Finally came around to checking rail alignment with a laser level
I used to think those laser alignment tools were overkill, just a fancy gadget for new guys who didn't trust their own eyes. Then last Tuesday at that 12-story office building on 5th Ave, the car was drifting bad after a leveling valve swap. Spent two hours chasing it before I busted out my buddy's cheap laser level from Harbor Freight, and it showed the rail was off by a quarter inch near the 8th floor. That tool saved my afternoon. Anyone else have a tool they resisted trying for way too long?
Did you read that thread on Elevator Mechanics United about the guy who swore by the string line method for years until he tried a digital angle finder?
Oh man, you're thinking of a different thread (I think). The string line guy actually ended up going back to his old method after a week because the digital finder kept giving him wonky readings on angled rails.