Construction is filled with tasks requiring materials to be marked and places to be marked where construction components will be built or attached. The marks often specify the locations where a material will be cut. Other times the marks show the position of critical items that need to be avoided, or that require further work. A primary use of marking in construction is to show where something is going to be constructed. Construction marking tools have evolved over time and many of today's versions leave longer-lasting, and tougher marks, while others produce temporary, virtual marks. Chalk Line The chalk line was in use at least 5, 000 years ago by the Egyptians, according to Steven Ferry in his paper, "A Look at How Construction Tools Have Evolved. " Instead of chalk, the Egyptians used different colors of ochre, but the intent of the mark was essentially the same as it is today--to show where to cut or place something. Marking Paint One of the primary uses of marking paint in construction is to show the position of underground utilities. A technician will use a utility locating device to find the lines and then spray a particular color of paint on the ground to mark where the line is. Each type of utility has its own identifying color. Scribing Tool The scribing tool simplifies one of the most complex marking tasks in construction. Wherever one component abuts another, the materials are often dissimilar and very often have different profiles. By using the scribing tool, the worker can achieve a remarkably close matchup between the two components. Pencils and Lumber Crayons The wide, flat carpenter's pencil has been used to mark materials in construction for many years. The dark, soft lead leaves a clear mark on many kinds of materials, and the flat shape means it tucks away behind the ear comfortably. There are some materials, though, that benefit from a different kind of marking tool. The lumber crayon being wax or grease-based leaves a mark where the pencil might fail. These crayons are especially helpful for marking wet or oily materials. Laser Lines In construction today, lines of light are increasingly being used for marking. The beam of light generated by a laser is highly visible and when combined with leveling tools, it does more than just marking, by also showing if things are plumb and level. These laser light beams are now attached to many of the cutting tools used in construction, so the worker only needs to place a mark on the material to be cut, activate the laser light so it falls on the mark and then make the cut. This eliminates the typical step of using a square to scribe a straight line before cutting.
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