Optical tripod selection criteria
The main criterion for choosing equipment will be the weight of the tripod and its highest point of height to which the support tubes rise.
The weight of the equipment is completely influenced by the density of the material from which the holder legs are made. For the production of telescopic legs, steel, high-strength aluminum alloys or wooden slats are used. Each selected material has a number of characteristics that make it possible to make one or another choice.
Holders with a wooden tripod do not interfere with the operation of the laser beam if the work is carried out in high temperatures or in an area with open sunlight. Wood does not promote thermal expansion, which distorts the data, unlike aluminum tripods.
The weight of the equipment will vary with the maximum length. Tripods have the highest weight, which are of greater height. They are massive and bulky.
The equipment folds up and stows away in a carrying case or case. Bulky equipment and supports for high heights are packed in a carrying case with a belt. The belt can change its length for ease of transportation.
Tripods and rods with a height of 1-1.5 m are more in demand. This height is the most versatile. If it is necessary to raise the equipment to a height of 3 meters or more, a holder with an appropriate height is purchased.
Types of work and selection of support equipment
The use on a construction site or in private use of an optical level will make work easy with the use of a leveling tripod. The device is easy to use. It is made of lightweight aluminum alloy. The laser is attached to the base with a 5/8 '' head screw. Such a tripod weighs about 3.5 kg. It is not possible to use heavier equipment such as a laser or digital level due to its low weight and small area for the device itself.
Choosing geodetic tripods, you can use laser levels and levels in your work, as well as any other geodetic equipment. The working platform and stable feet will securely fix the level, and the plane builder will have the most clear lines, without errors from vibrations or tremors. The holder can be used both indoors and outdoors.
Geodetic type support bases are required by specialists performing the following work:
- Control over the construction work and the parameters of the structures being erected.
- In the construction of power lines, pipelines and other linear structures.
- Control over deformation or displacement of buildings, structures and other types of work.
Elevating tripods are more suitable for professionals doing the following jobs:
- Layout of the plane for the installation of suspended beams and ceilings.
- Layout of suspended ceiling structures, including stretch ceilings.
- Layout of a variety of wall equipment and utilities.
The maximum height of these tripods is 4 meters. Also available with 5/8 "screw mount.
Lightweight compact support equipment suitable for home use. For the most part, it does not have a threaded fastener. For a laser plane or level builder, universal photo tripods are used. They have a ¼ ”mount. Their positive quality is the ability to move the device not only up and down, but also to change the inclination of the device. The tilt of the laser device allows the technician to mark and install the tilted elements.
The disadvantage of a compact photo tripod is that it cannot be used outdoors. It comes with rubber feet. Such legs cannot be sunk into the ground. In addition, the tripod is lightweight and capable of falling, causing damage to the laser device.
Selection rules
In order to choose a high-quality and reliable device, it is necessary to take into account the recommendations of specialists. The main criteria when choosing a tripod are the weight of the product, the height of the support tube and the type of equipment used.
The weight of the device directly depends on the type of raw materials used, the following materials can be used during production:
- steel;
- wood;
- aluminum alloys.
The most popular and practical are wooden tripods, which do not interfere with the operation of laser beams in high temperature conditions and in areas with direct sunlight. For work in conditions of increased complexity, experts do not recommend purchasing aluminum products, which, with thermal expansion, can change the data obtained.
For ease of movement, you need to choose those models that are packed in a case or case. For very large appliances, a carrying strap is provided on the case, which has a length adjustment function. It will be useful to have overhead rubber pads for the legs, which will prevent the appearance of mechanical damage on the floor covering in the room. The most demanded devices are devices with a height of 100 cm to 150 cm.
For private use, it is better to purchase compact tripods that are light in weight and size. The mass of one copy does not exceed 4 kg
When buying equipment, you need to pay attention to the fact that a special screw comes with it, with which the device can be securely fixed. If you plan to use a total station, theodolite or laser level, then experts do not recommend purchasing this device
Universal devices have a wider range of applications and are suitable for almost any equipment. The weight of the product ranges from 5 kg to 7.5 kg, which makes the tripod more stable and reliable.
Professional builders recommend paying attention to elevation devices that have a lifting mechanism. This device is indispensable for marking walls and ceilings, and some models allow the equipment to be raised to a height of more than 3.5 meters
Considering all of the above recommendations, novice builders should remember the following rules:
- to obtain the most accurate results, you need to purchase heavy and stable equipment;
- for quick results on several objects, it is better to use lightweight aluminum instruments with clips;
- the level with a compensator can be installed on any stand.
Despite the high cost of the products, they have a high level of reliability and durability, which will fully recoup the cost of the device within several years. If the work is of a periodic nature, and the device is used only for personal purposes, then you can limit yourself to buying a Chinese device, which has a much lower price and, with infrequent use, can last for many years.
Construction measuring instruments are high-precision equipment, the operation of which requires knowledge and professional skills. Long and painstaking work of engineers has led to the emergence of such equipment as a level, the correct operation of which is impossible without a reliable and well-chosen tripod. It is on this equipment that the accuracy and truthfulness of the readings obtained and the quality of the work performed depend. Before buying a holder, you should carefully study all the recommendations of experienced specialists and choose exactly the tripod that matches the equipment in use.
An overview of ADA aluminum level tripods with screws awaits you further.
Views
The high level of demand for leveling tripods forced manufacturers to develop several types of tripods.
- A universal geodetic is a specialized device that has a thread for fixing equipment. Advantages - universal purpose, large working platform, reliable fixation, the ability to obtain accurate data and build clear lines, you can work both indoors and outdoors.
- Elevator is a reliable device that allows the use of heavier levels. Purpose - regulation of the working height, the construction of planes. The design feature is the use of a crank stand with a handle, which makes it possible to adjust the lifting height of the device as accurately as possible.
- A photo tripod is a lightweight device that is used in conjunction with rangefinders and laser levels. Advantages - light weight, mobility, the ability not only to change the location of the device, but also to correct the angle of inclination (when marking inclined parts). The disadvantage is the impossibility of outdoor operation due to the presence of rubber pads on the legs, low weight, which is not able to withstand drafts and wind.
The principle of operation is to move the laser device up and down the telescopic tube. To fix the bar, spacers are used, fixed between the ceiling and the floor. Distinctive features are the manufacture of aluminum, the presence of a bright color, in which black and orange stripes alternate. This color scheme makes it possible to work not only in the daytime, but also in the evening. The height of the device depends on the model of the device and can be up to 3 meters, but the size of some samples can reach even larger values. Advantages - light weight, ease of transportation.
