Saw a guy use a laser level on a brick wall and I was dead set against it

I've been laying brick for 11 years now and always used a string line for my courses. Last month I watched a younger guy on a job site in Toledo set up a laser level for a big retaining wall. I thought it was just a gimmick at first. But he let me run a few courses with it and I could check my level every brick without looking away from my work. It saved me at least 2 hours that day alone. Has anyone else switched from string to laser and actually liked it?

2 comments

2 Comments

rowan21mo ago

Ha, you're braver than me. After 11 years I'd probably accidentally trip over the laser and blame it for an entire row of crooked bricks. But honestly, I switched to a laser on a patio job last summer and it felt like cheating. Checking level on every single brick without breaking my neck to look at the string line was a game changer. I still use string for big foundations though, call me old school on the first few courses.

jessicaflores1mo ago

Is it just me or does that laser vs string debate kinda mirror how we all fight change in our daily lives? Like, I still use a paper grocery list even though there's a perfectly good app on my phone, lol. But once you actually try the new thing and see it saves you time, it's hard to go back. Same reason my uncle finally switched from a flip phone to a smartphone last year after swearing he'd never need one.