The job site where a $15 chalk line saved me an hour of rework

I was framing a wall on a second story deck in Phoenix last Thursday and my old chalk line snapped mid pull. The line got all tangled and I just eyeballed the layout thinking I was close enough. After nailing up the studs I realized the whole wall was off by almost 3/4 of an inch at the top plate. Had to pull every nail and start over with a fresh line from the hardware store. Has anyone else had a cheap tool fail at the worst possible time?

2 comments

2 Comments

kim_hart721d ago

Sounds dramatic, a 3/4 inch gap isn't exactly the end of the world.

kai65721d ago

A 3/4 inch gap in a structural joint can actually cause issues over time, especially with moisture getting in. It might sound small but that kind of opening is enough for water to seep behind siding or trim. Better to address it now than deal with rot or mold later.