

When you are in the market for a plumb bob, you might want to consider learning more about the various types available first. The most common include traditional reels, built-in reels, and box reels. There is a wide range of reels available. This setup is seen as a good choice if you want to attain better balance and accuracy.Ī reel is essential to ensure that you get to wind up the string once you are done using the plumb bob. The threaded caps are where you attach the string and then screw the cap into the weight. You are also likely to get some models with threaded caps. There can be some fancy hole types, but simple holes will just do the work right. There will be a hole in the plumb bob meant for feeding the line through the weight. The laws of gravity will show you if the string is vertical or perpendicular to the level ground. You will have to attach it to a stationary object or the constructed wall to check the alignment. The string is essential for holding the plumb bob weight. Some models will have a removable cap for protecting the tip when not using the tool. If the weight has a fine pointed end, it becomes easier to improve the accuracy and alignment reading. Most plumb bobs you will encounter will have a pointed end so that it is easier to align the tip of the weight to the ground. In most cases, it will be pointed to help in accurate alignment. The weight is designed to be symmetrical so that you can achieve the perfect balance. The weight of a plumb bob is what will be suspended on a string.
#CONSTRUCTION PLUMB BOB HOW TO#
We will look at each of the parts to see their importance and how to use them correctly. Plumb bobs have several parts that are carefully put together to have a working construction tool. You will still find them common in different types of construction projects. Well, even with the emergence of new construction technologies, it seems like plumb bobs are here to stay. More people found it a lot easier to choose the spirit level as it was good for determining both the vertical and horizontal levels. The rise of the spirit level almost led to the demise of the plumb bob. Most of the time, such plumb bobs are used as decorative items. Some less frequently used materials include bone and ivory. This is because the Latin name for Lead is “Plumbum.”įor centuries, plumb bobs were also made from copper-tin alloy or bronze materials in addition to using Lead. When plumb bobs were cast from Lead, that is how we ended up with the name “plumb” bob. This helped in achieving a better symmetry, thus better performance.Īs technology advanced, plumb bobs were later made of heavy metals. People switched to wood because it was easier to shape compared to stone that was being used before. This included wood, such as oak, ebony, and ash. With the evolution of technology, we could see that some civilizations using dense hardwoods to make plumb bobs rather than stone. These plumb bobs were good for various applications and were mostly made of readily available material. Other than using the plumb bobs for construction, the same was used in marking accurate points of planets and stars.Īs you can imagine, the first plumb bobs were mostly made of stone material. The same applies to ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. Records show that the Babylonians used the early versions of plumb bobs to make different types of buildings.

What most people do not know is that plumb bobs have been around since early civilization. The History of the Plumb BobĮven by today’s standards, plumb bobs are simple tools that people still find useful. It is best to consider using a plumb bob rather than your naked eye. Let us say you want to check the alignment of an entire wall. They are ideal for checking the vertical alignment over a long distance. The plumb bobs are common in any construction project. The plumb bob works based on gravity to show the user the vertical or plumb alignment. You are likely to come across other sources calling the plumb bob as a plumb line too.Ī plumb bob consists of a string attached to a pointed weight important for checking the surfaces’ vertical alignment during construction. Plumb Bob Alternative (Line Laser Level).Checking the vertical alignment of doors and walls Transferring points from a worktop/floor to a worktop

Tie the string to the ring pull and screwdriver How to Make a Homemade Plumb Bob – 3 Simple Steps.Should I Use Brass or Steel Plumb Bobs?.Keeping the door vertical when hanging it Keeping your wallpaper aligned correctly while hanging Maintaining the best vertical alignment of the walls during a construction process Transferring of points from the ceiling to the floor or worktop
