A High Tech Chalk Line
Written: Jun 16 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Easy to use
Cons: Low light level
The Bottom Line: Under the right lighting conditions this laser level does what is expected.
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| gamblin_man's Full Review: American Tool Strait-Line Laser Line Level Generat... |
Strait Line, a brand of American Tool Company, has been known for years for its chalk lines. Millions of feet of bright chalk markings are snapped each day around the world, many of those using the chalk and lines from American Tool.
American Tool was recently acquired by Newell Rubbermaid (yes, the Rubbermaid that also has Calphalon, Sharpie, and Irwin) and has been placed under the Irwin Division. Strait Line joins other well known brands like Vise Grip, Speedbor, Hanson Lenox, and Marathon, as consolidation continues in the shop and contractor tool world.
Last fall, American Tool introduced what might be called a high tech chalk line under the name Strait-Line Laser Line Level Generator 64001. It has been seen since in commercials on many cable channels, particularly the Do It Yourself channel and the Home and Garden channel. It is shown being used to guide the installation of wallpaper and flooring, jobs traditionally done with a chalk line. Thanks to a recent birthday, I now have one of these marvels of modern technology.
Strait-Line Laser Line Level Generator 64001
This one came in a bubble pack via Lowe’s as a birthday present. It included the laser level and a brief instruction book in several languages. It did not include the required two AA batteries, preferably Alkaline. A sharp knife got it free from its captivity and a couple of batteries were quickly installed in the bottom after snapping the cover off. Just as one should never look a gift horse in the mouth, the instructions clearly say not to look this laser in the eye either. Although it has a power of less than 5 milliwatts it is concentrated and can hurt those sensitive cones and rods if you focus it on them.
The low power also makes this tool only useful in subdued light and surfaces that are not too dark. In bright light the narrow line is difficult, if not impossible, to see. With the light low enough, like in a room with the shades drawn, the light projects cleanly along the wall, skipping over small depressions or outcroppings and producing a straight line of up to thirty feet in length. The line widens a little as it shoots down the wall or across the floor. The specs say the straightness is good up to plus or minus a half-inch at twenty feet. About a fourth of this error is in line width. That gives an angular error of about .2 degrees. Not bad.
There are two bubble levels on the top of the case, one for vertical and one for horizontal leveling. They can be a little hard to see in the subdued light and their level cursor lines are a little far apart compared to the size of the air bubble, so they add some error if you use them. The instructions suggest measuring and marking two points just as you would with a chalk line and lining them up with the laser. Two small push pins can be shoved through the bottom of the Strait-Line Laser Line Level Generator 64001 to hold the working part to the surface if you don’t mind holes.
In Use
The relatively low light output of this tool relegates it to use in low light situations. Outdoors in the sunlight is obviously not a good idea. The red beam is intended to project onto a surface. The beam isn’t bright enough to fluoresce the dust motes in the air and create a line like the more powerful levels used in foundation and framing work. The case is reasonably ergonomic with soft touch areas and indentations to hold it easily and safely, even with sweaty palms. The fit and finish, however, shows where some of the savings to reach the price it sells for come from. Lasers are inherently delicate. Letting this bounce around on the dashboard or loose in a tool box will not make it a happy camper. It appears this sort of abuse will not be covered under the limited one year warranty.
For starting the first row of a tile laying job, getting the wallpaper straight, or getting a shelf or row of pictures level along a wall, this is an adequate tool and less messy than chalk. For heavy duty use in high light conditions or on dark surfaces, however, it falls short.
Recommended:
Yes
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gamblin_man
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