How To Make A Laser Level? Let’s Find Out!

Last Updated On December 6, 2021 By Elliot

How To Make Your Own Laser Level?

A Laser Level is a type of leveling instrument which makes use of a laser beam to provide a plane of reference.

It is a tool that is used to install and align various materials, such as kitchen cabinets, floor and countertop, and other building improvement indoor projects.

If you want to measure the distance between two points accurately, a laser level can be a useful tool. However, these devices are rather expensive.

If you want to make your own laser level at home, then there are several methods you can use. In this article, I am going to teach you how to build your own laser level.

Let’s start!

Materials needed

To make your own laser level, you will need a few different materials.
The first thing you need is a laser pointer. You can get a laser pointer for around $10.
Next, you will need two small pieces of wood. These can be found at any hardware store.
Finally, you will need a drill.

Build your laser level

It’s time to build our laser level.

First step: Drill holes in both sides of each piece of wood using a drill bit that has an appropriate diameter. For example, if we were making a 2 long board, we would choose a 3mm bit and drill 4 holes along its length.

Step two: Cut off all four corners with a jigsaw or hand saw. Then sand down the edges so they don’t have sharp rough spots.

Step three: Attach one end of the laser beam to the hole closest to where you want it. You should attach the other end to a point on another surface about 1/4″ away from the starting point.

This way, when you move the laser pointer over the beam, it moves relative to the location of your starting point moving nowhere else.

Step four: Cut out a slot for your laser square pointed through both layers of wood. Use a hacksaw blade to do so.

Step five: The next step is to put everything together. Place the shorter side on top of the longer side, aligning them as shown below.

Now screw the boards together using screws. Do not forget to add some kind of clamp. Also note that you may need to adjust the position of the slots depending on the thickness of the material you used.

Test it out

Once you’ve built your type of laser level, test it out by pointing it towards a type of wall near the place where you’ll be measuring distances.

If the laser level square works correctly, the light emitted by the laser will form a straight line between the two surfaces.

It’s important to remember that while most lasers emit visible light, infrared lasers only produce heat rays. Thus, you won’t see anything but just the outline of the laser itself.

However, this means you can also use IR sensors to detect whether something is present within a certain range.

Since you’re looking for accuracy, you shouldn’t rely too much on visual inspection alone. Instead, opt for more advanced tools like GPS-based navigation systems.

Advantages of making DIY laser level?

DIY project of laser level can be fun to do. You will learn many things about point type laser level, and the knowledge is also useful to you.
Making your own laser levels usually costs less than buying them ready-made. Plus, you know exactly what goes into the construction process. It saves money and helps reduce waste.
Also, since you made the device yourself, you can customize it according to your needs. That means you can create custom laser levels based on the size of your room and type of floor.
This makes the experience even better because you can make sure that you get the exact measurement you wanted.
You can easily change things such as adding additional features or adjusting their appearance.

Disadvantage:

Making your own push pin laser levels requires patience and skill. If you aren’t good at working with power drills and cutting materials properly, then it could take hours before you finish the project.

That said, if you enjoy doing these kinds of outdoor projects, try building your own rotary laser levels in the future. The results would surely impress everyone around you.

How to recalibrate a laser level?

A self leveling laser level needs regular calibration because otherwise measurements might differ significantly from reality.

Inaccuracies in the manufacturing process could cause the difference either or by environmental factors, such as temperature changes.

In order to calibrate a plumb laser level properly, you need to know what type of error it makes. There are basically three types of errors: linear, angular and rotational.

Each of those causes a deviation in measurement which can differ, even though their origin is similar.

One can recalibrate a laser level by keeping the laser beam in the center of the crosshairs for about 15 seconds. It can recalibrate the laser level when the laser beam is not in the center of the crosshairs.

You can also recalibrate a laser level by adjusting a bubble vials level that are on a tripod base on the device.

What should I look for in a laser level?

There are several key components that make up a modern laser level unit. These include battery backup system, electronic compass and distance sensor.

Here’s everything else you’ll want to check out before purchasing any model instead of making your own outdoor laser level.

Battery Backup System – This ensures that the device continues operating even after a sudden loss of electricity supply.
Electronic Compass – It provides accurate readings no matter where you place the device.
Distance Sensor / GPS – When combined with an app, it allows you to calculate distances and angles.
Laser Beam – It creates cross line laser levels to each other using infrared beams.

These are all important parts of a dot laser level, so they have to be included in every commercial product.

However, there are some models available online without most of these essential pieces, but still meet basic requirements.

So how many does this cost? Well, depending on brand name, accessories and availability, one can expect prices ranging between $20-$100 per item on average.

Is it worth buying a manual laser level?

While many people believe DIY projects are always cheaper than buying them ready-made, sometimes the opposite happens.

For example, if someone wants to build something specific like a coffee table, they may find it easier to buy a pre-built version rather than start from scratch themselves.

If you decide to go down the path of self-building, remember that it takes time and effort to get right. So unless you’re really sure about what you’re going to do, don’t rush into anything.

If you only plan to use your manual laser receiver level occasionally, then it will probably work fine just fine for you.

But if you intend to keep it permanent, then investing in a quality professional model is recommended.

Final Words

Making a laser level is a do-it-yourself project. However, with a little knowledge and a few handy tools, you can make a laser level with ease.

But making your own kinds of laser levels is a rewarding project because you learn new skills while saving money.

If you follow our guide, you won’t run into any problems once you’ve finished assembling your first homemade laser levels.

Other pages if you’re reading up on laser levels..

Elliot

I'm Elliot Higgins the Founder of multiple hardware stores around the UK. I love wood and wood working. Watching a fine piece of pine or cedar turn into a work of art is extremely satisfying. The one thing I love more than woodworking is the toys that we use! On HandyToolsHome.com; we bring you information and reviews on all kinds of tools.