Stabila 196-2 Spirit Level (120cm)
A 3-vial spirit level with vials locked into the body to resist movement, used by bricklayers, joiners and tilers. Any level can be knocked out of true by a hard drop, so check it.
Stabila
30m chalk line reel with a 6:1 rewind gear and locking mechanism for marking straight lines on floors, walls and ceilings.
The OX Pro Chalk Line is a site layout tool for marking straight lines across floors, walls and ceilings. A 6:1 gear rewinds the line faster than a plain reel, and the locking mechanism lets you hook the line to an edge and lock it taut before snapping.
A chalk line marks a long straight line on a floor, wall or ceiling. The OX Pro adds a geared rewind and a lock to the basic reel, which helps when you are snapping many lines during a layout session.
On a plain chalk line, the line is wound back by hand after every snap. The 6:1 ratio means the spool turns six times for each turn of the handle, so rewinding takes fewer turns.
The locking mechanism helps when you are working alone. Hook the end on a board edge, corner or nail, walk to the far end and lock the reel. The line stays taut, so you can position it and snap it cleanly.
The OX Pro Chalk Line Reel has a 30m Kevlar line, a 6:1 rewind gear, a locking mechanism and an aluminium body.
The OX Pro chalk line reel in this listing has a 30m Kevlar line and an aluminium body, according to retailers. A 6:1 planetary gear rewinds the line, a locking mechanism holds it, and a push-button clutch protects the gears when you pull the line out. A hook grips the edge of the work. A felt gasket helps the chalk coat the line evenly and limits spillage, per the maker. Listed packs come with a chalk refill, but check the pack for what is included.
| Option | What it is | What to weigh up |
|---|---|---|
| Chalk line reel | A chalked line snapped onto a surface | Gives a physical line on the surface |
| Laser lines and cross-line lasers | A projected line | Suited to levelling and long visual lines |
| String line | A taut string between two points | Marks a line in the air rather than on the surface |
| Pencil and straight edge | A drawn line | Limited by the length of the straight edge |
| Tape and pencil marking | Marks placed at measured points | Needs joining up |
For measuring and levelling, see the Stabila 196-2 spirit level, the Stanley FatMax tape measure and the Bosch GLL 2-15 G cross-line laser. Our guide to choosing site equipment has more.
How do I snap a straight line on my own? Hook the end, pull the line taut and lock it. Lift the line straight up and release it. Keep the line taut throughout.
What does a 6:1 gear ratio mean? About six turns of the spool for each turn of the handle, so the line rewinds faster.
Why is my line faint? Low chalk, damp chalk, a slack line or a rough surface can all cause it.
Can I use it on a wall and a ceiling? Yes, with a helper or a locking reel. Choose chalk that wipes off if you need to, and test an area. Permanent chalk exists, so check the chalk before using it on finished surfaces.
Do I need a laser instead? A laser suits levelling and long visual lines. Chalk gives a physical line on a surface.
What does the clutch do? The push-button clutch protects the gears when you pull the line out, according to retailers. The locking mechanism holds the line once it is drawn out.
Can I refill the chalk? The listed packs come with a chalk refill, but check the pack for what is included. The felt gasket helps the chalk coat the line evenly and limits spillage, per the maker.
Does the exact pack matter? Yes. Pack contents differ between listings, so check what the pack includes before you buy, and do not rely on the name alone. Retailers describe the line as Kevlar and the body as aluminium for the 30m version listed here.
Where does a chalk line fit alongside the other layout tools? Use a tape measure to set the marks, snap the line between them, and use a level or laser to check the line is where you want it. The line is a physical mark on the surface, while a laser projects a line you can only see.
| Line Length | 30m |
|---|---|
| Line Material | Kevlar |
| Gearbox Ratio | 6:1 |
| Body Material | Aluminium |
| Locking | Yes |
A 3-vial spirit level with vials locked into the body to resist movement, used by bricklayers, joiners and tilers. Any level can be knocked out of true by a hard drop, so check it.
Stabila
8m tape measure with a 32mm wide blade, Mylar coating, Blade Armor on the first part of the blade and metric and imperial markings.
Stanley
33dB SNR hi-viz ear defenders with slim cup design and padded headband for hearing protection when using loud power tools.
3M
22-inch coarse cut handsaw with XT toothing and 2-component ergonomic handle for efficient carpentry and general site cutting.
Bahco
Green cross-line laser level with 15m range and LB 10 mount, offering up to four times the visibility of red lasers for interior fit-out work.
Bosch