Our toolbox has many tools in it, each with its own place on a project. One tool that generally gets its own drawer is the chalk snap-line – not because it holds some reverent place in our hearts, and not even because we use it so much that is needs to be ready to go at any moment. No, the snap-line has its own drawer because the thing is messy. Very messy. In fact, they ooze chalk and dust all over everything they come in contact with; it’s their very nature.
The Chalk-Rite is a newer entry (relatively speaking) into the snap-line market, and it brings a few stand-apart features like a smooth gear-drive winding that (it claims) an reel in the 100 ft. of line three times quicker than a standard snap-line. It also has a sweet-looking aluminum case that maintains its seal with an elastomer gasket. However, even with all the improvement we didn’t see any wild “keeps the chalk in” claims. That means they’re probably telling the truth about the smooth, fast winding bit.
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