When doing wall layout why do some people snap two chalk lines (both sides of sole plate) down and others just one?
Thanks
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some are anal.... some are not
also.. sometimes it's a question of supervision... your crew can install to the wrong side of one line... but they can't install to the wrong side of two lines
Makes sense Mike. Thanks
A couple of x's on correct side of line goes a long way and is easy. Then again popping the second line is not a big effort either. Also gives something to measure off of.
For those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
Bob Hussein Smith (;-)
Edited 8/20/2008 1:29 pm ET by rasconc
> but they can't install to the wrong side of two linesI'm sure some can.
Too much sanity may be madness. And maddest of all, to see life as it is and not as it should be! --Miguel de Cervantes
I always thought two chalk lines means you need to install a double wall, like at a plumbing chase... Uh oh.
Edited 8/20/2008 4:51 pm by rasher
Actually, it means don't cross the line. To get to the other side of the house you've got to crawl out a window.
Too much sanity may be madness. And maddest of all, to see life as it is and not as it should be! --Miguel de Cervantes
I think, for the most part, that two lines is excessive.
I would rather use my keel and make big red X marks on the side where the partition should be placed.
Jon Blakemore
RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA
"I think, for the most part, that two lines is excessive.
I would rather use my keel and make big red X marks on the side where the partition should be placed."
I agree with you and do it the same way, however with newbies around it makes it a lot easier for them visualize where all the walls lie in relation to each other if both sides are snapped. Also makes it easier for me to visualize when laying out walls if no exact plans have been drawn (especially where dimensions are critical like baths).
If I am building the walls myself, I will snap one line with an "x" or three. But if I am snapping out a bunch of partitions for the crew to come behind and frame off of, I snap both sides to save myself the anguish of coming back and having em start remodelling.
Maybe it would be easier to find some guys who can pay attention..
I'm kinda like you. Two lines for other's benefit. If I'm working alone, I might only snap one line on the major partions. I don't snap or mark out any of the lesser ones (closets, small intersecting pars, etc).
Might be easier to find someone who can read prints too?ML
Yeah, they could order their own materials too. Then I could stay home!
The double line also helps a novice or unsupervised carpenter know how to lap the intersections.
This wall bypasses that one, this one ends at that one......
It takes the guesswork out of it and it gives me the opportunity to save material by using the correct length plates instead of them cutting up my 12 footers for 5' walls.
"It is what it is."
Good point. I also mark out doors precisely. So if you have both sides snapped, you can more easily see what you are dealing with. I'm often mashing a king-trimmer against a wall and trying to squeeze in a vanity or something. Again, if I am doing the framing, I can figure that out on the fly, but if I snap it all out, I can walk away with some confidence that the tub, vanity, toilet will fit, the doors will be right where they need to be, etc.
You just gave me a great idea!
THE DOUBLE CHALK LINE
-comes in 2x4 and 2x6 models
-uses common red and blue chalk
-marks two lines faster than someone cam mark one line with big red x's
-perfect for the beginner carpenter or the old carpenter who f's up alot
-even works in the rain...once
ONLY $49.95
so act fast!
I'll take two!!!!
Aready available aquick google turned up the patent, but I know I've seen one in a new tools feature somewhere.
http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/6470581/fulltext.html Mike
Small wheel turn by the fire and rod, big wheel turn by the grace of god.
"Aready available aquick google turned up the patent, but I know I've seen one in a new tools feature somewhere. http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/6470581/fulltext.html"Now someone needs to invent a double pencil with leads 3 1/2" apart. Then you'd have something. :)
When they framed my house everything was perfect except one bathroom wall common to the living room. Never noticed it until one day I was "walking the dog" and I saw the toilet was off center to the walls by 3 1/2".
I wish Kenny had used double chalk lines. Can't test the fire hose without noticing.
Jim
Maybe he was right and the plumber and slab were off. Lol!!
"...one day I was "walking the dog" and I saw the toilet was off center to the walls by 3 1/2"."Well now, that is a new example of multitasking. What exactly were you using to measure that difference? :)
BruceT
No, no, no; they've all got it wrong.
The first line is for the guys using metric tape measures. The second one is for the rest of us....
Dinosaur
How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not brought
low by this? For thine evil pales before that which
foolish men call Justice....
I dunno. Never seen the double line.
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i mark 2 ... but then i mostly use my laser now... BUT i mark 2 cut lines on every board that matters... the cut line and a small line just so i know whick side of the line i should be cutting... between marking and cutting if i get asked one question or the phone rings... i won't have a clue if i don't double mark or write down a measurement
p
I just put an X on the waste side.
Too much sanity may be madness. And maddest of all, to see life as it is and not as it should be! --Miguel de Cervantes
I sometimes do a v to indicate, quicker than x.For those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
if i mark one line with my speed square... i just put a small 1/2" line 1/8" off the marked line to tell me where to cut... thats my second line... i don't mark a second with the square.. that or i'll do like u and x or just a mark on the waste side
p
I always made some indicator of the waste side of the line too Ponytl. I usually just scribbled a long line starting near the cut line.