New type of monument

O'Roly

That is a much better picture than the one I uploaded at first. Mine came of very blurry, so I posted the link. How did you get it to post so clear David?

O'Roly

You still need to upload it to photobucket but use the image button over to the right and paste the straight link code from photobucket into the dialog box.

New type of monument-Paul

Hijack.

So you moved BACK to California? The heat get to you already. 🙂

Deral

> Hijack.
>
> So you moved BACK to California? The heat get to you already. 🙂

Well..the heat was something I was getting used to. The humidity would take a lot longer to get used to, say about a year.

I reconnected with my oldest son Deral, that was really the main point of the trip.

I also did some Texas style surveying and that was really an eye opener. I turned 62 while over in Texas and started thinking about the years ahead. If I had of stayed on and pursued a Texas license, at least a year would pass just for that, most likely two years. Then there would be a couple of years working for a Texas firm while licensed. A few more years would pass, easily, before I could even think of going out on my own. So, if I did get to that point, I would be 68 or 69. I decided that with what ever remaining years I have, I may as well stay in an area that I am familiar with and have a following in.

I also was switched off like a light when I saw how a boundary survey was performed. It does not take a licensed professional to do those in Texas, it just takes someone who knows what a metal detector is and what a shovel is. Toss in an instrument now and then, and...

I just did not mesh with the type of Texas surveying I have experienced. The haphazard chaotic mess of rebars going every which way.

I would rather take 20 hours doing a job right than walking around for a few hours digging up rebars and representing to the client, "here are your property corners..now pay me" without even checking if the represented rebars are in the right place or not. That just went against my grain.

Sorry , but I just cant do Quickie-Dickies in Texas.

Kent...if you ever need a crowbar for yanking garbage out of the ground, just let me know and i'll Fed Ex one to you.

Paul

Too bad that your time in Texas was limited to the metro areas. Had you the time to get out in the great areas beyond the concrete you may have had the chance to be in on reconstruction of original boundaries that were absent to any survey during the last 100yrs. That you would have enjoyed. Not every surveyor in Texas have to rely upon a possible rebar to look for.

Good luck.

A Harris

> Too bad that your time in Texas was limited to the metro areas. Had you the time to get out in the great areas beyond the concrete you may have had the chance to be in on reconstruction of original boundaries that were absent to any survey during the last 100yrs. That you would have enjoyed. Not every surveyor in Texas have to rely upon a possible rebar to look for.
>
> Good luck.

I fully realize that. My opinion was formed not by an individual but by some Texas surveyors
that left rebars and PK nails behind them. No one was agreeing with the next guy. Distances called for in a deed would miss by a foot or more between monuments. It's just a situation that I could never be comfortable in. My experience in Texas was limited to small subdivisions and such.

Some things just do not fit. For me, surveying in Texas did not. I have done surveying in my own way for so long that to attempt to change my work style would take more time than I care to invest. I guess I am just an old dog that does not want to learn any new tricks..I am happy with the worn out bone 😀

Texas is a beautiful state. The people are just fantastic there. I went to Texas Chapter meeting when there and thoroughly enjoyed myself.

I am a but surprised that the Texas Board does not have more of handle on what is being placed in the ground as far as recording the surveys. That would make a huge difference. It will not correct what has been done in error in the past, but bit by bit as surveys record, the good and the bad monuments will be uncovered. I mean, did not a bunch of Texans ride into Mexico and get some land records back in 1836? Wasn't the first government institution that was formed by the republic the General Land Office?

So..what happened? Why was the ball dropped?

Paul

Welcome back to the land of fruits and nuts. I know you took your time and decided to venture out to Texas, but I think the same thing would happen to me if I went to an unfamiliar place and tried to survey. I've been in this area and exposed to the local ways for over 50 years and I'm not saying you did this, but I'd try to impose what I've burnt into my brain onto the local scene. Probably not the best idea. You know what you're doing in L.A. and surrounding areas better than anybody else, from the what I've heard, so it does my heart good to know you're doing it again.

Steve

> ... but I'd try to impose what I've burnt into my brain onto the local scene. Probably not the best idea...

Well..I tried that but it did not go over very well. I was a new cook in an old kitchen and the recipes did not need improving 🙂 So be it, but if you do not mind, I think I will pass on the whole meal.

I was able to get into a very nice RS when I arrived back. It took 18.5 field hours and probably 20 office hours. We were able to set 11 centerline monuments. Eight of those monuments were for an avenue in Glendale that had never been surveyed by the city.

It was a nice survey.

Paul

Yay.

Paul

Sorry I missed you paul. Maybe next time.good to hear that you reconnected,as you said that is the most important part.

Paul

Knowing that you saw something during the course of a survey that was not right, would it be correct for you notify the BOR of that activity.

We are a profession that monitors itself. Here, all it takes an anon letter to the BOR to get their attention.

I wished the opportunity had occurred to have met you while you were here. Be sure to let us know if you return.

Lead in Cali?

Really? I'd think you'd go to jail for that.

:coffee:

Deral

Thanks for the update Paul. Best wishes back in California.

Deral

Paul,

Glad to hear you are headed back to LA. Can you share your thoughts on what lead you (no pun intended) to this monument type. I would be interested in your thoughts related to its durability and bonding of the lead to asphalt. Thanks.

Dennis

> Paul,
>
> Glad to hear you are headed back to LA. Can you share your thoughts on what lead you (no pun intended) to this monument type. I would be interested in your thoughts related to its durability and bonding of the lead to asphalt. Thanks.

Well, I wanted to keep using the lead/tag combo but also wanted a magnetic signature to be available. This is how we installed them.

1. Using a small sledge we beat a depression into the AC where the point would land.

2. Pilot a hole about 3 inches deep into the AC using a 1/4" dia carbide bit.

3. Using a 1/2" top end width center punch, we drove that down into the pilot hole so the mag nail head could get a start into the hole.

4. With the same punch we then drove the mag nail to a depth of about two inches.

5. Drive in about 2" of lead stick and place the lead/tag into the lead.

The mag nail centers in very nicely when this is done. When the nail is driven down the edges of the head of the nail bite into the sides of the hole and gives a very solid fit. If the surface was just seal coated the lead/tag will sound out nicely since the mag nail is there to give a signal. If the street is ground prior to resurfacing, the depth of the grind is usually not more than an inch, in most residential street situations, and the mag nail should survive even if the lead/tag are ground out.

Next time I have the opportunity I will try drilling just 1 1/2" or so and driving the mag nail to the base of that hole with the center punch. I would like to be able to get the shank of the mag nail all the way into the softer AC below grade. I think we were able to do that a few times.

One thing you want to do is make sure your pilot hole is centered. When it is, then the mag nail punch mark is also centered when it's driven in. The center punch makes this easy, just start a pilot punch with it before drilling the hole.

The lead compresses into the sides of the hole just like into concrete.