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Tuesday, October 07, 2025
Tamjima Compact Chalk Line
Journal of Light Construction: As a carpenter, I appreciate it when a company does something that improves my day. This time, it was Tajima. I’ve been a fan of its chalk lines for a few decades. They are durable and reliable, and the new Chalk-Rite Compact is everything I would expect.
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I had just seen people using these chalk lines in the scene shop the other day for the first time! The day after that we also briefly talked about their use in carpentry stagecraft. At first glance they looked very messy, and seemed to not create very accurate lines. However, in stagecraft, we went over how to properly use them to ensure a crisp and accurate line. However, I am unsure how much this Tamjima compact chalk line has really improved on older chalk lines. The article refers to improvements in the chalk line without any actual proof or visible impact of these changes, such as a “wear-resistant metal tip” or a “smooth-running” wind mechanism. I think a smaller chalk line could be useful, but in theater it seems that we often need the longer length of rope that Tamjima has been unable to provide in their more compact version.
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