Hopefully they can look at the file data and pinpoint where I'm making a mistake, beyond that LT is offering free online instruction. So we'll see ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Joe Little]

I had that happen on a shoot , I started it and the laser head was not in the locked position . I had to turn it off and re-start . after that it shot prefect ..

[JOHN_T]

I would video tape while you use laser and review tape like a golfer does when he can’t figure out what he is doing wrong with his swing

[matt rickard]

I've made a call to LT Products and currently attempting to pinpoint what the problem is (the assumption is that it's user error). LT will be looking at the log data from the LT application. I just had a shoot today and I still couldn't make it work, the first shot was short 1/2" and the second was big by 1 1/2". Hopefully they can look at the file data and pinpoint where I'm making a mistake, beyond that LT is offering free online instruction. So we'll see ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
[

You wouldn’t happen to be shooting dark cabinets would you? Tell us how you set your plane.

[matt rickard]

I've made a call to LT Products and currently attempting to pinpoint what the problem is (the assumption is that it's user error). LT will be looking at the log data from the LT application. I just had a shoot today and I still couldn't make it work, the first shot was short 1/2" and the second was big by 1 1/2". Hopefully they can look at the file data and pinpoint where I'm making a mistake, beyond that LT is offering free online instruction. So we'll see ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
[

Any solution yet?

[ykyeh]

Hello KHUSTON-

We wanted to follow-up as well to ensure your unique templating scenarios were addressed and resolved. We have a full service and support team a phone call away at 630-679-1300 to help you out.

Thanks,

Kevin

[rtmgCODY]

Did you find a solution to the problem? If not, a few things that have helped me over the year I've been templating with the 2D3D are:

-make sure that you have stillness in the floor. If you can feel movement in the floor from people working/walking around kindly ask them to leave for the few minutes it takes to measure. And make sure your steps are very light. I use the Leica laser leveler to shoot my initial plane. If you have a hard time feeling movement in the floor, and you have that laser level, use it to see if it bounces when you move around the area.

-use the 3m non-reflective tape on every job. I put it on the cabinets and any surface where I feel the laser could shoot into the materials surface, i.e. tile or studs. This may be overkill but it only takes a few minutes and I don't ever have issues with my measurements.


That said, it sounds to me like the issue you're having is related to movement or laser absorption.

Hope this helps.

Cody Lashley
Rocky Tops Marble and Granite
Knoxville, TN