Source for cheap laser-level modules?

[[email protected]]

Hi folks --

I need a source for few of the modules that are put in the cheap laser
levels sold for hanging pictures, like Laser Straight, seen here:

https://www.drdynamics.com/products/laser/

I don't have a sample yet, but I assume they are a laser and a moter to
spin it so it appears to project a straight line.

When I needed to build one prototype I was just going to buy a Laser
Straight and pull it apart. But now I need to build a few, with
potentially a few more down the line, so I'm rooting around for a
source to make my life easier.

I'm not a super-builder, so I am looking for sources for as
self-contained a component as possible. Something I can just power up
and have it project a line. I'm also just getting started in building,
so sending me to the obvious sources is not patronizing.
Any thoughts? Thanks!

-- Dave

 

[Tom Becker]

... I assume they are a laser and a motor [] to project a straight

line...

Some laser leveling devices do that, but the item you linked to is similar
to most common low-cost line generators which use a cylinder lens to fan
the spot beam into a line, perhaps 10 to 60 degrees wide; the laser is
stationary.

If you need a 360 degree line you can spin the laser and a battery (or run
its power through rotating slip rings), or you can spin a 45 degree mirror
or prism around the laser's fixed vertical beam axis, on a mount of your
construction. Given a particular beam power and color, the longer the
line the dimmer it will be.

You will find many sources similar to these:
http://www.mi-lasers.com/ http://www.steminc.com/


Tom Becker

 

[Sam Goldwasser]

Hi folks --

I need a source for few of the modules that are put in the cheap laser
levels sold for hanging pictures, like Laser Straight, seen here:

https://www.drdynamics.com/products/laser/

I don't have a sample yet, but I assume they are a laser and a moter to
spin it so it appears to project a straight line.

As someone else noted, that one is not a 360 degree laser level. If you
want a motorized type, there are plenty of those as well, but more expensive.
Search for "360 degree laser level".

However, by the time you are done building them factoring in your time,
the commercial units may be worth the cost.

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[Gary J. Tait]

Hi folks --

I need a source for few of the modules that are put in the cheap laser
levels sold for hanging pictures, like Laser Straight, seen here:

https://www.drdynamics.com/products/laser/

I don't have a sample yet, but I assume they are a laser and a moter to
spin it so it appears to project a straight line.

When I needed to build one prototype I was just going to buy a Laser
Straight and pull it apart. But now I need to build a few, with
potentially a few more down the line, so I'm rooting around for a
source to make my life easier.

I'm not a super-builder, so I am looking for sources for as
self-contained a component as possible. Something I can just power up
and have it project a line. I'm also just getting started in building,
so sending me to the obvious sources is not patronizing.
Any thoughts? Thanks!

-- Dave

I have a laser torpedo level that does a line. Paid under $10 CDN,
from a B&M store. It uses a cylinder grating. I think the edge of a CD
case can do something similar, with a plain laser (you have to get one
with rounded grooves, not the pinty ones)..

 

[[email protected]]

Thanks everybody, your responses were very helpful and exactly right.

I've ordered on of the Laser Straight box to play with -- it is a lens,
as everyone said. But I'll take it apart and use its parts for my first
attempt, anyway.

Thanks again --

Dave