levels/batons

[kilty55]

hi all,a question regarding getting a level all around your room,,so far on the 3 jobs i have done i have set out using my guage baton then setting a baton to the wall set out tiling round the room using a checked level baton as i go along i have not used a chalk line or water or laser level yet at all for double checking my line is marked on the weall before i start as i thought as long as my batons were spot on id be fine and have had no issues so far ...thank god!! anyway would it be more proffesional and sensible to use one of these 3 levels to mark my lines 1st before or do most of you guys not use these for domestic bathrooms etc? i do have a chalk line marker and a water level but all jobs iv done so far has just been myself and bit difficult to use these alone isnt it?

[frogeye]

Hi Kilty,

I speak as an utter tiling novice.
I only did the months course but had loads of practice getting it wrong before that , but one thing I did learn, was that preparation and planning are the keys, whether in this job or in my former profession.

The law of P's spring to mind - P*ss,poor,planning,promotes,p*ss, poor, performance

Preparation and planning are vital in all jobs.

There are so many areas in tiling that need care and attention, but not setting out correctly and getting the datum line out by a gnats scrotum will be evident far before the tiles start dropping off the wall because you failed to prime correctly, etc (not that you would of course)

Carry on doing what you are doing and there will be no comebacks.

But let others more skilled in tiling advise you better.

frogeye (the dust sensitive ex-tiler )

[kilty55]

cheers for your advice frogeye,p.s. what about a dust mask mate?????

[frogeye]

Hi Kilty

breathing the dust is bad but its more than that - I react badly to having it on my skin. All a consequence of attending my 'last' chemical incident, so wearing a dust mask won't help I am afraid - plus to be honest I think I have save the world from another 'not too bad tiler' Having to put my reading glasses on all the time to see the cuts and grout lines is a major pain in the butt

frogeye

[davy_G]

For me its a self levelling laser level all the time. Adjust it on the pole to suit my set out and nail a batton or two if needed and im away. Swivel the laser around to the next wall and continue. Aint had a problem yet and havnt even got a standard level in the van anymore.

[frogeye]

Hi Davy

Before and during my course I must admit I was a 'why not use a laser man?' however listening to those much more skilled than I will ever be I could see the validity of their argument about accuracy of certain bits of kit - namely a spirit level and a laser.

I forget the figures of the laser, but apart from setting out and checking floor grout lines they were hugely discouraged ( PTS) and the spirit level, which I had always thought to be spot on - yes, but only if you turn it lengthways after every measurement/marking session. Seems that the accepted inaccuracies would leave you out by a big margin over even a small room.

Now the question - has anyone actually put these theories to the test? Compare the 'latest' laser kit to other forms of marking a datum line?
If the laser is as accurate as you say Davy, it could save folks a boat load of time.

Just a thought

frogeye

[davy_G]

Frogeye,
Quite right a laser is only as good as its accuracy. A spirit level is only as good as its accuracy which may indeed have less error tollerence. However it is also coupled with the user innaccuracy. I did the PTS course and can say that transferring a line around a room with a spirit level is a pain. I challenge anyone to do it and get back to where they started from within a mm, ie less than their pencil line. Now, put a pole in the middle of the room, put on your laser level, spin it around and job done, starts and finishes in the same place, spot on. Buy good gear, look after it and it looks after you and saves you alot of time and time is money!

[enduro]

I only ever use a spirit level to mark a line around a room, and im always spot on. Cant see what the problem is doing it this way..I have a laser level in the van but dont often use it.

[muffinman]

laser level all the pls 2 or the 360 parm laser and try pod will do the job ,saves loads of time , the laser will pay for it self