Replies

1. 
   brownbagg | Jan 11, 2008 04:48am | #1

   they sell a replacement line kit at lowes, with a new metal end tip

   .

   two ways to screw up concrete 1) concrete driver 2) concrete finisher

1. 
   Kel-kat | Jan 11, 2008 04:53am | #3

   Thanks,  but we don't have Lowes in this part of Canada.   Yet.

   Scott

2. 
   Danno | Jan 11, 2008 04:49am | #2

   Unfortunately, I think the strongest line, like fishing line, wouldn't hold chalk very well, so I suppose you have to compromise--or do like the Japanese and have ink lines instead of chalk. Even so, the lines have to be flexible!

3. 
   toolbear | Jan 11, 2008 04:56am | #4

   I have been told that a woven fishing line does well, but I could never find the stuff and since I bought the Tajima boxes, it has not been an issue.

   What ever are you doing to your lines?

   At least, there should be lots more left. Most of us seldom get to the back half of the reel.

   I will note that the fancy Irwin did not last a day on the roof. Handle broke. POS. Stanley has an interesting one for about $10, claims a stronger line. I am giving it a try.

   The ToolBear

   "Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.

1. 
   Kel-kat | Jan 11, 2008 05:01am | #5

   Working on a ski hill condo project, wet concrete deck.  Lines all got wet/froze/got the reels wet.   Bad for the lines.

   But gorgeous territory, view, decent working conditions. 

   Check out skikimberley.com

   Scott

1. 
   toolbear | Jan 12, 2008 05:32am | #23

   Lines all got wet/froze/got the reels wet. Bad for the lines.
   @@@Had that problem on a roof in the rain. Best solution was use mason's line, staple in place and shingle over. This might be a problem on a concrete deck <g>.Most interesting idea was - use the New Guy's chalk line.They sure turn to mud inside.The ToolBear

   "Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.

4. 
   dovetail97128 | Jan 11, 2008 05:41am | #6

   Braided masons line.

   You can buy it in 100' spools.

   They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
1. 
   Piffin | Jan 11, 2008 02:33pm | #13

   But we need a line that is finer than 3/16" Daddy!;) 

    

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

1. 
   Sphere | Jan 11, 2008 02:40pm | #14

   Dental floss then..(G)Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   "Success is not spontaneous combustion, you have to set yourself on Fire"

2. 
   dovetail97128 | Jan 11, 2008 06:41pm | #16

   Out here a pencil and straight edge works for about 1/2 the year. Constant precipitation and chalk lines don't mix well. Must be why I own about 10 of them. I swear lazer lines get washed out as well.

   ;-)
   They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.

1. 
   MattSwanger | Jan 12, 2008 03:18am | #17

   I was talking to a friend that just moved to Wahington.  He told me how they snap lines year round in your wet climate. 

   I can't remember all the details I'll have to ask him again.  But I think you soak the line itself in diesel fuel then allow it to dry out.  Fill with chalk and it's supposed to last a long time in the water. 

    Woods favorite carpenter

    

1. 
   dovetail97128 | Jan 12, 2008 04:42am | #18

   I used to squeegee off the area needing snapped, snap the line and then spray with a rattle can of clear laquer or concrete cure in a garden spayer. Once it is covered they will be Ok for a day or so .
   They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.

2. 
   IMERC | Jan 12, 2008 04:44am | #19

   dry the floor as best as you can and use concrete dye...

   that makes it a 100 year line... 

   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. 
   dovetail97128 | Jan 12, 2008 04:53am | #21

   Yep, but that assumes I would get the line where I wanted it to be in the first try! ;-)
   They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.

4. 
   IMERC | Jan 12, 2008 05:23am | #22

   use a different color everytime ya nee to move/relocate it....

   go for the rainbow look... 

   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!!!

5. 
   MattSwanger | Jan 12, 2008 05:39am | #24

   We don't get the amounts of water like you PNW guys get. 

   We use red chalk for framing and the lines are still there when I am installing treads and handrails. 

   I have switched out the line in one of my boxes for 50 lb catfishing line.  So far so good.  Nice fine line that holds chalk.  It's only been about a year with it so my experiment is still fairly new.  Woods favorite carpenter

    

6. 
   dovetail97128 | Jan 12, 2008 05:51am | #25

   Matt, I have red, blue, black , purple (ever fill a red box with blue chalk?)
   and some fluorescent light red. Not that I ever have had to rechalk a line mind you . We use them till wet, then switch out to another, since I have a cube van with a space heater in it we string the wet ones out to dry in the van. I do use a braided or woven masons line, but it is almost a flat braid or weave, I will have to look and see if I can find the manufacturer. One of the reasons I quit wearing my Occidental leather bags was that at the end of some days I was literally pouring water out of the pouches.
   They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.

7. 
   MattSwanger | Jan 12, 2008 05:55am | #26

   I've heard good things about the masons line,  if you find a link post it. Woods favorite carpenter

    

5. 
   ironchef84 | Jan 11, 2008 06:06am | #7

   braided fishing line is the bomb.  I switched my U.S. chalk boxes years ago. the line I get here(Alaska) is for halibut fishing. I think its around 50# test, but I'm only a sometime fisherman.  the stuff does'nt fuzz up like cotton line and it has to be broken in a bit before it holds the chalk well. smaller than braided masons line so a finer chalk line is left.(what I like most) or switch to the Tajima chalk boxes, red for framing and a thick line, or blue and a fine line.

1. 
   IMERC | Jan 11, 2008 06:18am | #8

   unwaxed Dacron... 

   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. 
   ironchef84 | Jan 11, 2008 06:27am | #9

   new to me. what is it? whats it like to use?

1. 
   IMERC | Jan 11, 2008 06:43am | #11

   lasts a long time...

   makes razor fine lines..

   gorilla strong....

   comes in as small as 100yd spools .... or linked together 100 yarders....

   50# is about the max for a chaulk line... 

   haven't seen unwaxed in a very very long time... but that is what it is referred to...

   there is coated (don't know with what) and uncoated... the coated will never talke chalk if at all...

   the white and black braid w/ a touch of red is the uncoated... the line with the green or blue is coated...

   the third color is a use designator... green is more abrasive resistant and the blue is for deep open water and ice fishing......

   white/black only is the least asorbant and stiffest... and coated...

   when you load the CL for the 1st time run the line through a piece of 1000 grit or finer wet/dry AO paper... I use 1500....

   WTB that is what you are useing anyway.... 

   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!!!

6. 
   BUIC | Jan 11, 2008 06:27am | #10

     I've used "squid line" for years. Don't know if it has another name, I don't fish.

     Walk into local shops here and I get the right thing.  It's a braided line that feels soft like a natural fiber, not plastic at all. Light brown color.

     Strong, holds chalk, nice clean line.

     I think the last one I got was 40 lb. test?  buic

1. 
   JTC1 | Jan 11, 2008 03:19pm | #15

   That is the stuff ---- Squidding line.

   Never heard a different name or seen it marked differently.

   30 or 40 lb. test works nicely.

    

   >>wet concrete deck.  Lines all got wet/froze/got the reels wet.<<

   kelcat I don't think the line type is going to help much in your situation - in my experience water and chalk don't play well together.

   Jim

   Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.

   Edited 1/11/2008 7:29 am ET by JTC1

7. 
   Piffin | Jan 11, 2008 02:29pm | #12

   I don't know where to find this to buy, but I have for years used a Kevlar line that my electrician used to use for pulling wire in conduit. After pulling, they would leave the line balled up in a pile on the ground and I would take it home and unravel the bird's nest while watching TV.

   The line is fine, but very strong.

   At first, I can only get a couple lines off it before needing to rewind to re-chaulk, until it gets chafed a little.

   But two men pulling it tight CANNOT break it. They would cut their fingers off first. Matter of fact, it can be used seesaw fashion to cut PVC conduit too.

   Wish I could find more. He went to using a cheaper line ten years ago, and I am almost out of the stuff. It would last a couple years in my chaulk box.

   At regular commercial retail, Tajima is pretty proud of what they sell, but I have not used it. BigFoot has some they market too, but again, I have no personal experience with it.

    

    

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

8. 
   junkhound | Jan 12, 2008 04:51am | #20

   Don't know if it can still be bought, but grandpa used only cuttyhunk line for chalk and fish both.

   Still have a casting reel with cuttyhunk on it along with GGrandpa's handmade brass plumbob.

    

   http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=950CE2DC1630EE3ABC4E53DFB066838B699FDE&oref=slogin

9. 
   bobbys | Jan 12, 2008 07:16am | #27

   My neighbor uses fishing line but im to cheap but will ask him, for years i dried my lines around the woodstove at night.