Short of having all pages laminated, does anyone have any good techniques for protecting plan sets that will see on-site use? One idea I had was to use a piece of poster board or some kind of thick mylar plastic as the last page to protect the rolled up plans. I wonder if there is something that can be sprayed on the paper to make it a bit more durable? Maybe put clear cellophane packing tape on the edge of each page?
The idea would be to make one on-site plan set definitely last for the entire house, and ideally for more than one house…
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I laminate a set cost about 15$ a sheet but it is worth it.
Cool thing is you can draw on it with a dry erase ink and wipe clean later.
ANDYSZ2
WHY DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT BEING A SOLE PROPRIETOR IS A REAL JOB?
REMODELER/PUNCHOUT SPECIALIST
Look up a product called 'Map Seal'. It's a clear coating you apply to any kind of paper map that should work exactly as you intend.
I have also seen full size sheet protectors for 24x36 plans somewhere. Try calling your local reprographics place that produces plan sets and see if they can help you.
check out this site: http://www.planstation.biz
Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
Your Friendly Neighborhood Moderator
I thought Duluth Trading had a blueprint protector but I will be darned if I can find it on the website.
Sorry that wasn't much help.
Jon
Duluth Trading dropped their plan protector. I tried to buy one a hwile back, and it was discontinued...
I know I'm a grown-up - I groan every time I get up.
Yeah, go browse about for "map sealer," which is good, but not perfect. Best bet is to have a second set for when the first set is trashed.
Some of the surplus places will have a "large map case" which is 27 x 37 or so, into which you can load a small set of plans, and still see the top page.
My only gripe with laminating the pages is that you can't mark them up afterwards (well, not effectively).
what are you paying for print copies ?
ours are really inexpensive and for a residence, how many pages do you have for a home ? usually not that many.
probably not the answer you want, but, have more copies made.
they're recyclable !
carpenter in transition
Matt,
A cheap, but effective material to use to protect plans is clear shelf paper...actually plastic. My local variety store sells it in 36" wide rolls. You buy it by the linear foot.
You put it on both sides with enough overlap at the edges to seal the plan sheet inside.
Reddog
Most large format printing offices will print on waterproof 'paper', which is actually white plastic. The stuff is remarkably tough and completely waterproof, although not cheap. You can write with pencil and erase like regular paper.
When we were pouring/framing we wrecked two sets of plans in the first two weeks. After that I bought the waterproof ones and they lasted the rest of the project.
Scott.
Always remember those first immortal words that Adam said to Eve, “You’d better stand back, I don’t know how big this thing’s going to get.”
What we don't need no stinkin plans man.
we used to use cheap hair spray to seal plans, chalk lines, pencil marks and the like. my local lumber yard supplies nice plan protectors to most all GC's. it's called customer service
Thanks all! Some good suggestions... I'm gonna go get some of that map seal. Looking at the web site I see they sell it at REI which is near by. I'm also gonna call the outfit that does our copying and find out if they can print on some other kind of medium that is more durable or what other suggestions they have. BTW - today I found out that the copy place we use is less than 1/2 the price of Kinko's self service plus the copy place picks up and delivers....