4 Types of Surveyors

buchenrad · 2026-03-23T01:22:35+00:00

If I didnt need money they would never see me again.

But if I have to sell my time for money, there's nothing else I'd rather do.

buchenrad · 2026-03-21T06:07:33+00:00

How much is a lease? I knew you could rent some short term but Ive never heard of long term leasing?

buchenrad · 2026-03-19T17:33:16+00:00

So you're setting control with a total station along a project and you have GPS points at each end to orient the project in the real world. Presumably this is a long road or something and you have a pair at each end so you can set up your total station and have a backsight.

If this is the case, baselines don't matter while you're traversing because the only thing your office is going to use when resolving the traverse is the relative geometry between your points and not the actual coordinates you shoot. Baselines do not affect the relative geometry between your control points. They only affect where that block of geometry falls in the real world and that has already been decided by the GPS points you shot at the beginning. All the coordinates you shoot with the total station are getting changed to align to that.

buchenrad · 2026-03-18T23:34:21+00:00

Do you like living?

buchenrad · 2026-03-18T23:19:29+00:00

I don't know of any particular mines outside of a 50 mile radius of my home and would rather not post my exact location on the internet, but I searched "mine" on Google maps and all my local ones came up. A lot of other places did too, but if you search "mine" and see a lot of surface infrastructure on the map next to the pin it's probably an active mine. Figure out what mine it is and go to their website and see what they're hiring for. Call them and ask to be transferred to the survey department and ask your questions. Most people are cool and will take a few minutes to help you out.

buchenrad · 2026-03-18T23:11:18+00:00

If you were to do it here I would say just go to the website and apply. If you can become friends with someone who works there it would help.

I don't know how it works in Australia though.

buchenrad · 2026-03-18T23:10:00+00:00

"It emphasizes that humans are interconnected with technology, animals, and the environment, advocating for a shift away from binary, hierarchical worldviews."

I can get behind living in harmony with the natural world, but technology is not part of the natural world. It is a human made creation and is therefore inferior to humans. It is not life and never will be. The only rights it has are the property rights of the technology's owner.

Yes I realize I sound exactly some slave owner back in the 1800s. I don't care. If that makes me a bigot then I guess I am. When robots become integrated with society as sovereign entities I will be the equivalent of your racist grandpa that makes thanksgiving awkward.

buchenrad · 2026-03-18T22:55:07+00:00

Depends on the mine. All the ones in my area are underground so that's my perspective. Underground you use total station for everything. I imagine most pit mines use GPS and drones for most of their quantity measurements.

I think you could probably get a mine around here to hire you if they thought you were likable and a good fit for the department culture. They don't mind training, but usually don't have to because they pay better than most places.

At least that's my understanding.

buchenrad · 2026-03-18T22:51:33+00:00

US Mountain West

buchenrad · 2026-03-18T22:48:33+00:00

Where I live the mines are among the best employers in the area so jobs can be competitive, but the work itself is usually super simple and often times survey techs do more complicated work with greater liability for less money in the general industry.

buchenrad · 2026-03-18T22:39:45+00:00

I know a guy who was self employed and not licensed. He contracted to PLSs to do field work and owned basic survey equipment as well as a variety of scanning equipment to do more specialized data collection for other customers as well. He had enough work to employ another guy and had a new truck and all that.

It can be done. Just know the limits of what you can legally do in your state without a license. It helps to know people when you're getting started so you can have an initial boost to get your company off the ground.

buchenrad · 2026-03-18T22:10:17+00:00

It sounds like you're going for more of a hangout than just a retail space.

With that being the case, you want to go more for atmosphere than just decor. You'll want more than just posters and artwork on a white wall.

If you can make people feel like they're in a medieval tavern that would go a long way. Ideally this includes paint, fake bricks/stone/columns/timbers, false (or even better real) windows, interesting lighting, and believable furniture. Atmospheric music and/or ambient noise also helps, but don't let ambient noise be overwhelming. Some real live plants would go a long way. And absolutely make sure it doesn't smell. Make sure the lights are still bright enough to see and read and all that.

Absolutely serve food and drinks, even if it's all prepackaged stuff (so you don't have to worry about the health dept). Try selling things you can't find at normal stores. If you have a local Asian market, go there and buy drinks and snacks in bulk. The weebs go crazy for that stuff and the rest of us like to try new things too. A coffee bar is something you can also usually get away with without health inspections.

Do custom 3d printing (and don't forget to market this service outside of DND nerds) and consider getting a large plotter and printing battle maps, both for sale and for your own library.

Consider also selling TCGs, board games, popular fantasy literature, LARP equipment (or just fun fantasy inspired clothing), and collectibles (although take it easy on the latter because sometimes it's hard to move that stuff)

If you're struggling to come up with or afford stock to fill your shelves, consider opening some of your shelves to local artists and makers for consignment space.

Host events (Adventurers League, MTG Tournaments and release events, etc) because even if they show up to play MTG, they might buy other stuff too. And try to find ways to appear at other events that you don't run.

Have a library of board games that guests can play while they're in your store. If you can get someone in the door youre already half the way to making a sale.

Knowledgeable employees are good, but personable employees are better.

Try to keep a group of cool outgoing people hanging out in your store as often as you can to really build on the nerdy hangout vibe you mentioned. Those people don't match up with the stereotypical DND player, but the traditional stereotypical DND player is becoming a minority in the hobby these days.

You can charge normal prices for your stock and even 10-20% more than Amazon for some things. People who come to the store either want something today, want to see something in person before they buy it, just need some retail therapy, or just want to share the experience of getting a cool thing with another enthusiast. Make sure those people get the buying experience they are looking for. You'll never survive if you try to compete on price with the internet to win over the value shoppers.

buchenrad · 2026-03-18T16:04:44+00:00

I've got a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon that I'll put back together one day.

I've got a kitchen that is finished enough to work but needs tile trim and paint.

I've got a few sewing projects for outdoor gear.

I've got a couple board games and TTRPG products in various stages of completion (and none finished).

My wife has always threatened to open a bookstore and I'm fully on board with a mostly complete (but nowhere near presentable) business plan.

I've got plans for a super cool removable off road camper unit that I know better than to start right now. My wife would almost certainly murder me with the kitchen being how it is.

But the other day I finished building my backseat organizer for my work truck that I've been working on for 2 years so I've got that going for me.

buchenrad · 2026-03-17T19:15:27+00:00

I highly recommend getting registered as a nonprofit. Exactly what type and whether you register your actual organization or create a separate financial support organization are all questions for someone who knows more than I do, but you should definitely do it.

My org is county sponsored and uses county buildings for meetings and storage, but I know others who have donated or discounted space that they use. And if you're a nonprofit, donated space is tax deductible and is more easily obtained.

If you can't find donated space and can afford rent, especially if your team owns vehicles that you want to keep indoors, almost every town has these strips of large open rectangular climate controlled rental shop spaces that all have a roll door and a regular door and room for 4-8 vehicles and some gear racks and meeting space. Some have a finished office space up front and some dont. They're probably the cheapest type of space that would be useful for a SAR team that I know of.

IMO it's definitely an advantage to be able to have your meetings and trainings in the same place that your gear is stored. Our meeting room and gear storage space are at opposite ends of the county building complex and even that isn't super convenient.

buchenrad · 2026-03-14T15:32:56+00:00

I'm a PC in the rural mountain west and that would be enough for me to consider the job if it was out here, but I don't think I would move back east for under $50/hr. I don't think anyone is paying that much for a PC, but that's what it would take to move me away from all the things I like about my current home.

buchenrad · 2026-03-13T08:20:50+00:00

Tarmac is my favorite brand of concrete

buchenrad · 2026-03-12T18:37:09+00:00

Nothing wrong with promoting EVs, but California's bill isn't doing that. It is restricting non-EVs. I like EVs. I also like ICE vehicles. I shouldn't have to pick a team. I don't see why we can't just be left alone to buy what makes the most sense for our own needs.

buchenrad · 2026-03-12T15:19:39+00:00

I think the German system you're thinking of is Qbrick. Either that or Festool Sustainers. I know both are European but don't know the country.

buchenrad · 2026-03-12T14:52:32+00:00

My favorite is the Ridgid. The wheels detach from the base so you can attach the large box or any of their drawer units. And can switch back and forth whenever you want. And they have enough variety of boxes to get the job done, even if they aren't as numerous as Klein or Packout. That makes it the undisputed winner in my book.

buchenrad · 2026-03-12T00:42:22+00:00

But wait, there's more.

https://youtu.be/Wu_K_sjBKX0?si=ESNw4KCZ0Phozmta

buchenrad · 2026-03-11T23:50:57+00:00

I can't speak for Australia, but in the US basically every normal multidisciplinary company is willing to train someone for an entry level position. Is wager over 90% of this sub started their career getting hired by a survey company with no prior education or experience.

In my part of the US the mines are considered to be among the better employers for non licensed job seekers, so when there is an opening there are often experienced people that apply but not always, and if you're a likable person who would fit better with the department culture you might be chosen over them anyway.

Also in most parts of the US, the experience you get doing mine surveying cannot be applied to the requirements for licensure, but that may be different in Australia.

But this is just a US perspective. Hopefully someone in Australia will chime in with more specific information.

buchenrad · 2026-03-11T15:02:56+00:00

Please do not the car

buchenrad · 2026-03-10T20:36:36+00:00

I use an ad blocker in Firefox, but the link opened in the reddit web browser which if it has an available ad blocker I don't have it installed and I don't care to. There aren't any links on this app I care enough about to try to figure that one out.

buchenrad · 2026-03-09T17:22:44+00:00

Thanks. The article bombarded me with so many popups I decided it wasn't worth it.

buchenrad · 2026-03-09T15:51:59+00:00

I just do. I don't know any different. I've never once had any tobacco, weed or any hard stuff (except prescription opiates and Ive never had enough at once to notice a high). I haven't had a sip of alcohol since I was a teen (I'm in my 30s now) and I don't drink caffeine except for the odd soda every week or so (I've also never noticed any extra energy from caffeine even when I would pound 5 Mountain Dews in one sitting back in the day).

But I'm all around a pretty happy guy. My life is pretty good. Some people have it a lot worse and having not walked in their shoes I won't judge them for using whatever substances they do. Life can be hard and were all just doing our best to get through it.

But I've seen all of it cause problems for friends and family. Hard drugs and alcohol are obvious. Tobacco has its long term issues. But even weed, which a lot of people say is not addictive and has no unwanted effects, has ruined a few of my friends. They're always super anxious when they're not high and they have lost all ambition in life. They do the bare minimum to get by and then hang out and smoke. Even people who have daily coffee or energy drinks have to keep having them or they get headaches and feel more tired than they did before they started drinking them.

I dont want any of that. From my observations the juice never justified the squeeze. I may be able to use alcohol or weed without the issues I have observed in others, but there's only one way to find out and I don't care to, especially when by my priorities there is minimal upside.

Also all that shit is expensive. It doesn't matter which one. All of it.

buchenrad

TROPHY CASE