Unpopular opinion: I think using a string line for straight runs is a waste of time now

For years, I set every single post run with a string line, thinking it was the only way to get a perfect fence. I'd spend an hour just setting up lines and checking them with a level. Then about 2 years ago, I had a huge job putting up 300 feet of vinyl in Austin with a tight deadline. My helper was sick, so I tried just using my laser level to shoot a line on the ground and setting posts to that mark. Not only was it just as straight, I cut my setup time in half. Now I only break out the string for really tricky ground or curved sections. The laser is faster and, for me, just as good. Am I crazy for ditching the old method, or has anyone else made the switch?

3 comments

3 Comments

kevin_hernandez8324d agoTop Commenter

You're not crazy, lasers are a total game changer.

butler.mark24d ago

Glad someone else gets my laser obsession.

the_felix13d ago

Mark's right about the laser obsession. It's not just about power or light shows. The real magic is in the tiny, boring uses. Like how a laser checks if your grocery store scanner shelf is perfectly level, or how it etches the serial number inside your phone. Those little red dots in a construction level are lasers too. It's the hidden tech in plain sight that gets me.