Laser level??

[Cabinet Monkey]

Lowes Home Center, 1/4" 100' clear vinyl tubing $29.00 (a bit cheaper than a lazer level).
The OP is not checking for plumb or square.
Yes. As I said, it is a bit less convenient. How many $$ is that worth?
No need to move both ends.

1/4” is gonna be extremely tough to see the water in -  ESPECIALLY more than a few feet away 


29$ ain’t all that cheap considering how inexpensive laser levels are these days.  And it sure ain’t ten bucks !

Maybe you don’t have to move both ends , but you MUST move at least one 
And in this instance (flooring) a tube level is gonna be mighty inconvenient.

a laser doesn’t have these limitations

[MGoBlue1984]

I have both a water level and a laser level. Each has its applications. The water level is great outside for construction work. The laser level is better indoors for picture hanging, drop ceiling install, etc.

[Willyou]

My water level is self containing I bought it from a ceiling supply company many years ago.

https://www.menards.com/main/tools/hand-...?exp=false

Good to know they are still available.

[Willyou]

1/4” is gonna be extremely tough to see the water in -  ESPECIALLY more than a few feet away 


29$ ain’t all that cheap considering how inexpensive laser levels are these days.  And it sure ain’t ten bucks !

Maybe you don’t have to move both ends , but you MUST move at least one 
    And in this instance (flooring) a tube level is gonna be mighty inconvenient.

a laser doesn’t have these limitations

Well. OK. it was a suggested available less costly alternative. It's interesting to find that some others also think it is viable. So of course, use it or don't. Your choice. As always. Also, please note that the $29 quote was/is for 100' (OP said 50' was needed).

[fixtureman]

I found out the hard way that all laser levels are not level.  it it is off just a 1/64th at the level it goes pff the further you get.  A water level is always the same no matter the distance

[ajkoontz]

Sale on Amazon right now for a Huepar with a tripod, $40. Yes it's a cheap laser and has some downsides, but at this price I'd think it would be worth every penny for indoor work. I'm team water level for outdoor projects but team cheap laser for anything indoors.

   

[Cabinet Monkey]

Well. OK. it was a suggested available less costly alternative. It's interesting to find that some others also think it is viable. So of course, use it or don't. Your choice. As always. Also, please note that the $29 quote was/is for 100' (OP said 50' was needed).

   
less costly is a usually a race to the bottom.

this costs even less than your water setup:

https://www.amazon.com/Irwin-Tools-17944...05&sr=1-11

My point being (was) cheaper is not better.  Especially in this case.

A water level is a great tool for some purposes.   Outside work where distances are long and corners, trees, walls, etc..... might block a laser beam without repositioning the unit and re-establishing it to the control point.   Inside though,  it ain't that great for leveling cabinets, or establishing the floor's low point in a room , or marking receptacle or switch box heights for rough in, or..............  You'd have to move it three times just to level a base cabinet, and you'd have to have a 2nd person to use it to hang a wall cab. while a laser allows for a one man band.  And wanna find your floor's low point w/ a water level ???   Good luck.

I found out the hard way that all laser levels are not level.  it it is off just a 1/64th at the level it goes pff the further you get.  A water level is always the same no matter the distance

1/64th is pretty darn accurate.    And most aren't even that accurate - especially the cheap ones.  They're about 1/8" @ 30ft.  My mid range Bosch at 5x the $$$ is 3/32" @ 30ft.  Spend $2k and it'll get you to 1/8". 

But, they are accurate enough for most jobs and more accurate that say you would be trying to string together a level line with a 4 or 8ft. stick level across a room or home or a cabinet or a run of them.

[fixtureman]

   
less costly is a usually a race to the bottom.

this costs even less than your water setup:

https://www.amazon.com/Irwin-Tools-17944...05&sr=1-11

My point being (was) cheaper is not better.  Especially in this case.

A water level is a great tool for some purposes.   Outside work where distances are long and corners, trees, walls, etc..... might block a laser beam without repositioning the unit and re-establishing it to the control point.   Inside though,  it ain't that great for leveling cabinets, or establishing the floor's low point in a room , or marking receptacle or switch box heights for rough in, or..............  You'd have to move it three times just to level a base cabinet, and you'd have to have a 2nd person to use it to hang a wall cab. while a laser allows for a one man band.  And wanna find your floor's low point w/ a water level ???   Good luck.






1/64th is pretty darn accurate.    And most aren't even that accurate - especially the cheap ones.  They're about 1/8" @ 30ft.  My mid range Bosch at 5x the $$$ is 3/32" @ 30ft.  Spend $2k and it'll get you to 1/8". 

But, they are accurate enough for most jobs and more accurate that say you would be trying to string together a level line with a 4 or 8ft. stick level across a room or home or a cabinet or a run of them.

You have to multlply the 1/16 times feet. This was in a old super K Mart and it was a $1000 laser

[Cabinet Monkey]

You have to multlply the 1/16 times feet. This was in a old super K Mart and it was a $1000 laser

what are you talking about ?

The accuracy #’s I quoted are those when measured at roughly 30ft. 10meters is the general measurement point on these units, instead of feet.

[fixtureman]

It was out 1/16 at 1 foot. I did find a low spot in a concrete floor with a water level. You just tape it to a story pole and go around and see where it is lower