I keep my plumb-bob string wound around a spool exactly 2 in. long. I drive a screw into one end of the spool, cut its head off and grind the shank to a long, diamond-shaped point. Since I usually work by myself, I can drive the point into the top plate of the wall and dangle the plumb bob off the end of the spool. When the bob hangs 2 in. out from the bottom plate, I know the wall is plumb.
Earl Roberts, Washington, DC
Edited and Illustrated by Charles Miller
From Fine Homebuilding #11
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I saw the same basic tool in use by a mason in Nicaragua, on a Habitat for Humanity trip. The string went through a 2" cube and supported a 2" diameter bob. On the downside, it didn't work too well for something leaning away from the string. OTOH, it was cheap, durable and compact, important when your transportation has 2 wheels and pedals.
The rebar bender (3/8) was a couple of 2-foot lengths of pipe w/ F-shaped ends welded on at about a 30 degree angle- you held the rebar w/ one and bent it by applying elbow grease to the other.