I own a wood stake mill and we make wood stakes mostly for sediment and erosion control industry. In order to expand our line and continuing to grow the company, we are adding a survey stake/grade lath line. I am looking for any feedback about what you like and or dislike about your current products and providers. What are your preferred sizes/dimensions.
Also, if you can provide any information on how many stakes get used on a typical job, or typical month, or typical year… those things would be helpful also as we gear up and make decisions on equipment, manpower and additional space.
Any information you think would be important to someone providing wood stakes, would be considered closely when making decisions on how to serve this community and industry.
I know your time is valuable so I really appreciate your time. I look forward to hearing from you.
Drew
Replies
I use 2"x3/8"x48" lath and only buy good, clear wood. I've found that saving dollars by buying lath made from stud lumber or other low-grade wood only translates into lost time and injuries when the lath shatters while driving it. I also use a variety of 2x2 hubs, from 6" to 24" in length.
We're a small, 1-crew, firm and I went through about 25 bundles of lath this year.
I'm in a rural area, but my surveying equipment dealer delivers on a less than regular schedule. The schedule used to be weekly until the crash, now it's just when he can fill the truck or is passing through for some other reason.
I have seen the tendency of surveyors to buy stakes/lath made from high quality, clear lumber. Obviously, as you mentioned this comes with an increased cost to both the manufacturer and the surveyor. Are those cost differences large between the two? Also, do your suppliers tend to carry an economy stake AND a premium stake to serve all types of surveyors? Or do they stick to one or the other?
Thank you for your feedback.
My supplier supplies only the premium lath, although I have a choice between 18", 24", 36" and 48". I think it's fir. The 48" is $29.95/bundle or $26.95/bundle for a pallet of 40 bundles.
There is a manufacturer in Oregon that doesn't deliver here that has two grades of lath plus premium painted. His Jan 2015 price list shows a price of $20.00/bundle of 50 for Contractor grade, $27.00/bundle for Premium grade and $32.00/bundle for Premium painted.
I use lath almost exclusively. 1', 2' & 3'. Most of the time I cut them, myself from scrap 2x4, 2x6, 2x8 & 2x10 wood(recycled). So they are free, except for the time it takes to cut & rip them. I can rip 7 lath from a 2x4 of various lengths.. I buy them when time does not allow me to cut them. I used to buy them from a nearby mill, but they closed years ago, so, now it cost more from 3rd party surveyor suppliers.
Just my 2¢.
Thank you for your reply. Does the lath seem to be used by the majority of surveyors in your experience vs. the thicker survey stakes?