What are the forms of plumb?
| Plumb lines come in a variety of shapes and can be very decorative pieces. Some collectors of these basic instruments estimate that there are over 10,000 different plumb lines! Below are some of the most common: | |
natural forms | |
| Commonly named after fruits and vegetables, the most common naturally shaped plumb lines are:
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Geometric shapes | |
 | There are many geometric plumb lines. Here are some of the more common ones:
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Formal forms | |
 | Some of the most common formal plumb lines are:
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Which shape to choose? | |
 | There are many different plumb shapes and most work just as well as others, although some may be better suited to certain applications depending on their individual shape. However, the material they are made of, their symmetry, and how balanced they are are perhaps more important than their shape. |
 | For accurate marking, it is recommended to choose a plumb line with a thin tip, such as a "carrot", "cone" or "pencil". This would be ideal for work where you need to accurately move points from one location to another. |
 | If you're just using the plumb line as a guide, then the shape of your plumb line may not be that important. As long as it is heavy, it will keep your line taut and straight. If you need to get very close to the workpiece, try using a flat plumb line for accurate marking. For more information on flat plumb lines, see: What are the types of plumb? |
