Plumb Bob - Stair Construction Tools

A Plumb Bob is a shaped metal object that usually hangs from a long string and is used for creating the perfect vertical line that runs in the up and down direction. The illustration below provides you with an example of how a plumb bob works.

Carpenter have been using Plumb Bobs for years and they can make a big difference in the quality of work, if used correctly. I use them a lot on any buildings with multiple levels or floors.

How Do You Use A Plumb Bob?

Let's use the illustration above. You will start by tying the plumb bob to the end of a long string and then hang it from a board that will provide you with at least, a 3 to 6 inch separation from the building you're planning on adjusting, to the perfect plumb position.

Make sure that the Plumb Bob is as close to the ground as possible. It might take a few minutes before the Plumb Bob stops moving around, but the moment it does, you can measure the distance between the string and the top and bottom, of the wall.

If the distance between the outside of the lower wall and the Plumb Bob string is 4 inches and the measurement at the top of the wall is 3 inches, then you will need to adjust the top of the outside wall, until both of these measurements are exactly the same.

When you finally finish making the necessary adjustments and both of these measurements are identical, you now have a perfectly vertical and plumb wall.

What Should I Use, My Plumb Bob Or Level?

It all depends upon the length of the wall you're trying to adjust. For walls shorter than 12 feet in height, I will usually use a level. For walls longer than 12 feet, it wouldn't be a bad idea to use a Plumb Bob.

One time I was building walls that were 20 foot tall. I know for a fact, without a shadow of a doubt, that I would have had problems using a level, to adjust these walls perfectly. I used a Plumb Bob with a carpenter named Bob and everything worked out perfectly.

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