Ever since I was first stuck behind an instrument for hours on end while a co-worker drove or hiked to control points and boundary markers, I've been in the habit of marking my initials and the date on nearby objects while waiting. These days the gun runs itself, but I still do some projects that require static GPS observations, which present the same time-killing opportunity.
Today I was doing a 1-hour session on a mark I've visited at least half a dozen times in the last 17 years, and decided to sign onto something. The nearby guard rail looked like a good spot, so I crouched down to get at it, and look what I found:
I don't recall signing on in '08, but there you go. Today's date was marked with the same 0.5 mm HB lead I used in 2008. The old pencil markings have faded slightly, but are pretty durable all things considered.
Here's a view of the guard rail from behind the station:
Old habits die hard...
Wasn't there a character in To Kill A Mockingbird, that was always carving his name/initials into things?
Of course it's been over 50 years, so I could be remembering something else (again).
Loyal
So many objects, so little time. A stencil and spray paint might make more of an impression, though.
Loyal, could that have been The Shawshank Redemption?
Dave Lindell, post: 372692, member: 55 wrote: Loyal, could that have been The Shawshank Redemption?
Don't think so, I never read that book!
How many times, in this line of work, do I find myself within a couple/ 5 days of an anniversary to some prior action at the instant I'm digging into that old file for the first time in years?
and, isn't that guard rail awful low to the ground?
back-chain, post: 372694, member: 7900 wrote: isn't that guard rail awful low to the ground?
The standard now appears to be 31 inches to top of rail, up from 27 inches. But I can't tell if the rail pictured is low or not.
I had a I-guy do that at his set-ups along street and highways. He would do his initials and date on back of various street signs with the permanent marker.
Robert Hill, post: 372697, member: 378 wrote: with the permanent marker
The "permanent" markers I've used (Sharpie, Marksalot, probably a few others) aren't very permanent when exposed to the sun. On concrete in direct sunlight during the summer, the marks are hard to read after a few weeks, and gone after a few months.
I've had much better results with paint sticks, but they can be messy.
Jim Frame, post: 372696, member: 10 wrote: The standard now appears to be 31 inches to top of rail, up from 27 inches. But I can't tell if the rail pictured is low or not.
I think that standard rail section is 14". So, looks like twice the section height from ground to top: ~28".... call it good.
Jim Frame, post: 372698, member: 10 wrote: The "permanent" markers I've used (Sharpie, Marksalot, probably a few others) aren't very permanent when exposed to the sun. On concrete in direct sunlight during the summer, the marks are hard to read after a few weeks, and gone after a few months.
I've had much better results with paint sticks, but they can be messy.
Permanent markers are very permanent on various fabrics like nylon, vinyl, and flagging. I was looking at an old wet bag last week that's gone through every abuse and environment for a few decades and the markings are still very vivid.
So it must be the surface not the ink.
Son went on his first camping/kayak/white water rafting trip a few weeks ago with school group to NC. He had to mark all his gear and clothes with his name.
I always use paint stick or paint for concrete or pavement. Paint sticks do get messy in high heat.
Robert Hill, post: 372700, member: 378 wrote: So it must be the surface not the ink.
I think it's the UV from sunlight. When setting spikes in dirt for control points, I usually tie pink flagging on them and write the point number on the flagging with a Sharpie. If the number is exposed to the summer sun, it fades to illegible within a few months.