Replies

1. 
   LeeLamb | Jan 25, 2006 02:29am | #1

   My dad used a cotton/nylon braided line. Thin, very strong and it did not twirl, unwind or coil.   If you can't find any, try braided fishing line - that's what I use.  Good luck

2. 
   dustinf | Jan 25, 2006 02:33am | #2

   Mine came with a retractable case, and I'm pretty sure it's braided nylon line.  Doesn't spin much.

   View Image

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   It's only satisfying if you eat it.

1. 
   dieselpig | Jan 25, 2006 04:17am | #4

   How do you like that unit?  You use it much?  Since we got the Stabila plate levels I haven't used one much, but that one you posted sure looks like a nice one.View Image

1. 
   tashler | Jan 25, 2006 04:26am | #5

   You're just looking for another tool to buy.My friends say I'm a tool whore. Wife says a tool junkie.You going the same route?

1. 
   dieselpig | Jan 25, 2006 06:06am | #10

   Going the same route?  Brother, I'm long gone.  Tools are like pizza and sex to me.....even the bad ones are still pretty good.View Image

2. 
   dustinf | Jan 25, 2006 04:27am | #6

   I haven't used it since the novelty wore off.  For doors I usually use my 78" Stabila. 

   I just never used a plumb bob for more than locating post holes.  I just couldn't get comfortable with it on walls, and doors.  I just find a level easier.  Reading the bubble at eye level is a heck of a lot easier than measuring a string on the floor.

    --------------------------

   It's only satisfying if you eat it.

1. 
   dieselpig | Jan 25, 2006 06:12am | #11

   Yeah I guess you're probably right.  If and when I ever need one again I'll dig out the one I've got. View Image

1. 
   JeffBuck | Jan 25, 2006 07:21am | #13

   I have an older version of that same trick plumb bob ...

   I love it when I can find it.

    

   for some reason ... I always seem to run into one of the three other regular bob's I have first ... but if I have more than one line to hang ... I spend the time and dig it out.

   for some reason ... spins way less and settles way quicker than the norm. and ... the string is never tangled. plus ... the goofy pin attachment deal actually works each and every time.

   just wack it into some lumber with yer palm ... it'll stay there forever ... the twist the knob and off she pops. Great for getting real close to the floor to ... for better transfer marks. I'm a bit anal about marking lines .... closer the bob is to the floor ... the better ... just pull it down till it's almost touching ... to adjust up or down ... just move the bob up or down ... it'll stay right where ya set it.

   and ... the magnet's hold the bob tight to the case for a tangle free tool box.

    

   if I lost mine ... I'd get another the next day.

   Jeff    Buck Construction

    Artistry In Carpentry

        Pittsburgh Pa

2. 
   IdahoDon | Jan 25, 2006 08:45am | #14

   For a nice braided line, look at Walmart in the fishing isle.  Around here they have an 80 lb. braided line from Shakspere (?) that is fine for the size.  It's great in chalk boxes and works well for plumb bobs.  In windy areas Spider wire fishing line in a 40 lb. size is scary-fine and also doesn't twist. 

   The 80 lb. line is in both a normal chalk box and a dry box just for a general purpose line, while the 40 lb. line in also in a dry chalk box just for finish related stuff. 

   My plumb bob has a 6" loop and is simply attached to the dry line.  No twist with either lines. 

   Cheers,

   Don

3. 
   jako17 | Jan 25, 2006 02:45am | #3

   Survey supply stores sell a braided line specifically for plumb bobs.I have 25 ft of it wound into an old chalkline case on my bob

4. 
   calvin | Jan 25, 2006 04:28am | #7

   How you wind it is more what causes it to spin.  Spinning doesn't affect it hanging plumb.  I use a braided nylon line, holds up well and doesn't tangle.  I'll wind it around the side of the bob and do a simple loop through the line and knob.

   A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.

   Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

   Quittin' Time

    

5. 
   Catskinner | Jan 25, 2006 05:26am | #8

   These things work great. No spinning, no tangles, and you even get a target for the builder's level.

   http://www.mytoolstore.com/gammon/gammon.html

   A king can stand people fighting but he can't last long if people start
   thinking. -Will Rogers, humorist (1879-1935)

1. 
   DanH | Jan 25, 2006 05:47am | #9

   Doesn't anyone just use their chalk line for a plumb bob when they need one?
   If ignorance is bliss why aren't more people

   happy?

1. 
   Mooney | Jan 25, 2006 08:54am | #15

   Doesn't anyone just use their chalk line for a plumb bob when they need one?

   Sure for centering light fixtures and other inside work thats not critical.

   Tim

    

1. 
   zorrosdens | Jan 25, 2006 08:58am | #16

   Hard to get those to stop spinning and any wind getsem movin'.

1. 
   plumbbill | Jan 25, 2006 09:16am | #17

   I see braided nylon term in above post isn't that a "masons line"?

2. 
   Mooney | Jan 25, 2006 03:03pm | #18

   Well no one answered him and we did . The base is too big although some companies make them look prety good for it . Seems like thats listed on the package. Theres one that has a cone screw head where you put in chalk and so far thats been there best for a plumb bob. They just dont compete with a plumb bob and a plumb bob doesnt compete with a lazer . But they dont have to cause their not tryin too . Sometimes we use whats on our belt to suffice and the chalk line is normally there . If it cant do the job then we have to go to our arsenal.

    Tim  

    

3. 
   zorrosdens | Jan 26, 2006 01:58am | #19

   You right on every point.  Lasers are great for them that has 'em.  The chaulk box with the "cone" end cap reminds me of the old metal ones, I think from Sears......nostaaaalgia, LOL.

2. 
   DaveRicheson | Jan 26, 2006 02:21pm | #23

   I have had a Gammon reel and line in my tool box and on my plumb bob for at least 25 years now.

   All this talk about lazers has made me wonder if I should move up to a more technological way of doing things. Can a Lazer transfer a radius from floor to a pitched ceiling as accurately as a plumb bob?

    

   Dave

1. 
   Catskinner | Jan 26, 2006 04:42pm | #24

   I've got both, if the plumb bob is doing everything you need I wouldn't rush out to buy the laser. The laser is useful for certain applications, and in some cases save a lot of time, ladders, and the need for a helper. They have their place, but I have seen some mistakes happen with lasers that could not have happened with a plumb bob.The worst part is I've even seen arguments over the mistake, ". . . but the laser said . . . " (kinda like the computer said).A king can stand people fighting but he can't last long if people start
   thinking. -Will Rogers, humorist (1879-1935)

1. 
   DaveRicheson | Jan 26, 2006 06:13pm | #25

   My helper has "lazer eyes."

   I hung 26' of duct work in my shop, and the first thing she said when she saw it was, " why is that joint lower than the other ones?" I drag out the ladder, level and folding rule to check it. Sure enough, it was 1/16" lower than the joints on either side of it.

   Good gosh woman it is an air duct...., not a piano..., and it is in my shop...., no I am not going to fix it....

   Laying out a curved soffit, on a cathedral ceiling, off the patern on the floor, with a plumb bob and her as my helper was no problem. I was arm weary from holding the bob up, but every stud and plate location was exactly where it shoud be.

   Geeze, I Love that woman. She always make be better than I really am.

    

   Dave

1. 
   Catskinner | Jan 27, 2006 04:46am | #26

   You are a fortunate and blessed man.I'd take the money you might have spent on a laser and buy something nice for your helper. Much better use of money, I would think. <G>A king can stand people fighting but he can't last long if people start
   thinking. -Will Rogers, humorist (1879-1935)

6. 
   davidmeiland | Jan 25, 2006 06:18am | #12

   I haven't used a plumb bob since I got a laser. It's so much easier to use it's not funny. There are plenty of cheaper models out there that work fine.

1. 
   Piffin | Jan 26, 2006 03:46am | #21

   Yep, my laser never spins;) 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   dgbldr | Jan 26, 2006 08:34am | #22

   My laser DOES occasionally spin, but only when we have too much time on our hands...:)

   DG/builder

7. 
   TBone | Jan 26, 2006 03:06am | #20

   We gave up on string-type plumb bobs and got us a Dewalt laser bob (http://tinyurl.com/7rstx) for $100. The thing is money. It can be finicky when bumped, but no problems with wind and such.