I set up on a slab with a jackhammer working 20 feet away.
We located the slab and I walked away to translate & rotate layout points to the existing slab. I turned around in time to see the gun do a 3 way split as all the legs went at once. It kind of bounced a few inches off the concrete.
We set it up again with the feet in drill holes. No damage.
that poor thing looks scared, it probably just saw its life flash before its eye piece.
beautiful background by the way. it is 30 here this morning.
That does it - that is officially my new desktop wallpaper!
Tri-Max tripods has a strap connecting each leg to prevent this. The strap can be annoying and I've considered taking it off. Thanks for the reminder not to do so.
This is a beautiful site. About 160 degree water view. And almost flat which is rare here. This is where a lot of what little work we have is now - older houses that were built 30 years ago on the best sites and now are too tired to get the big bucks in the villa rental market.
I need to post a few photos. We see some spectacular sights.
The legs just wanted to work on their tan.
This is definitely one of my biggest fears when setting up on concrete. Especially inside buildings as they are going up. The smooth concrete really isn't to conducive for Total Station setups. Usually I set the gun over the point then give the concrete a little sideways smack with my hammer underneath each tripod foot. Gives it some friction and it generally goes unnoticed
Yea those slick concrete setups are always spooky, especially with no joints or cracks you can use. On several occasions I've put a couple strips of duct tape on the slab, and then just jab the legs in like normal. It seems to help. Plus they'll stay put for the next time to set up there.
That's what my dog looks like when she gets all riled up and slips on the tile.
My instrument man would be looking for a new job. That was the first thing I learned 30 years ago - NEVER leave the instrument unattended.
Dang, Wayne! That was worth the price of admission, right there!
Great idea!
I hope you don't mind me stealing it.
I snug the legs up to the head so that their own weight while extended to average use will allow then to slowly descend after release from horizontal. I also go around the legs before final leveling and at midpoint of the legs flex them to remove any stress in the setup. Never had a set of legs fail like the photo shows. Have had one unadjusted leg slip and have had the wind blow over a foresight with two range rods on it. The duct tape trick sounds like it could be good insurance and not leave hard feelings behind.
jud
Dang, you just burst my bubble. I thought all setups in the virgin islands would be like that. Lie around with a pina colada, take a look thru once in awhile, survey heaven?
Larry-
You are 101% right as to luck !!
You can make a "leg holder togetherer" with a 5" +/- steel ring, three light chains connected thereto with a cup at each end of the chains to cradle the leg's tips.
Lightweight and easily stored.
Cheers
Derek
That hurts just lookin' at it!!! Once I had to set up in the back of a dump truck in a row of 8 or 10, and wiggle in between some mons in Anchorage....quite an adventure!!! There are no drill holes in a steel dump bed, or duct tape that will stick. OH hell no one knows what I'm talkin' bout anyway, sorry!!
I carry a center punch.
A month ago had to work during lunch while two dozers and one track loader operators had theirs to occupy a relocated well. I got a 30min observation then and came back at dusk when they went home to finish.
I have worked in some pretty nice spots. It's still work but the view is nice 🙂
> I hope you don't mind me stealing it.
It ain't stealing Ian. We're all on the same team, so try it if works for the job. Always worked for me on those interior factory setups.
Kinda like setting up the gun in the morning, and then the frost god takes over. You cannot keep that sucker level. I'd drive a hub in, or lay a lath on its side, and even that was iffy. Works for hot asphalt too on those balmy sunny summer days.
Never really had much luck with those vendor provided 3 leg connector dealy thingy's. Looks good on paper, and at the conventions, but still....
Larry
>...And almost flat which is rare here.
My wife has a serious dislike of curvy, hilly roads; I think the cab ride from the Westin up to Chateau Bordeaux took a few years off her life
I'm used to the same solution for these ocasions
chr.