Newton, if that wasn't so true it would be downright funny. The same bossman carried a jug of fuel oil in the truck. He also had a ready made 1 lb coffee can, with perforations around the bottom (closed end) to allow for ventilation.
Then you just chip away a bit around the suspected monument area, douse it with fuel, light it, invert the coffee can, and sit in truck. When you couldn't smell the diesel fuel (#2 fuel oil), you'd repeat the process. Soon (perhaps and hour, a cup of coffee, and 2 donuts later) you'd have a perfectly round hole that was all lubricated from the oil, and hopefully find your monument. Sometimes a couple feet down, but usually there.
Circa 1978, Harrison MI. Bossman was a retired MDOT surveyor, who knew how to get things done the old fashioned way. One of my more favored mentors...John Segeman. RIP I do believe, but not sure. He'd be in his 80's by now.
Frost Pin or Bull *****
Frost? What's that?
Frost pin pic.
I've used a bunch of different types but this is my favorite. The rubber handle saves my hand. So far there has been no mushrooming or chipping. Used it yesterday morning staking a couple of miles of property line.
Frost pin pic.
Moe,
Where do you get that?
Al
I was going to offer "frost pin" from my early days of surveying in MI. I also remember the diesel method as well for AC.
BTW, the survey schools in MI are Ferris State University and Michigan Tech University. U of M has Civil Engineering, and at one time had courses to minor in surveying, but I believe the survey minor was cancelled a long ways back.
> BTW, the survey schools in MI are Ferris State University and Michigan Tech University. U of M has Civil Engineering, and at one time had courses to minor in surveying, but I believe the survey minor was cancelled a long ways back.
Yup, you got it right. Me, I'm a grad of 'da Tech, back when the hockey team ruled the NCAA. It's since got transfered to that yucky Wolverine/Spartan rivaly, but that's ok I guess. Now North Dakota, Maine, Boston College, even Notre Dame are thick in the mix of big money college hockey.
Kinda sorta maybe wish I was still there...good times that will never ever be seen again, ever... sad really in many ways. But when I went there, GPS and EDM's didn't exist so we learned the old school way, including the legalities of what we do. So instead of figuring out what datum we thought we were on, we all went Smelt drinking every April when the water hit 44 deg. (or was it 47?).. aahhhh, the good old days 😉
Big Al, I got it
at the local hardware store.
Not sure where to get one where you are, but if you see one I recommend buying it. It isn't real robust, but for lath in snow and ice it's perfect.
Thanks, Moe
I have something similar which I think of as a stone chisel. It too has a rubber handle which is a nice feature. Probably not as robust a tool as what has been mentioned here, but might do the work for many situations anyway. Cheers!
Once had an over zealous chainman punching a hole in the asphalt road with a BULL *****, to which we were going to set a iron pipe within. I looked up in time to yell STOP, as he swung one last time to set the Bull ***** flush. The map now reads "set iron BULL *****, flush, punched LS 7191. 🙂 Jp, Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
For setting rebars or pipes through asphalt I prefer a rotary hammer with a 1" bit. It makes a neat hole right where I want it and no ruining my shoulder and elbow pounding on that damn thing.
But working in the Forest it's been a while since I had to do that.
The last two were aluminum monuments for which we dug a hole with a sharp shooter. Past a foot and a half I excavate the dirt by hand (I have long arms).