Replies

1. 
   talkingdog | May 16, 2006 03:10pm | #1

   Vewy good for some things. Japanese framers use them for snapping lines on concrete top of stemwall, but chalklines for snapping layout lines on the deck. Real good for snapping lines on timbers.

2. 
   MarkH | May 16, 2006 04:44pm | #2

   Someone else here said bad things about them.  Splattering, risk of ink spills, more trouble than chalk etc. http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=68587.60

1. FHB Editor
   JFink | May 16, 2006 05:20pm | #3

   To me, an ink line is a good idea on paper, but it didn't work so well in reality. When you get chalk on your hands, you just clap them together or on your pants and your hands are relatively clean again. The ink somehow feels odd to me, I don't like the idea of staining my fingers or transfering a permanent ink to anotehr material before it dries - especially somebody's interior trim or whatever. It makes me feel like I have to go wash my hands...

   Also, rather than the cloud of dust that billows up after snapping a regular line, you get ink splattering around. Not very neat.

   Plus, the thin line on mine broke after only a few uses - I know it's got to be thin so it can snap a clean line, and I know the line is replaceable - but an inkline that's constantly got a broken line is about as useful as a lamborgini that's on blocks in your front yard.

   Just my experience with the product, but I'm sure some love the fine lines. Justin Fink - FHB Editorial

1. 
   KirkG | May 16, 2006 05:43pm | #4

   Get some 80 pound braided fishing line at the sporting good store and replace your cotton string in your chalk line. Recognized it will be a thinner, more accurate line, but won't be able to snap as many before rechalking. Everything in life is a trade off.

1. FHB Editor
   JFink | May 16, 2006 05:45pm | #5

   Well that's fine for chalk, but I'm not sure it would work as well with ink. I imagine you need an absorbent line to soak up some ink for those boxes to work right.Justin Fink - FHB Editorial

1. 
   KirkG | May 16, 2006 05:58pm | #6

   Sorry, I was unclear. Do not use ink. Use chalk. Less messy, just as sharp.

2. 
   IMERC | May 16, 2006 08:02pm | #12

   use chaulk instread of ink...

   use concrete dye instead of ink.. now that's some permenant weather proof stuff...

   ink works well for a short while and then you have a permanent gets everywhere wish that ink hadn't got that mess on yur hands...

   change the cotton line to dacron fishing line.. lightly draw the dacron thru some 1500# sand paper to bust the glaze coating on the dacron...

   save yurself some trouble and give up on the ink...

   threw mine away.. don't reget it.. just the waste of money..Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

   WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->

   Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

2. 
   FastEddie | May 16, 2006 07:04pm | #9

   Do you have a problem with the nozzle of the chalk box leaking with a smaller line? 

   "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

1. 
   kostello | May 16, 2006 07:20pm | #10

   so it seems that they tend to be a waste of money.what was the tip about fishing line in a chalk line??

2. 
   Hoohuli | May 20, 2006 08:43am | #14

   I got a new ink line for Christmas, have now gone back to my chalk lines, messy, too much splatter to see a good line, ink on the fingers, not a good idea!!!!!

3. 
   KirkG | May 16, 2006 07:58pm | #11

   No, My chalk box has a felt gasket at the nose. However, there is often a little leakage in the pouch pocket. I don't see that as a problem though. I just vacuum it out when I vacuum out the sawdust.

4. 
   IMERC | May 16, 2006 08:03pm | #13

   reroll the felt wipe / gasket... puts a fix on that deal...Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

   WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->

   Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

2. 
   IMERC | May 16, 2006 06:45pm | #7

   after a lot of use for 6 mo's or so gears and seals fail...

   big time indelable mess...Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

   WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->

   Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

1. 
   MarkH | May 16, 2006 06:48pm | #8

   Chalk is a lot less likely to dribble out and make a huge oops.

2. 
   alias | May 20, 2006 05:25pm | #15

   i'll definitely back that up , i still use it but on cabinet installs for walls and floors. i store in a small tupper ware containers w/ lid. would i buy it again . nope... the tajima blue fine line chalk line is the way to go if you have 35 bucks to spend . get the chalk too , finer greade..." we judge ourselves by our motives, and others by their actions........."

1. 
   IMERC | May 20, 2006 06:05pm | #16

   the gears faill on them too...Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

   WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->

   Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

1. 
   alias | May 20, 2006 07:57pm | #17

   i've had mine for three years, if memory serves... so far so good .. the K.I.S.S. principal is probably the way to go . next time around. i tried that braided fish line , had trouble with the chalk adhering to the line. ( maybe the brand was the problem) . took out 75 feet of the stuff cupped 220 grit sand paper and roughed up the paper. after all that , i said what the hell 35 bucks is looking pretty good.." we judge ourselves by our motives, and others by their actions........."

2. 
   IMERC | May 20, 2006 08:48pm | #18

   rough the line up with paper in the way high 100's or 1,000+

   more gooder..Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

   WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->

   Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

3. 
   KenHill3 | May 21, 2006 07:23pm | #19

   Only use of the ink line that makes practical sense to me is for VCT.