When you are working on a cement concrete masonry project, the line between your corners is the guide for every course. A loose or wavy string shows up in the finished wall, so the layout tools you choose are not a small detail. This guide compares four masonry layout listings: a line stretcher, two different line block sets, and a bulk pack of mortar joint spacers.
Quick Take
If you already have line blocks and want to pull the mason's line taut, the Marshalltown LS810 stretches the line and adjusts from 8 to 10 inches. If you need extra anchors for corners, the Goldblatt 01240 provides 4 pairs. The wooden line block set with 2 pairs is a lower-priced starting point for basic bricklaying and paving. For a larger block or brick job where even mortar joints are the main challenge, the 1,000-piece masonry mortar joint spacer pack is the bulk option.
Listed Price Comparison
| Product | Listed price | Price bar |
| Marshalltown LS810 Masonry Line Stretcher | USD 15.95 | |
| Goldblatt 01240 Masonry Line Blocks | USD 14.99 | |
| Wooden Masonry Line Blocks | USD 11.86 | |
| Masonry Mortar Joint Spacers | USD 200.00 | |
The four listings range in price from $11.86 to $200.00, with the mortar joint spacer bundle carrying the higher listed price.
Decision Matrix
| Your need | Pick from these listings | Why it fits |
| Pull the line tight between corners | Marshalltown LS810 | Stretches the line and adjusts to fit line blocks. |
| Add spare anchor points for your string | Goldblatt 01240 | More blocks for setting up multiple corners. |
| Keep a simple string setup for brick or paving | Wooden line blocks | Plain blocks that hold a string. |
| Handle a large masonry layout | Masonry mortar joint spacer pack | Bulk pack designed for block and brick laying. |
Product Notes
Marshalltown LS810 Masonry Line Stretcher
The Marshalltown LS810 is the only tool in this group whose job is to actively stretch the mason's line. It is made from durable cast aluminum and adjusts between 8 and 10 inches, so it can fit between line blocks and take up slack before you set a course. At USD 15.95, it sits near the middle of the listed price range and is priced about a dollar above the Goldblatt block set. If you already have line blocks, this is the piece that makes them work harder. The limitation is that it is a stretching tool, not a line block, so plan on using it with a pair of blocks to anchor the line.
Goldblatt 01240 Masonry Line Blocks
The Goldblatt 01240 set gives you eight blocks total, or 4 pairs, which is useful when you want to set up more than one corner before you start laying. These line blocks are listed as new open box and made in the United States. At USD 14.99, they are only a few cents less than the Marshalltown line stretcher, but they solve a different part of the layout puzzle. They provide the anchor points for the string rather than the tension. If you need a tight line, you will want to add a stretcher or use a reliable knotting method, since these blocks do not pull the line by themselves.
Wooden Masonry Line Blocks
This listing includes two pairs of wooden line blocks at USD 11.86, the lowest listed price in the comparison. Each block is about 10.3 cm long and 2.9 cm wide with a 0.2 cm groove, and the driving end has a chamfered design for quick connection. That makes them a straightforward choice for bricklaying or paving layouts where you need simple string anchors. The trade-off is that they are line blocks only: they anchor the string but do not tension it, and the basswood body is not a stretching tool. For a basic setup, these are plain, straightforward anchors.
Masonry Mortar Joint Spacers for DIY Block and Bricklaying
This listing is for 50 packs of 20 spacers, totaling 1,000 pieces, and is priced at USD 200.00. The spacers are designed to help the handyman, homeowner, and DIYer lay cement, concrete, cinder block, and brick with more consistent mortar joints. If you are doing a large amount of block work, having enough spacers to keep the joints even can be more important than the line itself. This product solves a different problem than line blocks or a stretcher: it handles joint spacing rather than string alignment. Because of the quantity, this is the higher-listed-price item in the group, so it makes sense when your project is large enough to use the full pack.
Final Recommendation by Use Case
If you want a straight reference line and already own line blocks, start with the Marshalltown LS810. If you need spare blocks for multiple corners, the Goldblatt 01240 is the set to choose. For basic masonry or paving jobs, the wooden line block set gives you a simple starting point. When your main challenge is uniform mortar joints across a big block or brick project, the masonry mortar joint spacer pack is the option to build around.
