What are the plumb lines made of?

	As one of the oldest tools known to mankind, plumb bob has been crafted for thousands of years from a variety of materials, from simple stone to hardened steel.
Traditional and antique plumb lines
	Traditionally plumb bob was made of stone, hardwood, lead or bronze. Other models, usually only used for decorative purposes, were carved from bone or ivory. Plummets made from these materials are rarely used today or were never intended for practical use. Just as technology advances and makes old machines obsolete, the same is happening with these plumb lines.
Modern plumb lines
	Much more often modern plumb lines are made of the following materials: Brass Steel
	Brass As skill in metallurgy grew over time, plummets made from brass became more common as brass (an alloy of copper and zinc) was cheaper to produce than bronze. Brass is used for plumb lines because it is dense, relatively malleable, resistant to corrosion, and considered more aesthetically pleasing than bronze.
	Brass and steel With the invention of steel, plumb makers began to add steel components such as a steel tip to improve the accuracy and durability of the tool. Steel is valued for its hardness, durability and resistance to corrosion.
	Steel Solid steel plumb lines have been produced since the late 19th century. Steel is valued for its hardness, durability and resistance to corrosion.
	Nickel-plated and galvanized steel Some steel plummets are zinc or nickel plated for increased corrosion resistance. The zinc or nickel creates an impenetrable metal barrier around the steel and prevents water from coming into contact with the steel.
Which material should I choose?
	Steel and brass are the only choices for modern plumb lines. If you choose to purchase a brass plumb line, please note that brass is a softer metal than steel and can be prone to denting or warping if struck in a busy area, although brass has the advantage of being corrosion resistant. . elements. It is advisable to get one with a replaceable steel tip for increased strength and durability.
	Buying a steel plumb bob will give you the advantage of a strong and durable tool, but try to get a nickel or galvanized plumb bob as this will improve corrosion resistance. The material a plumb bob is made of is perhaps not as important as the fact that it is balanced and heavy enough to work in the hand. For more information see the page titled: Tips for Finding a High Quality Plummet
line string
	A string plumb line is usually made from one of the following materials: cotton nylon polyethylene
	cotton Cotton thread, twisted or woven into twine, is strong and flexible, although it can break or stretch if it is subjected to too much tension or if it is weakened by moisture, dryness, or mildew.
	nylon Nylon cord is very strong and flexible. It will not stretch easily and is resistant to mildew, dryness and heat. It is also rot resistant and waterproof.
	polyethylene Polyethylene plastics are much more resistant to moisture and heat; they are waterproof, rot-resistant, and stronger than cotton lines of the same thickness.
	Twisted and braided lines Braided line is where the individual strands are woven together in an interlaced braided pattern to increase its strength. Twisted line is a type of yarn (woven fibers) and consists of interwoven threads that have been twisted together to form a thread or rope, increasing its strength.
Which material should I choose?
	Braided nylon or polyethylene line is generally considered the best plumb line. These types of line do not stretch easily, they are waterproof, rot and mildew resistant. Also, braided lines tend to be stronger and generally don't twist like twisted lines. This is important when making accurate measurements with a plumb bob.