Voila, you’ve marked a clear, straight line. That wasn’t so difficult, was it? Does Your Device Measure Up?

A chalk line is only as effective as its hook, so make sure you take the time to examine this component of the tool. Many of those same folks probably haven’t given chalk a second thought since, relegating it to memories of their early education. If they entered the trades, however, that likely isn’t the case — indeed, plenty of professionals in these occupations still use chalk on a regular basis. Take a roofer, for example. When a roofer lays shingles, he or she will want to make sure to lay them out along precise horizontal and vertical lines. An accurately applied chalk marking makes simple work of this task, generating a clear outline that indicates exactly where to deploy each row of singles.

Hold down the end point firmly with your thumb, or, if the line is quite long, drive in a temporary screw or nail at the end point to keep it in place. Right off the bat, you should carefully consider the color of the chalk, because in this case, not all colors are created equal. Blue is the most common, all-purpose color, since you can easily remove it from a non-porous surface. It’s ideal for use on white or light-colored surfaces, making it suitable for indoor projects like hanging drywall, trim work, and installing flooring.

Today, almost all chalk is practically dustless, which manufacturers accomplish by baking the chalk longer to make it extra hard. Though most chalk lines are similar in design, there are certain attributes to keep in mind depending on your personal preferences and the type of jobs you have planned.We redirected our ranking for the Irwin Tools Classic 64499 toward the Irwin Tools Classic 1932880, even though it seems like they’re extremely similar (and potentially exactly the same), because the latter option was more affordable. The Classic is a good mid-range model, and a logical step up from the Stanley 47-442, but we wanted our list to also include the company’s best, so we added the Irwin Tools Mach6 1932877. (For anybody who’s a bit confused at this point, note that Stanley and Irwin, as well as DeWalt, are all owned by the same parent company.) If you’re a professional in the trades, durability is a key factor. It won’t take long for a rugged work environment to dispose of a cheap, flimsy chalk line. A tough, resilient casing is critical, preferably one made from aluminum or stainless steel for resistance to corrosion. You’ll also want to assess how you’ll be holding the tool, as a strong, comfortable grip can make all the difference in the world, especially if you’ll be using it for extended periods of time. The same goes for its rewind mechanism — you’ll want to make sure this is smooth and easy, which will save you time and help prevent the onset of fatigue. Today’s students are fortunate enough to have myriad learning tools at their disposal — computers, tablets, dry erase boards — but this wasn’t always the case. Those of a certain generation fondly (or not so fondly) remember days in the classroom getting their hands dirty as they scribbled notes and equations on a good, old-fashioned chalkboard.