How to Measure with a Plumb Bob
A plumb bob is a tool used by carpenters to measure vertical level of door and window frames. The plumb bob has string in the center so that gravity pulls the weight down to the floor in a perfectly straight vertical line. Frames that are plumb will accept a window or a door without the need for any additional framing to obtain vertical level. Doors and windows that are not vertically level tend to shut on their own, not open fluidly or not stay open. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Place the hook end of a tape measure inside the door header touching the right side jamb of a doorway. The door header is the top board on the inside of a door frame.
-
2
Stretch the tape measure out to the left. Mark a dot on the door header with a carpenter’s pencil 3 inches from the side door jamb.
-
-
3
Hammer a 4d finishing nail partially into the door header on the dot.
-
4
Wrap the loose end of the plumb bob string around the nail so that the length of the string allows the plumb bob to hover about ¼ inch above the floor.
-
5
Place the tip of a tape measure on the floor under the plumb at the right side door jamb.
-
6
Stretch the measuring tape to the left of the plumb bob and note the exact center of the bottom on the measuring tape. If a doorway is exactly level vertically, the center of the plumb bob will be at the 3-inch mark on the measuring tape.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Any distance from a door jamb may be used to hang a plumb bob to measure vertical level. The measurements of the nail and the center of the plumb bob at the bottom need to be the same distance from the door jamb for exact vertical level.
Using a finishing nail to hang a plumb bob will leave a hole that is barely visible on the door header. A larger nail leaves a bigger hole in the door header that will need to be covered with wood putty.
