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Not to be confused with snapping turtles…
How does a person working alone snap a chalk line on a concrete slab?
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Isn't that one of the new events in the Special Olympics?
You could wrap the end of the chalk line around a 2x4, line it up on your mark, and then put something really heavy on the 2x4 so that it won't move when you pull on the string...
*Find your mark and put a rock on top of the line...or a cement block...or?
*Set the loose end under or behind a five gallon bucket (full) or toolbox and pull to your mark. You might need to make a few adjustments to the dumb end of the line before you snap. anoterh way is to drive a cut nail on one mark, or I have also used tapcon or a 1/4 inch hole with a dowel driven into it. no fast method that i have found yet. One thing about working alone is there is no one else to blame the mess up on:)
*I lay one end of the line on the mark, set my sledge hammer on top, go to the other end and snap a line. Works greatThe sledge does double duty when the framing needs a love tapBarry
*I carry tools in a BucketBoss: holds the end of a chaulk line quite well.
*i use a cinder block, or block of 4x4 steel i got from a pal at the iron works cheers
*I have one chaulk line that I cut the metal tab off the end and replaced it with a masons line block. I can hook it over the edge of the slab(and on walls, roof sheathing, etc,) It can be weighted down on the slab with a bread loaf sized concrete block with a u-shaped piece of rebar sticking out.
*I don't really want to make any penetrations in the slab, so it sounds like a heavy weight is all I need. Dave, making adjustments to the dumb end is a given, but it's the loose end that I'm having trouble with...
*If the slab is green enough, a small 2" nail can be driven into the concrete without leaving a gaping hole. Can't pull the line real tight, though. Cured concrete, I like the idea of having a dedicated chalk line with a brick tied to the end. May have to borrow that one.
*Either a 5 gal bucket with the metal hook set under the bucket's inner lip or one of those 4 x 4" interlocking cobbles. I used to use my 4# sledge but there was to0o much wobble because of the angled head.