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Stesso

Checking Verticality of an Object

0:32
1:16
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How to use a plumb bob

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What happens here

With the plumb bob hanging still, position a wooden board or other structural element next to the plumb line. Use a tape measure to measure the distance from the top of the board to the plumb line. Then, measure the distance from the bottom of the board to the plumb line. If both measurements are identical (in the video, 1 and 1/8 inches), the board is perfectly plumb. If the measurements differ (as initially shown: 1 and 1/8 inches at the top, 8 inches at the bottom), adjust the board's position until the top and bottom measurements match, confirming its vertical alignment. A spirit level is shown as an alternative for smaller checks.

Goal: Determine if a structural element is perfectly vertical (plumb).

Tools and materials

  • Plumb Bob Unspecified — Providing a true vertical reference
  • Spirit Level Empire — Comparing the accuracy of plumb bob measurements
  • Tape Measure Unspecified — Measuring the distance from the board to the plumb line
  • Wooden Board — The object being checked for verticality

What they say

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reference point, then just let gravity do the work and wait until the bob stops swinging. Now we can check if this board's actually plumb. First we'll measure from the top, inch and an eighth. The bottom, 8 in. We got to move this 2 by 4 quite a bit that way. Now that we straightened it out, our bottom should read inch and an eighth. And we can check it with our level and it's absolutely plumb. For most jobs I'm grabbing a level, but this is where a plumb bob really shines. Let's say I need to run this vent straight up through the roof. I can hang my plumb bob from the point I want it to come

Auto-generated from the video audio.