Chalk Line and Chalk Help

[Framing101]

i been having issues with chalk lines and reels and was hoping someone could help me out or give there thoughts on things

First is with the chalk line itself ill get knots in them some how no matter what or it will break inside or somehow tangle

My idea is to replace the line with 150lb power pro braided line in white but was wondering if it would work considering how slick braided lines are

Another Question is Cleaning up Red chalk itself because it gets everywhere except in the chalk reel itself and because i keep my belt in a bin but on occasion it spills in the bin i know dawn seems to help wash out the chalk but when cleaning up the powder itself because i already ruined a vacuum cleaning that up ( it shot out chalk when another person went to use it a few weeks later

 

[dnschmidt]

Tajima. All else is trash.

 

[Framing101]

Tajima. All else is trash.

If i remember correctly i believe i had a couple fail too

 

[seber]

Always keep tension on the line. Whether paying out or winding in. I don't know how you buy chalk but mine comes in bottles with spouts. no spilling. I've been using the same stanley for over60 years with no problem.

 

[Framing101]

Always keep tension on the line. Whether paying out or winding in. I don't know how you buy chalk but mine comes in bottles with spouts. no spilling. I've been using the same stanley for over60 years with no problem.

Spout bottles definitely will help ill start buying my own chalk then
(work provides the big containers)
i honestly don't think i ever worried about tension despite being a diehard fishing guy
still wonder if the braid would stop random breaking
most of my spilling is actually mostly in the bin i but my tool belt and suspenders in
the one pouch on my belt i carry my chalklines in will on occasion spill and powder gets everywhere

 

[Rusted Nut]

Tajima. All else is trash.

This. I’ve had a couple of Tajima’s for 15 years, and I’m a carpenter and use them a lot.

Red chalk, it stains and I seldom use it; only for snapping building grid lines on a foundation.

 

[Beerhippie]

Spout bottles definitely will help ill start buying my own chalk then
(work provides the big containers)
i honestly don't think i ever worried about tension despite being a diehard fishing guy
still wonder if the braid would stop random breaking
most of my spilling is actually mostly in the bin i but my tool belt and suspenders in
the one pouch on my belt i carry my chalklines in will on occasion spill and powder gets everywhere

I've never had a chalk line break in the box--nor outside of it. I can't really understand how you're getting tangle and knots, either--pulling line in a tornado?

Braided line is much stronger, but does not carry chalk well--I've tried it.

Spend a few bucks and get a good chalk box. These Speedlines:



are the best I've used--and reel in fast as they're geared.

 

[Framing101]

I've never had a chalk line break in the box--nor outside of it. I can't really understand how you're getting tangle and knots, either--pulling line in a tornado?

Braided line is much stronger, but does not carry chalk well--I've tried it.

Spend a few bucks and get a good chalk box. These Speedlines:



are the best I've used--and reel in fast as they're geared.

Not tangled really i just noticed the other day when pulling out line usually the line itself is the problem or it will break in the reel not the reel itself

 

[Framing101]

This. I’ve had a couple of Tajima’s for 15 years, and I’m a carpenter and use them a lot.

Red chalk, it stains and I seldom use it; only for snapping building grid lines on a foundation.

Wall plates On a deck?

 

[Beerhippie]

Not tangled really i just noticed the other day when pulling out line usually the line itself is the problem or it will break in the reel not the reel itself

A good chalk box comes loaded with a good line. You can also replace the line--chalk line isn't just regular string, it's fuzzy to carry chalk and usually pretty strong.

Those two Speedlines above have seen at least twenty years of jobsite use and still have original lines. Unfortunately, they're now made by (or branded as) Irwin, so I expect the quality ain't what it used to be.

 

[ecotec]

I have had a Cosmos chalk line for over 15 years. I use Keson chalk in it.

 

[KnurledNut]

When I was a lead framer, I would go through at least one chalkbox and tape measure every build. Its a whole different ballgame when these tools get used hard every day.
I hated red chalk. Switched to black and still use it to this day. The other guys liked blue but their boxes usually ended up with both blue and red mixed.

 

[Framing101]

When I was a lead framer, I would go through at least one chalkbox and tape measure every build. Its a whole different ballgame when these tools get used hard every day.
I hated red chalk. Switched to black and still use it to this day. The other guys liked blue but their boxes usually ended up with both blue and red mixed.

I heard black was more permanent then red
tapes for me can last around 4-6 months depending on when i need to pull them out

chalk lines delending on when they break or not i could take the time to try to retie but usually don't

 

[KnurledNut]

I heard black was more permanent then red

They are both permanent. Red just seems to bleed more when wet and makes a bigger mess. I have never had any issue washing black out of my clothes. Red is carpenters anti-seize. Black is also less noticeable on finished surfaces.

 

[Dagny]

Never had any trouble with a chalk line but they will come out with a new digital version one of these days and it will be broke all the time and have dead batteries when I am 60 feet in the air.

 

[RTM]

heard black was more permanent then red

Silly me, up to a few years ago, I did not know chalk had different adherence factors. (As a homeowner, I’ve only used mine a few times.). At work,I always thought it was different trades, or meanings to the various trades.

Then I discovered a page like this Keson one explaining permanence, etc.

Professional Marking Chalk - Keson

Keson marking chalk sticks to your line until you decide you want it to stick to something else.

www.keson.com

Three or four chalk lines on property, no idea what color in in any, but my refill bottle is blue.

When I was a kid, dad had a hemisphere of blue chalk, we’d run the string over it every other line.