How to make a laser level. How to make a laser level with your own hands? Video: DIY laser level

Sometimes during repairs I need a laser level, but I wasn’t going to spend a very significant amount on something that I will use from time to time. Therefore, I decided that making a laser level myself would not present any difficulties.

To make the level with my own hands, I used available materials and several tools. I decided to install my level on the frame because I wanted to make the most accurate device possible. To make the frame, I decided to use an old hard drive case.

Step 1: Assembling the frame, first axis

First you need to disassemble the hard drive into its components. For this I used TORX screwdriver bits H6 and H8.

When the disk was disassembled, I began to think about how to use the drive motor assembly in the frame of my device.

The first thing that attracts attention when looking at the drive is threaded holes on a wide drum, to which it will be convenient to attach an aluminum corner.

On an aluminum corner 25x25x1.5 mm you need to drill holes that coincide with the holes on the drive motor. As a hole template, I used the flange that holds the hard drive plates in place.

Step 2: Assembling the frame, second axis

To build the second axis I used read and write arm mounts.

First we cut the bolt to required length, We attach the head spindle to the cut bolt, and also add a couple of nuts as a separator and for additional heat dissipation. Then we attach the second axis to the aluminum corner.

Now you can connect the first and second axes.

Step 3: Assembling the frame, laser pendulum

The laser will be mounted on a pendulum. In aluminum profile square section 19 mm you need to make a core from chipboard. To ensure that the core fits as tightly as possible, the chipboard can be hammered in with a hammer.

Using a drawing square, mark the middle on both sides of the profile, then drill holes in these places. I also added a nut for the adjustment bolt. I inserted the nut into a small hole, tapping it a little with a hammer, it sits tightly in its place.

If you want to drill a similar hole on the opposite side of the profile, it is better to drill pilot holes on both sides first and then drill them out with a drill bit larger diameter so that they are symmetrical.

Step 4: Install the laser

I installed an old laser pointer.

Step 5: Making the Body

I made the body of the homemade level from a scrap of 3 mm aluminum composite panel; for the walls I took another old hard drive.
Using a sled saw, we cut 2 mm channels into the composite panel so that it can be bent around the frame and form the body.

I decided to add a round spirit level to make the device look more impressive. It will also come in handy if the level is too far from the reflective surface.

Step 6: Making the Wiring

For wiring, I used wires from old headphones, due to their lightness, strength and thinness. Their weight does not affect the operation of the support frame; you just need to leave the loop for free movement.

Before soldering the wires, you need to strip off the insulation on them. To do this, you need to hold the wires slightly over the flame of the lighter and when the insulation begins to melt, it will be easy to remove.

Step 7: Calibration

To adjust the laser level, there is an adjusting bolt and screw on the pendulum; they change the angle of inclination of the pendulum, shifting the center of gravity. A distance of more than 20 m will give a large angle of inclination.
To test my level, I made a mark on a garden post and a sight line on a gate post using a water level.

To adjust the laser level, I raised it to the mark line on gate post and began to turn until the laser hit a pole in the garden. It took some time to line up the marks; the reflected laser signal was quite strong.

By turning the adjusting bolt little by little, I raised the laser to the level of both marks. The laser is visible at a distance of more than 20 m.

I attached a screw to the bottom so that I could install the laser level I made with my own hands on a tripod.

If you are starting a home renovation project, then you will definitely need all kinds of tools. Such devices can be easily purchased in hardware stores and on the Internet. The only problem may be the high price. Fortunately, many tools can be made by yourself.

Laser level

One of the most expensive types of instruments. This device is used for professional work or more complex repairs to determine how smooth the surface is.

This level will easily indicate both horizontal and vertical marking lines for you. There are also devices that have a cross beam. A special advantage of this tool is that it is installed either on a stand or on a plane and, using a special air indicator, is leveled horizontally or vertically to the nearest millimeter.

Types of devices

Since the production of tools does not stand still, the variety of leveling levels is constantly increasing. Now you can find several main types that are most often used in repairs.

Floor
Wall
On a stand

The names of these species speak for themselves. The floor is installed on a flat horizontal surface. It is important to know: if the level will be installed on a table or other surface, it must be centered.

The wall level is installed on a vertical surface. There are special mounts on it to keep the device on the wall. This level is useful when marking vertical guides and other materials during repairs. For example, if you are hanging paintings in an apartment, then this type will provide you with maximum symmetry between the paintings.

The laser level on the stand has a special sight and beam. Usually the beam has a cross glow, which immediately determines both the vertical and horizontal lines. This level will facilitate any type of construction, especially finishing work. He has a special water device, which shows how level you have set the stand. Before work, it is important to set up the tool correctly, because the evenness of all your material depends on it.

In other types of level, an electronic computer is installed on a stand instead of a water device. It is much easier to use because if set up incorrectly it will self-level.

Manufacturing technology

You can make such a level with your own hands from a laser pointer. It is enough to know the structure of a laser pointer and the structure of a conventional construction tool.

If you take into account the price of a water level and a regular pointer with a beam, it will be several times cheaper than a professional tool.

Step-by-step instruction

For a laser pointer you will need:

Water level
Laser pointer
Fastenings

When choosing a water tool, you need to pay attention that the back side is smooth, otherwise the pointer will be inconvenient to attach. The laser pointer should also have a flat surface.

They are connected using glue or tape. It is important to set the pointer as level as possible to the water level. After the joints have been glued, you need to use a ruler to measure the distance from the bottom of the water level to the very sight of the laser pointer. The resulting size will indicate the bottom of the mark from the direction of the laser beam.

Making a laser level with your own hands is not so easy. It will require not only the above materials, but also a device for installation. For example, it could be a stand made of wood or metal product. It will not be possible to assemble such a tool from available materials. You need to correctly calculate the holder for the level.

The instructions for assembling such a level indicate the accuracy of its geography when used. If you go to hardware stores, you can find a round water level that ensures the evenness of both surfaces at once. If you assemble and install it on your pointer, you can easily use this device for home use.

Remember that a professional tool is built much better than a homemade one. Both during creation and use homemade devices you are more susceptible to construction errors. After all, if it is not possible to buy an expensive instrument, you can always borrow it from friends, neighbors, or rent it from special companies.

Laser level or the level is used in the field of construction and facing work for the purpose of precise marking on any type of surface. The procedure is easy and quick, which significantly saves time in the work process. The tool may not even be used experienced master: Simply fix the device on a support (floor, ceiling, wall) opposite the marking surface and turn it on. On the surface where the marking occurs, a projection of the laser beam will appear horizontally and/or vertically.

The cost of the presented device in various retail outlets quite high. But, if you use certain instructions, show accuracy and some patience, it is quite possible to make a laser level with your own hands. This approach has a positive effect on saving financial resources that go towards the construction and renovation of various premises.

Device design features

The device is compact and ergonomic. It can be easily placed in a pocket, mounting case or bag. The case is equipped with fastening elements. They may be:

magnet;
fastening straps;
tripod.

The beam projected onto the marking surface is constructed along a plane or in a direction. Construction levels, used to indicate a certain direction, produce a projection in the form of a point. Devices for marking the plane are equipped special kind an optical instrument that turns the beam into a straight line. Levels are divided into types:

Rotary devices, due to rotation around their axis, are capable of producing a clear line (used when pouring floors and constructing ceilings);
positional levels consist of 2 laser radiation sources to create a visible plane (used during finishing works indoors);
self-leveling (can emit up to 5 beams and are equipped with a sight in the form of a simple cross and pendulums located inside the device).

The price of the presented equipment is several times higher than the cost of a conventional level based on liquid and air bubble.

Making a simple level from a laser pointer

Of the entire list of elements of such a level, you only need to buy a pointer. It is quite possible to make the remaining auxiliary parts yourself. The task of the presented process is to build a reliable fastener that will allow the device to rotate around an imaginary axis completely unhindered. The tool consists of the following parts:

laser pointer;
wooden beams (length - 0.5 meters, width and thickness - 25x25 mm, respectively);
cord designed for construction work;
drill for drilling holes;
support (an ordinary stick will do).

To assemble the equipment, it is enough to complete simple steps described below.

The block is drilled on both sides. As a result, neat holes are formed, which must be parallel to each other. One of the holes made will be used to securely fasten the pointer, and the other will fit the construction cord.
The pointer is securely fixed in the hole and a rope is secured, making it possible to install the device above the floor surface. The hole drilled specifically for the cord should be optimal diameter so that the cord can pass through it freely.
A rope is threaded into the hole that was prepared in advance and secured as securely as possible.

The support should be fixed. Otherwise, it will not be possible to adjust the level correctly. The pointer must be of high power so that the beam can be clearly displayed on any surface. If the presented parameter is insufficient, the equipment will only be comfortable to use in a darkened room.

How to check if a homemade level is working properly

Using a simple rope, the device is suspended from a support in the center of the room. The equipment is turned on, directed in the desired direction, and the required distance along the length of the beam projection is noted. After this, a special stick is installed to ensure ease of marking.

After such important events, you can begin to use the device and point it in any direction. If you leave the position of the stick unchanged, the same height of marks will be ensured. After marking the laser dots, they are connected with construction cord. Next, using a measuring meter, preferably a hard one, draw a marking line.

Level made from a container of water and polystyrene foam

You will need the following items:

convenient container;
plaster or plasticine;
laser pointer;
Styrofoam.

Before you begin how to make a laser level with your own hands from the presented parts, you need to make sure your hands are clean and dry. If these rules are neglected, the materials will lose the desired properties. Next, actions are performed that do not require particularly large material and time costs. All of them are described below.

A clean container (a large saucepan, bucket or bowl made of any material) filled to the brim with water.
A laser-type pointer is attached to a prepared piece of foam. As a nozzle you need to use a regular point. The fastening can be a thick rubber band, plasticine or a clamp. The device should be mounted as evenly as possible, parallel to the mounting surface.
Select the height required for marking and place a container of water there.
The pointer, fixed to the foam, is placed in the reservoir.
Turning on the pointer.
By changing the position of the device on the surface where the marking is made relative to the axis of the central view, points are designated. They will be at the same level relative to the established horizon.

Elements must be of high quality and strength. This will ensure the longevity of the equipment. The presented design is far from ideal, but it gives fairly clear marking results. Thanks to this, such equipment is quite popular among budget or private builders.

Making a laser cross with your own hands

This tool is convenient to use when various works facing type and installation of hanging furniture. For this reason, it is not only popular among professionals, but is also often an integral element in the toolkit of the owner of a city apartment or private house. To manufacture the device, the following parts are required:

laser type pointer;
tripod from a camera or video camera;
outdated player;
several unnecessary disks.

You will be required to follow the steps below.

A rectangular cross is made from pointers, which is attached to the drive from the player. This ensures free rotation of the tool around its axis.
Ensuring free lifting of the device to the required height.
The discs are carefully glued together and installed on the drive from the player.
A cross made of pointers is attached to the disks. You can use tape or other sticky material.

Advantages of a homemade tool

Although high accuracy cannot provide such a tool, it is quite profitable to use it in everyday life. In any case, the marking will be more accurate, and the process itself is much simpler than when using a water level. It is for this reason that such equipment is in demand among household consumers. TO positive characteristics instruments include:

long beam length;
minimum error;
high marking speed.

The use of the equipment is fully justified for walls, floors, ceilings and other supports of a similar type with any type of surface. Alternative applications include marking the following objects:

personal plots;
fence structure;
facade finishing.

Ingenuity, accuracy and strict adherence to the instructions described above will help you save a lot financial resources and time. Before spending money on expensive equipment, a thrifty person should think about whether it’s worth making the device yourself, saving money? Moreover, its quality and ease of use in everyday life corresponds to an expensive device.

Video on the topic

During repairs or construction, it is impossible to 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 level, which will line up the desired plane. Let's consider three options for making such a device using a laser pointer.

Hybrid of bubble level and laser pointer

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

What you will need:

Bubble level (40-80 cm).
Laser pointer.
A piece of rubber, a piece of hard foam rubber or polystyrene foam 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. It is easier to secure the laser pointer to them using a clamp or ties.

Selecting a laser pointer. The simplest pointer will do, the main thing is that the point from the pointer does not spread like a cloudy spot, but gives a clear round point at a sufficient distance. The button should be two-position so that you don’t 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 on the laser side. Below it will be the focusing lens housing. If you carefully turn 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 in shape as possible at different distances.

Attach the pointer to the edge where the main insert with the bubble is located. First lay a backing made of rubber, dense foam rubber or a foam plate. Place a laser pointer over it and tighten with a worm clamp or nylon ties.

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

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

If the level does not have handles or other suitable holes, carefully drill two holes under the installation site with a 3 mm drill and secure two worm-wheel clamps using 6x25 mm galvanized screws. Next, insert a gasket and a pointer into them.

If you place the level on a strictly horizontal or vertical surface, then when you rotate the level around its axis, you will be able to transfer marks along the walls or ceiling and floor.

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

Laser level on suspension

If you hang any massive object by one attachment point on a rope or thread, it will rotate freely only around one axis, directed strictly downward. A laser pointer fixed strictly perpendicularly 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 a shoe thread that stretches slightly. Thin copper wire will also work. The thread or wire should sag and, if you take it by the center, there should be about 10 cm or more from the top point to the bar. Tie a twine or another piece of thread to the center of the thread, which will be attached, for example, to a chandelier hook in the center of the ceiling.

Now all that remains is to attach the laser pointer to the upper edge of the beam using glue or nylon ties so that the beam from it extends strictly perpendicularly, 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 together with it the suspension thread, then when untwisting it back, the pointer will draw a line along the walls strictly in the horizontal plane with a run-up of about 1-2 mm, which is quite enough.

Also, such a builder can be made from “modified” laser pointer bubble level. Simply 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-fledged level from the remains 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 (crown);
slotted and Phillips screwdrivers;
soldering iron with solder.

Remove the laser unit cover. Under it you will find a hexagon or 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 can be replaced with a laser pointer. The laser beam, hitting 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 constantly rotates and the laser point very quickly draws a line, the flickering of which is not even noticeable.

It is very difficult to control the drive driver for the mirror hexagon. It is much easier to attach 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 tensioned. The result is a sector running around the body in a circle. Choose a place where the motor will not interfere with the laser beam and can be easily secured with glue. If necessary, drill a hole and install the motor, connect its shaft to the hexagon axis.

Remove the original heatsink with the laser and its driver board. Attach the laser ruler so that it shines in the same direction.

All that remains is to power the motor. Connect the motor, button and battery in series. If desired, a laser pointer can also be connected to the same battery, in parallel with the motor.

On the sides of the exit slot, two screws or pins made of 2.5 mm or more wire are fixed on the body of the laser unit. A thread is tied to them, and then the laser level can be used, as in the previous version.

The video shows a version of a homemade level using a mirror

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

During construction work, you may have encountered the need to mark walls for gating or align the position of a TV or painting on the wall. Piece work with a one-time measurement of the position of objects in the horizontal and vertical plane can be performed with a bubble level. But if you need to lay wiring, install socket boxes, boxes, or mark for other purposes, you will have to tinker with a regular level for quite a long time. Therefore, it is much easier to use a laser level; the only stumbling block is its high price, so it becomes much more profitable to assemble a laser level with your own hands.

Types of laser level

At home, you can make two types of devices - rotating only in the horizontal plane or providing markings in both the horizontal and vertical planes at the same time. The second option is made in the form of two lines intersecting each other at right angles - a cross.

Method number 1. Laser level made from a pointer and a container of water.

This is the easiest way to make a laser level with your own hands; for it you will need any container into which you can fill water to the brim so that a piece of foam plastic can fit in it. As a container, you can take any bucket or pan, cut off a plastic eggplant. Also take a regular laser pointer with a dot attachment, a flat piece of foam with smooth surfaces. A piece of plasticine, a clamp or a patch is used as fastening; if you don’t have any of this, you can use any glue or sealant.

The laser level is assembled in the following sequence:

Once you have decided where you need to mark, first place the empty container on the floor at the desired height. If you carry a pot filled with water, the water will spill.
After installation, fill the container to the brim with water. If the container is placed on any object used as a platform (chair, box, etc.), ensure its stable position on the floor or ground. Otherwise, you will have to wait for the vibrations to die down after each touch of the level.
Attach the laser pointer to the foam using adhesive tape or a clamp. In this case, you need to ensure the tightest and even fit of the laser pointer to the foam. Therefore, if one fixation point is not enough, stick it along the entire length. If any element protrudes above the entire surface (nozzle, plug, etc.), it should be removed or fixed to plasticine.
Turn on the laser pointer and place the foam sheet on the surface of the water. The homemade laser level is ready.

In order to use such a device, rotate the laser pointer to the point you need and make a mark on the wall. To make further marks, rotate the laser level around its axis in the direction you need. Place marks on the wall at the appropriate points. If you draw lines, make a series of points that can then be connected to each other.

This level is much more convenient for two people to work with, so that one person controls the laser pointer, and the second makes marks on the wall. Unlike the classic bubble level, this method will reduce the time for marking a room by three times. The disadvantage of this laser level model is low accuracy. Therefore, its use is advisable in situations where there is no need to achieve millimeter precision.

Method number 2. Homemade device from a pointer and a level.

It's more difficult option laser level, compared to the previous model, but it allows you to set up much more accurate measurements.

To do this you will need:

a regular laser pointer - you don’t have to spend money on expensive long-range models, they don’t make any sense;
Bubble type building level - select a model small size by 20 – 30cm;
adjustable support that can be rotated around its axis – ideal option there will be a tripod from an old chair or camera, but if there is no tripod, use a peg round shape length 0.5 - 1 m and diameter from 30 to 60 mm;
a rigid stand that can be mounted on a peg - a flat and smooth sheet of plywood, chipboard, MDF will do;
a piece of rubber for gaskets, mounting clamps and self-tapping screws.

Rice. 1: laser level circuit

Look at Figure 1, here is a diagram of a laser level for its manufacture:

Secure the pointer to the bubble level, to do this, use the clamps as clamps, first place an elastic band between them as a spacer.
In this case, a wooden peg is used, so it must be sharpened on one side so that this end can be easily buried in the ground.
On the other side of the peg, screw a sheet of plywood to a flat surface using a self-tapping screw. If the other end of the peg is not level enough, it is first leveled with a hacksaw and file. The plywood must be positioned at a right angle, otherwise accurate measurements cannot be achieved.
Place a peg with a stand in the room and deepen it to the level you need.
Place the bubble level with the laser pointer on the stand. Now, using a bubble level, you can adjust the accuracy of the lines you draw by simply tilting the wooden peg in one direction or another.

This model has much greater accuracy in operation. But to use it you will also need two people, one of whom will monitor the level, and the second will apply markings on the walls.

To check the accuracy of the operation of such a device, you need to screw a screw into the stand at the level of the beam, step back from the wall a few meters and screw a second screw into the wall at the pointer point (Fig. 2).

Rice. 2: Level accuracy check

If by connecting these screws with a profile or board you get the correct horizon at the bubble level, then the device works accurately. If the bar needs to be raised up or lowered, then the level needs to be moved in the same direction.

Method No. 3. Making a cross-shaped level with a plumb line.

This method is relevant for those jobs in which you need to carry out simultaneous markings in both the horizontal and vertical planes, and for quite a long time or on an ongoing basis. Since the manufacturing process is very labor-intensive.

To do this you will need:

Industrial laser module with a power of 5 mW and a supply voltage of 3 V. These come with various attachments, both for a point and a cross;
Rechargeable battery or replaceable 3V batteries, if you have a power supply, you can use it;
Metal, plastic or wooden plates, tie rods and screws for fastening, clamps or electrical tape for fixation;
Housing for installing the module, bearing and connecting wires.

For assembly tools you will need a hacksaw, drill, screwdriver or pliers. The most important property This type of laser level is freely suspended, like a pendulum. To do this, it must move freely in two horizontal planes.

To make a laser level:

if you decide to power it in another way, you can skip this point;

With opposite side to connect charger and on top for installing a button;

Rice. 9: charger hole