I didn’t own a laser level prior to purchasing DeWalt’s 12-volt 360, a green three-beam laser level (DW089LG; dewalt.com). A co-worker, Jason, has a Hilti PM 2-L (two-line red laser level) that we use for most tasks. In addition, I used a standard beam level, line level, and plumb bob. With the DeWalt 360 in my arsenal, those still have their place, but I use them much less often.

After shopping lasers, I decided the DeWalt 360 in green was my choice ($500; the red-laser option was about $100 less). We were in the middle of a bathroom and bedroom remodel when my laser arrived, so I put it right to work. Out of the box, it’s easy to use. I quickly vowed to never hang drywall without it again.

The author illuminates premarked stud locations by rotating the laser to each stud. No more marking the wallboard with level and pencil to minimize misses.
Tony Blue The author illuminates premarked stud locations by rotating the laser to each stud. No more marking the wallboard with level and pencil to minimize misses.

I hung the unit on a drywall screw in roughly the center of the bedroom we were working in, approximately 5 feet up off the floor (to raise it above any 4-foot sheet goods resting on the wall). I turned on the plumb laser and rotated it to each premarked stud location. This significantly sped up setting screws. Never again will I have to use a level or other straightedge so I don’t miss the stud.

The next task was to frame a wet wall for a shower, with a 32-inch rough opening. I made a quick pencil mark on the new subfloor and one halfway up the adjacent wall and, within a few seconds, had the laser positioned on the floor with a bright, green plumb line through both marks. I tacked my wall together plumb and square and nailed it off without reaching for a beam level.

While the laser is mainly for indoor use, the beam, though faint, is visible from a distance for marking deck ledgers and other exterior layout.
Tony Blue While the laser is mainly for indoor use, the beam, though faint, is visible from a distance for marking deck ledgers and other exterior layout.

Other uses I found were squaring tile work, installing outlets at the same height, leveling cabinets, and even installing windows. Because we build a few decks each year, I wanted to see if I could get by without using a rotary laser or string line for setting my post heights. I didn’t have any deck projects coming up, so I did a quick test run on a sunny day. In daylight conditions, the beam is hard to see with the naked eye, but with the help of the included green laser target card, I could pick up the faint line well enough that I could mark off the line for each imaginary deck post.