8 Jan
2017
8 Jan
'17
9:17 p.m.
On 01/08/2017 08:16 PM, Al Kossow wrote:
I sent this out to some friends at the end of December
I've got a few large (not the torque-handle thing) from the late 60's
Xcelite nutdrivers. They don't smell and they're in fine condition.
Must have been a formula change at some point.
Reminds of the issue with cellulose acetate-based film and tape. Most
conscientious people placed said objects in airtight storage containers,
which apparently is exactly the thing *not* to do. I'm not aware of any
process to reverse the decomposition.
Old plastics in general are a nightmare for museum conservators.
--Chuck