Hanging Clamps, Plan Sticks, Plan Holders, Drawing Clamps

Hanging Clamps, Plan Sticks, Plan Holders, Drawing Clamps, Blueprint Clamps, whatever you want to call them, they're all the same thing! Safco and Mayline are the two biggest manufacturers of these products. They make them from rigid aluminum and the two brands are interchangeable. There was a company long ago that manufactured them under the name of PlanHold, but Safco purchased that company and still makes the "Print Lock Plan Hold" hanging clamps.

If you want to know how hanging clamps work, first you should understand that they are made and sold in different lengths. They are made in standard size lengths of 18", 24" 30", 36" and 42". You buy the size (length) of clamp you want, depending on the size of drawings or documents you plan to clamp. For example, if you have a 24"x36" drawing, you'll probably want to buy 24" clamps since you'll clamp the left bound edge of your drawing set which is 24" and it'll fit the clamp perfectly. The clamp part (the part that actually touches and clamps the drawings) is the length as most clamps have a little bit of overhang on each end, this is so the clamps can be hung in or on a blueprint rack or stand (which are sold separate from the clamps). The 30" size clamps are the most popular size since you can clamp a 24"x36" drawing from its 24" side, and/or you can clamp a 30"x42" drawing from its 30" side. Drawings that are being clamps dont have to match the clamp size, but it looks better if they do. For example, a 24" side of a drawing could clamp in a 42" clamp, but you'd have a lot of clamp that wasn't being used (a lot of overhang of extra unused clamp). Hopefully this helps you gain an understanding of how hanging clamps work!

The Quick Basics of Selecting a Rotary Laser Level

We understand that theres a lot of rotary lasers to choose from. If you want to get the basics really quick, keep reading....

We generally recommend that you first define the tasks you're going to want to accomplish with your laser. Then start looking at the features you might want, such as; plumb-up beam, plumb-down beam, variable rotation speed or fixed rotation speed, accuracy, detector included or not included, some kits offer "interior" packages and include a ceiling or wall mount bracket, and some kits offer tripods and grade rods included. That's that basics and a quick way to get an understanding of why there's so many laser levels to choose from.

Setting Up a New Engineering or Surveying Office?

Each week I get a call from someone that has started up a new engineering or surveying office and they're wanting to get the equipment set up quickly so they can get to work. Many order desks, chairs, tables, trash cans, and basic office supplies, but many don't know what they want when it comes to getting organized for storing blueprints. And, many are wanting to equip a new surveying crew and need another tripod, level and leveling rod, prism pole and prism, total stations, etc. That's when they call us and ask for advice. We can usually put together a package fairly quickly and get it shipped promptly. If you, or anyone you know, ever goes to set up a new office, or equip a newly added crew to their office, we're a good place to start.

EngineerSupply Is Now A Northwest Instrument Authorized Dealer

EngineerSupply Is Now A Northwest Instrument Authorized Dealer. After careful consideration to source another value-added source of surveying equipment, we decided to apply to Northwest Instrument. They make quality surveying equipment with value in mind. Their equipment will hold up under daily use and save you some money. Northwest Instrument makes Transits, Levels, Rotary Lasers, Surveying Tripods, Prisms, and Theodolites.

Blueprint Mailing Boxes and Blueprint Bags

If you're wanting to mail your construction documents, then consider using Blueprint Mailing Boxes and Blueprint Bags. They protect your blueprints, and get them there safely. Check out our selection of bags and boxes, all made for mailing or shipping blueprints.

Ridgid SeekTech SR-20 Utility Locator

Built to make even difficult locates easy, the SeekTech is the only line locator that uses omni-directional antennas, guidance arrows, and an easy-to-read mapping display to lead you quickly and accurately to the target line.

The Ridgid SeekTech SR-20 is an easy-to-use tool and impressed the heck out of us when we saw a demo. The LCD screen is easy to understand and easy to operate.

The antennas power the large mapping display which provides all the information you need to locate underground utilities with ease and confidence.

CST/Berger LaserMark Mini Laser Cross Level 58-ILMXT

The 58-ILMXT is a Cross Line Laser Level that projects a bright, self-leveling level and plumb chalk-lines for instant and accurate reference lines and marks. It's ideal for floor and wall tiling, paneling, wall fixtures, wall papering, stenciling, wainscoting, finish carpentry, masonry work, cabinet and kitchen rebuilds, drop ceilings, lighting fixtures, wall studs, outlets, partitions and many more.


This is the brightest, smallest laser we have found. Very handy and can be used on multiple jobs.

Outdoor Document Protection Products

EngineerSupply just became a Doc-Box dealer this week! These products are permit posting systems that protect plans and permits on construction job sites. They seem to work great and we've had a number of requests for them. Check them out here

Detail Oriented Interests

Things that have been detail oriented have always caught my attention. No matter what it was, if it was something mechanical, like Dad working on the lawn mower in the back yard, or if he was working on plumbing jobs at our home, it always caught my eye and I was easily lured to it rather than something like doing my homework or studying for a test. I later found myself building things in his workshop like shelves, toys, and any invention that I thought I could build. This lead me into an interest in drafting when I was in high school. The drafting classes lead to designing homes, and machine parts. This lead me into taking CAD classes and then professional jobs in CAD. Working in the design industry, I quickly learned that I had an interest in business. I was soon analyzing how the company I worked for made blueprints and compared in-house production costs to outsourcing blueprint production. This lead me back to school to gain a degree in business and operations management. The common denominator in everything I was doing, I found it to be all detail-oriented. If it was detail oriented, it lured me in. Now that I work at EngineerSupply, I find myself lured once again to the details. The details of how we can best help a customers request for excellent customer service. The details of how we can most effectively and efficiently process a customers order and shipment. I guess the bottom line is we enjoy the detail oriented tasks and we work to figure them out and make the better. I think anyone in the design industry enjoys the details. This is certainly something to think about when you're dealing with detail-oriented customers.

CST/Berger and David White Now Have Total Stations

CST/Berger and David White now have Total Stations. These two top-name surveyor supply manufacturers now have products that compete right in there with other Total Station brands. We're confident in the performance of these well-known brand names. Take a look and compare their features.

EngineerSupply announces new supply line of Leica Geosystems

EngineerSupply today announces that Leica Geosystems brand of products will be featured in its supply chain. After careful review, EngineerSupply decided that Leica Geosystems would make an excellent fit for their current supply chain.

EngineerSupply will provide sales and support for the line of Disto Laser Distance Measuring Devices that Leica Geosystems manufacturers. Leica Geosystems manufactures professional-grade laser distance measuring devices for construction and surveying professionals.

The new partnership will allow EngineerSupply to source Leica Geosystems Disto line of products quickly and efficiently. Being able to readily source from Leica Geosystems will allow EngineerSupply the ability to ship fresh products to their customers. EngineerSupply.com's customers include Professionals from the Architectural, Engineering, and Construction Industry.

EngineerSupply is a fully authorized factory Leica Geosystems Dealer.

Want to Learn More about Blueprint Storage Solutions?

The Product Team created an article that explains how people deal with blue print storage solutions. I feel the article helps get your thought process started and quickly gets you going in the right direction. Read the entire article here.

Want to Learn More about Construction Laser Levels?

The product team at EngineerSupply put together a document that helps explain construction laser levels. Laser levels are basically grouped or divided into three categories. They are; Plumb or Dot Lasers, Line Level Lasers (Also known as Laser Line Generators), and Rotary Level Lasers.

Read the document that explains Construction Laser Levels here

Leica Geosystems Laser Distance Measuring Tool

The Leica "Disto" is one tool that many estimators, insurance professionals, engineers, architects, surveyors, and designers cannot live without. Highly accurate, quality-built professional-grade tools. Loaded with features, the Leice Distos impressed the EngineerSupply product management team members.

View all Leica Geosystems Laser Distance Measuring Tools here

Scalex Plan Measuring and Estimators Tools

For anyone that needs to quickly and accurately perform estimations and take-offs, the Scalex measuring tools are a real time saver. Increased accuracy, and time saved, I dont know if you can ask for much more out of a tool. We've used the Scalex product before and it is a well-built product, solid construction, and just feels good in your hand. It doesnt feel like it is cheaply built. The scales it will handle are Engineering, Architectural, Metric, and also an Auto Scale. The Auto Scale will allow the user the ability to roll the drawing scale bar and the Scalex calibrates itself to your drawings scale even if its some arbitrary scale due to shrinkage/expansion from the drawing being copied on a copy machine. It's a great product and is highly recommended.

View all Scalex Measuring Tools Here

Planimeters - Area Measuring Tool

Planimeters are excellent area measuring tools to use when you measure irregular shaped areas on plans or drawings. If you want to trace around an irregular shape, like a swimming pool, golf course green, storm water management ponds, an organ or tumor on an x-ray, planimeters are the tool of choice. You simply set your scales up, then trace around the objects perimeter, and close the loop. The planimeter will tell you the square units of area within the loop.

Many people try to avoid using a planimeter by making rectangles and triangles in their irregular shape. This only estimates the area and it is a time consuming process. But with a planimeter, you get accurate results, and done quickly. You'll be surprised at exactly how accurate a planimeter is. They are considered an excellent area measuring device.

Blueprint Hanging Clamps

Blueprint Hanging Clamps that clamp and hold blueprints, or any large document, are key to keeping sets of drawings organized and readily available for reference. Hanging Clamps have also been known to be called "Drawing Sticks", "Plan Clamps", or "Plan Sticks" by those that work in the AEC (Architectural, Engineering, Construction) Industry. Basically speaking, hanging clamps come in various sizes, which are the length of the clamp. They come in lengths of 18", 24", 30", 36", and 48" and usually they are sold in cartons of six. Meaning you buy one carton of clamps, you get six clamps. Most hanging stands (also known as blueprint racks) hold 12 clamps. This means you would buy 2 cartons which equate to 12 clamps, which 1 blueprint rack would hold. Most customers buy one blueprint rack, and two cartons of clamps.

Now, about the size of the clamps, if you have a 24"x36" drawing size or set, you would consider the 24" side of the drawings the binding or clamping side. So, you'd want to buy 24" clamps for your 24" x 36" drawings. But, many people realize that they will be hanging 24"x36" and 30"x42" drawings (both are very popular drawing sizes for construction drawings), so they buy the 30" clamps which will hold either size drawing. With the 30" , if you clamp and hang a 24"x36" drawing by its 24" side, then you have 3" of clamp overhang on each end (30 - 24 = 6") of your drawing. Hopefully this explanation makes sense. Clamps cannot be adjusted in length. You buy the hanging clamps for the size of the drawings you wish to hang.

Laser Distance Measuring Tools

Laser Distance Measuring Tools are also time-saving tools. They quick measure a room, a building, or any distance that you have a target to point them at.

The Stanley TLM100 goes to about 100 feet.

The Stanley TLM200 goes to about 100 but has greater accuracy, and offers a pythagoras feature. This feature allows you to point at one corner of a building and take a measurement, and then point at the other corner of the same building, and then press the pythagoras button and the TLM will calculate the distance between those two points. It uses the Pythagorean theorem to figure the triangular measurement between where you are standing and the two points and figured the side of the triangle which the distance you're wanting to get. A very handy feature.

The Stanley TLM300 has the same pythagoras feature as the TLM-200, but offers greater accuracy than either the TLM100 or the TLM200, and a measuring distance of about 600 feet!

Blueprint Binding Machines and Binding Equipment

Our Blueprint Binding Machines will fold blueprint binding strips for you. These are time-saving machines!

Rotary Trimmers Make Great Photo Trimmers for Christmas Gifts

Rolling Trimmers are considered the new generation of paper cutters. Designed for safety and accuracy, the cutting blades are encased in a plastic housing that virtually eliminates the chance of personal injury. The rotary action allows the blade to cut in either direction and sharpen itself as it cuts. It's this self-sharpening action that produces a clean burr-free cut and guarantees many years of smooth precise cutting. These types of trimmers make excellent photo trimmers for trimming and cutting photos on photo paper, and also photos from digital camera photo printers.

Photo Trimmers make excellent Christmas Gifts!

Light Boxes & Light Tables

Light Boxes and Light Tables are great for laying your drawings on them and making tracings. Also great for any time you want to reference two drawings against one another and compare overlays. They also work great when you have photo slides that you want to lay out and organize them prior to presentations.

Of course we have sold light boxes and light tables to engineers and architects for overlaying blueprints, surveys, and topo maps, but lately we've seen new customers and new uses. For example, we have sold Light Boxes and Light Tables to Tattoo Studios for tracing tattoo patterns, we have sold them to Photographers that use them to overlay prints and also sort slides before placing them in a slide projectors carousel. We have even sold them to fabric shops that use them to trace fabric patterns for cloth. We have customers that are always finding new uses for Lightboxes and Lighttables. If you have a new use for a light table or light box, please let us know. We're always interested in finding out new uses for them.

Heres our selection of light boxes and light tables

Is Excellent Customer Service a Back Rub?

I thought I would take a moment and write some thoughts about customer service, and what some views are about it. First, any company that provides a service or product, can provide a level of customer service. Of course, that's a given. But, the real question is, what level of customer service does a company provide? Some companies provide very low levels, and some provide middle-ground, and some go all out and provide top-notch service to the customer.

We try at all times to provide the best customer service that we can. When I train any of our employees, I tell them to pretend that the customer on the line is their Mother or Father and to provide answers and care to them from that point of view. I know this can be taken to extremes but my general point is, treat the customer in a manner that you would be honest, take the time to answer questions, and get to a solution with careful forethought.

The problems that occur with relationships between customer and company today can sometimes arise out of what I've seen is where sometimes it appears a customer is almost demanding customer service. If you take a moment and think about the relationship a company and a customer has, it's a relationship built on trust, and mutual respect. It is very much a relationship and the word relationship by definition means; a connection, association, or involvement. With that said, customer service should not be demanded. It should be a given. It should be the starting point of a new relationship. From there, you can both whittle it down to a zig-zag if you both want to, but the best is for both parties to keep the high level of the relationship there. Just like a back-rub. Isn't it better to give a back rub to someone without it being demanded? Same way with providing excellent customer service. We provide it, but when it's demanded, we still provide it, but the relationship is healthier when it's not demanded by someone.

Pacific Laser Systems

I met with our account manager from Pacific Laser Systems last week and learned a lot about their Laser Level Products. Just when you think you have a good handle how lasers can save time and increase accuracy, you learn a bit more. Pacific Laser Systems lasers seem to me to have a nice fit in the marketplace. All of their laser products are self-leveling and are built very sturdy. The body of the lasers are nicely built with heavy-gauge material and I can imagine they'd handle a few drops to the floor and maybe only need a laser recalibration or adjustment depending on how far it was dropped and what it landed on.

Each time I work with a Laser level, I realize just how amazing they really are. Saves time and increases accuracy at the same time! They are just like front-end loaders on tractors in that you seem to always be finding new uses for them every time you use them. I've seen contractors use laser levels indoors and out, and lately have heard of other users such as the people that install rigging for stages, such as light and speaker rigging for concerts! I've even heard of manufacturers using laser levels in manufacturing where they use the laser to show the exact spot to cut material, or fasten parts, or even for clearance within the warehouse itself. The uses for these levels are almost infinite.

Take the time to read over our article about Construction Lasers here.

View all of the products we have that are made by Pacific Laser Systems

Schonstedt Underground Locators Explained

Just published an article about Schonstedt Underground Locators. I took the time to briefly lay out the differences in the Schonstedt Magnetic Locators, and the Pipe & Cable Locators.

Read the article here

Construction Laser Levels Explained

Got a new article posted online last week. It's about Construction Laser Levels.

Read the article here

Safety Vests and Utility Vests

Safety Vests, Utility Vests, Reflective Vests, Traffic Safety Vests, ANSI Safety Vests, Surveying Vests, are all vests that offer visibility and safety on the job site. These recommended safety devices are available in a variety of colors such as orange, yellow, red, and reflective high-visibility fluorescent materials.

View our selection of Safety and Utility Vests here

David White Surveying Products

The David White name is known for high-quality surveying equipment, made for the serious professional. The David White company provides productivity tools for layout, leveling, and measuring within the construction and surveying industries.

David White's line of products include:

Rotating construction lasers, levels, level-transits, automatic levels, automatic level-transits, tripods including premium, performance, value line and specialty models, direct elevation leveling rods, laser detectors, torpedo level lasers, hand levels, and plumb bobs.

View all David White Surveying Instruments here

Elan Publishing Surveying Field Books, Level Books, Cross Section Books, and Mining Transit Books

Elan Publishing Surveying Field Books, Level Books, Cross Section Books, and Mining Transit Books are now available at EngineerSupply.com. High-quality and built to last, these books work well for taking field notes, or keeping a survey journal. They're also great for working cross sections, sketching ideas for a new design, or recording existing conditions.

View all Elan Books here

Acculine Pro Laser Levels Now Sold by EngineerSupply

AccuLine Pro laser levels are precision measurement devices that offer professional accuracy and high-visibility lasers. Some models offer user-friendly features like scan modes, slope modes, and automatic leveling. Some Rotary Laser Level models offer GreenBrite Technology lasers, which means its 400% brighter than red beam laser levels.

View all Acculine Pro Laser Level Products

Gagne Light Tables

Gagne Light Boxes and tables are versatile tools used widely in the craft, art, photography, surveying, engineering, and wood craft markets. They are very handy to have within an engineering, surveying, construction firm, as they help with sorting slides for presentations, overlaying maps and sketches, and comparing two maps at once.

View all Light Tables and Boxes here

New Product - The Manager 37-9 Rolled Document Storage

The Manager 37-9 is a new product introduced this past week. Its the same as the Manager 37, but it has a different partition size inner-contruction. The partititions on the Manager 37 has sixteen cubbie holes for storing rolled documents. But, the new Manager 37-9 has NINE cubbie holes for storing rolled documents. The new configuration is an answer to customers requests for being able to store larger sized rolled documents. Each of the nine cubbie holes are 5.25" x 5.25" square.


View the Manager 37-9 Here

Victor Calculators are now part of the EngineerSupply product line

Victor Calculators are now part of the EngineerSupply product line. Victor is an American company with a continuing tradition of excellence for over 80 years. Victor has offered the most extensive line of reliable, and versatile business calculators. We represent Victor Calculators line of professional, commercial, home & office and educational calculators. These exciting, state-of-the-art products offer sleek, contemporary styling, responsive touch keyboards, crystal clear displays and a high-quality feel.

Click here to View all Victor Calculators we carry

EngineerSupply Supplies Dahle Brand Scissors

EngineerSupply Supplies Dahle Brand Scissors. Dahle brand scissors are some of the best we've seen so far! These are German made, very tough, stay extremely sharp, and are highly recommended by the EngineerSupply Product Team.

Click here to view all Dahle Scissors

Safco EClipz Blueprint Clip ID Tags

Each Safco EClipz holder comes with a blank label so you can identify exactly which documents you have without having to unroll them. Simply mark your label and secure your documents with a EClipz holder. EClipz are available in black hard plastic material. Circle shaped white labels are included. Eclipz are sold per carton and each carton comes with 50 clips and 50 labels. The EClipz Dimensions are: 1-1/8" Diameter x 2-3/8" Long.

National Printfast Field Books

EngineerSupply now sells National Printfast Engineers/Surveyors Field Books

National Printfast field books are designed to meet the needs of the professional. National Printfast field book covers and binders are heavy-duty, and are colored with an easy-to-locate yellow vinyl plastic. The Field Book pages are printed with waterproof inks on heavy, water resistant stock. National Printfast FieldBooks and binders are available in a variety of sizes and formats. The loose-leaf binders offer flexibility since the pages can be separated and filed alphabetically or by subject. These binders also allow the engineer to send original notes, or carbon duplicates, to the office while using the book on the job site.


View National Printfast Field Books here

EngineerSupply Now Carries Dutch Hill Tripods

EngineerSupply.com now carries and sells Dutch Hill brand Surveying Tripods. All Dutch Hill Surveying Tripods are made with composite parts for superior strength. The result is a product that will provide a stable and accurate platform and provide many years of service.

Dutch Hill Surveying Tripods are used by surveyors, construction crews, the military and photographers. Dutch Hill makes their tripods from materials that offer excellent dimensional stability and resistance to harsh conditions like cold, moisture and chemicals. With this high-quality construction, and attention to details, Dutch Hill Tripods are considered by many to be the best available.

View all Dutch Hill Surveying Tripods here

Dahle Premium Guilllotine with Laser Model 564

Dahle Lever Style Cutters are the choice of professionals and have many thoughtful features such as ;

Cuts up to 40 sheets of paper at a time

Laser guided line will show exactly where the cut will be

Ratcheting paper clamp will lock the material in place until it is manually released

Ground self-sharpening blade made of Solingen Steel

Sturdy blade will not fly up or drop down unexpectantly

Rotary guard covers the blade throughout the entire cutting process-The ultimate safety device

Adjustable backstop

Sturdy metal base with preprinted guides

Engineering, Surveying, Mining, and Level Field Books

High-Quality Surveying, Mining, Level and Field Books for when you want to record data while out in the field and return to the office. These hardback field books are sturdy!

Crain Wire Pulling Gopher Pole

The Gopher Pole by Crain is a one-of-a-kind fiberglass, telescopic wire installation tool used by electrical companies, telephone companies, computer companies, alarm installers, and wire installers. It's great for pulling wire, cable, ethernet cables, and phone lines above drop ceilings.

Calculated Industries DigiRoller Plus II

The Calculated Industries DigiRoller Plus II is an awesome Distance Measuring Wheel. We've played with one here at the office, and used one in the field. Anyone can get fast, accurate measurements for on-site linear, area and volume estimates with the DigiRoller Plus II Measuring Wheel. Built-in functions automatically calculate and store square footage, cubic volumes and more for up to 9 different areas.

One of the best features about the Digiroller Plus II is that it works and converts in all Imperial and Metric units. Before you start measuring, you can push a button and select Feet-Inches, Decimal Feet, Decimal Inches, Yards, Meters, or Acres. The LCD panel has light if you're in a low lit or dim area or time of day. The handle and rolling feel solid and positive. After rolling a few measurements, I put the kickstand down and leaned the Digiroller on it so I could use both hands and write my measurements down on paper, a very nice feature. Also, I found I could roll a length, press L, then roll another length and press W, then press LxW and get the square area of the area I just measured two sides of. Very nice since it saved me from having to walk the other two sides. Within minutes of using and testing the Digiroller Plus II, I was wanting one for myself.

Click here to view the Calculated Industries DigiRoller Plus II

Field Books

High-Quality Surveying, Mining, Level and Field Books.

A pocket estimators tape with 1/4 and 1/8 architect scales. A great little tape to have in your pocket if you're an engineer, architect, estimator, contractor, or surveyor. They come in handy real quick.

Pacific Arc Pocket Estimators Tape

Wood Flat Files

We now sell Wooden Flat Files by Mayline, a leader in Document Storage Solutions. Mayline Wood Plan Files combine the natural beauty and finish of wood with the strength and durability of hardwood construction. Mayline Wood Plan Files are finished with select cuts of kiln-dried Red Oak. The units feature a hardboard bottom, rear hood, and smooth working wood drawer runs.

These units add a warmth and attractivness to any professional office space.

View the Wood Flat Files by clicking here.

Exciting New Product by Scalex

We just started selling an Exciting New Product by Scalex. The Scalex Scale-Link Wireless. It's the same Scalex quality, but now with a wireless connection from your computer to the plan measuring tool.

The industry standard take-off tool for entering linear measurements from your blueprints, maps, or plans into any Windows program. Just roll the scaler wheel along your print, then click to instantly transfer the measurement into your program.

Scale-Link Wireless contains everything you need to get started. The included PlanWheel can be used remotely in the field or interfaced with your PC at distances of up to 25 feet.

Remember the Trebuchet?

Remember the trebuchet, the original siege engine? It's back and ready to put your physics muscles to the test. Custom build your own TREB to take on three separate challenges: distance, accuracy, and power. Pretty cool stuff!

I know this has nothing to do with engineering products and supplies, but hey, it's engineering none the less right? Thought so.

ROLLabels - AKA Blueprint ID Tags

No matter what kind of rolled documents you have to label or store, or what kind of identification system you use, ROLLabels will get you organized quickly. Made of index card material, they will end the identification crisis with your rolled documents.


They come in the sizes of SR (Senior) Version, and the JR (Junior) Version.

Calculated Industries Construction Master Pro Trig 4080

The all new Construction Master Pro Trig 4080 feet-inch-fraction calculator will simplify the most complex design featuring a protective hard case, this powerful new Construction Master helps get the job done right the first time! From design and engineering to estimating and bidding, this easy-to-use tool can help solve any construction-math problem quickly, simply and accuately.

This is a great tool that we sell often. We highly recommend the Pro Trig 4080.

New Product Alert - The TrussFile Storage Solution

The TrussFile is made by Advanced Organizing Systems, Inc. and is now sold by EngineerSupply. The TrussFile is designed for stackable easy access for rolled documents such as blueprints and construction drawings, and provides economical and durable permanent storage of prints, graphics, art, maps, film, and other items. The "trussed interior" forms individual compartments and provides exceptional stacking strength. The label area on the end flap enables easy identification and organization. End access provides easy retrieval of documents when stacked. The modular design allows easy relocation in office, in permanent storage, or in a vehicle. Individual units may be used vertically.
The TrussFile is made from attractive white corrugated cardboard with deep gray lettering. Each TrussFile has 7 large and 2 small triangular compartments and is packaged 2 units per package for a total of 18 compartments. Large compartments store up to 4" rolls and small compartments up to 2.5" rolls. Multiple smaller rolls can be stored in the compartments.

Two Sizes are available (shipped flat):
TrussFile25 — 2/Pkg — (29"W x 6.5"H x 27"D)
TrussFile37 — 2/Pkg — (29"W x 6.5"H x 39"D)

Tumblers Make Great Gifts

I bought some Tumblers with the Virginia Tech logo on them and they are great. Keeps hot stuff hot, and cold stuff cold. Almost indestructible from what I can tell.

Check them out here

I'll get back to discussing Engineering and Surveying Equipment very soon, but thought I'd mention the tumbler find.

Making Something Out of Nothing

Another one of my life lessons...

I've worked for several architectural, engineering, surveying firms in the past, and some firms only handled local projects and were small 20 person companies. Some firms were large with multiple floors of architects and engineering handling very large projects many states away.

When I started working for the first firm as a civil cad tech, which was a large firm, I always had the luxury of having nice aerial photography, localized topos, ability to send field crews back out for additional survey information. One thing that stands out in my mind is the lesson of being able to forge ahead on a project with minimal information. I learned this valuable lesson from a coworker at a smaller engineering firm I was employed at. Being spoiled to the large firms methods, I would easily balk during the startup of a project when I didn't have all the information I thought I needed. A coworker, Mike, taught me that I could forge ahead and continue working on a project with minimal information instead of throwing my hands up and saying "this cannot be done!". We worked on projects, made educated interpolations or would make do until we were able to get better information. We completed projects on time with necessary approval, within budget, and we kept a clean track record by not getting sued by the client or anyone else. The lesson of being able to continue working and make something out of almost minimal information was a valuable lesson to me. It falls right in line with the entrepreneurial spirit and the ability to forge ahead and make something while others will simply say "it cannot be done".

EngineerSupply Adds Construction Lasers to Store

The first week of January 2006, EngineerSupply added Construction Lasers to its webstore.

A construction laser is a level which emits one or more laser beams through its rotating aperture(s) to create a level reference plane. They can be used outdoors or indoors and can greatly reduce the leveling time. Construction Lasers come in all shapes and sizes, and vary with the type of job that one would want to complete. Lasers come in the types of Manual Level Lasers, Self-Leveling Lasers, Split-Beam Lasers, Horizontal Lasers and Rotary Lasers.

EngineerSupply only sells quality namebrand products like Stanley, CST/Berger, and Pacific Laser Systems.

Blue-Line Diazo Paper Line Added to EngineerSupply Product Line

In the past several days, EngineerSupply has added Dietzgen Brand Blue-Line Diazo Paper to its line or products. For those that don't know, Diazo Paper is used to make blueline prints (also known as blueprints). These are the real "blue" colored prints and are made using blueline machines such as Rotolite, Diazit, and ReproTechnology Brand name machines. Blueline machines can be found here.

EngineerSupply.com announces major website redesign

EngineerSupply, a leader in Engineering, Architectural, Surveying, and Construction Tools and Supplies announces a major website redesign. The new design allows for easier navigation, and a higher focus on customer service. The new website for EngineerSupply also allows for instant brand browsing, and a direct focus on "Deal Alert" which is what EngineerSupply uses to send coupons, specials, closeouts, overstock and free shipping offers by email.

EngineerSupply now Sells Dahle Paper Shredders

EngineerSupply now Sells Dahle Brand Paper Shredders.

Everyone knows that secure information should never fall into the wrong hands. Dahle paper shredders are your best line of defense in preventing unauthorized access to secure information. Whether it's personal credit card statements or Top Secret government documents, EngineerSupply has a shredder that will meet your needs.


With models of Personal Shredders, Small Office Shredders, Office Shredders, Departmental Shredders, High Capacity Shredders, High Security Shredders, and Deployment Shredders, the amount of use and level of security needed can be met.

EngineerSupply now has Stanley Tools TLM Laser Measurer

EngineerSupply now carries and sells Stanley Tools. One specific Stanley made tool is the new Tru-Laser Distance Measuring Device. It's "Tru" Laser Measuring (hence TLM name) at the press of a button. Just point the laser, press the button, and measure. It easily handles one-person measuring, saving both time and money.

The TLM is offered in three models for the consumer to choose from: the TLM-100 Basic, The TLM-200 Professional, and the TLM-300 Surveyor. All three TLM models rely on laser, not sound, to measure distances.

The EngineerSupply Product Team has used the TLM and is very impressed with the quality of this product. Each model has a solid feel, the buttons feel nice and secure and not cheap. The menu is easy to understand and very impressive with how it's designed and completely usable. The TLM is a well-designed handy product.

EngineerSupply now has a new product, the "TrussFile".

EngineerSupply now has a new product, the "TrussFile" which is great for storing and trasporting blueprints and rolled documents.

"The TrussFile" a stackable document roll file storage solution. An excellent system for active or permanent storage of blueprints, drawings, and any large rolled document. The modular design also allows easy relocation in office, vertical use, or use in a vehicle.

Construction Estimates and Blueprint Take-Offs

If you're job entails Construction Estimates and Blueprint Take-Offs, then you are familiar with taking the time to scale a blueprint or some type of document in order to get measurements. Measurements that you sum up so the contractor or builder will know what to order and how much. Some plans come with these measurements such as quantity, square footage, linear footage, cubic yards, board feet, and so on, and some plans do not. This is where your job comes in. You, the estimator, get these measurements as a service to your project or client.

As an estimator, you are familiar with Manual or Digitized Take off methods. We of course recommend the digitized method and recommend the use of tools like the Scalex Planwheel, and the Calculated Industries Scale Master II. Either of these tools will save you tons of time when performing construction estimates and blueprint take-offs. Basically, you select the scale that your drawing is drawn or printed to, then begin rolling the lines you want to sum or quantify.

If you want to automate the process even further, you can get an interface kit and connect the measuring tool with your computer. Most plan measuring tools like the Scalex Planwheel or the Calculated Industries Scale Master II will enter the information right into estimation software like TurtleSoft or Timberline, or even into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, but only if you have the interface kit to connect the tool to your computer.

Interface kits like the Scalex PlanWheel XLU Interface Kit or the Calculated Industries Scale Master II PC Interface Kit are usually sold separately. However, sometimes you can buy the Tool and Kit in a package like the Scalex "Deluxe Kit" Scale-Link USB or the Calculated Industries Scale Master II with PC Interface Kit.

If you're just wanting to buy a plan wheel and never have any intentions of connecting it to your computer, you can save money and buy a plan measuring wheel like the Scalex PlanWheel SA 00500.

Whatever you choose to perform blueprint take-offs, you can save some serious time (and money) when you automate the process and use a digital plan measuring device.

LAN Racks and Stands

Does your office have a computer network where the servers are sitting in the floor? Cables are tangled and theres just not much organization? If so, we'd recommend getting a LAN Rack or Stand. They provide a high-tech and low-cost organization solution for housing LAN (local area network) system and provid for a centralized computer system. If you leave your servers on the floor, they could get damaged by foot traffic, water from floor mops, and dust.

Blueprint Identification Tags

We at EngineerSupply only come across products ever so often that seem to just make sense, cost very little to purchase, and offer benefits of becoming organized. We're talking about Roll Label Identification Tags for identifying blueprints and rolled drawings or documents.

When you roll a drawing or document, you instantly lose the ability to see what the drawing is unless you write on the outside of the roll. But, if you insert drawings into a roll file or storage box, you only see the ends of the drawings, which in no way can be identified unless you pull out the drawing and unroll it to see.

Blueprint Identification Tags solve the problem of an indentification crisis with your drawings, which saves time, which equals money.

Trained to Work, or Work to Train

After working a few years in various positions in surveying and engineering companies, I noticed how some people (coworkers) were trained to work. I noticed small things, that I utilized to tweak how I worked and interacted with coworkers. I've learned a few lessons that I can explain, so consider sticking around and reading some of my life experiences. You might find something that you can use yourself or pass along to someone.


YOU CAN TALK, JUST DONT STOP WORKING
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When I was an instrument man for a small surveying firm, I was new, young, and being trained by the party chief that had twenty years of field experience and was quite the outdoorsman. It was very hot outside, and we were way out in the county surveying a large tract of land. I had a good set up and the party chief was about 300 feet ahead of me with a prism pole. The rodman, who was also new on the job, had stayed back for whatever reason and we began a conversation. The party chief stopped working, and started walking the 300 feet back to my set up where the rodman and myself stood. I wondered why doesnt he use the radio, and was confused on why he would walk 300 feet back to me when he just walked 300 out away from the set up location. When he arrived, he grabbed my forearm and got my attention and said "I don't care if you talk on the job, I actually encourage it, however if you talk, I would require that you don't stop working while you talk". That got my attention, and it stuck as a memory to this very day. Now, I see so many people that stop working when they start talking on the job. I think working is a skill, being able to work, while talking, is another skill.

NEVER LET ME SEE YOUR HANDS IN YOUR POCKETS
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I had a similar situation happen when I was in high school and bagging groceries for a summer job. I was hired to "bag groceries", so the first day on the job, I bagged groceries until the customers slowed down enough to where there was no customers currently at the register. So, I figured I was hired to "bag groceries" and there were no groceries to bag at the moment, so I put my hands in my pocket and stood there. My first mistake. The manager come over and said "son you are doing something I dont ever want to see you do" and being so young I asked him "what is that?". He said "your hands need to come out of your pocket and there is always something to do. Grab a broom, sweep the floor, find something to do, never ever put your hands in your pocket". This was another subtle lesson that I have carried along with me throughout my career.

These two experiences have stuck with me for nearly 15 years now. While they are simple experiences and can apply to nearly anyone that has ever worked a job, I think maybe they stuck with me because they were highlighted as general rules of conduct on the job. I imagine many people are trained to work, but how many actually work to train? Meaning, how many people strive to get better and better on the job each day.

How to make Blueprints

How to make Blueprints
Lately, I have had a number of people asking how to make blueprints. First, I assume they already have their drawings ready, such as a print of a CAD drawing, or a drawing that was drawn by hand using manual drafting tools before CAD come to town and took over. It was 1985 or so when CAD became readily available and was just becoming popular and affordable around 1988 and 1990. I remember taking an AutoCad class in college years ago (about 1989). I had not yet accepted CAD over the manual way of producing drawings, by using a T-square or drafting machine, 45 & 60 degree triangles, a lead pointer and a few other tools of the trade. I had grown fond of being able to draw nearly anything my mind could think of with ease. Using CAD to me was what I considered a restriction instead of a benefit, but I soon began using CAD on the job, found out the benefits and went on to say that I would never hand-draw another drawing.

I realize that I have strayed a little bit from the subject, but I wanted to provide background information that will lead to the focus of this article, which is how to make blueprints. I feel that the additional information is relevant to this articles focus.

The above process I described, whether a CAD print or a manually-produced drawing, yields what is called a "reproducible" or sometimes known a your "originals". These are produced on vellum or some type of drawing medium that allows light to pass through it. When someone uses this type of media for their originals (also known as a reproducible), they typically intend to make a blueline blueprint. Meaning, a print that is actually bluish in color with darker blue lines than the blue background. Hence, the word "blueprint" was born. With that said, please note that a drawing on bond media cannot be copied via the blueline process. If a drawing on bond media is to be copied, one would need a large format Xerox machine, known as "large format copiers". There are multiple manufacturers that produce large format copiers, such as Xerox, Oce, K&E, Kip, and a few others. These copiers that are for making "copies of copies" and work well but will not make the blue drawing (blue background with darker blue lines) that I previously mentioned.

How Blueline Machines Work
Ever wonder about blueline machines and how they work? Let me repeat myself and state that the basic difference in a "blueline machine" and a "large format copy machine" is that blueline machines will only make a copy of a reproducible document such as vellum sometimes known a "trans-bond" or any material that will allow light to pass through it. This is not the only difference, but its the most noted or would be considered the fork in the road, where the two types of machines split.

Blueline machines all rely on the ability to pass light through the document that you are wanting to copy therefore the document you are making a copy of must have enough transparency for light to pass through it. I know this can be considered a negative for blueline machines, however, blueline machines make BLUE prints, not the black and white copies one would get with a large format copier. And, blueline prints are very impressive since they are blue and show off your work nicely. I know many old-timers and small architectural shops that don't like to use the large format copiers since they only do black and white. And, I have seen many shops that have both machines, a blueline, and a large format copier and use either depending on the desired results. Blueline machines use a diazo process and diazo paper that comes wrapped in a thick black plastic bag that is sealed to keep the light from exposing the paper. Most diazo paper is yellow in color when it comes out of the sealed bag, then turns blue when it has been ran through a blueline machine. The process that works to expose the paper is done with black lights and ammonia. Keep reading, we will explain more about this process and how blueline machines actually work.

The Actual Process of Making Copies of your Documents
Once you have your original documents ready to copy, plenty of diazo fresh unexposed paper on hand, and your diazo machine ready to go, you can begin to make your blueprints. Remember, your originals must be of some type of transparent medium, such as vellum, or trans-bond. You start with one original drawing and hold it up, and then place one sheet of diazo paper on top of it and match all edges so the two sheets appear as one. Then, you start feeding these two sheets into the machine into the lower roller section, the two will become exposed to ammonia and a black light and they will both come back out of the machine as the machines powered rollers slowly take the paper in and back out of the machine itself. When the two come out of the machine, you will then peel away your original and lay it aside. Then you will take the diazo paper and run it back through the machine on the top roller section. Please note that most diazo blueprint machines have a bottom roller and a top roller. You can continue to run the diazo paper through the top roller process over and over, several times depending on how new your ammonia is, the speed at which you exposed the first run when both sheets were held together, and how blue you want your print to become. It's an easy process and one you will perfect quickly, only after making a couple of blueprints. You will do this same process for each sheet in your drawing set, if you have multiple drawings to copy. Once all of your copies are made, some people run a single sheet of diazo paper through the machine without any original drawing in front of it, which exposes the entire sheet and makes the entire sheet a very dark blue. This sheet is then used to cut into slivers of paper the same height as your drawings, but only wide enough to make three folds in it, which makes a nice binder that you can staple on one end of your drawing set. Usually three to four staples with a heavy duty staple gun is all that is needed to secure the binder and hold your drawing set together.

Long Machine Life
The diazo process is inherently simple; the copiers have relatively few complicated parts and their maintenance is inexpensive. Most diazo copiers remain in use for well over 20 years with a high degree of reliability and little down time.

Low Cost Per Copy
Diazo copiers use readily available diazo-coated papers, vellums, and films, which are priced competitively with so-called "plain papers". The aqueous ammonia developer used by most diazo copier systems is low in cost and environmentally safe. Aqueous ammonia is nothing more than a stronger solution of clear household ammonia. Further, because the "brains" of the system is built into the paper or other media, the equipment itself requires little maintenance. There are no per-copy or click charges with most diazo copiers. They are very reliable pieces of equipment that provide years of useful life with little down time.

Ammonia is a completely natural substance
It is a basic building-block substance, which is crucial to life on our planet. It is composed of only two elements - nitrogen and hydrogen. Ammonia is produced by all animals, including humans, as a natural product of the metabolic process. Each person generates about 550 grams per year. According to one source, 500 families release more ammonia each year than 20,000 diazo copying machines. Ammonia is a natural product that poses no long term health hazard when used properly and is no threat to the environment. Ammonia helps reduce acid rain; it is not one of the substances responsible for the greenhouse effect; it is not a known carcinogen; and, aqueous ammonia solution is not flammable. Ammonia is recycled by rain and soil in a process known as the "Nitrogen Cycle". Accumulation in surface water, soil, or in the atmosphere does not occur. This naturally regenerating cycle is vital to our ecology and life as we know it on this planet.

The diazo process produces no ozone or health concerns
The diazo process relies entirely on natural substances to create high quality copies. There is no ozone, (a highly irritating poisonous gas) associated with diazo equipment. So-called "Sick-Building Syndrome" symptoms do not occur with diazo copiers, and all employees are safe from long-term health concerns. Dry diazo copying has reached a highly refined state of functionality. Diazo systems, by definition, require only natural substances for operations. The development process involves the release of only ammonia, moisture and heat energy. The diazo industry has integrated the exacting standards for ammonia handling, containment, and removal of nearly all ammonia odors. In addition, ammonia supply containers are safe and meet industry standard specifications.

Hopefully by reading this document, you have learned more about how blueprints are made, the process, and the equipment that is necessary. Well known brand names of diazo type copiers are Rotolite, Diazit, and ReproTechnology.

How to buy a Paper Trimmer

We are here to help you choose the best cutting tool to fit your application. There are however, three simple questions you should ask yourself when selecting a cutting product. The questions you should be asking yourself are;

1. What type of material will I be cutting? Paper, fabric, photographs, x-rays?.
2. How often will I be cutting this material? Daily, Weekly, Monthly?
3. What types of safety features do I need?

The answers to these three questions will help you help us recommend the best Paper Trimmer or Cutting Tool to fit your cutting needs.

Rolling Trimmers
Use a circular blade mounted to a horizontal bar which allows paper to be trimmed in both directions. This enhances the speed at which you can work if you plan to cut single sheets of material and at multiple times. Rolling Trimmers, also known as Rotary Trimmers, are also safe. They have a round rolling blade, or cutter, that is hidden from fingers and is relatively safe to use.

Cutters and Guillotines
Cutters and Guillotines use a lever style blade and are typically able to trim larger amounts of paper in a single cut. Keep in mind that these types of trimmers are not as safe as Rolling Trimmers since they do have a lever and require more force when cutting multiple sheets of material at once. Many models do offer safety features such as guards to help prevent accidents.


You may want to view the Dahle Cutter Selection Guide

Dahle produces some very high-quality products and are recommended by the EngineerSupply Product Team.

Document Hanging Clamps Explained

This document is to help you quickly understand how Hanging Clamps work. This document also explains Mobile File Centers and how they work in regards to Hanging Clamps.

Hanging Clamps that clamp and hold blueprints (or any large document) are very nice to have and use. They keep sets of drawings organized and readily available for reference. Hanging Clamps have also been known to be called "Drawing Sticks", "Plan Clamps", or "Plan Sticks" by those that work in the AEC (Architectural, Engineering, Construction) Industry.

Understanding Hanging Clamp Sizes
Selecting the size of hanging clamp you need is very simple. Hanging Clamps do not adjust their length, they only squeeze a set of drawings together to hold them together much like a binder would do. Hanging Clamps do clamp to the thickness of drawings (for example, you can clamp one drawing or 100 drawings in a clamp and the clamp itself will compensate for the thickness). But a hanging clamp will not adjust its length. Customers must purchase hanging clamps in the length that they plan to use. The size clamp you order is what you get, as the clamp will never adjust in length so consider the size of your drawings that you plan to clamp before buying any hanging clamp.

The size of your drawings that you plan to clamp is what drives the decision on which length clamp to purchase. Hanging Clamps come in lengths of 18", 24", 30", 36", or 42". If you plan to clamp a drawing (or set of drawings) that are say 24" x 36" sheet size dimension, you should consider buying a 24" hanging clamp and clamp the drawings from the 24" side of the drawing and let the 36" length of the drawing hang down towards the floor. Or, purchase a 30" hanging clamp, clamp the 24" side of your drawings, and leave some extra clamp overhang, meaning more clamp than you really need but you can also hang 30" drawings and 24" drawings on the same 30" clamp. Many people buy 30" clamps, and then hang 24" drawings, and 30" drawings from the same clamp.

One of the most popular size hanging clamps are the 30" clamps. The 30" length provides some extra room and "play" on each end when hanging a 24" side of a drawing. It also gives you the ability to hang various drawing sizes on the same clamp since a drawing or set of drawings do not have to fill up or use the entire length of a clamp.

Please note that most hanging clamps from any store are sold in cartons of six (6) clamps per carton. If you want twelve hanging clamps, then purchase 2 cartons. (2 cartons x 6 clamps per carton = 12 Hanging Clamps). Please double-check the quantity as "most" are sold in cartons of six, not all.

Click here to browse our selection of Hanging Clamps


Understanding Hanging Systems
Hanging Systems, are also known as "Blueprint Racks", "Blueprint Stands", "Hanging File Centers", and "Mobile File Centers". They are what hold and organize hanging clamps. Some hanging file centers have caster wheels so you can roll them about your office and relocate them closer to the person thats using the drawings for the day. Most mobile file centers hold about 12 clamps maximum, some hold 18, you have to read the description on each to make sure. Mobile File Centers are nothing more than a rack or rails that hold hanging clamps. Gravity holds the hanging clamps on some mobile file centers and some centers have a clip and the clamps snap into place. Please note that there's multiple types of file centers. Mobile centers are just that, as they have caster wheels to roll them with, and lock to keep from rolling. And some systems which do not touch the floor at all and are wall-mounted which are stationary. There's even a file center that hooks and hangs over a cubicle wall. But, the idea of a file center is the same, they all hold hanging clamps and keep your drawings off the floor and allow your drawings to hang vertically keeping them within easy reach and quick access.

This is one bit of information that you should understand about Mobile Stands: Some Mobile Stands will only hold one size of hanging clamps and others will hold varying sizes of clamps. The stands that will only hold a single size of clamps are the type that have two rails, one on each end that hold the hanging clamps up. The other type of mobile file center holds the hanging clamps by one end only, and these types of file centers will hold varying sizes of clamps all on the same file center.

Once a mobile stand is adjusted to a particular length of clamp to hold, that is the distance you leave it unless you re-adjust the stand to a different setting to hold another size later on. Please understand that a hanging clamp can hold different size drawings all on the same clamp since a clamp is nothing more than two lengths of metal that squeeze together when you twist the two wing knobs tightening the tee-bolts. But, some hanging file systems will only hold a single length of clamps. For example, some mobile file centers assemble so that they are set to hold only one length (for example 36" apart) of hanging clamps. Since a file centers rails are at a certain length apart, they will only hold one length of clamps. If a hanging file center is set up to hold 30" clamps, then it will only hold 30" clamps, not 24" as the 24" clamps are short enough to fall through the two rails of a hanging file center. Same goes with 36" hanging clamps, they are too long to fit onto a hanging file center that is set up to hold 30" clamps. Please note that only some hanging file centers are built like this. Some mobile file centers will accept multiple sizes of hanging clamps, you just need to read the product descriptions and it is of our recommendation to get a firm understanding of how this works before making a purchase.

Click here to browse our selection of Hanging File Centers


Summary
There you have it, an explanation of how Hanging Clamps and Hanging File Systems work. Basically, there's two parts to this, you buy a Hanging File System, find a place for it to be located in your office (either on the floor or wall depending on which type of system you buy), then buy one or two cartons of hanging clamps. Some people even buy multiple hanging systems, one stand for each project if you are a large firm and have many documents related to a single project. Once you have your system together, you can easily get organized and file your drawings and documents within quick and easy reach. If you want a more permanent or secured type of storage, you should consider flat file storage cabinets or building a plan file room, which are outside the scope of this document.

About Electronic Planimeters

ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ELECTRONIC PLANIMETERS

What is the difference between Roller & Polar Planimeters?
Roller planimeters are attached to wheels that allow unlimited horizontal travel and vertical travel within the limits of the arm movement. Polar planimeters are attached to a weighed base by and arm that allows movement with a circular area. Planix products contain identical electronics whether you choose roller or polar. Roller units offer more versatility.

What is the scale factor?
The scale factor is the x-scale multiplied by the y scale. (This must be computed when using the Planix 5 and the Planix 6 because they do not have a built-in scale computation.) The reading from the planimeter is then multiplied by this to obtain the area in the drawing.

What if the area I want to measure is larger than the reach of the planimeter arm?
All of the Planix instruments have a "hold and accumulate" feature. Subdivide the area to be measured into the smaller areas that are within the range of the unit. Measure each area pressing the hold key once to stop measurement and once again to initiate measurement once the planimeter is moved to the next area.

What direction should I move the tracer arm?
The tracer arm should be moved in a clockwise direction and returned to the original starting point. Moving the arm counterclockwise will give you a negative reading. This can be used to subtract smaller areas contained in larger ones. See instruction manual for details.

How accurate are the Planix planimeters?
Planix planimeters have a stated accuracy of 0.2% of the area measured. For accurate work, Planix recommends that the work be done slowly and carefully and the averaging function be used so that the final measurement will be the result of several measurements.

All About Blueprint Storage

We understand that you want to store your Blueprints safely and securely, but do want to have them organized for quick and easy reference and retrieval. What we will provide in this article are points for you to consider before you make a purchase. In many cases we cannot recommend a specific item due to; we have not seen your office space, have not seen number of workers in your organization, how the workers are situated such as on multiple floors of an office building, and do not know the number of prints you plan to store today and in the future. Our article will simply get your thought process started and hopefully point you in the right direction.

When seeking Blueprint Storage Solutions, you must first start by considering how many sheets and plan sets you have that you want to store. And, then consider how will your collection grow in the future. Will you have some storage solutions that offer quick retrieval but less protection? For example; a Blueprint Rack (also known as a Blueprint Stand) that is located near the people that use the plans the most. The stands offer quick access to hanging files where the hanging clamps can be removed easily and then laid on a workers desk, or laid out on a reference table. Think, it would not make sense to have a worker walk back to a storage room to pull drawings out of a steel flat file drawer that's located 50 feet away from their desk. So, you may want to mix your solution selection, such as; Hanging File Centers (again also known as Blueprint Racks or Stands) that would be located next to workers, but have Steel Flat Files located in a back room for archived or prints that are used less frequent.

Basic starting points to consider when seeking to organize your Blueprint Storage would be; do you want flat storage, rolled storage, permanent storage, locked storage. These are things to consider. Rolling drawings up takes time, but it does allow for them to be stood up on end beside a workers desk. Corrugated Upright Roll Files and Wire Upright Roll Files offer quick access right beside a workers desk.

We mentioned security such as locked storage previously in this article. Some companies either put locks on the drawers or either build a secure area which is typically called a "Plan Room". Depending on the volume of prints that need to be secured and the amount of space you have in your office, can dictate whether or not to build a Plan Room. Plan Rooms are great as they can have a locked door with all of your Flat Files located in a dedicated room within your office.

Something else you should consider is your investment in the plans you have. Some are prints from CAD files that you printed on a CAD Plotter. These prints can be printed again and again, even if you have a disaster such as a fire. As long as your drawing data is backed up by your computer network administrator, you should be fine. But, what if your drawings have notes, or have been hand-drawn, or what if they were the only available original drawings. Your drawings may have many many hours invested in them and as a result make the documents become very valuable and not easily replaced. Many Universities and Plants have the problem of having only originals that are available. Once these documents are gone, they are lost forever. In these cases, we recommend secured Plan Rooms with fire suppression (possibly not of the water type, you would have to learn more about fire suppression systems which is outside the scope of this document), and we recommend Steel Flat Files that secure the drawings and add a level of protection. Some Blueprint Cabinets even offer fire protection as one of their features. You would need to read more about what each cabinet has to offer and how these levels of protection work.

In summary, we have touched on various points of which you should consider before you make a purchase of a Blueprint Storage Solution. We would even recommend possibly getting a meeting together within your company to discuss what each user would want. Would some want Upright Roll Stands beside their desks, would some want to build a Plan Room. Does your documents need to be secured? There are many questions that you should ask yourself and others that will be using the storage solutions. Hopefully our document will help get your thoughts and questions started so that you will be satisfied once your solution is decided upon and plan put into effect.


Disclaimer; By reading this guide on our website, you agree to not hold anyone responsible for any misuse or misunderstandings that you may make. EngineerSupply.com does NOT assume any responsibility with providing this information.

How to buy a Measuring Wheel

Measuring Wheels are great tools for the Appraiser, Estimator, Engineer, Architect,Contractor, Surveyor, Banker, Realtor, and anyone that is interested in measuring large distances in a short period of time. Most Measuring Wheels are for estimating and get fairly accurate, but we do recommend if you want ultimate accuracy you should consider a measuring tape and not a wheel. One thing to consider is measuring from against an object like a wall inside of a house for example. If you put the wheel against the wall and start rolling, you must add the distance of the radius of the wheel on both sides of the room. So, basically you add the diameter (radius x 2) to the distance you measured in order to measure from wall to wall.

There are basically two types of Measuring Wheels to choose from. There's the Mechanical type, and then the Electronic type. Here are some pros and cons of each;

MECHANICAL TYPE
Pros: Does not rely on batteries and is usually very simple to operate.
Cons: One Measuring Wheel typically offers a single unit of measure.

ELECTRONIC TYPE
Pros: Can handle multiple units of measure all in a single wheel.
Cons: Have to have batteries. What if your batteries die when in the field?

Other things to consider when shopping for a Measuring Wheel are;

PRICE
If you're concerned with cost of the product you're planning to buy, consider the useful life expectancy. You should consider the price being spread out over these years and not be as concerned with price in our opinion. We always think of the nice steak supper for $50 that lasts only a few hours. That's a good way to think about where your money is going.

INSIDE OR OUTSIDE
Will you be wanting to use your measuring wheel indoors or outdoors? Or possibly both places? If only inside use is planned, we would recommend a smaller wheel, possible dual-wheel model. If outdoors, you may consider a 10 inch or 12 inch model. If you're going to use for both indoors and outdoors, then maybe consider a 6 inch model. We are referring to the diameter, which is the distance from one side of the wheel to the other and traveling through the center of the wheel.

SIZE OF WHEEL
The size of the wheel can make the measuring task at hand easier if the size of the wheel matches what you plan to do with your wheel. Read our section of "Inside or Outside" and see how we recommend the various sizes of measuring wheels. Please note that the overall size of the unit is something to consider, as some measuring wheels handles even collapse to save space.

UNITS OF MEASURE
The units of measure that you will want is up to you to decide. Will you want to measure in feet and inches, meters and decimeters, or tenths and feet? These are examples of units of measure. Please consider that a mechanical wheel you will need to decide and purchase the product that meets the units of measure that you desire. If you're buying an electronic wheel, most of the electronic measuring wheels offer multiple units of measure you and can typically push a button to select which unit of measure you want to measure in. This setting can be switched to your liking depending on the measuring units you want to perform. This is a benefit of an electronic measuring wheel, however please remember the disadvantage of having batteries to rely upon.

WARRANTY
Most are one year, but you can find some with lifetime warranties. Something to possibly consider but most wheels last a very long time if properly cared for and used.

CARRYING CASE
You may want to consider buying a measuring wheel that comes with a carrying case, or possibly buying an optional case. Using a case will help keep dust and water off of your measuring wheel and allow it to last longer.

We recommend taking the time to think about what you want to accomplish with a measuring wheel. Then, putting your criteria in ranking order before you make the purchase. Disclaimer; By reading this guide on our website, you agree to not hold anyone responsible for any misuse or misunderstandings that you may make. EngineerSupply.com does NOT assume any responsibility with providing this information.

How to buy a Magnetic Locator

Buying a Magnetic Locator is a decision that many surveyors and municipal employees decide to make. It seems most purchases are based on someone seeing the product used by another department or someone that has been on the job for a long time.

The need for a magnetic locator is usually to locate ferrous objects under ground, under water, or in snow. Objects such as PK nails, iron pipes, buried metal objects, valve covers, masonry nails, manhole covers, wires, cast iron water and gas lines, valve boxes, septic tanks and well casings, and surveyors' markers.

Survey markers or pins are such a strong magnetic target that almost any magnetic locator will find them. Therefore a customer has to look at other factors in determining which locator is the best to buy.

Things to consider when buying a locator would be;

1. Do you need a case? If yes, a hard or soft case?
2. Do you need a visual indicator, such as an LCD?
3. Do you need a headphones (in case you are in a noisy area and need to hear the locators sound better)? If yes, get a locator with a headphone jack. (*See the negative side of using headphones below).
4. Battery life and battery level indicators.
5. Sound level adjustment knobs.
6. Size of the locator itself. Do you need one that collapes?
7. Cost.
8. Warranty.
9. Weight of the locator. How long will you have to carry it around?
10. Initial Cost of the purchase.


EngineerSupply.com sells brands of magnetic locators like; Dunham & Morrow, Schonstedt, Subsurface Instruments, and CST (Chicago Steel Tape) Survey. All of these locators are professional grade instruments and are built to withstand the rigors of aggressive environments. We do recommend taking care of your magnetic locator since it is an electronic device. Return your locator to it's case after each use is a great way to help protect your investment.

PRICE
If you're concerned with cost of the locator you're planning to buy, consider the useful life expectancy. Some locators are used for twenty or thirty years by some surveyors. We have seen some surveyors with locating instruments that last them their entire career. You should consider the price being spread out over these years and not be as concerned with price in our opinion. We always think of the nice steak supper for $50 that lasts only a few hours. Thats a good way to think about where your money is going.

WARRANTY
The Dunham & Morrow Magnetic Locators come with a Lifetime Warranty. The Schonstedt's warranty's vary from model to model. The Schonstedt Model GA-52Cx comes with a 7-year Warranty and the Model GA-72Cd comes with a 5-year Warranty. The CST Magna-Trak's come with a 5-year Warranty.

*HEADPHONES
The use of headphones when operating a locator is considered to be dangerous due to the user cannot hear other sounds on a construction site, or in near highways. We do not recommend using headphones. If you do, it would be something to consider where and when you are using them.

CASES
Some customers have stated they like the soft case better than the hard case. You need to ask yourself if you want a case, and if so, what type. Some cases have shoulder straps that makes carrying the case in the field easier.

OPTIONS AND SIZE
If you are looking for a locator that is easy to carry in the field, we recommend the Schonstedt MAC-51Bx if you want magnetic & cable locating abilities. The MAC-51Bx has optional accessories that can enable it to do a few more tasks than other locators. We have had many satisfied customers that have purchased the Dunham & Morrow brand of locator. It all depends on what you want to do and where you will carry your locator.

Some recommend that you contact the manufacturer every five or so years and have your locator calibrated and/or tested, especially if you are locating UXO (Unexploded Ordnance) or Weapons. Some manufacturers say that the need for calibration is unnecessary so its really a decision to be made by the customer if this type of maintenance is needed.

We recommend taking the time to think about what you want to accomplish with a magnetic locator. Then, putting your criteria in ranking order before you make the purchase.