levels

While the article was useful, laser levels are not expensive: I bought mine from Harbor Freight for under $20 - hardly worthy of a project. I actually used a water level in establishing the benchwork on my 3 walls plus penninsula layout. I found no difficulty in using it single handed and IMHO is more accurate as rotating the laser level magnifies any slight deviation from true horizontal. Just my experience speaking ...

Cal

Laser Level

Great Idea!  Too bad I didn't know about this a fewe years back.  This would have save me lots of hard work. One is never too old to learn new tricks.  Thanks for this.

Cheaper levels

 Several years ago I bought a level which was fitted into the end of a spirit level and included a tripod to mount it on. I think it was about £30 ($46). I marked out the walls in my room for fitting shelf brackets to support the layout using it, it worked out very accurate.

We tried using a water level at a club I belonged to, but we found too small a tubing caused the water not to level correctly. We ended up using a spirit level to work our way around the room, this was before I bought the laser level.

Mike Ruby

bubble level

Use of a small button bubble level would allow you to easily and accurately level the tile or base on which you put the laser in all direction.  All of our lab balances have the button bubbles, and they are dead accurate.  Alternatively you could just download the app for your latest handheld gadget and level the base with it.  Great idea for the laser.  Thanks.