How do you mark up blockwork for first fix?

[phatboy]

For the first time, I am going to be first fixing onto new block walls. I've only ever done renovations before, where I could use a pencil onto painted plaster to mark out boxes and chases easily.

What do you use for marking up onto new block work (Concrete, not aircrete). Chalk doesn't seem very accurate, nor does wax marker, and a Sharpie would only last 5 minutes I think! I'm sure there is a simple way....!

Thanks
Tim

 

[blup]

You should be able to get a visible semi permanent line from one of the much thicker "nibbed" sharpies.

Blup

 

[chivers67]

For larger new builds when I was in that game the lead Electrician used a spray on the unfinished floor and walls

 

[sparkwright]

Marker pen - I just have to keep buying new ones.

 

[DetlefSchmitz]

I seem to remember using carpenter's pencils.

 

[phatboy]

Thanks all, ordered a box of chisel tipped black permanent markers.

I can see a terrible mess happening with paint, and with a pencil I'd be re-sharpening it every second box!

 

[SUNRAY]

Scriber/chisel

 

[JohnW2]

How about a USB-chargeable mini-airbrush. There are countless out there, this being the first hit I got on eBay ...

Kind Regards, John

 

[robinbanks]

I kinda don't understand the question, in the sense that I don't know why you're not just fixing the boxes right now, and you don't need chases to be supremely accurate because they're getting covered by the finish layer, but..

Line Marking Paints | Spray Paint | Screwfix

Buy Line Marking Paints at Screwfix.com. Mark roads and surfaces boldly and quickly. Fast drying. Order online & collect in hundreds of stores nationwide.

www.screwfix.com

Hold the box on the wall, spray around the edges, take the box away; it is its own stencil

 

[pcaouolte]

Chalk, or a bit of plasterboard that happens to be laying around.

 

[chivers67]

O and may as well use at least 35mm back boxes to give you more options accessory wise.

 

[phatboy]

I kinda don't understand the question, in the sense that I don't know why you're not just fixing the boxes right now, and you don't need chases to be supremely accurate because they're getting covered by the finish layer, but..

Line Marking Paints | Spray Paint | Screwfix

Buy Line Marking Paints at Screwfix.com. Mark roads and surfaces boldly and quickly. Fast drying. Order online & collect in hundreds of stores nationwide.

www.screwfix.com

Hold the box on the wall, spray around the edges, take the box away; it is its own stencil

We aren't boarding the walls, hardwall and skim. And using 35mm boxes everywhere (Deeper for USB sockets and cooker switches, I need to bury them about 15mm deep. For the chases, I just want to make sure I keep going straight, it's easy to wander off course, I've found.

 

[phatboy]

O and may as well use at least 35mm back boxes to give you more options accessory wise.

Always, I always fit 35mm for lights, too. Never likely to regret doing so....

 

[robinbanks]

For the chases, I just want to make sure I keep going straight, it's easy to wander off course, I've found.

DeWalt DW088K-XJ Red Self-Levelling Cross-Line Laser Level - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. 2-button operation, out of level sensor and low battery indicator. Overmould protection maintains calibration under jobsite conditions. Supplied with carry case and protective kit box. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 1 minute.

www.screwfix.com

Always, I always fit 35mm for lights, too. Never likely to regret doing so....

i regret not putting cat 6 to every accessory box in my house. Next time.

 

[phatboy]

DeWalt DW088K-XJ Red Self-Levelling Cross-Line Laser Level - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. 2-button operation, out of level sensor and low battery indicator. Overmould protection maintains calibration under jobsite conditions. Supplied with carry case and protective kit box. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 1 minute.

www.screwfix.com

i regret not putting cat 6 to every accessory box in my house. Next time.

Yep got a laser, might try sitting it to the side or something. More used to just pencil lines though! Was going to use the laser to get every box level in the room.

When renovating 7 years ago I fitted 28 cat6 points. These will get re-arranged into the new space, and extras added. Having 4 on loose cables in the loft was easy and worth it.... now in use for WiFi, CCTV & environmental monitoring.