Plumb Bob Poll

We use a 16 oz. with a gammon reel, and once in a while use it as a hammer, but not often.

But back in the day, when I did a lot of construction staking, I had a 14 oz. bob with a sharp point for hole punching for a hub and tack. Anf Brad Ott's setup looks pretty familiar except I always had a 25' tape instead of a ruler-style tape.

Great trick with the felt pen cap stuck in the pouch like that; saved a lot of time and hassle!

14 oz for normal use but I have a 24 oz for really windy days where we probably should not be trying to wind angles anyway.

Actually both haven't been used in years.

I have used both just line and the gammon reels. I prefer the Gammon reels.

Never used either to drive stakes but I can't tell a lie, I have used them sometimes to do a little minor digging.

The 24oz makes you readjust your load in the belt otherwise you tend to just walk in circles.

You actually carry around a plumb bob without a tip??!

I can understand carring it around in the truck box, but on your hip? I guess if all you do is use it as a hammer...it still works. Un-screw the top, it may have a spare tip under it....if you have not looked already. JRL

I know, embarrassing, right? Lost the spare too.

Don't even remember the last time I actually wanted to use it (even without the tip).

Just can't seem to bring myself to 'hang it up'.

Yeah, I hardly (if at all ) ever use that folding rule either.

I guess it is just for the sexy appearance.

16oz
yes
yes

I feel naked without it.

Oh, and I still carry a P-gun!

24oz

no

yes

Have had no need for one in many years.

Just curious how many use the pear shape ones as opposed to the conical?
I grew up with former and found them easy to wrap 2.6 metres cord (thin bricklayers cord) around the neck and point, very neatly.
I also have a conical one and can understand why Gammon reels came into being.

On another note, but one probably others have relate to.
Many years ago I was working in the scrub and got back into the ute (Ford F250) and the other surveyor I was with tore off at a great rate and I suddenly discovered my plumbob cord was still outside and had wrapped around some scrub with the working end firmly attached to me via its nice leather bag on my belt. Ouch!!:-(

In former days a chainman had no credentials unless he had a plumbob and an axe (a sharp axe)and could use them both. Times change.

Richard

I've also had the "pleasure" of having a plumb bob string get tangled and cause quite a bit of consternqation. Add to your list of earlier requirements the ability to "Throw a chain". I believe it is a dying art.

Andy

14oz

12' Gammon with dayglow string(much better than red)

Yes, I drive nails with mine in a pinch

Below is a pic I posted a while back, it is a unique bob brought to me by a field hand, more like a plumb betty, pretty unique and works just fine.

would she hang plumb? looks a bit top heavy?

18 oz
12' Gammon Reel
Used for years as tack hammer, so dings, yes!

I think this one dates from 1982 or 1983

Still in the truck on my work belt, but I don't wear the belt much anymore, I do use the bob once in a while, yesterday to plumb down from a outlet in the garage where I punched a 5/8" hole through my 8" stem wall in about 1 minute flat with my Bosch hammer drill.

Sometimes it nice to have some surveying tools around the house!

SHG

18 oz with standard gammon reel. Set tacks, set paper targets with 4p finish nails or just ribbon/nail for backsights. Dig for evidence. Use it most these days to proof the prism rod/bipod as plumb. The little level bubbles just get you within a few hundreths.

Been using these continuously before the gammon reel came out, before magnetic locators, before EDM's. About a 10,000+ year old tool, older than the wheel. Likely first used by an ape shaman to mark the risings and settings of the sun.

I like the 18 oz, yes a gammon reel and I like the 12'. I hammer tacks, nails. uase it as a toy to spear old cans, oh yeah, what is surveying without the plumb bob?

My plumb bob is in the shop getting calibrated.

I'm unsure why the technician had that goofy grin when he said it would be $400 for a clean and calibrate. He said he would throw in the plumb bob bearing grease for free.

I like it ! a plumb Barbara !

> I think use of a bob is largely dependent of where you survey. Mountains of SC, we used them with peanuts all the time. Down here, never. Here everyone shoots tripods with prism to move up and locates with a rod otherwise. as often as not, I ran with elevations in the field here because you might as well, you were shooting a consistent height anyway.

I agree. Different areas have different ideas of what "Everyone Does," or "What the RIGHT way is."

Also, since the advent of easy trig + cheap accurate EDM, a well adjusted/maintained rod makes a lot more sense.

Bobs make great sense when chaining, or if you need line with no elevation/distance needed. But, that isn't how most of our work is done now days.

We always give the old guys in the office a hard time by asking them what a plub bob looks like, and how they work. (But we keep a 16 oz in the truck, and they are very useful sometimes, like when you need to know which way is down.)

16 oz

I've had the one I use since 1972. It's still in relatively good condition. Even fits right into the environment, as it has turned green. :>)