Layout on Concrete Slab

[bad_idea]

I am in process of building my garage. It is 30x40. The foundation and slab are finished. Start framing in am. I am balloon framing the gable walls. Would like to lay it out full size on the concrete slab and build it on the floor. I know better than to use red chalk lines. I have read that blue sometimes sticks around too. I plan to epoxy the floor and don't want to cause myself trouble later. Any suggestions on what to use to mark the lines?

 

[dave_dj1]

I would think the blue would be fine as long as it's not the "China" blue. There are some new chalk boxes that leave a super fine line. If you are really worried lay down some Ram board and snap on that. As far as I know red is the only one with dye.
I agree with building it on the deck, we do it all the time whenever we can. Good luck!

 

[bad_idea]

Thanks dave. I have a string line with blue in it now.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Pencil? Pull strings, mark the path every 4 feet. Use straight edge to connect marks with pencil.

 

[850xpeps]

Use blue it’ll wash off. Red will wash too. It’s a little harder to get off though. Black will not come off

 

[Bclinehand]

Might be a silly question but why are you using a chalk line on the floor ?

Wouldn’t you mark out top and bottom plates and work of them?

 

[850xpeps]

He’s balloon framing. Curious as to why. That’s old school.

 

[Kaizen]

Before epoxy you have to either acid wash or grinding so chalk won’t be an issue


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[OccupantRJ]

He’s balloon framing. Curious as to why. That’s old school.

Balloon framing helps keep the bow out of an end gable wall.

 

[wssix99]

Before epoxy you have to either acid wash or grinding so chalk won’t be an issue

+1. The company that did mine blasted it with steel shot. The entire surface is removed, first.

 

[bad_idea]

From the code: Gabel endwalls in the 110, 120 and 130 mph wind zones shall either be supported by lateral bracing at the ceiling or have continuous studs from the floor to the roof.

I am in a 110 MPH wind zone and am using scissor trusses. I can either balloon frame to the bottom of a scissor truss or I can balloon frame to the roof. Both options are a nuisance to frame. Framing to the roof will save lifting a truss and the cost of the truss.

Blue chalk for the win.

 

[6768rogues]

Balloon framing is not used much any more because fire spreads through up to the roof in no time. Put in fire blocking where it crosses over into the attic.

 

[bad_idea]

So, it's a garage. With no ceiling. When and if I get around to putting in a ceiling I will add blocking at ceiling height. Will also give something to nail the wall board to, if I ever get around to putting up sheetrock. Thanks for the advice.

Any input on my original question? Method of laying out on the concrete without it being permanent?

 

[matt_i]

All the blue chalk I find is too light for my liking (snapping lines on wood). The chalk that came with both of my Miller Falls chalklines was much preferable = darker.

I think if you use the standard blue chalk, shop vac up what you can, then use a compressed air nozzle that's a "non safety" design tip then you will be able to send it all into the atmosphere.

 

[maxpat82]

layout on a piece of paper and built with a tape mesure

even if you chalk it on the floor, you will still need to square everything with a tape!

blue chalk should come off easy though.

 

[Falcon67]

As above - get it right on paper and just lay it out on the floor. To square it up, use let in 1x4 bracing or Simpson Strong-tie. Only chalk lines I used were for an internal partition wall.

 

[malibu101]

I just got chalk a few weeks ago when I redid my garage roof. I was at Lowes and they sold Irwin.

On the label it shows a permanency/weatherability scale.
I'd never seen it before as I haven't bought chalk in a decade or more.

A scale 1-
https://www.lowes.com/pd/IRWIN-STRAIT-LINE-2-1-2-lb-Standard-Line-Chalk/1000233853
A scale 4-
https://www.lowes.com/pd/IRWIN-STRAIT-LINE-6-ozPermanent-Staining-Line-Chalk/1000234825