A consideration: using parallels and mircometers (or dependant upon the job gages and such) at four points will get you to the center. I think most only use two points.

I have a rotoalign pro but seldom use it. Today I have a cooling tower alignment with disc type couplings. I will use dial indicators.

I have the Optalign Plus and several mag brackets and I think I can use a 4-point method with the mag brackets. I've not tried though... I find it pretty easy to use indicators. I started with a laser and never really learned to use indicators. But after my first alignment where I had to "brute force" the laser to do the job, I thought, "heck, indicators would be easier on this." So I bought some brackets, read up on it, and found an old/early "box" on eBay by Ludeca that does the calculations for reverse or rim-and-face very quickly and easily (there are a number of programable calculators available to do this also).

Folks seem to be impressed that I can use either a laser or indicators. They've had folks who could use one or the other, but not both.

Don't fight it.... get you some indicators and brackets and expand your horizons. A laser is just not well-suited for everything, even if you are able to brute-force it to do the job.

I have dial indicators. Learned to use them about 20 years ago. Finally learned the graphical method which made it a lot simpliar.
I'm not sure what job would be easier with dial indicators. But some probably are. I just find it much simpliar to use the rotalign, especially with those machines that you don't have room but for 30 or 40 deg. of turn.
And it gives a good written report with pictures that all customers like

"I will use dial indicators."
I would have been surprised if you didn't Sam
I'll be on the other side of the fence from you tomorrow (Wed.) using the Rotalign if you want to come over and learn something LOL

Dave

Anyone every use the SPM alignment kit? I have never performed alignment but our company is looking at that system.

Hey Dave; I'm x6508 if you want to call.

I have a rotoalign pro unit but on cooling towers and such, lasers are too difficult. In addition to being too difficult, they don't shoot through shrouds.

Indicator Reverse is also much easier in many applications and using dials; you don't have to make a full sweep with them either.

Mail me at picksam@juno.com anytime.