PE Seal Type? Pocket, Desk or Long Reach? 3

[Timewalker]

Anyone, please advise what you think is the most helpful type of embossing PE seal a licensed engineer should buy and why:

Pocket (typ 3/4"-1.5" reach)
Desk (typ 3/4"-1.5" reach)
Extended Long Reach (typ 2.5"-2.75" reach)
Extra Long Reach (typ 4.5" reach)

Also, would you recommend buying a self-inked rubber stamp?
What ink color: black, green, red, violet? and why?

Does anyone ever have to emboss a 8.5" x 11" page in the center?

Thanks.

 

[Ron]

Have used pocket seals for almost 30 years. Longer reach would be good, but otherwise not a big deal.

 

[zdas04]

I've got the pocket embosser, and the reach is almost always too short, wish I had known about the long reach version when I ordered it.

I won't use an inked stamp because I don't want my seal to show up in photocopies. I have no problem providing multiple sealed copies of a document (at the client's nominal expense), but when they unbind a sealed document to make copies I have lost control and have no idea what my stamp is in front of, even odd colored ink would reproduce on the color copies that are currently ubiquitous. Personal preference.

David

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Only a few states require the embossed seal... FL, DE, NJ come to mind and they are a PAIN in the butt. They break, don't work right, etc. Do what you want.

Some engineers actaully use a wierd colored ball point pen and note that if the signature is not in that color than this is not an acceptable drawing.

Some states say you must use a blue or black pen.

We print our drawings in color and note that if this is a black and white copy - then it is invalid.

 

[DRC1]

Have used black ink rubber stamp for years. Never had an emosser. Never had a problem.

 

[zdas04]

You guys deal with stamped drawings/documents all the time and it is probably no big deal. I've used my stamp about 6 times in as many years (more and more environmental forms are requiring a stamp), so it is still really new for me.

David

 

[swertel]

What states are you in that allow embossing? Most states don't even allow it anymore.

I use a stamp with blank ink for the stamp, required. I use a colored pen, usually blue (never red), for my signature so I can tell when it's been photocopied.

--Scott

http://wertel.eng.pro

 

[zdas04]

It is allowed by the PE board in both Colorado and New Mexico. The stuff I've embossed has been EPA and New Mexico Enviro Division forms--neither said anything about the "stamp".

David

 

[rbulsara]

IMHO, all fears and mitigation about copying seals and colors are redundant due to ability of scanning and printing any color document.

Most states and federal govt. now even allow electronic images of the stamps. I have not come across use or request for embossed seal ever in 17 years of having the PE. (that does not mean someone will not require it but unlikely). Buy anything but self-inking stamp, unless you plan to stamp several drawings every week! They eventually go bad and makes a mess if stored without use for long.

Unless you are getting paid more for the effort, there is no benefit to be fancier than good old rubber stamp with a black ink pad.

Rafiq Bulsara

http://www.srengineersct.com

 

[rbulsara]

A useful link as to what type of seal/stamps are permitted by PE licensing boards of various states.

https://commerce.ncees.org/surveyor/results/index.php?survey_id=1003&section_id=5&question_id=33

Rafiq Bulsara

http://www.srengineersct.com

 

[Ron]

Scott...most states still REQUIRE the embossed seal. Many engineers have gotten away from sealing documents, particularly in states that have not enforced the requirement (Georgia for instance); however, it is still "on the books" and enforceable if they choose to do so.

I've used my seal thousands of times....have completely worn out two of them and currently have two for my home state that I alternate.

 

[JLSeagull]

I have not used my seal in a long time. My most common use was the rubber stamp with a signature. Texas has a CAD seal procedure that I have not used. I also apply additional stamps such as "for bid purposes only" etc. if applicable.

 

[HgTX]

Ron--check out the link in the post just above yours.

Hg


Eng-Tips policies: faq731-376

 

[DTGT2002]

I prefer the self inkers, much cleaner than a drawer full of half wet messes.

Of my current licenses, only Florida mandates the raised seal on each drawing.

I have the basic hand seal and it is a lot of work, but I primarily work in areas other than Florida, so it is not so much of a challenge.

I produce sealed/stamped designs for our own executions, so other than Florida, the seal will be a copy as part of my expectation.

I vary the self inking color to help differentiate the state, though I still rummage through the drawer to find the right stamp as i don't know the state by the arbitrary color I chose.

Home is GA so it is the only black self inking stamp I intend to get. Haven't picked up a purple one yet, I'll save that option in case I work my way to the left coast.



For the embosser, it all comes down to the number of crimps per day. If I only worked in FL and produced a substantial volume, I would probably consider a mechanical setup to save my aching hand!

Daniel

 

[tickle]

Picking up on David's comments on what a company does with a stamped/sealed document. If the company changes the attached document, alters a handwritted number etc, they are altering what has been sealed. As the PE, you are not liable for this and if it ever came to court, the company would be liable.

As independent consultants, do you keep a copy of everything that you seal for the eventuality that it goes to court?

 

[Ron]

tickle...many states require that you keep a copy of any document you sign/seal for a period of time. In my home state, it is 3 years.

 

[cvg]

have used a rubber stamp with black ink for years. In my field, embossed seals are never used. The ink is suitable for mylar or paper. Generally, I use an electronic version these days, cadd or tiff and with an electronic signature which makes it much easier. Especially when I am stamping and signing a set of plans with a hundred or more sheets my wrist cramps up.

 

[photoengineer]

I prefer self-inking stamps over the embosser. I have both and would only buy the self-inking stamper for future states.

I made an AutoCAD image of the seal to use should I have the need to use it in the future.

Cedar Bluff Engineering

http://cedarbluffengineering.webs.com

 

[WL123]

I have the self-inker for a few years now. Have done thousands of plans with it. It comes out crisper than the ink and stamp pad type. Never had a need for anything else.