Whether hanging pictures, installing a false ceiling or surveying a construction site, laser levels can help ensure things are straight and level. While a laser level helps make sure the object you are working with is level, a laser level tripod will help support the laser level and therefore better ensure a level, final product. Most tripod heads allow laser levels to rotate 360°, allowing for rotary laser levels to be used as well as plumb laser levers, also called transits.
Laser level tripods are generally made out of aluminum, wood or fiberglass. As their name suggests, each has three legs that are fully adjustable. The bottom of tripod legs can be tipped with either pointed cleats to help with stabilization on rough terrain or with hard rubber feet for indoor use. Most legs adjust with either a quick release clip or utilize a tightening bolt with a lever or a knob. When looking to purchase a tripod, durability and stability are usually two key factors to ensuring a quality fit for the delicate laser level.
Heads on a laser level tripod are typically of two types: flat or domed. The head is what connects with the bottom of the laser level. The head can be permanently affixed to the tripod or it can offer an adjustment that raises and lowers the laser level while the tripod remains stationary. Once a laser level is mounted on the tripod and adjusted, a user can look through the device to see the level line projected by the laser.
For indoor use, a rotary laser level can be used with a tripod to simultaneously cover an entire room. Once mounted and adjusted, the laser level rapidly spins which throws the laser light around the room in a straight line. The laser spins fast enough to make the laser light appear to be one solid line that circumnavigates the room. The sturdy laser level tripod is a key component that usually is necessary for the rotary laser level to function accurately.
A transit differs from a basic laser level in that it also offers a plumbing feature. Not only does the laser provide a straight sighting line, it also offers a plumb line once a user looks through the device. This function allows for a laser level tripod to be set up in rough terrain without having to worry about the tripod head itself being level. On the other hand, when hanging a false ceiling it is more important that the tripod head is level, especially when using a rotary laser level.
