I am not sure this is the proper name for these little templates, but I am betting most surveyors have used them during their careers. I was first introduced to them in the 1980's. Along with a mechanical pencil, it is probably the most used item in both the field and office.
You had to usually scratch your name into the surface because they were prone to walking away.
I still have one although I haven't used it for probably 15 years. Timely templates is all I ever heard them called.
I have a pile of them in my drawer. Leftover from my grandfather's days. I also have an envelope with a variety of "French" curves (I think this is what he called them)
I have 3 or 4, scattered in different places,haven't used in years.
I have one in my fieldbook now. From their website, for a small fee, they will stamp your company name on the template, (with a minimum order).
I have a stack of about 100 Timely 41T templates in my desk drawer. Our field crews still use them. I had our Company name and phone number printed on them and used them as "freebies" when ever we called on a client's office. Slipping a drafter a couple of those generated many a job for our company over the years.
I keep a piece of one in my wallet. When the end split I replaced it and took scissors to the old one to make it the size of a credit card. Fits well and I always have it with me. I also have one in the pocket on the visor in my truck. I can't draw a sketch without one.
Andy
Had to pull mine out of my top desk drawer just to make sure it was still there.
The top line reads "No. T-41 Ask for Genuine TIMELY Templates U.S.A.".
I noticed yours as shown has ISRAEL in place of U.S.A. Does that mean yours was made in Israel and if so how did you come by an Israeli TIMELY template?
The plot thickens....:-D
> Had to pull mine out of my top desk drawer just to make sure it was still there.
> The top line reads "No. T-41 Ask for Genuine TIMELY Templates U.S.A.".
> I noticed yours as shown has ISRAEL in place of U.S.A. Does that mean yours was made in Israel and if so how did you come by an Israeli TIMELY template?
>
> The plot thickens....:-D
That might be because it is made for Alvin, a German Company, not for Timely.
I don't think that is the issue Stephen....looks like they are in CT, TX and CA
German ?
Alvin & Company Inc.
P.O. Box 188
Windsor, CT 06095-0722
Windsor is a few towns away from me, I am sorry to see that stuff is being made in ISRAEL.
I have older stuff (40 years) from Alvin made in Germany.
Somewhere I think I have an Alvin and a Timely template. I loved them. Used them in the field and in the office. Had masking tape on the bottom of mine for using with Rapidograph pens.
I use them every day. I use a DayTimer for notes, chargable hours, appointments, etc., and mine is punched to fit the looseleaf pages and I use it to mark the current day as well as for symbols when needed. I have been using one every day for the past 30 years or so.
I have a couple made by Pickett, one by Berol, and one by IBM (flowcharting template). They hang on a pegboard above my desk along with other long-unused tools: triangles, erasing shields, a compass and a couple of protractors.
Here is what mine, looks like;
has a web site
http://www.timelytemplates.com/
Alvin still has quite a few templates. The Lietz Co. was big in the template and drafting supply business through the early 1970's probably mostly west of the Rockies. Alvin took over Lietz template business before 1980. Some Lietz templates were from other makers, some had the Lietz name but I don't know if Lietz made them in house.
"...I am sorry to see that stuff is being made in ISRAEL."
Care to explain?
Have one right here by me. I use it every day when reading legal descriptions to help me keep my place. Used to use them to draw sketches in my field notes when I was in the field.
