6
Initial Setup Guidelines
Calibration should be checked from time to time.
Although the L4 and L4+are calibrated at the factory and are exceptionally
rugged lasers, it is well worth the effort to check calibration before you first
use them (after shipping) and then from time to time to insure that you are
doing the highest quality work possible. Always check calibration if the laser
has been handled roughly. See "checking / adjusting calibration" page 14.
Check your setup.
Outdoors: Although not required, it is good jobsite practice when using any
laser or optical instrument to check your setup from time to time. Use
engineered benchmarks on the jobsite to assure that your setup is correct
and matches the design of the job. On very large sites, or where accuracy is
critical, taking a few minutes to verify the elevation marks you have been
given to work from makes sense. Even engineered benchmarks may not be
perfect and enough verification must be done to be confident you are
properly set up. If there are not suitable benchmarks on the site, you can set
your own by driving stakes and recording their elevations, or by marking the
laser beam height on stable objects such as telephone poles, concrete walls,
etc. The benchmarks should be 900apart for greatest accuracy. Having
benchmarks to check is of great value for jobs where setups need to match
day after day. If you will only be using the setup for a brief time, this may not
be needed.
Indoors: The same logic applies, if you will need to setup the laser more
than once for a particular operation, make reference marks, preferably 900
apart, along the plane of beam travel once you have set the laser up either
horizontally or vertically. Check your setup from time to time using the marks
as a guide. Use the marks as a guide for later setups.
Work as close to the laser as possible.
You can work up to 750 feet (230 meters) away from the L4, or 1000 feet
(305 meters) away from the L4+ with the R7 receiver, or with the MC-1
machine control receiver. As with all instruments, however, the further away
you work, the more any error can add up. Set the laser in a safe place, as
close to your work as possible for best results.
Maintain your equipment.
Keeping tripod and mount hardware tight, and being sure grade rods are in
good condition, can prevent errors and performance problems.
