Residential

How Many Chalk Lines Is Too Many?

Remodeling contractor and JLC contributor Mike Guertin has 21 chalk lines. Is that too many?

1 MIN READ

‘Chalkline’ or ‘Chalkbox’ what say you? And what’s your go-to model / type (regular wind, geared wind or auto rewind)? . I’ve got lines spread all throughout my truck boxes, garage shop, tool bags and tools carriers. So why have I accumulated so many? Rainbow Colors. Red and blue of course, White and vanishing purple for siding and exposed work, Yellow, Florescent green, Florescent orange, and Black. . For long snaps I use a geared Tajima – fine line, durable gearing, light weight… For short snaps (sheathing…) I use regular wind. . I’ve used some auto rewind but they weren’t durable. #keepcraftalive #finehomebuilding #jlclive #roofingworkshop #jlconline #mike_guertin

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Remodeling contractor Mike Guertin has chalk lines in truck boxes, the shop, tool bags, and tool boxes. Why does he have so many? One reason: Colors. He uses red and blue. For siding and exposed work, he uses white and purple. Other colors include yellow, florescent green, florescent orange, and black. Tajima is his go-to for long snaps requiring fine lines because of its durable gearing and relative light weight. For short snaps and sheathing, he chooses regular wind; he finds auto rewinds haven’t held up as well.

This article originally appeared in Tools of the Trade.

About the Author

Chris Ermides

Before joining Tools of the Trade as an editor, Chris Ermides was a project manager for a custom home builder, a carpenter and remodeler. These days when he’s not writing or editing, he’s testing tools as he renovates his 1850 farmhouse in upstate New York.

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