A recent post got me thinking about the types of markers that are used in different parts of the country and how they have changed over the years. Some things, like cotton picker spindles, that are very common in my area are practically unheard of in other areas. One type of marker that I used to see all the time was the "bottle cap and nail". As I think about it, I haven't seen one of those in years. What kind of markers are common (or used to be common) in your area?
Axle. Either from broken tractors or Model T's.
Found an axle the other day; fairly common in MO. Also pinched pipes
N10,000, E7,000, Z100.00
PLS - IL, MO, AR, KS, MN, KY
Harrow Tooth was pretty common around here.
a pretty common one here are roof bolts.
I have seen railroad rails set vertical, not sure how long they are but I have heard they are usually 4' and sharpened at one end for driving into the ground.
http://www.berntsen.com/Surveying/Concrete-Survey-Markers/BP-Series-Markers-for-Concrete&apos ;">Berntsen plugs are becoming commonplace in PDX. Brass screws, leaded into concrete, have been widely used in the past. The brass screws are old school, the plugs being used in their stead. Both are unknown to Oklahomans.
In British Columbia the lead plug, with brass tack, is used in concrete where the brass screw is used in PDX. A lot more lead and less brass. Never, ever had a PK nail to use in BC. Used concrete nails from the hardware store. I used to drive mine through a penny. Boss complained about wasting money.
60d Spikes get used routinely for traverse points in OK, not so much in PDX. Chiseled or scratched cross in concrete is one of the most common OK monuments. Never used in OR, WA, or BC for anything other than the most temporary of markings.
C Billingsley, post: 335126, member: 1965 wrote: A recent post got me thinking about the types of markers that are used in different parts of the country and how they have changed over the years. Some things, like cotton picker spindles, that are very common in my area are practically unheard of in other areas. One type of marker that I used to see all the time was the "bottle cap and nail". As I think about it, I haven't seen one of those in years. What kind of markers are common (or used to be common) in your area?
I put (4) bottle caps (Amber Bock) and nails on a survey about 4 years ago. (2) weeks ago I was going to put several in on a project but found some of the orange survey marker disk in my tool box. Does that count? I like the nail and cap thing better. Reminds me of all the old timers I started off with. Dixie Beer was the cap of choice in the 60's.
Whiskey bottles, charcoal pits, stones with "x", redwood post. Uncommon to recover, however, in our peat and loam soils. Stones are good, but not so much the magic "x" ...
John Hamilton, post: 335135, member: 640 wrote: I have seen railroad rails set vertical, not sure how long they are but I have heard they are usually 4' and sharpened at one end for driving into the ground.
At last PLSO convention, person from railroad said that vertical rails are used to mark RR right of way. Flat base oriented on the right of way line, body of rail inside the right of way.
Iron pipes, old and new, axles, rr spikes, drill holes in rock (important to always carry your hole finder), lately more rebar with caps but find that the creatures eat the caps, we even used a bunch of shotgun barrels that Remington Arms sold for junk.
standard here is 18" #4 or 5 rebar with plastic cap. I use stainless caps. I also started using those 24" steel tent stakes with the drive nail and ID disc that goes on top. They're pretty cool and seem very sturdy in sandy soils.
Subdivisions here have to get concrete monuments which must be at least 30" long with a cap on top.