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Expensive String Line

TomT226's picture

Expensive String Line (post #181496)

TomT226 on Mon, 12/28/2009 - 16:41
in

Well, thought I'd cheap out and rent a "builders transit" for a layout instead of a theatolite like I usually do. What a POS a "Berger COS" is. Thing would shoot a good straight line, but forget turning 90's, or 180 for a flop to produce a line. Brand new gun too. New tripod too. Good thing I calced the diagonals or I'd been really screwed. Half inch off on a 90 deg at 12', and twice that when you turn 180. I coulda bought a lot of string for $36 a day...

 

-A +A

Thought you were a surveyor? (post #181496, reply #1 of 14)

by JoeH in reply to TomT226 [original] on Mon, 12/28/2009 - 18:18

Thought you were a surveyor? Renting your tools?

Joe H

I had a terrible experience (post #181496, reply #2 of 14)

by jjapogee in reply to JoeH [original] on Tue, 12/29/2009 - 00:35

I had a terrible experience with CS Berger products too- I bought one of their simple laser levels from HD, and tried to calibrate it according to their directions- the first unit failed. I called them up asking for guidance, the person I talked with was clearly non-technical, and advised taking it back- I did. The second one failed, too. After much persistence, I finally got ahold of one of the designers of the product, who sent me another unit, asked me to calibrate it while we were on the phone- I did, and it failed, too.

Finally sent it back, got all my money back, and did more research on alternatives: I called PLS, and from the first call, it was clear these people knew what their product inside & out. Bought one, and it has been spot-on.

Apparently, CST Berger off-shore manufactured their design some time ago (China, I believe), and they have had continual problems ever since.

I documented my 'laser epic' experience here on Breaktime last year- I'd include a link to it, but the new format doesn't have a search function!

I'm sure it's a good level, (post #181496, reply #4 of 14)

by TomT226 in reply to jjapogee [original] on Tue, 12/29/2009 - 05:10

I'm sure it's a good level, but the design is flawed for an instrument that you turn angles witn. You set it up, level, and get the plumb bob over the point, then you sight the point, lock the motion, and use the vernier adjustment to get it right on. Then, you rotate the top plate to "zero" the vernier. No vernier lock, just rotates pretty freely. Then you unlock the vernier, and rotate the upper motion to the desired angle. If you happen to bump the vernier yer screwed because the angle will be off. Just a bad design, period.

 

Yeah, I'm a semi-retired (post #181496, reply #3 of 14)

by TomT226 in reply to JoeH [original] on Tue, 12/29/2009 - 05:04

Yeah, I'm a semi-retired surveyor, and yes I do rent tools...from a survey rental supply when I need a theo or a good level. Do you buy a Case 955 when you want to clear a lot, or do you rent one? Prices are high, and you gotta pay for calibration too...

 

Just curious, seems a kinda (post #181496, reply #5 of 14)

by JoeH in reply to TomT226 [original] on Tue, 12/29/2009 - 09:46

Just curious, seems a kinda basic and inexpensive tool.
As to the Case 955, no idea what that is, but I don't have one.
Joe H

A good theo will run you (post #181496, reply #6 of 14)

by TomT226 in reply to JoeH [original] on Wed, 12/30/2009 - 04:18

A good theo will run you about $2500 with a tripod. More if you want one with EDM and a data recorder for storage.
A Case 955 is a tracked loader, and they is WAY 'spensive...

 

Sure you don't mean a Cat (post #181496, reply #11 of 14)

by Matt in reply to TomT226 [original] on Wed, 12/30/2009 - 15:22

Sure you don't mean a Cat 955? :-)

Matt

Donno. I KNOW I've seen a (post #181496, reply #12 of 14)

by TomT226 in reply to Matt [original] on Wed, 12/30/2009 - 17:04

Donno. I KNOW I've seen a Case 955. Maybe it was a Cat. The sun was hot, and the base was white, and I was probably hung over. Case does make tracked loaders, don't they?

 

I had a builders level that (post #181496, reply #7 of 14)

by popawheelie in reply to TomT226 [original] on Wed, 12/30/2009 - 08:15

I had a builders level that never really worked for me.
Granted, it wasn't a very good one, but it just didn't work.

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ There are three kinds of men: The one that learns by reading, the few who learn by observation and the rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves. Will Rogers

Not on topic, but (post #181496, reply #8 of 14)

by rdesigns in reply to popawheelie [original] on Wed, 12/30/2009 - 13:48

Not on topic, but related:

I'm getting more and more suspicious of all sorts of "precision" instruments the last few years.

Squares and levels that are neither square nor level, etc.

My latest was trying to buy a meat thermometer. It was the dial type, so when I got it home, I stuck it in a glass of ice water for 5 minutes. It read 45 degrees, so I calibrated it to read 32. Then, being suspicious, I set it in a saucepan of boiling water--185 degeees.

Took it back to professional restaurant supply place where I bought it, and the nice young cashier, trying to be helpful, offered the comment that, at this altitude (near 5000 ft.) water boils at a lower temperature, "but I'm not sure what it is", she said. I said, "I am. It's 203 degrees."

Most of this stuff I'm talking about is Chinese-made. Too bad, because I have a few Chinese machines that are just fine.

All quality guns used to be (post #181496, reply #13 of 14)

by TomT226 in reply to rdesigns [original] on Wed, 12/30/2009 - 17:09

All quality guns used to be made in Germany and the US. K&E was made both places. Them Nikon, Hitachi, and many other Japanese brands started being available, and were exellent instruments, easily calibrated, tough, and with better EDM's and data recorders. For my $$, I think the Japanese made instruments are the best. Never messed with Chinese stuff that I know of...

 

Japan has been outsourcing (post #181496, reply #14 of 14)

by popawheelie in reply to TomT226 [original] on Wed, 12/30/2009 - 18:22

Japan has been outsourcing stuff for a while. They don't nessesarily make it in Japan any more. In general they do have a stronger commitment to their trades though.
But there is considerable pressure for them to have stuff made elsewhere.

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ There are three kinds of men: The one that learns by reading, the few who learn by observation and the rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves. Will Rogers

I think in our recent past (post #181496, reply #9 of 14)

by popawheelie in reply to TomT226 [original] on Wed, 12/30/2009 - 14:07

I think in our recent past there were tools that did what they said for the most part.
But there has been a flood of "stuff" coming from oversees that has no standard.
But it is at least partly our fault as consumers. We have bought into this cheap is good mentality.
The people supplying it are just giving us what we want.
Another issue is that the companies that do keep a standard have to up their price because so few units are sold.

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ There are three kinds of men: The one that learns by reading, the few who learn by observation and the rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves. Will Rogers

Guilty as charged. (post #181496, reply #10 of 14)

by rdesigns in reply to popawheelie [original] on Wed, 12/30/2009 - 15:01

Guilty as charged.