Question about laser line and chalk lines on table

W

WillyCornbread

Break and One
Silver Member
Hi -

I'm wondering if anyone has a good recommendation for a laser tool that I can use to ensure I'm creating dead straight lines for my drills? I have a couple that I use for home improvement but they aren't powerful enough to even see across the table without all the lights out. Anyone know of a simple, single laser line?

Second, do you snap chalk lines on your table ever? If so, what do you use and does it come out fairly easily?

I'm using reinforcement holes now, but I need to tighten this up as it's very sloppy currently.

Thanks in advance!

b
 
I purchased and use Strait-Line 6041101CD LL120 from Amazon for $30. It works pretty well, though can be hard to see sometimes across the table slate under bright conditions. Shows up fine on rails. However, I can dim the lights or turn off the table light to fix that. Typically, I just guesstimate the line and when I go to put the reinforcement hole down you see it fine so you can get your precision then.

I have never lined my table with a chalk snap. However, I did mark every diamond spot with a small sharpie dot to aide in marking practice sessions. They do wear out so I just touch them up every once in a while.

I would not imagine using a chalk snap like you get at Home Depot would be that hard to clean up. I vacuum my table every so often with a hand vac and would imagine that would remove it pretty well. I would probably avoid one with the heavy dies like Red though.
 
WillyCornbread said:
Hi -

I'm wondering if anyone has a good recommendation for a laser tool that I can use to ensure I'm creating dead straight lines for my drills? I have a couple that I use for home improvement but they aren't powerful enough to even see across the table without all the lights out. Anyone know of a simple, single laser line?

Second, do you snap chalk lines on your table ever? If so, what do you use and does it come out fairly easily?

I'm using reinforcement holes now, but I need to tighten this up as it's very sloppy currently.

Thanks in advance!

b
Click to expand...

Barbour Freight tools sell some on the cheap that would def work for this.
 
Thanks for the responses, really appreciate it, ordering a new laser now.

One follow up question -

I hate the reinforcements, I don't know why - they don't effect the roll in any significant way and maybe it's just that my table is still new and I waited years to get it...

With that said, are there any safe options - a laundry pen would be permanent but what about a 'chalk marker'

Thanks again - I realize this is not the most exciting topic

b
 
Didn't think of using lasers to place my reinforcement donuts!

Thanks for the great idea!
 
If you can see the laser line on the rails, you can place a box anywhere along the line.The laser line will show on the side of the box. It's as simple as that.
 
Black and Decker

I bought the Black and Decker one from Wal-Mart for $16. It works great!
 
WillyCornbread said:
Thanks for the responses, really appreciate it, ordering a new laser now.

One follow up question -

I hate the reinforcements, I don't know why - they don't effect the roll in any significant way and maybe it's just that my table is still new and I waited years to get it...

With that said, are there any safe options - a laundry pen would be permanent but what about a 'chalk marker'

Thanks again - I realize this is not the most exciting topic

b
Click to expand...

I bought 2 lasers and I put a hole re-enforcement at each diamond then I took a permanent marker and colored in the hole and pulled the re-enforcements off of the table so I have my table marked in diamond increments. I use this for drills, playing position ETC. No more pieces of paper for position drills, I just use the box's the 4 marks make.
 
SFC9ball said:
I bought 2 lasers and I put a hole re-enforcement at each diamond then I took a permanent marker and colored in the hole and pulled the re-enforcements off of the table so I have my table marked in diamond increments. I use this for drills, playing position ETC. No more pieces of paper for position drills, I just use the box's the 4 marks make.
Click to expand...

What about when you retighten the cloth? The marks will have moved a little.
 
My Simonis 860HR is about 2 years old and starting to wear. I think its time I start marking my table. I want to do a rack outline for 14.1 also.
 
SamLambert said:
What about when you retighten the cloth? The marks will have moved a little.
Click to expand...

I do my own cloth and have not needed to re-stretch it so I don't worry about it. I do have to re color the dots every once in a while because they fade over time from table use.
 
I also use a B&D laser to line out my table and for drills. When I am having an off day with the drills I punish myself by staring into the laser:rolleyes:.
 
WillyCornbread said:
Thanks for the responses, really appreciate it, ordering a new laser now.

One follow up question -

I hate the reinforcements, I don't know why - they don't effect the roll in any significant way and maybe it's just that my table is still new and I waited years to get it...

With that said, are there any safe options - a laundry pen would be permanent but what about a 'chalk marker'

Thanks again - I realize this is not the most exciting topic

b
Click to expand...

Tailor's chalk. It comes with an edge and in many colors.
 
JB Cases said:
Tailor's chalk. It comes with an edge and in many colors.
Click to expand...

This works and I know some teachers use this. However, it does appear to become permanent after a while of repeated use.

If you want to avoid that and be able to make the slate clean for actual playing stick with the reinforcements. As I noted I just make small marks at each diamond crossing so I can place them more quickly without having to measure them out every time. You don't really notice them unless you are looking for them and they do fade over time so you have to redo it.
 
Fabric or cloth marking pencils. Check in the sewing dept of Walmart, or any fabric or sewing store.
 
Skippy27 said:
This works and I know some teachers use this. However, it does appear to become permanent after a while of repeated use.

If you want to avoid that and be able to make the slate clean for actual playing stick with the reinforcements. As I noted I just make small marks at each diamond crossing so I can place them more quickly without having to measure them out every time. You don't really notice them unless you are looking for them and they do fade over time so you have to redo it.
Click to expand...

I clean ours off with a damp cloth. Tailor's chalk is made to come out when the fabric is washed.
 
If you are not careful

....your table can end up looking like this.


Functional, purposeful, not pretty.

thumb.php


:)
 
Thanks everyone - this is why I love this place... It's not all aiming system arguments, there's actual helpful people.

I ordered a B&D laser, and I'm going to checkout using tailers chalk to mark the diamonds.

Good rolls -

b
 
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