Anyone have the CST/berger XLP-34 Laser
Seriously considering buying the CST/berger XLP-34.
Considered the PLS 180 but this seems like a better choice.
I have a master bathroom coming up this coming week with an extensive amt of tile work and a cpl of windows, cabs, etc etc
Wondering if any of you had an opinion on this level
Replies
Sorry, Andy, don't know nuttin about this one. But it looks like the bomb with all those cross lines, as long as it's accurate and durable.
Hey Andy,
I was going to point you to the thread at JLC on this laser, but I see you already beat me to it. LOL
I've got the 180. If there's something I can answer about it for you, let me know.
Best,
Steve
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Thanks FR and Ken...Loos like not to many people have this laser yet but I figga CST has a good rep so....
I do like the dbl verticle line. I'm wondering if it can shoot a dbl on the same wall (doubt it) or only adjacent to one another. Spose I'll call CST and find out b/4 I go ahead and order it not that it would stop me I spose' being the PLS's don't have that anyway so.......
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
http://www.ramdass.org
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Steve...Went to oder the CST today from Tool Barn and they recommended I don't bother b/c their having trouble withthe chip in it. HEard that in JLC also so I ordered like you the 180 from Ace Tools for $152 which included the shipping.
YOu have any recomundos as to setting up a rig/stand? How does the magnetic wall bracket work? Can I shoot a piece of metal to a wall or the ceiling if I wanna locate an area accordingly?...as in connecting it overhead on the ceiling for floor tile work. Was thinking of shooting a screw into an 8' 2x3 metal stud onto the ceiling? Ney or yay?
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
http://www.ramdass.org
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Hey Andy,I've got a nice camera tripod that I've been using. It's great except it only goes to about 6' or so.Been looking at the Laserjamb by Fastcap so I can get higher. http://www.fastcap.com/products.aspx?id=348
They also make a bracket for their 3rd hand if you have one of those already.You could set up the magnetic bracket on the ceiling with some metal, or there are some holes to screw it in as well if that works.3rd setting will give you a autolevel crosshair, which might be tough to line up from the ceiling. The 4th setting will give you a crosshair without the autolevel, so that might work for you on the ceiling, too.If you need to shoot a lot from the ceiling, maybe you could rig up some kind of a sled with a slide. Mount the bracket to the sled and the sled to the ceiling joist. Crazy?Hope that helps. Give me a shout if you need more info.Best,
Steve'Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt man doing it' ~ Chinese proverb
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Actually a sliding sled isn't a crazy idea at all. Thats why I mentioned using a 2x3 metal stud. I thought i might come up with some kind of jig to slide inside the stud. I dunno...just a quick flash.
The fast cap is real nice but real expensive as well. CST's stand/pole seems a lot more reasonably priced but I'm sure it's not apples to apples http://www.engineersupply.com/cst-berger-12-foot-laser-pole-58-lp12-um.aspx
and i think you could only use it with the CST levels
or http://www.engineersupply.com/acculine-pro-interior-laser-pole-model-40-6300.aspx
then there's this page http://www.laserlevels.net/laserjamb.html
And what about this guys review of it??
unstable, <!---->September 20, 2006<!---->
By
M. Pennington "master carpenter"
This tool is a joke. I returned it the same day I received it. The hokey plastic connector is wobbly and ill concieved. Use one of the third hand extension poles (also made by fastcap) with the laser mount for 1/5th the price and better performance. Monsterously oversized blowmold case weighs more than the tool. This is one sad device, and would make its owner the butt of every "limp pole" joke imaginable. Look for this to be redesigned SOON!
http://www.cliffordrenovations.com
http://www.ramdass.org
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Edited 10/4/2008 12:12 am ET by andybuildz
Edited 10/4/2008 12:21 am ET by andybuildz
Edited 10/4/2008 12:43 am ET by andybuildz
I bought the new magnetic Third Hand mount, a bunch easier than using the Laserjamb mount although not as secure if you're bangin' the thing around.
The mag angle bracket that comes with it will hold onto corner metal on drywall which can be pretty handy in older homes.
I think you'll like it.
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
have a link??
edit...never mind...found it. Twenty bucks. Is it worth it? $20 for the mount plus another $40+ for one pole vs $99 for the whole set up?? http://www.laserlevels.net/laserjamb.html
I'm so confused....LOL
http://www.cliffordrenovations.com
http://www.ramdass.org
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Edited 10/4/2008 1:16 am ET by andybuildz
Andy, I already had a set of Third Hands
http://www.amazon.com/Fastcap-3HANDCPACK-Contractor-Poles-4-Pack/dp/B00020JO9Q
when I bought this:
http://www.coastaltool.com/other/fastcap/laser-jamb.htm
without the pole.Once set up it's fine, but you've got to take the end of the pole off to get the thing on...way less than convenient. The magnetic mount
http://www.fastcap.com/products.aspx?id=3952
does a half wrap around the Third Hand pole, faster for sure, but if you were working in close quarters it could be knocked off. I've never actually done it but there were others working in the same space I'd worry.
I have a buddy that bought an original LaserJamb Setup
http://www.fastcap.com/products.aspx?id=348
it didn't have the jacking mechanism like the new ones which makes it difficult to set up, they've solved that now. The scale on the pole might be handy, but not a deal breaker for me, gotta few tape measures, ya know.
All that being said, I'm guessing you'll want a tripod too, just better at some things than a pole and certainly faster if you're moving it around a room or house. Depends a lot on where you need the line height-wise.
And you thought it ended when you bought the PLS..... :)
http://www.coastaltool.com/a/accessories/level/level_acc.htm
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
Edited 10/4/2008 7:05 am ET by PeterJ
Edited 10/4/2008 7:07 am ET by PeterJ
Thanks much Peter...and yeh..it never does end does it...lol.
The $80 set up would probably be good but not sure which would be better out of these two(3?) choices being I don't already have the poles.
http://www.laserlevels.net/laserjamb.html
or
http://www.coastaltool.com/other/fastcap/laser-jamb.htm
http://www.cliffordrenovations.com
http://www.ramdass.org
"I am Andybuildz and I approve this post"
Hmmmmm, well maybe look at it like this. If it's a dedicated laser pole, the Laserjamb has the hash marks on a square pole. If you wanted to use it for other things, the Third Hands are nice, and FWIW it's round tubing. I don't use 'em all the time, but glad I have 'em.
If I were doing it over I'd choose the mag mount on a Third Hand , in spite of my earlier warning. It's just simpler and less fussy, and I'm not usually working with lots of other people around.
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
Peter-Do those pole mounts have 1/4" threads, 5/8" x 11, or both?
I think both came with the LaserJamb mount....I think. Somehow I have a threaded bushing adapting 1/4 to 5/8, but I'm not absolutely sure where I got it, and all the stuff I have uses 1/4".
I've called Fastcap a couple of times, always got my questions answered. Might be worth it to call to be certain if you're looking at ordering and need the 5/8 mount.
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
Thanks. Actually, I just looked and noticed that both my lasers have dual threads.
I think you have talked me into the magnet .
But I will probably make up some velcro straps to insure secureness.
ANDYSZ2WHY DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT BEING A SOLE PROPRIETOR IS A REAL JOB?
REMODELER/PUNCHOUT SPECIALIST
Good plan. I was thinking as I wrote that if it were ever an issue, I could put a zip tie on it, Velcro mo betta.
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
OK...I thought I had these in my favorites. How do you think theses'd work out?!
Whole lot cheaper!!! Especially for just occasional use. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=95746
http://www.cliffordrenovations.com
http://www.ramdass.org
"I am Andybuildz and I approve this post"
I purchased a CST/Berger ILMXT about 6 weeks ago, and it was a nightmare. Tried calibrating it according to their manual, and it was in error. Called CST/Berger, and the clueless customer service rep I talked to said I should exchange it- I did so, and the unit was also in error. I called CST/Berger again, and eventually got past the clueless customer service rep to one of the design engineers- he sent me a replacement, which was supposed to be one of a particular production group- the one that arrived was also in error, and when I talked to him again, he said they had sent the wrong unit. They sent another (this was the 4th unit, mind you), and it had the same errors as the others. I gave up and returned it.
What I came to learn about CST/Berger is that they are a company that offshore manufactures their units (in China), under the specifications of an engineer who used to work for another laser level company. They seem to be the main supplier of laser levels for the big-box stores (esp. HDepot). Since I had so much trouble with their products, I had lots of chances to talk with their customer service/tech support reps, and they were truly unhelpful and clueless. Would not recommend CST/Berger to anyone.
After all of this hoo-haw I did some research on other units, and talked with PLS- I found them to be knowledgable and technically competent. I purchased a PLS-180, and have been quite happy with it.
Sorry for all your headaches.
WOW...am I glad my tool rep said not to buy it. Me2 on the 180 View Image View Image
http://www.cliffordrenovations.com
http://www.ramdass.org
"I am Andybuildz and I approve this post"
Don't know that you could go too wrong at that price!
FWIW, that looks like big height adjustment is a clamp screw, Third Hands are detent spring and hole. I can't imagine it being an issue for an 8 oz. laser.
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
I just picked up 4 of those this weekend as they were on sale only to get them home and find out that I'd done my math wrong and they'll not reach my ceiling. Oh well, they'll be useful for something. Funny thing about them though... Fastcap must have sued HF, as each box had the phrase "3rd Hand" in the tools description blacked out with a marker by hand. Some factory worker in China is getting high on marker fumes.I also have the CST laser pole, which is actually quite handy, but *only* for light weight lasers. My Johnson 10-660 is way too heavy for it, I had to fix the elevation adjustment on the mount as it couldn't hold the weight. It also comes with a magnetic base, and a clamp system so that you can use the base without the pole.Z
Good point Peter. I was sort of thinking the same thing. It'd be good to have the poles for other things besides the laser. I also didn't know the laser jamb was a square pole. I suppose that has it's pluses but like you I don't have too many people around that'd knock into it. I just wonder how handy the tape measure (hash marks?) are on it. Can you raise it up and down to exactly where you want it via a dial? I suppose I have no shortages of tape measures around and the magnetic bracket is easy enough to move. I'll probably go that route. thanks mucho....geezz ...I feel like a woman trying on fifty different pairs of shoes before I buy one...lol.
OK so now do I buy the 4 pack of poles with the case...geeeeeeeeeeeezuz...never ends..lol
http://www.cliffordrenovations.com
http://www.ramdass.org
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xlp34 berger laser
Just bought the xlp 34...nice unit, projects both horiz and vert (cross) with a floor projection, but I will tell you, the unit comes with no instructions for the first time user !! Manual gives technical data only and also came with batteries that were corroded. Pretty disapointing to pay over $ 350.00 and not get any instruction on useage.
xlp 34
Is there some type of small adjustable stand that can be purchased to mount the laser on, so you could project a horiz line for molding etc ? Thanks for your response.
Chuck
next time, take a look at PLS laser systems.
A camera tripod will work for a mount you can adjudownp / down. Or, take some time and check out a third hand from fast cap. They also have a bracket for the 3rd hand that will fit the 1/4" mount on the bottom of your device.