I will need to order some more survey washers in the very near future. My first order of either 50 or 100 has lasted 6 years. I don't use them all that much, but I do need them in the truck.
My last order was from Berntsen. I have always been happy with their quality. My last order was stainless steel. I have my company name on them. It is pretty long.
I looked at Surv-Kap, and their prices are a little lower than Berntsen. I looked at the 1.5" SS washers with them, and they are about $0.40 cheaper than Berntsen, but my company name will not fit on there. They don't have a 2" available in ss.
Is there a difference in aluminum washers verses stainless steel washers? I have never used the aluminum washers, and that is why I am asking. If I went with a 2" washer. I could possibly put a little more information on the washer.
Thanks in advance
> ..If I went with a 2" washer. I could possibly put a little more information on the washer.
That is what I was thinking. Punch the point number in it. But if exposed to tire wear an aluminum monument will wear smooth surprisingly quickly.
I'd probably go with aluminum, myself.
If the aluminum washers are placed in sidewalks or streets where salt is used in the winter months, the salt will eat them up. If used as reference ties in poles or other areas, they should be okay.
> If the aluminum washers are placed in sidewalks or streets where salt is used in the winter months, the salt will eat them up. If used as reference ties in poles or other areas, they should be okay.
Bad business putting these things in a utility pole and could result in a huge damage lawsuit if a worker would happen to burn a pole and spikes one of these when climbing.
> Bad business putting these things in a utility pole and could result in a huge damage lawsuit if a worker would happen to burn a pole and spikes one of these when climbing.
In Oregon and Washington nails in power poles are discouraged, as you say. In Oklahoma it is practically required to put a nail in every pole you can find.
What is wrong with old fashioned brass. It keeps almost forever in whatever climate. I've got 2" & 1/2" ones, that just have my number. That's all you need.
I use 2" mag nails when I can't drive a rebar into a rock or sidewalk, and the 1/2" ones to wire to found monuments that aren't already tagged. Then also noted on my recorded plat.
Remember that aluminum is not magnetically detectable, and most states require that our monuments are. If it's just a control point for construction or something, then just tie flagging on it or use a plastic whisker chaser, and skip the number.
for the small difference in price, we use the 2" brass washers. RLS# only, no company name.
> > Bad business putting these things in a utility pole and could result in a huge damage lawsuit if a worker would happen to burn a pole and spikes one of these when climbing.
> In Oregon and Washington nails in power poles are discouraged, as you say. In Oklahoma it is practically required to put a nail in every pole you can find.
Several years ago (30+) when I lived in & was in business in Wyoming, the electrical supplier (PP&L) published quite an informative article in the newspaper pertaining to the placing of nails, spikes, or any other non company items on utility poles. The one thing that they stressed was that these poles are private property and not public for anyone to use at their discretion. They also stated that if anyone was caught putting anything on a pole, they would procecute. A few years ago here in Arizona where I live now, the service provider issued essentially the same statement in the newspaper.
Thanks for the replies. I want the company name on the washers because I am licensed in multiple states, and don't want to have different washers for each state. I just don't use a whole lot of them.
> Is there a difference in aluminum washers verses stainless steel washers? I have never used the aluminum washers, and that is why I am asking. If I went with a 2" washer. I could possibly put a little more information on the washer.
I've used Surv-Kap's 2-inch washers in aluminum and brass for more than twenty years. In Texas, the longevity of both is excellent in nearly all cases aside from when they are set in the pavement of a public street. In those cases, the 3/8" x 8" spike will nearly invariably work it's way out of the pavement and get bent over. Construction work and the use of machinery to clean off the pavement only accelerates that. However, set in concrete curbs and sidewalks they are basically as permanent as it gets. In rural settings with the 3/8" spike set in a drill hole in rock, I'd expect the aluminum washer to last 100 years or more.
The larger size makes adding point i.d. numbers to the mark possible. In the photo below, the spike was driven into the stub of a broken cedar fence post and the washer added identifying information. I can't recall exactly why I left the spike up a bit on that one, but, as you can see, the washer is still attached to the spike.
