When a mason used this type of tool it would have had a plumb line attached to it. A plumb line is a string with a weight at the end that can be used to find true vertical lines. It was used to check vertical lines in buildings to make sure they were really vertical.

Try making your own plumb-line!

1. Cut a length of string 16 inches long.
2. Tie a small weight like a metal washer to one end.
3. Hold up the free end of the string. Your string should show you a true vertical line. Is your room straight or crooked? Hold your plumb line up in the corner of a room or next to the legs of a table and put them to the test!

The plumb-line also represented the idea of being emotionally and spiritually balanced and upright. What kinds of tools have you used? What ideas could they represent?