Make your own laser level. We assemble a laser level from improvised materials

In the course of repair or construction, one cannot do without transferring marks along the walls strictly in a horizontal plane. The most convenient way to do this is to use a laser level or a level that will build the desired plane. Consider three options for manufacturing such a device using laser pointer.

Hybrid bubble level and laser pointer

The idea is to improve on a simple bubble level. A laser pointer rigidly fixed to the body of the level will be a continuation of the instrument and will allow spreading marks to distant surfaces. If you install the level on a tripod and a turntable, you get a very effective tool for transferring marks in one plane.

What will be required:

Bubble level (40-80 cm).
Laser pointer.
A piece of rubber, a piece of hard foam rubber or foam plastic 4-5 mm thick, 40 mm long and 15 mm wide.
Fasteners. Worm clamp or nylon ties 2.5x150 mm, 2-3 pieces.

It is better to modernize the level with handles in the form of oblong holes in the middle of the side face. For them, it is easier to fix the laser pointer with a clamp or ties.

Choice of laser pointer. The simplest pointer will do, the main thing is that the point from the pointer does not spread like a muddy spot, but gives a clear round point at a sufficient distance. The button should be two-position, so that you do not have to keep it pressed all the time.

You may need to focus the laser pointer before using it. To do this, unscrew the cap from the side of the laser. Under it will be the body of the focusing lens. If you gently scroll it a third or a quarter of a turn with pliers, you will notice how the shape of the spot from the pointer changes. Adjust so that the dot is as small and regular as possible at different distances.

Mount the pointer on the edge where the main insert with the bubble is located. First, lay a substrate of rubber, dense foam rubber or a foam plate. On top of it is a laser pointer, and tighten with a worm-drive clamp or nylon ties.

1 - laser pointer; 2 - rubber; 3 - nylon clamps

The beam should be set strictly parallel to the level face. To do this, place the tool on a long, flat surface, the end of a flat floorboard, or the table top against a wall. The height of the outlet of the pointer should be equal to the height of the point above the surface of the support.

If there are no handles and other suitable holes at the level, carefully drill two holes under the installation site with a 3 mm drill bit and fix two worm clamps with 6x25 mm zinc-plated screws. Next, put a gasket and a pointer in them.

If you put the level on a strictly horizontal or vertical surface, then when you rotate the level around the axis, you can move the marks along the walls or ceiling and floor.

To further improve the design, attach a plank, plastic or metal plate so that it can rotate on a tripod.

Hanging laser level

If you hang any massive object by one attachment point on a rope or thread, then it will rotate freely only around one axis directed strictly down. A laser pointer fixed strictly perpendicular will outline the required horizontal plane on all boundary surfaces.

Suitable as a base wooden block. Screw one screw into the ends closer to the same edge, leaving about 1 cm sticking out. Tie a thick thread to the screws, preferably shoe thread, which is slightly stretched. Also suitable for thin copper wire. The thread or wire should sag and, if taken by the center, from the top point to the bar should be about 10 cm or more. Tie a twine or another piece of thread to the center of the thread, which will be fixed, for example, to a chandelier hook in the center of the ceiling.

Now it remains to fix the laser pointer to the upper edge of the beam with glue or nylon ties so that the beam leaves it strictly perpendicular, which is checked using a bubble level.

Now, with the length of the thread on which the entire structure is attached, make sure that the point from the pointer points to the first mark on the wall. If you twist the beam in one direction and with it the suspension thread, then when you reverse the untwisting, the pointer will draw a line along the walls strictly in a horizontal plane with a run-up of about 1-2 mm, which is quite enough.

Also, such a builder can be made from a bubble level “modified” with a laser pointer. Just screw one screw into the plastic plugs at the ends of the tool closer to the top edge. tie a rope to them and, moving the suspension point along the rope, achieve a horizontal level.

A full level from the remnants of a laser printer and a pointer

For those who are not looking for easy ways, you will need:

laser unit from a non-working printer;
laser pointer;
a motor from any children's toy or from a broken CD drive;
rubber belt;
button and 9 V battery (krone);
slotted and cross screwdrivers;
soldering iron with solder.

Remove the cover of the laser unit. Under it, you will find a hexagon or a square mounted on a stepper drive, a curved lens and a mirror, as well as a native laser. However, the latter produces an invisible color, so it will be replaced with a laser pointer. The beam from the laser, falling on the side faces of the hexagon at an angle, is reflected into the lens, and then through the mirror into the exit slit. The hexagon is constantly rotating and the point from the laser draws a line very quickly, the flickering of which is not even evident.

It is very difficult to control the drive driver for the mirror hex. It is much easier to fix a third-party drive and connect its shaft to the hexagon using a belt.

Measure the distance from the axis of the hexagon at which you can install the motor so that the belt is slightly stretched. You get a sector that runs along the hull in a circle. Choose a location where the motor will not interfere with the laser beam and can be easily fixed with glue. If necessary, drill a hole and install the motor, connect its shaft to the hexagon axis.

Dismantle the original heatsink with the laser and its driver board. Fix the laser line so that it shines in the same direction.

It remains to power the motor. Connect the motor, button and battery in series. Optionally, a laser pointer is connected to the same battery, and parallel to the motor.

Two screws or studs made of wire 2.5 mm or more are fixed on the sides of the exit slit on the body of the laser unit. A thread is attached to them, and then the laser level can be used, as in the previous version.

In the video, a version of a homemade level using a mirror

To set the line in a horizontal plane, a bubble level is used. It is possible that you will have to adjust the focus of the pointer so that the top decorative cap it is better to remove it immediately and use pliers to correct the shape of the beam so that it is at the exit of the entire structure that you get a thin line.

The laser level is very important tool for various construction and repair work in room. Using a laser level, you can easily project the intersection points of horizontal and vertical directions onto the work surface, creating an exact angle of 90 degrees. Also, the laser level facilitates the implementation of such construction works as:

Video instruction for making a laser level with your own hands

Work demo:

Indeed, it is very convenient and necessary for carrying out almost all installation work. However, its cost is quite significant. If you are planning to make repairs or build something, then you will need to spend at least half of the allotted budget to buy a construction tool.

To save money, you can make a laser level with your own hands quickly and at no extra cost. To do this, you only need some tools and material, as well as step-by-step instructions for creating a laser level at home.

Basic materials

In fact, what you need in most cases is in everyone's house. If you do not find any necessary fixture then you have to buy it. However, it won't be very expensive. In order to make a laser level, you will need to have available:

Children's laser pointer
A piece of porous rubber (the thicker the better)
small bubble level
Wooden block (5x5 cm)
Flat stick (for support)
Plank along the length of the level
Piece of plywood or flat board (10x10 cm)
Clamp (for attaching a pointer)
Screws.

Having prepared everything necessary materials you can start building.

If you carefully follow the instructions, then it will take no more than 15 minutes to create a laser level with your own hands.

Step-by-step instructions for making a laser level

Let's improve the children's laser pointer. It is necessary to unscrew the part of the pointer on which there are no inserts with a pattern. The hole must be sealed with cardboard and clearly in the center make a small hole, then put the cap back on. Now if you point the pointer at the surface, the laser dot will be clearer.
An even stick must be sharpened at one end and made in the form of a peg. You can also use a handle for a shovel or a tripod for support. On the flat end of the stick, you must firmly attach a piece of plywood or a flat board. It is very important that the plywood is as even as possible and fastened at an exact angle of 90 degrees.
A bar is attached to the surface of the board, which corresponds to the length of your bubble level. It should be located in the center of the plywood surface and be held on a screw (nail) so that it can be conveniently turned in different directions.
Attach a laser pointer to the bubble level. This can be done with a clamp and fasten it rigidly enough to the side of the level. Now let's put a prepared piece of porous rubber under the pointer for cushioning. This is necessary in order to easily adjust any angle of inclination along the longitudinal axis.

Having made all the necessary fastenings, your laser level is ready for use.

How to use a laser level

By adjusting to your level, you will find that it is very easy and convenient to use it. First you need to use a pointed corner in a stick to fix the structure on the surface. After that, using a bubble level, we align the plane with the bar, so that the laser level made with our own hands shows an even horizontal position.

Now you need to turn on the laser pointer and point it at the surface you need. You will see the reflected laser dot, make a mark on this place, now move the laser dot further along the surface, check if the level of the horizontal on the bubble level has gone astray, and put another point.

By connecting two points together, you get an even horizontal line and then you can get to work. The easiest way to connect the dots is with metal profile for .

Another video guide

Making a level with your own hands is quite simple, and using a laser device will be even easier. Practical laser levels just need to be placed on the floor or mounted on the wall and turned on. The required level will be beaten off in a matter of seconds.

Such a device is not cheap. If it is necessary for professional use, then such large expenses justify themselves. However, if the level is needed for a one-time repair in the apartment, then you can act more rationally and make it yourself. The parts that are required for this will be much cheaper and can be purchased at many stores.

Design features

The main operating element of the device is a laser emitter. In a homemade design, an inexpensive laser pointer can be used as an emitter. In addition, you will need:

bubble building level;
board or thick plywood;
a peg 1-1.3 m long with a square or large section 5x5 cm or a diameter of 5-6 cm;
a piece of rubber with a porous structure.

Manufacturing process

Through simple transformations, the laser pointer turns into an emitter, from which there will be a clear point on the wall. For this, a regular nozzle without a pattern is used. The hole needs to be sealed with cardboard and a neat little hole should be made in it. After that, a pointer with a nozzle will leave a clear small dot on the wall.

Next, the laser is attached to the body building level. Clamps are used for this. Between the body of the pointer and the level, it is necessary to lay a piece of rubber. This will provide the cushioning needed to adjust the angle of the laser later on.

Then the device is mounted on a tripod stand. To make it, you need a stake, one side of which needs to be sharpened, and the other side needs to be leveled so that a flat area is formed. A piece of plywood or a plank is screwed to the flat side with a screw. It is not necessary to tighten the fasteners completely so that you can unfold the board, if such a need arises during the measurement process.

The peg-stand is driven into the ground, if the work is done indoors, then a tripod should be used instead of the peg. In parallel, the rotating stand is aligned horizontally. The level is set on it and the laser is turned on.

To mark walls using a similar level, mark a luminous point on the wall, and then turn the laser in the direction to which you want to draw a marking line.

There will be a second point on the wall. If you connect them, you get a horizontal line.

Thus, the laser level greatly simplifies construction and repair work. It is easier to use than a conventional construction one, the desired result will be obtained much faster. Self-manufacturing laser level is an opportunity to save a lot, since the cost necessary elements of a similar design is much less than the price for a device of industrial production.

A do-it-yourself laser level made from improvised materials will help save a decent amount of money and will be a good alternative to a professional one. construction equipment. During repairs and construction works very often there is a need to markup at the same level, but at a great distance. The bubble level is too inconvenient for this type of markup, so you need to get a tool to create marks at a distance. A construction laser level is great for such work. But such a tool is incredibly expensive, so the only option for most may be to create such a tool with your own hands.

The laser level is an indispensable tool for repair and construction, which you can make yourself.

Differences homemade model

A homemade laser level can be used for mirror and symmetrical markings at a great distance during the construction or renovation process. Certainly, homemade version has a short range: about 10-12 meters. But this is quite enough to complete most of the necessary notes.
Professional devices are capable of creating notes, calculating angles and much more. But big minus of such devices is their price.

Some of electronic models cost from two hundred dollars, which is not so cheap. But in most cases, many of the features offered by professional equipment will not be needed, so you can do without homemade design. A homemade level will cost ten times cheaper, and you will need improvised materials to assemble it.

Tripod or adjustable base option

Do-it-yourself laser level can be placed on a tripod or adjustable stand. It will be quite comfortable and functional design. Of the tools you will need:

drill;
set of wrenches;
a hammer;
needle.

As materials we use:

wooden block;
laser pointer;
bubble level;
electrical tape;
plastic clamps;
scotch;
nails, screws, self-tapping screws or screws;
plastic and wooden plane of the same size (planks, tiles).

The design idea is quite simple - the laser pointer is placed on a movable element. With the help of such a device, you can make markings 360 degrees around the axis at the same level. We'll need a kid's or more powerful laser pointer, depending on the budget. It is with this small element that work begins.
How to make such a device is described below:

Let's start by modifying the pointer. The glass or plastic lens must be removed from the nozzle. Instead, you can place a small piece of cardboard inside or seal the hole with tape on the outside.
Next, using a needle, you need to make a hole exactly in the center where the beam will pass. A small hole made with a needle will reduce scatter and increase the accuracy of the instrument.
The next element is the platform. To make a movable plane, you can connect a plastic plate and a wooden plank of the same size with a self-tapping screw. Such a detail will allow our device to rotate around its axis.
We place a bubble level on the platform, and on it is a rubber shock absorber (a piece of rubber of a suitable size).
We install a laser pointer on the rubber and fix it with adhesive tape, clamps or in another possible way.

Homemade design is ready. But it must be tested before work.

For calibration, you can select two points, mark them using the received laser level and connect them with a thread or fishing line. Check the slope with a level. If there are no missteps, then the equipment is suitable for making marks.

More mobile option

The disadvantage of the first type of design is its limited mobility - only horizontal rotation. If there is a need to make marks not only horizontally, but also vertically, you can try to build the following type of structure:

You will need a plastic or wooden base.
A small pin, bolt or screw is fixed at the base. The last elements are placed head down.
A wide articulated fork clings to the resulting mount.
The articulated fork will accommodate a plastic or wooden narrow blank, on which the laser pointer will be attached.
A hole is drilled in the workpiece, equal in diameter to the screw, which will pass through it approximately equal to the diameter of the fork lugs.
A pointer is attached to the workpiece, and if space remains, a bubble level.

Thanks to this type of design, it is possible to change vertical angle provisions. Depending on the ingenuity and the fork found, almost a full 270 degree vertical turn can be achieved. With the nut with ears, you can quickly unscrew the fixing screw and change position. It is worth considering that the larger the fork, the wider the base will need to ensure a stable position.
The design can also be improved:

In a wooden blank, you can make a groove in which it is convenient and secure to fix the pointer.
In the adjusting screw, you can use both a regular nut and an element with ears, but the second is much more convenient.
A design with a non-threaded pin will be collapsible. To make it stable, you will have to choose the appropriate diameter of the connecting element of the hinge fork. In the case of a thread, you can also use homemade similarities of a fork.
If there is no fork, its likeness can be made from a metal-plastic ring of sufficient strength, you just have to choose the right diameter. You will need to make three holes: two on the sides, opposite each other, and the third at an equal distance from the two future "ears". Next, you need to cut the ring opposite the last hole. You will get a semicircular blank with a hole at the bottom and eyelets for the bolt on the sides.
So that when turning the homemade fork does not loosen and scroll too much, you can place a rubber gasket under it.

Conclusion on the topic

If it is not possible to purchase expensive construction tools, you can try to make their home counterpart.

The laser level or level is a convenient and useful tool, the need for the use of which arises not only during repair work. However, this tool has a rather high cost, which makes it inaccessible to some of the masters. If it is not possible to purchase, then you can make a laser level with your own hands. Moreover, the manufacturing procedure is not particularly difficult, so any home master can handle it.

The principle of operation of the laser level is that a projection is created on the required object or group of objects. The role of the laser beam is played by an LED emitting a luminous flux. Special prisms and lenses make the beam bright and directional. Such equipment is simply irreplaceable when carrying out finishing and construction works both inside and outside the premises.

A homemade laser level is a great alternative to an expensive laser level. Manufacturers supply mainly 2 types of levels: static and rotary. The main difference between them is that the rotary one is equipped with an electric motor, through which the laser rotates, and a focusing lens, while the static one consists of a prism onto which rays are projected.

The diagram above shows how the level is arranged. The principle of operation of the device is not really complicated, but accuracy is very important. The high cost of such tools is due to the high cost of components that are used for the production of levels. If you need a laser level to use it at home, then you can make it yourself.

How to make a laser level with your own hands

The easiest way to make a level is to use a laser pointer. The cost of manufacturing such a device will be insignificant, since you only need to buy a laser pointer, and make all the other details yourself.

When starting to make a level from a pointer, it is necessary, first of all, to ensure secure fastening an element that could then rotate around its own axis. For the manufacture of homemade device you will need a list of such materials, tools and parts:

laser pointer;
a wooden beam measuring 25x25 cm and about 0.5 m long;
drill or screwdriver with drill function;
cord;
support.

Let's start making a laser level from a pointer:

It is necessary to drill two holes in the bar on both sides parallel to each other. One hole is for attaching the pointer, and the second for the cord.
After fixing the laser pointer, you need to fix the cord. The cord is designed to hang the resulting device. The hole for the cord must be of sufficient diameter so that the rope passes freely through it.
After the cord is pulled through the hole, it should be tied to the bar and tightened tightly.
As a supporting surface, you can use any stick (having sharpened one side in the form of a point, you can stick it into the ground), a shovel, a tripod, etc.

An important rule when using a homemade level is the reliable fixation of the support. After the manufacture of such a device, you should check it for quality of operation. It is recommended to check in evening time days to clearly see the point. Initially, you should hang the tool by the cord in the center of the room. After that, the level should be turned to the right direction, and then make a mark on the wall. Such a self-leveling level can be directed in any direction where marks are needed, and then proceed to work.

The second option for manufacturing a laser level involves the use of foam and a container of water. Initially, you need to take a small container, as well as a piece of plasticine or tape. You will also need a laser pointer and a piece of Styrofoam.

The manufacturing process is as follows:

The container should be filled with water to the brim.
Attach the pointer to a piece of foam.
The container with water is located at the height required for marking.
Styrofoam together with a pointer should be placed in water.
After that, turn on the pointer.
When changing the location of the foam relative to the central axis, points are marked. All points will be located directly on the same level.

It is rather difficult to call such a design ideal, but, nevertheless, this level will have a high degree of marking clarity.

Testing a homemade laser level

Now you can resort to testing a homemade device. To do this, you need to fix the product with a pointed stick. Use a bubble level to align horizontally.

After turning on the laser pointer, it should be aimed at the surface. After projecting the first point, you need to make a mark. By rotating the homemade device, marks should be made. All the points obtained are connected using a metal profile and a pencil.

Pros and cons of homemade levels

After the do-it-yourself laser level is ready, you should not expect him to perform any challenging tasks. Such a unit is designed for one-time work, so if your type of activity is related to construction, then it is better to purchase professional tool. The advantages of a homemade device include:

obtaining a sufficiently large beam length;
manufacturing speed;
no need for financial costs;
increase in the speed of marking work.

The disadvantage is the fact that this homemade tool, therefore, high accuracy and complex work should not be expected from him. With a little ingenuity, you can make a level with your own hands without resorting to purchasing expensive factory models.

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