A laser plumb bob is a modern alternative to the traditional plumb bob, used in construction to show when something is straight. It uses a laser to create a straight line and settle quickly. The term “plumbing” derives from the same Latin root as “lead,” historically used in plumbing weights.
A laser plumb bob is a plumb bob that uses a laser, instead of the more traditional weighted string. Plumb weights have been used for thousands of years in construction to show when something is straight or “plumb”. These devices can be found in the tool kits of many people in the construction industry, from bricklayers to general contractors. Laser plumb bob is a popular alternative to traditional plumb bob.
With the original plumb bob, one end of the device would be attached to a fixed point of interest and the weighted string would be left free. After several minutes, the string stopped moving and settled at a fixed point. The end of the weight would be directly under the top of the pendulum, with the string creating a straight line. Plumb bobs can be used for things like setting up walls, hanging doors, and so on.
With a laser plumb bob, instead of using a weighted string, the user attaches the plumb bob to a point of interest or mounts it on a tripod, then turns on the laser. Many laser pendulums can project a laser in either direction, creating a straight line with the laser beam and two visible points where the laser meets surfaces such as floors and ceilings. One advantage of the laser plumb bob is that it settles quickly once it is turned on; instead of having to wait several minutes, as with a traditional device, a contractor only has to wait a few seconds.
Many of these fixtures are self-leveling, to ensure that the line is truly plumb. A typical laser plumb bob comes with a case to protect the device when not in use from being damaged by heavy knocks and other accidents, and may include a tripod mount designed to make it easier to use. The cost of this handy construction tool can vary, depending on the model, with costs generally decreasing as these tools become more common.
For those curious about what this device has to do with plumbing, the term “lead” and “plumbing” both derive from the same Latin root, a word meaning “lead.” Historically, plumbing was made of lead, until people realized lead pipes made them sick, and plumbing weights were historically weighted with lead, a heavy metal that did a great job as a weight.
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