I was skeptical about water levels at first too—figured they were just nostalgia tools for people who liked making life harder. But I borrowed one from my neighbor when my laser died mid-project, and honestly, it saved the day. Simple tech, zero batteries, and no fussing with calibration. They're not perfect for every scenario, but if you're patient enough to set them up right (which can admittedly be a pain solo), they're pretty bulletproof...
Have you tried using a string line alongside the water level? I've been building stuff around the house for years, and honestly, sometimes the simplest tools are still my go-to. Lasers are great until they're not—like when the battery dies halfway through or sunlight makes the beam invisible (been there, done that). Water levels are solid, but like you said, they can be tricky solo. I usually rope someone into helping me, bribing with pizza usually works...
But seriously, a good old-fashioned string line can save you a lot of headaches. Set it tight at both ends, and you've got an instant visual guide to keep your walls straight. It's cheap, reliable, and doesn't care about batteries or calibration either. Plus, it's easy to adjust on the fly if something seems off.
One thing I'm curious about though—are you checking your lumber carefully beforehand? Sometimes the issue isn't just alignment methods but warped or twisted boards sneaking into the mix. Even slightly bowed lumber can make it feel impossible to keep things straight. I learned that lesson the hard way building my backyard shed... spent hours wondering why nothing lined up right until I realized half my boards were bananas.
Anyway, sounds like you're figuring it out as you go—welcome to DIY life!
Good point about warped lumber—I learned that lesson when I built my outdoor kitchen. Thought I had everything perfectly lined up, but one twisted stud threw off the whole wall. As for lasers, they're nice indoors, but outside in bright sun they're pretty much useless. String lines have saved me more than once, especially when working alone... simple, reliable, and no batteries needed.
I've had decent luck with lasers outside actually, but it depends on the model you use and how you set them up. If you position a reflective target or even just a scrap of white plywood at the far end, it makes the beam way easier to spot, even in bright sun. String lines are great, no doubt—but sometimes they're tricky if there's wind or you're working alone and need to keep adjusting tension. Lasers can save time once you figure out a good setup...just gotta get creative!
I've messed around with lasers a bit too, and you're right, the reflective target trick helps a ton. But honestly, I've found that even with lasers, bright sunlight can still be a pain sometimes...especially if your laser isn't super high-end. One thing that worked for me was setting up a little shade canopy or even just rigging up some cardboard to block direct sun off the target area—makes the beam way easier to spot.
Also, curious if you've tried using batter boards? They're pretty old-school, but I've had good luck with them. You set stakes and horizontal boards at the corners, then run strings between them. It takes a bit of setup, but once they're dialed in, they're surprisingly stable—even in wind. I know you mentioned string lines being tricky solo, but batter boards kinda help keep tension easier, at least in my experience.
Either way, keeping walls straight is always a bit of trial and error. Good luck with your build!
