[metal stud] Get a (perfect) perpendicular line onto a wall?

[threesixright]

Hi All!

I need to make two metal stud walls. Now I was fighting (no wall is 100% straight and no corner is exactly 90 degree), with what to use a reference and whats an easy way to draw a line perpendicular to the wall. The -to be made- walls are pretty short: ~ 1 meter / 4 ft long).

I have a reasonable sized square, but the bottom of the plaster walls are not perfect straight (floor will rise ~ 10 cm). So I lifted the square on a few pieces of wood. Long story short, I think it kind of works. But thrilled I'm not...

I'm curious (i.e.. looking for some tips) what you guys are using and is working best: 3-4-5 method? Some way with a laser line?

Thanks 

 

[AstroKeith]

I use a Bosch Quigo laser that produces a vertical and horizontal line. It clips into a clamp that includes an adjuster that allows pretty fine setting up.

Saves so much time and so far has been perfect.

 

[tjbnwi]

3-4-5 for the first wall, measure off first wall to place second wall parallel to first wall. For plumb, a good level.

Tom

 

[demographic]

Yeah, I'd 3,4,5 it.
In a right angled triangle the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the square of the other two sides.
So if one leg of the right angle is 3 metres  long and the other leg of the right angled triangle is 4 metres the hypotenuse will be 5 metres long.
3x3=9
4x4=16
9+16= 25

And the hypotenuse being 5 metres long means that 5x5=25.

A far simpler way to get that into an apprentices head is to call it the 3,4,5 method and you can substitute metres for feet or miles if you want as long as the measurements all match.
An explanation here.
HERE.