How we pick our products
Today it’s time to talk about plumb bobs, one of the millennial products indispensable for building walls and other vertical constructions.
You might think that all plumb bobs are the same. But, there are different types, and knowing them is important to develop the best works and save money on the purchase of this item.
There are many sizes of plumb bobs and using a long, heavy or large structure can make measurement complicated. Prices, where to buy, best brands, in short, everything you need to have an excellent shopping experience is now revealed!
Summary
- There are small props and larger versions for larger constructions.
- The lower the quality of the prop, the more the wind can interfere with the measurement results.
- The size of the string determines the limit of the distance you can work with the prop.
The Best Plump Bob: Our Picks
There’s a perfect technique for knowing which model to buy. It’s simple. All you need to know are the characteristics of the best props on the market:
Buying guide: everything you need to know about the best plump bob
One of the worst mistakes that beginning bricklayers make is to put up a crooked wall. Besides the cost of materials, there is also that feeling of lost time. To avoid this problem there is a way: learn how to buy plumb by reading the Buying Guide.
What is a plump bob and what is it used for?
The product is composed of a support connected to a nylon wire which has the weight at its ends. Both the support and the wire can be composed of wood, plastic, lead or metal.
In civil engineering a plumb bob is used on walls or columns to check verticality and parallelism.
How to use a plumb bob correctly?
When the string is straight and the weight a little close to the brick it is a sign that the wall is straight.
If the weight remains too distant or too close to the wall, it means that the wall is not straight and vertical.
What are the advantages of plump bob?
If you find that the string is dirty or worn out you can exchange it without problems for another nylon unit, taking advantage of the base and the weight which are the two most valuable parts of the string prop.
This working instrument that does not need batteries or plugs to work is the guarantee for constructions at perfect angles. However, the correct use of a plumb bob requires a certain amount of technical practice.
Get a better understanding of the advantages of props:
Which is the best plumb bob?
Analog nylon prop
These models have a nylon rope, the base and the weight. Such productions do not need a battery to operate, costing lower prices. Editions also known as “plumb line”.
The vast majority of the offerings are for use on walls of up to 6 metres. But, there are also larger versions with more range, although they are difficult to find on the market.
Digital laser plump bob
Being laser powered these productions have more range, although they are battery operated. These issues are sensitive technological products that are few resistant to falls. You can use the digital prop with less interference from winds.
Digital plumb bobs also work as a laser level!
The characteristics of nylon or laser plumb bobs you can check below:
| Characteristics | Nylon plumb | Laser plumb |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | No | Yes |
| Price | Less | More |
| Strength | More | Less |
| Practicality | Less | More |
| Operation | With nylon rope | Digital and laser |
| Laser level | No | Yes |
| Wind interference | More | Less |
| Range | Less | More |
Buying Criteria: Secrets for comparing plumb bob models
When you don’t know much about the product sometimes sellers end up pushing a non-quality production. To save money and at the same time buy something sturdy follow the criteria of comparing offers:
- Type
- Material
- Rope
- Quality
Keep reading to know the definition of the listed points:
Type
When considering the main construction manuals there are two types of props in analogue format that work with rope. One edition is called “centre”. The other has the name of “face”.
- Centre prop: In the form of a topsy-turvy this equipment can be used from any point to determine the vertical lines of different constructions. When the production is stretched, the string stays in the same position as the end of the product.
- Face plumb bob: Also known as a wall plumb bob, this model is designed to work more specifically on walls, columns and walls to determine whether the vertical elements are upright. It has a base of wood or other materials.
The face prop has a flatter, round or square shape, like a piece of pipe.
Material
If you work more in outdoor areas to raise brick walls, do not give up models that have a solid composition. Wooden or metal models are efficient for working outdoors with less interference from the wind.
For internal or less windy environments you can use plastic productions. They cost less, although they may not be very long in the range of the cord.
Rope
The range the plumb line can reach is determined by the length of the plumb line. On the market you can find productions that can go up to 10 metres or a bit more.
Remember that long props need to have a very reinforced weight on the prop, otherwise they can be very sensitive against wind currents.
Quality
Buying metal props is a good draw for those who want a sturdy product. There are even some low-priced versions that are metal. But, you need to be careful and know if the product has real Stainless Steel.
It is very common to buy a low quality prop and after a few months realize that the structure is rusty – be careful.
The same rule applies in case you choose wooden productions. Pay attention to the quality of the raw material so as not to have a product full of fungus after a short time of use.
Oak, Ipê and Cumaru are the best choices of wood for making props.
(Featured Image Source: Khongkit Wiriyachan / 123rf.com)
Why you can trust me?
Related posts
