Using a Chalk Line

A chalk line is ideal for snapping long straight lines on roofs, subfloors, drywall pieces, plywood and many other items.

A chalk line consists of a small gear box that contains chalk and a string that is rolled up inside it. At the end of the string is a small L-shaped hook.

To use a chalk line all that is required is to line up the string over two small pencil mark reference lines on either side of the material surface, pull the string taught on both ends, and then lift the string a few inches and then let it go. This letting go action snaps a line on the surface of the material creating a long straight line. Roofers use chalk lines for providing guide lines for installing shingles. Carpenters frequently use chalk lines for quickly marking sheets of plywood that they need to rip, or for reference marks on floors and ceiling joists for aiding in installing stud walls.

The L-shaped hook on chalk lines is helpful for when you don’t have a second pair of hands. You can simply place the L-shaped hook over the edge of a piece of lumber or surface and then run the chalk line out to the other end of the surface. Again, all you need to do is pull the string tight, lift the string a few inches, and snap the chalk line.

For best results, after one or two snaps of the chalk line you should wind the chalk line back up so that the string gets recoated with chalk. Also, check the chalk gearbox regularly to make sure it is approximately half full of chalk. After refilling the chalk gearbox pull the string out several times and wind it up to fully coat the chalk line. Also, if the string breaks or gets wet you can easily find replacement string at any hardware store. There are different types of chalk available for chalk lines, including blue, red, white, and even fluorescent chalk.

Blue is for general purpose use, and red is ideal for outdoor applications. White is good for interior walls and fluorescent chalk is helpful on some hard to see surfaces.

So before you start your next carpentry or roofing project visit your local home improvement center and pick up a chalk line.