Miscellaneous Electrical Tools and Supplies C Clamps

Miscellaneous Electrical Tools and Supplies C Clamps Points : Miscellaneous Electrical Tools and Supplies C Clamps, Ordinary 3 in. malleable C clamps are very useful for clamping large sets of plans to end of the estimating table. This reduces the space taken up by plans to a minimum, and as the sheets are turned over, their weight will not pull the set of the table. It is often necessary to turn sheets back and fourth for reference purposes, it is much easier to handle then with clamps on the table than it is to have to fold them under. Pencils and Crayons Colored pencils are also indispensable for checking materials taken of the plans. There are all kinds of colored pencils on the marked. Some of them are not suitable for estimating because the markings are too hard to remove from the plans. One should select pencils that will leave a plain mark without too much pressure. The markings should also be such that they can be easily removed what an easier .or a cleaning fluid. It is well for an estimator to form the habit of using a set color scheme for checking, such as orange for lighting, red for power, yellow for signals. The same color scheme can be used making notes on the plans, underscoring notes already overlooked when it comes time for the take off. Cleaning Plans One is often required to clean plans, either for the purpose of returning them to the owner them for checking additional systems of work. Chalk can be easily removed with a dry cloth. Markings made with colored pencils (of the proper type) can be easily removed with a cloth dipped in benzene, naphtha, or carbon tetrachioride”. The latter is not inflammable. Watch Your Scales In his daily routine, the electrical estimator is required to work on plans drawn to many scale’s. One project may scales. One project may employ three or four scales, and single sheet may have two or more portions of a building, each with its Individual scale. Estimators experience varying degrees of difficulty because of the black of uniformity of plan scales. This trouble is largely in proportion to the care exercise in preparations made to take off and check material quantities.

There are two principal reasons why an estimator may get his scales confused when working on a set of plans. First, he will be engaged for a considerable length of time on one project, then promptly start another one with an entirely different scale. He starts out all right but after becoming absorbing his work, slips back to the scale used on the previous job. Second, the work may be confusing because several scales are used for the individual project. Before taking off any material quantities, the estimator must check the plans carefully and be sure that the proper scale has been scale each drawing. Particularly whether is more than one drawing on a sheet, the scale for each drawing must be noted: Experience has long since taught as that this latter precaution is always in order.

The given scale should always be checked against the plan dimensions. When doing this, one becomes familiar with the plan and also has a check on his scale selection. Plans have been drawn to one scale and assigned a legend indicating a different scale. Only two such cases have come to my attentions; but in one the contractor’s experience was very embarrassing and costly:

If more than one scale is used on a set of plans,, or if there is any possibility of the estimator getting confused, each drawing should be plainly marked. Ordinary black-board chalk can be used to mark the proper scale in large fingers. It’s a good idea to go through the complete set of plans and mark the scales on each sheet before starting the take-off. Then, his take-off’, bold-figure scale indication see him straight and warns him to check his scale selection. Use of Prepared Scales Scales for direct reading offer assurance of scale to fit the plan, the estimator can proceed withies take-off and read the quantities directly from the scale. Errors normally made by converting measured. inches to plan feed are eliminated.

Scale notations made on plans with blackboard Chalk draw estimator’s attention to proper scale. Large figures can be easily rubbed off when job is complete. When the double-scale measure is used, care must be taken that the proper side of the of the tape is being used. One way to identify the scale quickly is to press a small piece of adhesive or masking tape on the side with the right scale. The tape can be transferred to the other side when the second scale is being used, or it can remain on the original side for permanent Identification of the most commonly used scale.

If direct-reading scales are not readily available, the estimator can make his own measuring devices out of flexible fiberboard. Check the Results Regardless of the system used, one must have some means of checking his final results. Tabulations for 1/16-in, scale plan, where the direct column heading “one used, are shown in Fig. under the column heading “one way Dist” For check purposes, the actual roto-meter readings in feet and inches were noted under the column heading “Scale Rdg”. In comparing the two, remember that the direct readings on the right include an, allowance for shrinkage. Hence, multiplying the foot-inch readings in the left hand’ column by’ 16 (the plan scale) will not give the same values as found the direct-reading column at the right. The difference is approximately 5 percent.

The roto-meter reading for feeder 1A, was 8 in., and the recorded one way distance was 135 ft. The direct readings were as follows: 6 in. represented 100 ft (shrinkage included) and 2 in. represented 32 ft (no shrinkage included). The total of 135 was used. Estimating Forms Small operators, as well as contractors engaged in large construction work need forms for estimating, tables for checking tools and material, and record sheets for labor cost studies, The number and types of forms nodded vary greatly, depending on the size, type, and variation in size and type of the projects estimated. Some offices design their and have them printed. There are, however, forms on the market that meet practically every need. Few estimators realize how many things have to be considered in selecting suitable forms. Cub estimators feel obliged to accept the materials provided, but seasoned estimators generally used supplies of their own choice.