Using a Hilti on set

[Michael Nelson]

For those of you with a Hilti 4, 40 or 42 how often to you find using it over tape? I can see for long distances it would be used a lot but what about the 10-30 ft range? What about within 10 ft? I've been thinking about purchasing one lately but wanted to get your opinions on using it and how using a Hilti is received on set by others (does it make you look lazy? efficient? something else?)

[Matias Nicolas]

Leica DIsto A5 works perfectly , and its very usefull ...!

[John Waterman]

I just upgraded my Disto A3 to a Hilti PD-42. I must say, the peep sight for day exterior work is really great. To answer your question, I use my hard-tape for measurements out to 8' or so, then its Hilti. I have a 50' cloth tape too, but it usually only comes out during the prep or for day exterior work where I can't see the laser dot. Now that I have the peep sight I plan on using the cloth tape very little.

[Chris Keth]

I just upgraded my Disto A3 to a Hilti PD-42. I must say, the peep sight for day exterior work is really great. To answer your question, I use my hard-tape for measurements out to 8' or so, then its Hilti. I have a 50' cloth tape too, but it usually only comes out during the prep or for day exterior work where I can't see the laser dot. Now that I have the peep sight I plan on using the cloth tape very little.

 

I'm very much the same. I tried to cheap out and bought the fat max laser tape. It's great for interiors but useless for exteriors, so my soft tape comes out when I step outside.

 

People tend to be very (overly, even) touchy if you get the laser anywhere near their face so if I'm measuring to a person, I'll put the dot on the middle of their collarbone. It measures very, very close to the same as measuring to someone's temple like usual.

 

As for how using a laser makes you look, I've never had anyone think I was lazy for using it, at least not out loud. Everyone I work with appreciate the speed with which I can grab a mark and get on with blocking. In fact, I was outdoors once and the AD asked once, "why can't you use the pointer thingy? It's faster."

[Jamie Metzger]

Hard Tape, Soft Tape and Laser Tape all have their own purpose. They are the right tool for most situations but not every situation. Carry all 3 so you are always covered ;)

 

I use a Fatmax which was $100 and goes to 100'. Ryobi makes one that is the same price (I think) and goes to 200'. Check Home Depot.

[Steve McBride]

I know the 1st AC for the last job I was on bought a Hilti before the shoot because he knew he was going to be jammed up in corners and against walls where it would be hard to get a mark from a tape since I was 2nd AC and loader so I wasn't always there to actually run the tape for him. At the end of the shoot he was really glad he had bought it.

[jasreckson]

On set Hilti works great, it is durable, reliable and powerful solution to be used on any set. Even you will find fastest and best results with this which you won't find with anything else.