Can anyone recommend a laser tape measure for under $50? I don't need
to survey my two acre lot, just measure some room dimensions.

For that matter, are laser measurers truly useful or just a gadget?

Lowe's had two (don't recall the brand) but both had been opened,
resealed, and put back on the shelf. That led me to believe that they
had been sold and then returned by dissatisfied customers.

Richard Evans wrote:

Can anyone recommend a laser tape measure for under $50? I don't need
to survey my two acre lot, just measure some room dimensions.

For that matter, are laser measurers truly useful or just a gadget?

Lowe's had two (don't recall the brand) but both had been opened,
resealed, and put back on the shelf. That led me to believe that they
had been sold and then returned by dissatisfied customers.

I've been wishing for one of those, but I can't justify the $300
pricetag. I'd love to be able to measure a 200-foot-long room to the
nearest 1/16 of an inch without walking.

In the meanwhile, I have an ultrasonic tape measure that's good to the
nearest 1/4", I think. That's close enough for estimating a painting
job.

--
Steve Bell
New Life Home Improvement
Arlington, TX

"SteveB" wrote:

Richard Evans wrote:

Can anyone recommend a laser tape measure for under $50? I don't need
to survey my two acre lot, just measure some room dimensions.

For that matter, are laser measurers truly useful or just a gadget?

Lowe's had two (don't recall the brand) but both had been opened,
resealed, and put back on the shelf. That led me to believe that they
had been sold and then returned by dissatisfied customers.

I've been wishing for one of those, but I can't justify the $300
pricetag. I'd love to be able to measure a 200-foot-long room to the
nearest 1/16 of an inch without walking.

In the meanwhile, I have an ultrasonic tape measure that's good to the
nearest 1/4", I think. That's close enough for estimating a painting
job.

I need it close enough to measure molding: baseboard and ceiling.

Even the cheap ones should be more than good enough to estimate
what you need to buy. You are going to buy excess to cover the
inevitable mistakes aren't you?
And the most expensive wouldn't be good enough for cutting and fitting.
Art

"Richard Evans" wrote in message
...
"SteveB" wrote:

Richard Evans wrote:

Can anyone recommend a laser tape measure for under $50? I don't need
to survey my two acre lot, just measure some room dimensions.


I need it close enough to measure molding: baseboard and ceiling.

Richard Evans wrote:
Can anyone recommend a laser tape measure for under $50? I don't
need
to survey my two acre lot, just measure some room dimensions.

For that matter, are laser measurers truly useful or just a gadget?

Lowe's had two (don't recall the brand) but both had been opened,
resealed, and put back on the shelf. That led me to believe that
they
had been sold and then returned by dissatisfied customers.

If it's under 50 bucks it's just a gadget--they're really ultrasonic.
For one that uses the laser for distance measurement and has any kind
of real accuracy you're looking at over 150 bucks for a Leica Disto or
one of its competitors.

--
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

On Jul 20, 7:12*pm, Richard Evans wrote:
Can anyone recommend a laser tape measure for under $50? I don't need
to survey my two acre lot, just measure some room dimensions.

For that matter, are laser measurers truly useful or just a gadget?

Lowe's had two (don't recall the brand) but both had been opened,
resealed, and put back on the shelf. That led me to believe that they
had been sold and then returned by dissatisfied customers.

I don't know if there is such a device in that price range.
I can recommend the Leica Disto D2, but it is around $200..but a
'real' measuring tool and consistently within 1/16 when measuring
countertops and backsplashes. I have no idea how often you will use
this, but if you're making a living with it...buy it.

(I wish I would have bought the D3..but you hafta stop somewhere.
Those Leica guys make one which bluetooths to your laptop *drools*)

r

If it's under 50 bucks it's just a gadget--they're really ultrasonic.
For one that uses the laser for distance measurement and has any kind
of real accuracy you're looking at over 150 bucks for a Leica Disto or
one of its competitors.

--
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

One of my employees trusted the electronic type for ordering carpet,
an expensive mistake. We replaced it with an laser model from Bosch
and haven't had trouble, but it was many times that cost. (though
less than what we lost on the carpet project)

Robatoy wrote:

I don't know if there is such a device in that price range.
I can recommend the Leica Disto D2, but it is around $200..but a
'real' measuring tool and consistently within 1/16 when measuring
countertops and backsplashes. I have no idea how often you will use
this, but if you're making a living with it...buy it.

Just doing the occasional home improvement project. I'm remodeling a
6' x 8' entrance foyer and I'd like to use single pieces of molding.
Hence the desire for accurate measurement.

On Jul 21, 4:12*am, Richard Evans wrote:
Robatoy wrote:
I don't know if there is such a device in that price range.
I can recommend the Leica Disto D2, but it is around $200..but a
'real' measuring tool and consistently within 1/16 when measuring
countertops and backsplashes. I have no idea how often you will use
this, but if you're making a living with it...buy it.

Just doing the occasional home improvement project. I'm remodeling a
6' x 8' entrance foyer and I'd like to use single pieces of molding.
Hence the desire for accurate measurement.

Then I'd use two 4-foot sticks and two small c-clamps. Work it like a
depth gauge. Very accurate.

In article , Richard Evans wrote:

Just doing the occasional home improvement project. I'm remodeling a
6' x 8' entrance foyer and I'd like to use single pieces of molding.
Hence the desire for accurate measurement.

And the reason that a plain ordinary tape measure from Sears won't work for
this purpose is -- ?

"Richard Evans" wrote in message
...
Robatoy wrote:

I don't know if there is such a device in that price range.
I can recommend the Leica Disto D2, but it is around $200..but a
'real' measuring tool and consistently within 1/16 when measuring
countertops and backsplashes. I have no idea how often you will use
this, but if you're making a living with it...buy it.

Just doing the occasional home improvement project. I'm remodeling a
6' x 8' entrance foyer and I'd like to use single pieces of molding.
Hence the desire for accurate measurement.


You can do what Robatoy suggests or measure out from one wall 2', make a
mark, measure from the other wall to that mark and add 2' to that
measurement. Solves the problem of having to guess what the bent tape is
telling you.

On Jul 20, 7:12 pm, Richard Evans wrote:
SNIP both had been opened, resealed, and put back on the shelf./
SNIP

Or, the customer bought one, carefully unpacked it (I use a razor
blade to make the minimal cuts in that plastic packaging), measured
his one or two rooms, re-packaged it and returned it saying "I just
couldn't get it to work as expected."

Some things you really need to try before committing - wish you could
do that with these @$(^)% computers and MS Operating Systems!

SNIPthe most expensive wouldn't be good enough for cutting and
fitting./SNIP

You can say that again!

The cheap laser things from B&D or HFT create a nice bright red light.
But I wouldn't think of cutting my crown molding with only those as a
standard.

On Jul 21, 4:12 am, Richard Evans wrote:


Hence the desire for accurate measurement.

Measure twice

And the reason that a plain ordinary tape measure from Sears won't work for
this purpose is -- ?

While we are on the subject, I have a question about measuring
"tricks" of the trade.

I am installing an old (single-panel tilt-out/kick-out) garage door in
a barn I built - taking it off the house garage and installing it in
the barn (replacing the one at the house with a new four-panel door).

The door is currently installed in a garage with a ceiling and te read
supports are hung from that.

The barn has no ceiling, just the rafters exposed with two pitches
(front part of roof is eight feet or so and the rear section about
tweleve, so the pitch at front is steeper than at teh rear and the
door spans the two (with the ridge beam off center of te door
opening).

So, I have to place the hangers and fasten them to the rafters which
are at different heights (where I need connect them to the rafters)
relative to the concrete slab below. Essentially, I need to find a
point "in space" where the hangers will meet the rear of teh
horizontal supports/wheel chase(s) the top of the door rides in when
opened.

I don't have a helper to hold one end of a tape. I have made a story
board marked to the distance the old hangers are from the existing
installation - two-by set perpendicular to the floor on a rudimentary
"stand" and marked at the 80" point as a reference.

I've placed a couple of two by six boards between the two rafters in
te approximate location to hold the angle "iron" from which the
support arms will "dangle" and leveled those surfaces so the "angle
iron will lay square relative to space and the flooring.

Thee are no interior walls - just the exposed studs at this point so
the laser levels I have light up a piece of framing here and there but
do not provide a nice clean line to followand I don't trust them all
that much when I can see them.

The door is about nine feet wide by seven feet tall.

I need to establish the mounting points before I remove the door so as
to accomplish the R&R and swap in one day lest we finally get some
heavy rains while the doors are down and the garage & barn open to the
elements.

As indicaed, I am moving along, but thought to ask here for any tips
and techniques for that second measurement before committing. I have a
six-foot level (and shorter levels as well, carpenter's square(s) ad
tape measures, plumb bob(s) and line levels. Also have a B&D laser
level thing and another that does a right angle level/plumb (one beam
out the right side, the other out the top side) and can be locked to
"shoot" a fixed right angle for "layout."

Would appreciate a Reply to Sender if you have a technique I might
better employ.

Thanks.

Leon wrote:
"Richard Evans" wrote in message
...
Robatoy wrote:

I don't know if there is such a device in that price range.
I can recommend the Leica Disto D2, but it is around $200..but a
'real' measuring tool and consistently within 1/16 when measuring
countertops and backsplashes. I have no idea how often you will use
this, but if you're making a living with it...buy it.
Just doing the occasional home improvement project. I'm remodeling a
6' x 8' entrance foyer and I'd like to use single pieces of molding.
Hence the desire for accurate measurement.


You can do what Robatoy suggests or measure out from one wall 2', make a
mark, measure from the other wall to that mark and add 2' to that
measurement. Solves the problem of having to guess what the bent tape is
telling you.



Admittedly, I've only done 3-4 rooms of moulding, but I just cut them a
little long and then trim until they fit.

Greg M

"Greg M" wrote in

Admittedly, I've only done 3-4 rooms of moulding, but I just cut them a
little long and then trim until they fit.


That is definitely the preferred method. I try to do that one all the time.

But I have measured repeatedly, then cut the moulding too short. This is
followed by the obligatory profanity which is followed by a trip to the
store to buy more moulding.

(Doug Miller) wrote:

In article , Richard Evans wrote:

Just doing the occasional home improvement project. I'm remodeling a
6' x 8' entrance foyer and I'd like to use single pieces of molding.
Hence the desire for accurate measurement.

And the reason that a plain ordinary tape measure from Sears won't work for
this purpose is -- ?

Ever tried standing on a ladder and supporting eight feet of tape from
one end of the room to another? Sure, the distance at the floor should
be the same as the distance at the ceiling, but who knows.

That, and I like gadgets. Ones that work, anyway.

On Jul 21, 12:07*pm, "Lee Michaels" wrote:
"Greg M" wrote in



Admittedly, I've only done 3-4 rooms of moulding, but I just cut them a
little long and then trim until they fit.

That is definitely the preferred method. *I try to do that one all the time.

But I have measured repeatedly, then cut the moulding too short. *This is
followed by the obligatory profanity which is followed by a trip to the
store to buy more moulding.

...and to buy a 4 foot piece of rubber radiator hose to slap yourself
out with.... or with which you slap yourself out.

Richard Evans wrote:
(Doug Miller) wrote:

In article , Richard
Evans wrote:

Just doing the occasional home improvement project. I'm remodeling
a
6' x 8' entrance foyer and I'd like to use single pieces of
molding.
Hence the desire for accurate measurement.

And the reason that a plain ordinary tape measure from Sears won't
work for
this purpose is -- ?

Ever tried standing on a ladder and supporting eight feet of tape
from
one end of the room to another? Sure, the distance at the floor
should
be the same as the distance at the ceiling, but who knows.

That, and I like gadgets. Ones that work, anyway.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...0P?vName=Tools
should do what you need. The tape will extend out 13 feet without
collapsing if you're careful with how you hold it. 8 feet is a piece
of cake.

--
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

"Greg M" wrote in message
...



You can do what Robatoy suggests or measure out from one wall 2', make a
mark, measure from the other wall to that mark and add 2' to that
measurement. Solves the problem of having to guess what the bent tape is
telling you.

Admittedly, I've only done 3-4 rooms of moulding, but I just cut them a
little long and then trim until they fit.

Greg M

About 8 years ago I did about 8 complete homes. I did the measuring, 10 or
12 pieces at a time, and cutting, my buddy took the cut pieces and nailed
them in with seldom the need to redo. You run into problems with fit when
the wall unintentionally bows in or out. This makes the measurement a tad
short.

On Sun, 20 Jul 2008 19:12:57 -0400, Richard Evans wrote:

Can anyone recommend a laser tape measure for under $50? I don't need
to survey my two acre lot, just measure some room dimensions.

For that matter, are laser measurers truly useful or just a gadget?

Lowe's had two (don't recall the brand) but both had been opened,
resealed, and put back on the shelf. That led me to believe that they
had been sold and then returned by dissatisfied customers.

I have a "Houseworks Digitape" ultra sound measuring tool that I'm happy
with but could only find references to the patent. The Zircon 58429 DMS50
50 Ultrasonic Measure at this site looks much the same.

http://www.amazon.com/Sonin-10045-Mu...ef=pd_sbs_hi_4

In article ,
says...
(Doug Miller) wrote:

In article , Richard Evans wrote:

Just doing the occasional home improvement project. I'm remodeling a
6' x 8' entrance foyer and I'd like to use single pieces of molding.
Hence the desire for accurate measurement.

And the reason that a plain ordinary tape measure from Sears won't work for
this purpose is -- ?

Ever tried standing on a ladder and supporting eight feet of tape from
one end of the room to another?

No, never tried that, because I realize there's no need to.

Method 1:
Set ladder near center of wall. Extend tape to one corner. Make a pencil
mark at four feet. Extend tape to the other corner, and measure to the
mark. Add 48", and that's the dimension.

Method 2:
Obtain two straight wooden slats, each slightly more than half the
length of the wall. Set ladder near center of wall. Extend slats until
one end of each slat touches a corner. Mark the point of overlap on one
slat.

Method 3:
Get a second ladder and a second person to hold the tape.

RLM wrote:
On Sun, 20 Jul 2008 19:12:57 -0400, Richard Evans wrote:

Can anyone recommend a laser tape measure for under $50? I don't
need
to survey my two acre lot, just measure some room dimensions.

For that matter, are laser measurers truly useful or just a gadget?

Lowe's had two (don't recall the brand) but both had been opened,
resealed, and put back on the shelf. That led me to believe that
they
had been sold and then returned by dissatisfied customers.

I have a "Houseworks Digitape" ultra sound measuring tool that I'm
happy
with but could only find references to the patent. The Zircon 58429
DMS50
50 Ultrasonic Measure at this site looks much the same.

http://www.amazon.com/Sonin-10045-Mu...ef=pd_sbs_hi_4

Don't count on it being the same. Reading the patent on which your
Digitape and the Stanley Intellimeasure (at least one model--before I
paid money for it I'd want to make sure that the one I was getting did
list that patent somewhere) and the reviews of the older model
Intellimeasure on Amazon, it appears that for what is was designed to
do it's surprisingly decent. Enough so that if I wanted such a device
I'd risk the 20 bucks.

Note that Stanley is also selling a "TLM-100 Trulaser"
http://www.amazon.com/CST-Stanley-77...6682863&sr=8-1,
which is a poor man's Disto--it was designed in partnership with Leica
and uses the same technology, with some corners cut to bring the price
below 100 bucks at the cost of shorter range, poor direct sunlight
performance, and reduced accuracy (1/4 inch vs 1/16 inch).

--
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)