In many building projects, plastering walls to create a smooth, even surface is an important step. String beacons serve as a guide or reference point, which is crucial for achieving a high-quality finish. By ensuring that plaster is applied uniformly over wide areas, these straightforward but efficient tools help avoid common problems like dips or bumps.
Screed guides, another name for string beacons, are very adaptable and simple to erect. They are made up of strings that are physically and visually placed between fixed points on a wall to guide plastering. Employees can maintain uniform thickness and alignment and produce a more polished finish by using string beacons.
String beacon installation requires precise placement and measurement. Setting the beacons at the proper heights requires precise tool use and a clean, ready surface as a starting point. After they are put in place, these guides offer a trustworthy resource that speeds up and improves the efficiency of the plastering process.
A spirit level, nails, and some basic materials can be used to make string beacons. The ease of use of these instruments belies their potency; a modest expenditure on suitable beacons can significantly raise the caliber of plastering. Anyone working in construction or renovation can become proficient with the use of string beacons to improve their plastering abilities with a little practice.
- Structure of string beacons
- Wire
- How to make yourself
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Structure of string beacons
Plaster beacons are made up of two holders, or clamps, with a basic tensioning mechanism (a bolt and nut that need to be tightened) installed on one of them. Actually, the second holder is just a regular anchor. Stretched between these holders is a wire. In this instance, beacons can either be taken out or stay inside the plaster’s body. While wooden and plastic auxiliary elements are available, using metal ones is recommended.
Practical! Screws or dowels are used to secure the fasteners to the wall or floor.
Such beacons should have their upper edges in the same plane. Levels, plumb lines, or laser levels are used for this. As a rule, builders work along the upper portions of the beacons to remove extra plaster. Strips of mortar are laid under the wire all the way along its length to prevent it from bending under the pressure of the rule. As it solidifies, it creates a sturdy foundation.
The beacons are usually removed once the plaster layer has dried, and the grooves left behind are sealed using the same plaster mortar.
Wire
This is the beacon’s primary component, which can be constructed from:
- stainless steel (according to GOST 9389-75);
- wire remaining after pulling the cables in the corrugation with the help of electricians;
- galvanized knitting wire;
- thin cable;
Practical! Cables are rarely used because they cut wedges during plastering (if they are used to adjust the string).
- copper-plated welding wire of the ER 70S-6 series by 1.2 mm.
The first choice satisfies all requirements in full. However, if the task is done at home, you can get away with using any type of stainless steel elastic wire or one that has an insulating covering on it. Clarifying beacons’ benefits and drawbacks is also important before using them. Some installation tasks might not be appropriate for them.
Benefits and drawbacks
Among the advantages of string beacons, the following are noteworthy:
- Possibility of multiple use. In addition, if the wire becomes unusable, it can be replaced and old clamps can be used.
- Low cost.
- Possibility of self-production.
- Ease of extraction after the plaster layer dries. At the same time, no grooves are formed.
- Ease of use and speed of work.
- Ability to create a perfectly flat surface.
- Need to level only two structures (if the distance is large, then three strings may be required).
- Ability to create a very thin leveling layer (up to 2 mm).
Not without drawbacks, though. Among the drawbacks of string beacons, the following will be highlighted:
- Need to use several sets. If you need to lay plaster on all the walls at once, then you will need 6 sets with 2 strings and 4 tension channels.
- If removable beacons are used, then you need to monitor their condition, the quality of the thread.
- Need to use pads if the walls have too large differences. Because of this, the installation of additional beacons (from mortar) has to be carried out in several stages.
- Inability to create too thick a layer. In this case, the plaster can begin to sag and pull the beacons along with it.
- Sensitivity of the system to sharp bends of the wire. If the string is curved, this will also be reflected on the finished surface.
- Risk that the threads of the clamps will become clogged with mortar. This complicates the process of dismantling the beacons.
Selecting low-quality beacons can result in corrosion when they come into contact with uncured mortar. Builders like to employ detachable auxiliary structures because of this.
It should be considered that plastering these beacons may seem like an odd procedure. Generally speaking, in this kind of scenario, the rule should be moved horizontally rather than vertically. As a result, extra mortar finds its way onto the ground. Nonetheless, the majority of these drawbacks cannot be deemed severe. For instance, it is sufficient to place extra mortar lines along the strings if there is a chance that the wire may sag when working on large surfaces. Some just make little mounds.
We can conclude that there are far more benefits to string lighthouses than drawbacks when we consider that such basic supporting structures can be constructed independently.
How to make yourself
Although the so-called inventory beacons that are sold in building supply stores are cheap, there are situations in which leaving the construction site is not an option. Some people in this situation just put the screws in the appropriate locations on the walls or the floor and pull the wire along them. However, you can create much more convenient products that are pull-able. For this:
- Prepare a coil of wire with a diameter of 0.3-0.5 mm (a motor for 5 kg will cost 200-300 rubles.), self-tapping screws up to 10 cm long and with a diameter of 6 mm, two metal corners, pliers and a wrench.
- On each side of the corners we drill one hole. The first we will insert the bolt, and in the second self -tapping screw.
- Since the tool will be connected to the wall using a self-tapping screw, we apply the corner with the desired side perpendicular to the plane. We do this for two corners, which are installed on both sides of the wall and directed at each other.
- Wrap the head of the bolt with several turns of wire.
- Screw the nut onto the bolt.
- Repeat for the second corner, securing the free end of the wire to it.
- Tighten the string with a wrench. At the same time, use pliers to fix the head of the bolt (this will prevent it from twisting).
Crucial! Exerting force on the string requires extreme caution. The wire could fly off and injure someone’s face if it breaks. For the same reason, make sure the wire is free of factory defects by running a full length inspection on it before beginning any work.
Beacons made by hand are just as simple to use as ones that are bought.
Topic | Details |
Purpose of String Beacons | String beacons help ensure a smooth and level plaster finish. |
Materials Needed | String, nails or screws, and a spirit level. |
Installation Process | Attach nails or screws to the wall at desired intervals, then stretch the string tightly between them. |
Adjusting the Beacons | Use a spirit level to make sure the strings are perfectly horizontal or vertical as needed. |
Applying Plaster | Use the string beacons as guides to apply and smooth out the plaster evenly. |
Final Check | Ensure the plaster is level by checking against the beacons before they are removed. |
Plastering projects can be made much better by installing and manufacturing string beacons, which is a simple process. String beacons guarantee a smooth and even finish by giving a guide for the plaster’s thickness and levelness, which minimizes the need for significant corrections down the road.
Because the supplies and equipment needed to make string beacons are easily obtainable, both novice plasterers and experts in the field can utilize this technique. These beacons are carefully installed, providing a strong base upon which plaster can be applied to ensure perfectly straight and evenly covered walls.
Accurate outcomes can be obtained by following the instructions, which include marking and measuring the wall and securing the string lines. This technique enhances the overall quality of the plastered surface while saving time. Setting up string beacons gets easier and faster with experience, producing consistently good results.
Incorporating string beacons into your plastering routine is a small investment that pays off with better-finished walls and ceilings. Whether you"re renovating a room or working on a new construction project, mastering this technique will elevate the standard of your work, making the final results more professional and durable.
For walls and ceilings to be smooth and level, installing and creating string beacons for plaster is an essential step. The plaster is applied more evenly thanks to the precise guide lines that are set up during this process. Plastering becomes easier for professionals and do-it-yourselfers alike when these beacons are installed correctly, enhancing the final surface’s quality and longevity. You can consistently achieve a flawless finish by using the appropriate materials and adhering to a few simple steps.