Using string beacons can make the process of plastering walls much simpler, even though it can still be challenging to achieve a smooth, even finish. Even if you’re a do-it-yourself enthusiast, following these easy instructions will guarantee that the plaster is applied at the proper thickness and help you achieve a polished finish.
Making inexpensive, simple string beacons out of wire is a good idea. To help you with your plastering, you can make your own string beacons with a few simple supplies and tools. This approach is not only affordable but also adaptable to your project’s particular requirements.
We’ll guide you through the process of creating your own wire string beacons in this article. You’ll discover what supplies you’ll need, how to assemble them, and some pointers for making sure they’re lined up correctly. Regardless of your level of experience, this tutorial will help you get excellent results with plastering.
Step | Description |
1. Gather materials | Get some wire, nails, and a hammer. |
2. Prepare the wall | Mark the spots where you"ll place the beacons. |
3. Install nails | Hammer nails into the marked spots. |
4. Stretch the wire | Attach the wire to the nails, keeping it tight and straight. |
5. Check alignment | Ensure the wire is level and aligned correctly. |
6. Apply plaster | Use the wire as a guide to apply and smooth the plaster. |
- Purpose of string beacons
- Types and design features
- Advantages and disadvantages
- Which wire to choose
- Installation features
- Fastening process
- Step-by-step beacon installation technology
- How to make beacons for plaster from wire with your own hands
- Video on the topic
- New technology for leveling floors, ceilings and walls. String beacons.
- DIY string beacons.
- Setting up STRING BEACONS using a LASER. What are the main points? Plastering walls.
- How to properly stretch the wire on STRING BEACONS? Plastering walls under the beacon.
- STRING BEACONS on the floor! Installation features. Floor screed using BEACONS.
Purpose of string beacons
Facilitating the process of completing work inside and outside objects is its primary purpose.
With the use of this auxiliary tool, major surface flaws (walls, floors, etc.) can be removed. D.). For rough finishing, use beacons with strings. In this instance, it’s imperative to eliminate any dents, sizable chips, or protrusions that heighten surface level variations at various locations.
String devices are employed in conjunction with rules, another tool. Carry it along the beacon wire, please. Any surface is leveled considerably faster as a result.
Types and design features
These devices have a uniform design with two holders between which the wire is stretched and a basic tensioning mechanism on one side (standard fasteners, such as bolts and nuts, are used in this instance and must be tightened). Because the structure is entirely composed of metal, dependability is guaranteed. The products work as intended and last a long time.
There are holes in the holders. They are made to attach the gadget to walls and floors, among other surfaces. This lowers the chance of beacon displacement. This raises the possibility of receiving excellent rough finishing.
These products do have a drawback, though: there’s a greater chance of wire sagging when leveling large surfaces. A building mixture is used to prevent this. It serves as a supporting role. Concurrently, a mound forms on surfaces that require leveling. The mixture is removed from the top after it dries. You will be able to open the wire and walk along it as a result.
Making string beacons out of plastering wire is an easy, affordable way to guarantee even, smooth surfaces. Using simple tools like wire and screws, you can create guides on your wall using this do-it-yourself method, which will help you apply plaster more precisely. Anyone can accomplish professional results, save money, and have the satisfaction of finishing the project themselves by following a few simple steps.
Advantages and disadvantages
Completing tasks is facilitated by the use of auxiliary tools and equipment. While not the primary stage, this one is nonetheless significant. You can thus obtain a coating free of both noticeable and minor flaws.
- Low price. Such devices are the most affordable on the market, if compared with analogues of other types (for example, metal perforated profiles).
- Possibility of repeated use. Fixing for the purpose of alignment with string beacons is permissible to perform unlimited, since. . the main structure is made of metal, it has holes for screws with dowels, which means dismantling is easy.
- Work is done faster.
- After removing the beacons and wire, there are no obvious marks on the leveling mixture, so you will not have to restore the surface.
- Quick installation of the coating, even if the defects on the rough base were significant.
- It becomes possible to reduce the thickness of the leveling mixture layer.
- If necessary, the wire can be replaced if it has become unusable due to constant contact with a humid environment. This increases the service life of the string beacons.
- Installation process. There is a need for complex (as for similar devices) adjustment of the strings.
- Alignment is performed in a different plane – horizontal. This contributes to contamination of the wall, floor, because. . the solution falls during work with the rule.
- Loss of product quality. When in contact with a wet solution, there is a risk of corrosion. In addition, the working mechanism (thread, facilitating the adjustment of the string beacons) gradually becomes clogged.
- There is a risk of bending the wire, which leads to a decrease in the quality of alignment.
If you are familiar with string beacons, it is best to think about using them. You’ll be able to identify wire deflections early on thanks to this.
Which wire to choose
It is advised to take heed of a feature like elasticity. This will guarantee excellent alignment because there will be no chance of sagging because the wire tension will be at its highest. Products made of stainless steel are the best choice. Selecting a material that complies with GOST 9389-75 is advised.
- wire for automatic welding (diameter 1.2 mm);
- a product in a corrugated tube (used when laying a cable);
- galvanized (knitting) wire.
Select a product with a smooth surface if at all possible. Working with a wire, such as a cable, will cause the rule to gradually deteriorate. The quality of alignment will suffer as a result.
Installation features
Two strings, a hammer, pliers, a building level, a plumb line, a screwdriver, and a key are needed to get started. Use a plaster mixture to level the surface.
- dowels and self-tapping screws, if you plan to level a concrete or brick wall;
- only self-tapping screws for wood (on wooden structures).
Installing beacons with a string mechanism requires consideration of the rule’s dimensions; their spacing must be less than the leveling tool’s width. The caliber of the work will rise as a result.
It should be remembered that large surfaces require different methods of leveling (installing multiple string beacons is necessary when plastering walls).
In this instance, the plan will be intricate: beacons are positioned in the middle, across, and around the periphery (up to 20 cm from each edge). By doing this, the wire will not droop.
Fastening process
- Prepare holes for installing fasteners, taking into account the dimensions of the product.
- Fix the beacons at a given level.
- Adjust the string mechanism. To do this, the opposite ends of the wire are twisted differently: clockwise and counterclockwise (by tightening the fasteners). At this stage, you need to make sure that the string is as tight as possible.
Step-by-step beacon installation technology
- Work begins with marking the wall. At the same time, its height and length are taken into account. Based on such data, the locations of the beacons and their number are determined.
- After fixing the leveling devices, their position relative to each other is checked. At the same time, the distance between the beacons is estimated. To align the wall, the rule must pass along the strings without moving anywhere (neither up nor down). This will allow you to get the best result. It is not enough to install beacons only at opposite ends of the wall. There will be too much distance between them, as a result, the rule will not be able to move along the string mechanism.
- Align the strings. For this, use a building level or plumb line. If at this stage it is not possible to accurately adjust the strings, the quality of the wall alignment will decrease. Depressions will appear, because. . the wire will hang.
- Prepare a mixture that will be used to support the wire from the bottom. A roller should be formed, for which a spatula is used. It is also important to use a building level at this stage, otherwise the risk of changing the position of the string mechanism will increase. The surface of the rollers must be smooth.
Assuming the leveling mixture has dried, work can start. If not, the rule will force itself through the supporting roller, causing the wire to curve.
How to make beacons for plaster from wire with your own hands
String devices can be made in various ways. The option selected takes into consideration the variations in elevation at various wall points. Utilizing products with metal corners is sufficient if the difference is less than 2 centimeters.
- Take 2 corners, each of the shelves should have 1 hole. Prepare self-tapping screws (and dowels, if necessary), as well as bolts and nuts (2 pcs each.).
- At a given height, fix the corners on the surface to be leveled. Use self-tapping screws.
- Screw the bolts into the free holes. Screw the nuts on the other side of the shelf.
- Put the loops of the prepared wire on the heads of the bolts. Its length is determined taking into account the size of the wall or the section that needs to be leveled.
- Adjust the tension of the string by screwing in the bolts.
It is not required to create unique beacons for every situation if there is a substantial difference in levels across three or more sections of the supporting structure, or if the differences occur all at once.
Using longer wire is acceptable. Assemble the wedges that must be inserted beneath the string to change its position.
Making string beacons out of plastering wire is an easy and affordable method to guarantee smooth and level walls. You don’t need expensive equipment to achieve professional results if you follow easy steps and use readily available materials.
Make sure the walls are dry and clean before setting up your supplies and area. Next, position the wire beacons, making sure they are evenly spaced and taut. Maintaining the proper plaster thickness and level requires this step.
After positioning your beacons, you can confidently apply the plaster, knowing that it will be applied uniformly throughout the surface. By lowering the possibility of uneven areas and saving time on corrections, the wire guides assist you in achieving a consistent finish.
By getting the hang of this method, you’ll enhance the caliber of your plastering jobs and acquire useful abilities that you can use in other building and remodeling projects. It’s a useful technique that improves the productivity and quality of your work.