What Is a Chalk Line Marker?

Series Summary

Do-it-yourself home improvement and on-site building construction projects are often some of the most rewarding (and labor-intensive) jobs that a person can tackle. Whether it's building a new deck, installing drywall, laying tile, putting in stud beams, cutting wood to spec, or meeting building safety requirements, it’s almost impossible to get the job done without the right tools and equipment.

Some of the most important types of tools out there are for measuring and marking. It’s one thing to saw a board in half; it’s entirely another thing to know where to make the cut so that the wood actually fits in the place it’s designed to go. There’s a reason for the axiom measure twice, cut once; you often can’t go back and undo a mistake. And though tape measures aren’t necessarily the manliest of tools—they don’t whir or exert a large amount of torque—you won’t end up looking like a bumbling oaf if you take the time to learn how to use one.

In this free instructional video series on home and construction tools, learn tips on how to use a chalk line marker and a tape measure. One will allow you to mark a straight line across a variety of surfaces; the other will tell you where that line should go. Our expert will explain some of the basic features of both tools, as well as how to properly and effective use them for any given project. And the best part is…you don’t even have to tell your wife that you learned it all on ExpertVillage.com.

Video Transcript

"Hi this is Jon on behalf of Expert Village in this video clip I'll be answering the question what is a chalk line. Now although there's several different styles of chalk lines that you can buy they all serve with the same function. A chalk line is no more than a string wind up inside of a chamber filled with chalk. Now as you extend that line the chalk will adhere to that line and it'll coat that line so that when you need to cut a sheet of plywood for example you'll be able to have a straight line of chalk going across the entire piece as your cut line. You can also use a chalk line as a plum bob so that you can have a plum line along your wall. "