ive had my FAT MAX for about two siding jobs …i use it with white chalk for cedar shakes
or number 1 cedar shingles we call thems out here…
its held up pretty dang good..until the line broke today and i took it apart to find the AL. line guides we worn to a razors edge…so i say junk and i throw it into the bucket-o-chalk boxes…
i dont know why i but that fancy FAT MAX crap…i got the “new torpedo” level.. JUNK
its so heavy…i bought it 25.00 bucks because it had a angler level …too bad the black degreze lines wore off in my bags..
i do like there tapes…the supply store gave me an extreme tape measure ….im taking to the x games next year for the fastest tape recoil contest..
Replies
Stay away from the new Irwin chalk lines, I have bought two and both reel handles broke off.
Looks well built in an aluminum housing but the reel handle is attached by plastic.
I have had a Fat Max for a couple of years with no huge issues.
And so castles made of sand melt into the sea eventually
I've stuck to to one model of chalk box for a number of years- the Straight-line 3/1 rewind plastic one. I have three of 'em and always have a replacement line stashed in the van. They are lightweight. What I really need is more heavy stuff like the Fat Max to weigh down my bags. NOT!
Also, those aluminum boxes seem to be light and durable, and have been around forever.
I agree. Mine have lasted for years now. I use nylon line in mine. I have never broken a line yet.
It seems you like the fat max. I would be surprised if they are not guaranteed for life. I just use a $6 irwin straight line and the few times it broke, brought it back to a big box and swapped it out for a new one. Check the back of the fat max package, you'll probably be able to do the same thing.
I know some of the framers here that gave up on the cheaper boxes rave about the tamija caulk boxes (not the ink) but they're $25 or $30, more than I need.
@@@ Stay away from the new Irwin chalk lines, I have bought two and both reel handles broke off.
Good advice. Ours did not last the first day. Strange thing - the handle broke off. POS! Plus - ugly to look at.
I use Tajimas plus a bunch of those cheap 6$ with a bottle of chalk boxes boxes. Spot them around here and there. Have yet to break one. Uncovered an old Craftsman from '70 in my stuff. All metal. Works fine.
The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
Tajima without a doubt.
I use starrett's reel fast chalk box. They are inexpensive ($8.00), rewind fast, and have a screw on top to prevent chalk from spilling out like the ones with the sliding door.
I have put Tajima nylon string on a few for finer lines. I also have a Tajima, thought it would be the cats azz but I don't use it much. Maybe cause I had to pay $30 for it and don't want to ruin it.
The new extreme fat max chalk box is very good. I;ve used it a couple of time and i think it works great. Very fast wind up 5 to 1 ratio. also another nice feature is that you can see the amount of chalk in the window. good luck.
http://www.stanleytools.com/default.asp?CATEGORY=xtreme&TYPE=PRODUCT&PARTNUMBER=47-480&SDesc=100%26%2339%3B+FatMax%26%23174%3B+Xtreme%26%23153%3B+Chalk+Box
I agree, it seems like alot of tools are getting to big and heavy. My favorite chalk boxes are stanleys, but not the fat max, the yellow slim aluminum contractor grade boxes are the ones i like. They have screw on tops. You can still get them at ace hardware stores I think. I have three and don't use one enough to wear it out, so I think I am good to go.
Webby
They are pricey, but I like the Tajima boxes. I have the thin line, and the regular - the thin line also has one of them little pointy thingamajigs on it - I think it's called teh Rocket Anchor or something?Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
Your Friendly Neighborhood Moderator
I agree, the Tajima models are the best I've come across. I do have an old Sears that I keep in the truck to loan out. It has taken all kinds of abuse since I bought it in the late 60's. It also lays a thick line that works just fine for laying out walls, fixtures, and thelike, so the client can get an ideal where things will be.
I have that box too Justin. I think I paid around $30 for it. Thing about the thin line in case anyone's interested is that you can only get one good snap out of it before you have to wind it up to rechalk the line. HAd I knoiwn that I might have just bought the fatter line one...so now I have two : )Creation arises, is sustained for awhile, and then things change. That’s the dance.
I agree. good old "chalk-o-matic"