1 Sep
2002
1 Sep
'02
12:57 a.m.
I guess I should give a little background for the folks who haven't heard
from me privately lately.
Just a few weeks ago or so (has it been that long already?), I ended up
rescuing nearly an entire ham shack/photo/woodworking shop from a 40cu
yard dumpster. A friend of mine who lived around the corner died a few
years ago, and even after picking up tons of stuff from his family, and
after numerous attempts to arrange pickup of the remaining stuff, I found
out some of his family dumped the entire shop into a huge dumpster (or
skip for you folks on the other side of the pond). Thankfully, I found out
about it *before* the dumpster was to be picked up.
I spent a total of around 22+ hours (with permission from the folks who
filled the dumpster) over the course of two nights with the help of a work
light pulling out everything I could salvage. There were a few things
missing (someone else got there first), and 1000s (I'd guess that number
anyway) of magazines and some books were ruined due to rain before I found
out about the dumpster. Magazines dating from the 1940s to the 1970s were
mostly ruined beyond salvage. These included titles such as Popular
Science, Popular Mechanics, Mechanix, and Popular Electronics. It also
included 3-4 different photo oriented publications with dates from early
1970s to the 1980s.
Ironically, they also accidentally trashed 1000s and 1000s of photos,
slides, negatives (both plastic and glass plate), and home movies. I've
been returning those items as I sort them from the rest, since they did
not mean to trash them. I still need advice on unsticking/cleaning the
home movie films, since none were in water tight containers. Most are
small reels in 3"x3"x3/4" cardboard boxes. I did explain to the family how
to separate/clean prints, and I think about 99% of those were successfully
salvaged.
I am currently trying to figure out how to clean/salvage books that were
exposed to the water, and since the texts are irreplaceable, I'm hesitant
in what I try. Many books have a very fine powder-like mold on their
covers, while the pages are ok. Some books have small amounts of mold
growing on the edges of the pages.
I also rescued a huge vinyl 33 1/3 record collection that needs to be
cleaned up somehow. They were added to the dumpster (by mistake I was
told) after the initial dive, and were subsequently exposed to yet more
rain (Houston really sucks sometimes). I'm very worried about cleaning any
mold from the album covers, but I imagine most of the vinyl is currently
ok. Some of the records may have been broken when they were dumped into
the dumpster, but I expect to find most intact. I imagine these may be the
most time sensitive of all the rescued materials.
I am also trying to figure out how to clean minor mold from and separate
QSL cards that are stuck together. The cards date from the 1950s, but
thankfully most were not exposed to water. I also have 100s of HARC
publications that need to be salvaged. Some are in very good condition,
while some have a significant mold growth on them.
I should also add that I am keeping all the items stacked (and piled) in
my (unfinished) computer building (nowhere else to put them at present),
and have been keeping the lights on 24/7 to help inhibit the growth of
mold.
Also, if there is anyone located in Houston that feels like lending a hand
in sorting/cleaning up stuff, please contact me. It is abit overwhelming
for me to try to deal with ~50-60 years worth of items.
-Toth
1 Sep
1 Sep
4:23 a.m.
Tothwolf wrote:
Did they hire someone to clear out the space?? I can't imagine how so
many things got dumped "accidently".
Chad Fernandez
Michigan, USA
Ironically,
they also accidentally trashed 1000s and 1000s of photos,
slides, negatives (both
plastic and glass plate), and home movies. I've
been returning those items as I sort them from the rest, since they did
not mean to trash them.
11:06 a.m.
On Sun, 1 Sep 2002, Chad Fernandez wrote:
Tothwolf wrote:
I'm not exactly sure. I've heard different stories from different people.
I don't think anyone wants to take the blame for it.
-Toth
Ironically, they also accidentally trashed 1000s
and 1000s of photos,
slides, negatives (both plastic and glass plate), and home movies.
I've been returning those items as I sort them from the rest, since
they did not mean to trash them.
Did they hire someone to clear out the space?? I can't imagine how so
many things got dumped "accidently". 
7:02 a.m.
New subject: paging Bob Shannon
Bob,
My eMails to you aren't getting through,
hence this public request.
John A.
11:13 a.m.
New subject: dumpster dive and water/mold cleanup
On Sun, 1 Sep 2002, John Allain wrote:
A good question I guess ;)
I would imagine it would be more than 100, since I'm considered a
youngster, though you have to figure in for some overlap of the time
periods too.
-Toth
It is abit
overwhelming for me to try to deal with ~50-60 years worth
of items.
Philosophical:
Will the people who come after you be sorting out 50~60 years worth of
stuff or will it be 90~100 years worth of stuff? 
7:28 a.m.
On Sunday 01 September 2002 06:07, Tothwolf wrote:
I am currently trying to figure out how to clean/salvage books that were
exposed to the water, and since the texts are irreplaceable, I'm hesitant
in what I try. Many books have a very fine powder-like mold on their
covers, while the pages are ok. Some books have small amounts of mold
growing on the edges of the pages.
Get the books into a freezer!
They will freeze dry and the cold will slow/stop the mold growth.
A few libraries around here have suffed broken pipes and that's how they
did it.
I would try to separat eh moldy books from the others but since mold
spores ar so small it may not be possible.
11:05 a.m.
On Sun, 1 Sep 2002, Mike wrote:
On Sunday 01 September 2002 06:07, Tothwolf wrote:
I don't have access to a large freezer of any sort.
I am currently trying to figure out how to
clean/salvage books that
were exposed to the water, and since the texts are irreplaceable, I'm
hesitant in what I try. Many books have a very fine powder-like mold
on their covers, while the pages are ok. Some books have small amounts
of mold growing on the edges of the pages.
Get the books into a freezer! They will freeze dry and the cold will slow/stop the
mold growth.
I think most of the materials have already dried out, but some are still
slightly damp.
I would try to separat eh moldy books from the others
but since mold
spores ar so small it may not be possible.
I would, but I don't have the room. Houston has also been seeing extremely
high levels of mold spores, which I think greatly contributed to the rapid
growth of mold on the damp materials.
I actually removed about half of the contents from that 40cu yard
dumpster, and about 1/3 of the bulk I salvaged is paper matter.
-Toth
2 Sep
2 Sep
10:06 p.m.
On Sun, 1 Sep 2002, Mike wrote:
It actually works best in a deep freeze.
Peace... Sridhar
I am currently
trying to figure out how to clean/salvage books that were
exposed to the water, and since the texts are irreplaceable, I'm hesitant
in what I try. Many books have a very fine powder-like mold on their
covers, while the pages are ok. Some books have small amounts of mold
growing on the edges of the pages.
Get the books into a freezer!
They will freeze dry and the cold will slow/stop the mold growth.
A few libraries around here have suffed broken pipes and that's how they
did it.
I would try to separat eh moldy books from the others but since mold
spores ar so small it may not be possible. 
1 Sep
1 Sep
4:55 p.m.
Stories like this always sadden me. I've seen it happen many times and
benefitted on occasion from the dumpster or heard about it afterward.
One of my fears is that the same thing might happen to my stuff, since my
sons are 1000 of miles distant. A while back this problem was raised on the
list and some solutions broached but never really finalized.
Some kind of repository for instructions for disposal, eg: offering it for
auction to the list, that could be left in a will is the idea, since most of the
survivors would have no idea of the value of the stuff we collect, and in my
case very few locals that would be interested.
Lawrence
I guess I should give a little background for the
folks who haven't heard
from me privately lately.
Just a few weeks ago or so (has it been that long already?), I ended up
rescuing nearly an entire ham shack/photo/woodworking shop from a 40cu
yard dumpster. A friend of mine who lived around the corner died a few
years ago, and even after picking up tons of stuff from his family, and
after numerous attempts to arrange pickup of the remaining stuff, I found
out some of his family dumped the entire shop into a huge dumpster (or
skip for you folks on the other side of the pond). Thankfully, I found out
about it *before* the dumpster was to be picked up.
SNIP
-Toth
lgwalker(a)mts.net
bigwalk_ca(a)yahoo.com
2 Sep
2 Sep
3:55 p.m.
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3 Sep
3 Sep
3:46 p.m.
On Tue, 3 Sep 2002, Tony Duell wrote:
This is why I've given my parents (who are the
most likely people to
have to deal with things if I pass away [1]) explicit instructions as to
what to do. Namely to contact another enthusiast in the UK who they also
know. And he, in turn, knows to look at _everything_. Hand-written
scraps of paper may be the essential diagram that shows how to reconnect
something. He also has a list of the most important (in my opinion)
machines that I have, so he knows what he must be able to find.
I can certainly relate to the hand-written scraps of paper. I found tons
of those (mostly important ones) when rescuing stuff from the dumpster,
including some I wrote! One in particular is a diagram I drew up on how to
repair an old audio amp that the family insisted on keeping for now. I
haven't been able to talk them out of it, even though it is unsafe to use
in its current condition. Maybe they want it as E-pay bait?
-Toth
2 Sep
2 Sep
9:55 a.m.
Quothe Tothwolf, from writings of Sun, Sep 01, 2002 at 05:07:13AM -0500:
I also rescued a huge vinyl 33 1/3 record collection
that needs to be
cleaned up somehow. They were added to the dumpster (by mistake I was
told) after the initial dive, and were subsequently exposed to yet more
rain (Houston really sucks sometimes). I'm very worried about cleaning any
mold from the album covers, but I imagine most of the vinyl is currently
ok. Some of the records may have been broken when they were dumped into
There's a product called "Disc Doctor" that's supposed to clean
mold/mildew from vinyl LPs, as well as other aspects of cleaning them;
from what I've read, this cleaning solution was
created by a chemist
who spent years researching and creating it.
--
Copyright (C) 2002 R. D. Davis The difference between humans & other animals:
All Rights Reserved an unnatural belief that we're above Nature &
rdd(a)rddavis.org 410-744-4900 her other creatures, using dogma to justify such
http://www.rddavis.org beliefs and to justify much human cruelty.
3 Sep
3 Sep
3:42 p.m.
On Mon, 2 Sep 2002, R. D. Davis wrote:
Quothe Tothwolf, from writings of Sun, Sep 01, 2002 at
05:07:13AM -0500:
I don't think any of the vinyl is moldy (yet), but some of the album
covers probably are. *Thankfully*, AFAIK none of of the records that made
it into the dumpster were Shellac 78 RPM records. I did acquire a large
stack of 78s from the family this last week. Water would have mostly
ruined those, so I think I lucked out. Sadly, about 85% of the 33 1/3
collection was what I pulled from the dumpster.
Does anyone here know of a good place to get record sleeves? I'm on a
limited budget (which is making things quite tough), so I'd like to find
the best price I can. I'm looking for around 200-250 or so 33 1/3 sleeves,
and probably 100-150 sleeves for 78s.
Right now, it seems I'm working against the clock. Yesterday and the day
before, I spent a total of 30 or so hours or so removing the remaining
contents and workbenches from the shop. I haven't yet had time to
throughly sort everything and such. Again, if anyone in Houston can lend a
hand sorting stuff, I'd really appreciate the help...
I did find some goodies on the 1st, literally on the side of the road.
They are non-computer, but are still vintage electronics, and in near
perfect physical condition. I'll post about them at a later date once
things settle down some.
-Toth
I also rescued a huge vinyl 33 1/3 record
collection that needs to be
cleaned up somehow. They were added to the dumpster (by mistake I was
told) after the initial dive, and were subsequently exposed to yet
more rain (Houston really sucks sometimes). I'm very worried about
cleaning any mold from the album covers, but I imagine most of the
vinyl is currently ok. Some of the records may have been broken when
they were dumped into
There's a product called "Disc Doctor" that's supposed to clean
mold/mildew from vinyl LPs, as well as other aspects of cleaning them;
from what I've read, this cleaning solution was created by a chemist who
spent years researching and creating it. 
4:12 p.m.
I don't think any of the vinyl is moldy (yet), but
some of the album
covers probably are. *Thankfully*, AFAIK none of of the records that made
it into the dumpster were Shellac 78 RPM records.
Don't fret too much about the 78s - they are still incredibly common
(except the large 78s, typically pressed on one side only).
Does anyone here know of a good place to get record
sleeves? I'm on a
limited budget (which is making things quite tough), so I'd like to find
the best price I can. I'm looking for around 200-250 or so 33 1/3 sleeves,
and probably 100-150 sleeves for 78s.
Go to your local _good_ record store - the type that does not carry the
major labels, and is often filled with industrial noise, punk, or
something else to scare away customers. Most carry a good selection of
sleeves, liners, labels, boxes, etc.. Prices will mostly be the same, so
it probably is not worth shopping around.
Sleeves for 78s might be a problem (check antique stores), as many people
store them in wire racks, with no sleeves. Dust on 78s just is not that
much of an issue.
William Donzelli
aw288(a)osfn.org
5 p.m.
On Tue, 3 Sep 2002, William Donzelli wrote:
I'm not too worried about them, since they didn't get wet. I think they
are about 10", and most seem to date quite old. I also have a large stack
of home recorded 78s. They range in size from about 6-10".
Well, we don't exactly have many (if any?) of those in Houston anymore.
I'll do some more checking though.
I don't
think any of the vinyl is moldy (yet), but some of the album
covers probably are. *Thankfully*, AFAIK none of of the records that
made it into the dumpster were Shellac 78 RPM records.
Don't fret too much about the 78s - they are still incredibly common
(except the large 78s, typically pressed on one side only). Does anyone
here know of a good place to get record sleeves? I'm on a
limited budget (which is making things quite tough), so I'd like to
find the best price I can. I'm looking for around 200-250 or so 33 1/3
sleeves, and probably 100-150 sleeves for 78s.
Go to your local _good_ record store - the type that does not carry the
major labels, and is often filled with industrial noise, punk, or
something else to scare away customers. Most carry a good selection of
sleeves, liners, labels, boxes, etc.. Prices will mostly be the same, so
it probably is not worth shopping around. Sleeves for 78s might be a problem (check antique
stores), as many
people store them in wire racks, with no sleeves. Dust on 78s just is
not that much of an issue.
Are you thinking of 45s? I've never heard of storing fragile 78s in wire
racks...
-Toth
5:12 p.m.
I'm not too worried about them, since they
didn't get wet. I think they
are about 10", and most seem to date quite old. I also have a large stack
of home recorded 78s. They range in size from about 6-10".
Big ones are 12 inches, I think. Maybe 14.
Well, we don't exactly have many (if any?) of
those in Houston anymore.
I'll do some more checking though.
There are likely dozens - they just tend to stay very hidden.
Are you thinking of 45s? I've never heard of
storing fragile 78s in wire
racks...
78 racks have wider "slots".
Another thing you might do is go to the interesting record shops and ask
if they have any of the old albums for 78s - and I mean a real album.
They look like books, with each "page" being a sleeve. More than not they
have one record missing (it seems), so you could possibly get them very
cheap.
William Donzelli
aw288(a)osfn.org
6:12 p.m.
On Tue, 3 Sep 2002, William Donzelli wrote:
Ok. I'm not sure what size the ones I have are, but I'll have to look. I
know they are slightly smaller than a 33.
That would make sense. I'll certainly check around.
A number of the 78s I got are in albums. I'd still like to put them in
sleeves though, to save them from a little wear and tear. Many of the 78s
I got are loose, with about half of those in brittle paper sleeves. I also
ended up with a couple of 78s with embedded pictures, which look to be in
very good condition. I'd never heard of such records before.
Anyhow, the 78s are the least of my worries right now, since they were
never exposed to rain. I'm very worried about the 33 albums and sets, and
am even more worried about the books/manuals and 100s of HARC ham
newsletters.
-Toth
I'm not
too worried about them, since they didn't get wet. I think
they are about 10", and most seem to date quite old. I also have a
large stack of home recorded 78s. They range in size from about 6-10".
Big ones are 12 inches, I think. Maybe 14. Well, we
don't exactly have many (if any?) of those in Houston
anymore. I'll do some more checking though.
There are likely dozens - they just tend to stay very hidden. Are you
thinking of 45s? I've never heard of storing fragile 78s in
wire racks...
78 racks have wider "slots".
Another thing you might do is go to the interesting record shops and ask
if they have any of the old albums for 78s - and I mean a real album.
They look like books, with each "page" being a sleeve. More than not
they have one record missing (it seems), so you could possibly get them
very cheap. 
9:19 p.m.
I've made sleeve from the vinyl you can buy in rolls from Walmart for
putting over leaky windows - it's pliable and thinck and similar to the
vinyl that our "forefathers" (and foremothers) used to cover their furniture
with, but thinner. Fold it and then heat seal the top and bottom edges. I've
seen forsted vinyl sleeves lik that in years past that came with an odd
sized box that they could be stored in, sort of an archival manner of
storage.
-----Original Message-----
From: cctalk-admin(a)classiccmp.org [mailto:cctalk-admin@classiccmp.org]On
Behalf Of Tothwolf
Sent: Tuesday, September 03, 2002 10:23 PM
To: cctalk(a)classiccmp.org
Subject: Re: OT: dumpster dive and water/mold cleanup
On Tue, 3 Sep 2002, William Donzelli wrote:
Ok. I'm not sure what size the ones I have are, but I'll have to look. I
know they are slightly smaller than a 33.
That would make sense. I'll certainly check around.
A number of the 78s I got are in albums. I'd still like to put them in
sleeves though, to save them from a little wear and tear. Many of the 78s
I got are loose, with about half of those in brittle paper sleeves. I also
ended up with a couple of 78s with embedded pictures, which look to be in
very good condition. I'd never heard of such records before.
Anyhow, the 78s are the least of my worries right now, since they were
never exposed to rain. I'm very worried about the 33 albums and sets, and
am even more worried about the books/manuals and 100s of HARC ham
newsletters.
-Toth
I'm not
too worried about them, since they didn't get wet. I think
they are about 10", and most seem to date quite old. I also have a
large stack of home recorded 78s. They range in size from about 6-10".
Big ones are 12 inches, I think. Maybe 14. Well, we
don't exactly have many (if any?) of those in Houston
anymore. I'll do some more checking though.
There are likely dozens - they just tend to stay very hidden. Are you
thinking of 45s? I've never heard of storing fragile 78s in
wire racks...
78 racks have wider "slots".
Another thing you might do is go to the interesting record shops and ask
if they have any of the old albums for 78s - and I mean a real album.
They look like books, with each "page" being a sleeve. More than not
they have one record missing (it seems), so you could possibly get them
very cheap.
9:46 p.m.
On Wed, 4 Sep 2002, Russ Blakeman wrote:
I've made sleeve from the vinyl you can buy in
rolls from Walmart for
putting over leaky windows - it's pliable and thinck and similar to the
vinyl that our "forefathers" (and foremothers) used to cover their
furniture with, but thinner. Fold it and then heat seal the top and
bottom edges. I've seen forsted vinyl sleeves lik that in years past
that came with an odd sized box that they could be stored in, sort of an
archival manner of storage.
I'd be worried about the PH of such material. Highly acidic (or even
highly alkaline) materials are the enemy of items you wish to preserve.
-Toth
4 Sep
4 Sep
9:19 a.m.
That's possible but so far everything I have ion them hasn't damaged
anything - nor stuck to - any of the items I've put them in. The same type
of viyl used for furniture covers would turn yellow and get brittle with age
but my parents French Provincial living room furniture, covered since new in
1961, is pretty much a testament that this type of vinyl is apparently
pretty safe stuff.
-----Original Message-----
From: cctalk-admin(a)classiccmp.org [mailto:cctalk-admin@classiccmp.org]On
Behalf Of Tothwolf
Sent: Wednesday, September 04, 2002 1:57 AM
To: cctalk(a)classiccmp.org
Subject: RE: OT: dumpster dive and water/mold cleanup
On Wed, 4 Sep 2002, Russ Blakeman wrote:
I've made sleeve from the vinyl you can buy in
rolls from Walmart for
putting over leaky windows - it's pliable and thinck and similar to the
vinyl that our "forefathers" (and foremothers) used to cover their
furniture with, but thinner. Fold it and then heat seal the top and
bottom edges. I've seen forsted vinyl sleeves lik that in years past
that came with an odd sized box that they could be stored in, sort of an
archival manner of storage.
I'd be worried about the PH of such material. Highly acidic (or even
highly alkaline) materials are the enemy of items you wish to preserve.
-Toth
3 Sep
3 Sep
8:16 p.m.
On Tue, 3 Sep 2002, William Donzelli wrote:
Another thing you might do is go to the interesting
record shops and ask
if they have any of the old albums for 78s - and I mean a real album.
They look like books, with each "page" being a sleeve. More than not
they have one record missing (it seems), so you could possibly get them
very cheap.
I usually find these in piles at thrift stores. Try your local Goodwill,
Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul, etc.
Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org
* Old computing resources for business and academia at www.VintageTech.com *
7:34 p.m.
Tothwolf wrote:
I'm not too worried about them, since they
didn't get wet. I think they
are about 10", and most seem to date quite old. I also have a large stack
of home recorded 78s. They range in size from about 6-10".
Home recorded?? I didn't know that was possible!
Well, we don't exactly have many (if any?) of
those in Houston anymore.
I'll do some more checking though.
I think all I have around here in Michigan are "Music Stores", not
record stores. They specialize in used CD's I think.
Chad Fernandez
Michigan, USA
7:45 p.m.
On Wed, 4 Sep 2002, Chad Fernandez wrote:
That may be the situation here in Houston. I know for a fact we used to
have a few true record stores, but the ones I knew about are gone now.
-Toth
Tothwolf wrote:
Yup, made with a diamond stylus. The machine that made them (as well as a
radio) is still in the home too. The friend that passed away built it into
the wall with a custom cabinet. The family won't remove it because it
would leave a hole in a paneled wall, and they don't want to replace the
paneling.
I'm not too worried about them, since they
didn't get wet. I think
they are about 10", and most seem to date quite old. I also have a
large stack of home recorded 78s. They range in size from about 6-10".
Home recorded?? I didn't know that was possible! Well, we
don't exactly have many (if any?) of those in Houston
anymore. I'll do some more checking though.
I think all I have around here in Michigan are "Music Stores", not
record stores. They specialize in used CD's I think.
9:16 p.m.
Get into the hippie section of twon, in theold biz districts and you may
find junk shops that have records in a back section. I used to hit a place
in Old Town in Chicago off Rush Street but the place caught fire and is no
more, as of about 3 yrs ago(wanna guess who left the cannibus burning and
fell asleep to a fire?) Everything the Tommy Chong look-alike had was
original from the period the music was new in, no repros.
-----Original Message-----
From: cctalk-admin(a)classiccmp.org [mailto:cctalk-admin@classiccmp.org]On
Behalf Of Chad Fernandez
Sent: Tuesday, September 03, 2002 11:35 PM
To: cctalk(a)classiccmp.org
Subject: Re: OT: dumpster dive and water/mold cleanup
Tothwolf wrote:
I'm not too worried about them, since they
didn't get wet. I think they
are about 10", and most seem to date quite old. I also have a large stack
of home recorded 78s. They range in size from about 6-10".
Home recorded?? I didn't know that was possible!
Well, we don't exactly have many (if any?) of
those in Houston anymore.
I'll do some more checking though.
I think all I have around here in Michigan are "Music Stores", not
record stores. They specialize in used CD's I think.
Chad Fernandez
Michigan, USA
7:32 p.m.
William Donzelli wrote:
Go to your local _good_ record store - the type that
does not carry the
major labels, and is often filled with industrial noise, punk, or
something else to scare away customers. Most carry a good selection of
sleeves, liners, labels, boxes, etc.. Prices will mostly be the same, so
it probably is not worth shopping around.
Are records still being made? I aussumed everyone was playing there
old, but very well cared for collections.
Chad Fernandez
Michigan, USA
7:40 p.m.
On Wed, 4 Sep 2002, Chad Fernandez wrote:
William Donzelli wrote:
Some 33s and possibly some 45s are still being made, but AFAIK, they are
not sold in the US market.
-Toth
Go to your local _good_ record store - the type
that does not carry
the major labels, and is often filled with industrial noise, punk, or
something else to scare away customers. Most carry a good selection of
sleeves, liners, labels, boxes, etc.. Prices will mostly be the same,
so it probably is not worth shopping around.
Are records still being made? I aussumed everyone was playing there
old, but very well cared for collections.
7:48 p.m.
Tothwolf wrote:
Some 33s and possibly some 45s are still being made,
but AFAIK, they are
not sold in the US market.
-Toth
What market are they made for, the Japanese? Europe? I noticed that
many of the super expensive turntables I have seen online were form
these areas.
Chad Fernandez
Michigan, USA
8:02 p.m.
On Wed, 4 Sep 2002, Chad Fernandez wrote:
Tothwolf wrote:
I have no idea, since I read about it quite some time ago. I imagine much
info could be googled up about it though.
Has a laser pickup turntable ever been on the market? I remember reading
about R/D for one, but don't recall ever seeing one sold anywhere.
-Toth
Some 33s and possibly some 45s are still being
made, but AFAIK, they
are not sold in the US market.
What market are they made for, the Japanese? Europe? I noticed that
many of the super expensive turntables I have seen online were form
these areas.
9:05 p.m.
We had a 78 sized (12" I guess) video disk recorder and players for
training new GI's on our missile systems in the mid to ,ater 80's at
Chanute, I guess that's about as close to a laser turntable as I've seen.
-----Original Message-----
From: cctalk-admin(a)classiccmp.org [mailto:cctalk-admin@classiccmp.org]On
Behalf Of Tothwolf
Sent: Wednesday, September 04, 2002 12:13 AM
To: cctalk(a)classiccmp.org
Subject: Re: OT: dumpster dive and water/mold cleanup
On Wed, 4 Sep 2002, Chad Fernandez wrote:
Tothwolf wrote:
I have no idea, since I read about it quite some time ago. I imagine much
info could be googled up about it though.
Has a laser pickup turntable ever been on the market? I remember reading
about R/D for one, but don't recall ever seeing one sold anywhere.
-Toth
Some 33s and possibly some 45s are still being
made, but AFAIK, they
are not sold in the US market.
What market are they made for, the Japanese? Europe? I noticed that
many of the super expensive turntables I have seen online were form
these areas. 
4 Sep
4 Sep
5:52 a.m.
Tothwolf wrote:
Has a laser pickup turntable ever been on the market?
I remember reading
about R/D for one, but don't recall ever seeing one sold anywhere.
I remeber
reading about one once being developed for the cylinder records
of the 1890's.
BTW I expect the internet would be a good source for new records.
9:07 a.m.
Hi,
Ben Franchuk <bfranchuk(a)jetnet.ab.ca> said:
Tothwolf wrote:
The UK magazine "Electronics World", which us more mature types still
call "Wireless World", sells a cd of early recording transferred from
cylinders. AFAIK they were done using a custom-built drive and a
conventional tone-arm rather than optically. Tracks range from
"Polka des English's", 1900, to "Doin' the Raccoon" by Billy
Murray,
1929.
--
Cheers,
Stan Barr stanb(a)dial.pipex.com
The future was never like this!
Has a laser pickup turntable ever been on the
market? I remember reading
about R/D for one, but don't recall ever seeing one sold anywhere.
I remeber
reading about one once being developed for the cylinder records
of the 1890's.
5 Sep
5 Sep
8:04 a.m.
On Wed, 4 Sep 2002, Chad Fernandez wrote:
Tothwolf wrote:
I have one of those "super-expensive" turntables in the US.
Peace... Sridhar
Some 33s and possibly some 45s are still being
made, but AFAIK, they are
not sold in the US market.
-Toth
What market are they made for, the Japanese? Europe? I noticed that
many of the super expensive turntables I have seen online were form
these areas. 
3 Sep
3 Sep
8:33 p.m.
On Tue, 3 Sep 2002, Tothwolf wrote:
On Wed, 4 Sep 2002, Chad Fernandez wrote:
Huh? Yeah they are. Just take a look through some 'modern' music on
cdnow.com... Lots of hip-hop and techno is released this way. Some DJs
prefer to use vinyl, because it sounds better, and (IMHO) is just more fun
to handle than these little optical digital pieces of trash :). I've
purchased a fair amount of vinyl (modern) music from cdnow.
There are even a fair number of 'real' music stores I've been in that
carry new music on vinyl.
So, yes, there is plenty of music sold on 33s and 45s in the US. You just
have to go for the right audience.
-- Pat
William Donzelli wrote:
Some 33s and possibly some 45s are still being made, but AFAIK, they are
not sold in the US market. Go to your local _good_ record store - the type
that does not carry
the major labels, and is often filled with industrial noise, punk, or
something else to scare away customers. Most carry a good selection of
sleeves, liners, labels, boxes, etc.. Prices will mostly be the same,
so it probably is not worth shopping around.
Are records still being made? I aussumed everyone was playing there
old, but very well cared for collections.
8:41 p.m.
Patrick Finnegan wrote:
Huh? Yeah they are. Just take a look through some
'modern' music on
cdnow.com... Lots of hip-hop and techno is released this way. Some DJs
prefer to use vinyl, because it sounds better, and (IMHO) is just more fun
to handle than these little optical digital pieces of trash :). I've
purchased a fair amount of vinyl (modern) music from cdnow.
Oh Shoot, I forgot about the whole DJ/HipHop/twin-turntable scratching
thing. I guess they have to get records somewhere, although, I suppose
there DJ needles don't ruin records as fast as what an audiophile would use.
There are even a fair number of 'real' music stores I've been in that
carry new music on vinyl.
So, yes, there is plenty of music sold on 33s and 45s in the US. You just
have to go for the right audience.
Maybe I'll have to dig around. I really need to get the stuff to align
my needle, balance my tone arm, etc, first, though. I also need to
figure out why my tonearm doesn't lift fast enough, before it moves back
laterally, at the end of a record.
Chad Fernandez
Michigan, USA
4 Sep
4 Sep
4:10 a.m.
> Huh? Yeah they are. Just take a look through
some 'modern' music on
> cdnow.com... Lots of hip-hop and techno is released this way. Some DJs
> prefer to use vinyl, because it sounds better, and (IMHO) is just more fun
> to handle than these little optical digital pieces of trash :). I've
> purchased a fair amount of vinyl (modern) music from cdnow.
DJs use vinyl because it is easier to mix. Some special CD decks now have
pitch controls, but they do not have a decent way to nudge the records at
the correct times, in order to get things to sync up. This is all done in
real time, and a mistake can make lots of people on the dancefloor angry
(like the club owner).
Oh Shoot, I forgot about the whole
DJ/HipHop/twin-turntable scratching
thing. I guess they have to get records somewhere, although, I suppose
there DJ needles don't ruin records as fast as what an audiophile would use.
They also know how to treat the records properly. Gentle, gentle...
William Donzelli
aw288(a)osfn.org
5 Sep
5 Sep
8:05 a.m.
On Wed, 4 Sep 2002, Chad Fernandez wrote:
Patrick Finnegan wrote:
DJ needles ruin records *much* faster then audiophile needles. True
audiophile tables/tonearms/needles are balanced so they barely touch the
record.
Peace... Sridhar
Huh? Yeah they are. Just take a look through
some 'modern' music on
cdnow.com... Lots of hip-hop and techno is released this way. Some DJs
prefer to use vinyl, because it sounds better, and (IMHO) is just more fun
to handle than these little optical digital pieces of trash :). I've
purchased a fair amount of vinyl (modern) music from cdnow.
Oh Shoot, I forgot about the whole DJ/HipHop/twin-turntable scratching
thing. I guess they have to get records somewhere, although, I suppose
there DJ needles don't ruin records as fast as what an audiophile would use.
8:59 a.m.
vance(a)neurotica.com wrote:
DJ needles ruin records *much* faster then audiophile
needles. True
audiophile tables/tonearms/needles are balanced so they barely touch the
record.
Peace... Sridhar
What I meant was that an audiophile needle, if used in a DJ application,
would ruin a record much faster than a DJ needle. At least that would
be my guess.
Chad Fernandez
Michigan, USA
11:55 a.m.
cdnow.com... Lots of hip-hop and techno is released
this way. Some DJs
prefer to use vinyl, because it sounds better, and (IMHO) is just more fun
to handle than these little optical digital pieces of trash :). I've
purchased a fair amount of vinyl (modern) music from cdnow.
there DJ needles don't ruin records as fast as what an audiophile would use. 
12:25 p.m.
Without being too snooty, most people have no clue how
nice a LP can
sound when using the best equipment to play it back. Often very close
to a good cd.
That doesn't sound snooty at all. The snooty audiophiles claim that
even poorly master LPs sound better than well-mastered CDs.
9 Sep
9 Sep
6:14 a.m.
On Thu, 5 Sep 2002, Eric Smith wrote:
I disagree with that statement as well, but I would go as far as to say
that a perfectly mastered record sounds better than a perfectly mastered
CD, if both are played back on capable equipment.
Peace... Sridhar
Without being
too snooty, most people have no clue how nice a LP can
sound when using the best equipment to play it back. Often very close
to a good cd.
That doesn't sound snooty at all. The snooty audiophiles claim that
even poorly master LPs sound better than well-mastered CDs.
6:14 a.m.
On Thu, 5 Sep 2002, Mike Ford wrote:
DJ needles ruin records *much* faster then audiophile needles. True
audiophile tables/tonearms/needles are balanced so they barely touch the
record.
A good audiophile causes very little wear to records for a host of reasons;
keeping the record clean, handling it very carefully, and using a well
setup cartridge that is clean, aligned, and doesn't mistrack. The tip shape
is also important, as the contact points in the groove wall are often
different from common needles, so wear from a common needle is less of a
problem.
Indeed, I didn't mean to imply that the needle is the only reason for wear
in a non-audiophile setting.
cdnow.com...
Lots of hip-hop and techno is released this way. Some DJs
prefer to use vinyl, because it sounds better, and (IMHO) is just more fun
to handle than these little optical digital pieces of trash :). I've
purchased a fair amount of vinyl (modern) music from cdnow.
there DJ needles don't ruin records as fast as what an audiophile would use. Without being too snooty, most people have no clue how
nice a LP can sound
when using the best equipment to play it back. Often very close to a good
cd.
It can sound even a good deal better than a CD. I have a sizeable
collection of original-edition press-condition classical music (as well as
a table and electronics to match) and I can tell you that a lot of the
recordings have string-bass parts that extend well below 20Hz.
Also an audiophile needle is NOT designed for cuing,
ie being run backwards
in the groove, and would likely break VERY soon. Some but not all
audiophile cartridges are fairly delicate. One of my friends had a Signet
that used a hollow tube of saphire for the cantilever (thing the diamond is
mounted on directly).
Agreed.
Peace... Sridhar
3 Sep
3 Sep
8:56 p.m.
-----Original Message-----
From: cctalk-admin(a)classiccmp.org [mailto:cctalk-admin@classiccmp.org]On
Behalf Of Patrick Finnegan
Sent: Wednesday, September 04, 2002 12:33 AM
To: cctalk(a)classiccmp.org
Subject: Re: OT: dumpster dive and water/mold cleanup
Huh? Yeah they are. Just take a look through some 'modern' music on
cdnow.com... Lots of hip-hop and techno is released this way. Some DJs
prefer to use vinyl, because it sounds better, and (IMHO) is just more fun
to handle than these little optical digital pieces of trash :). I've
purchased a fair amount of vinyl (modern) music from cdnow.
There are even a fair number of 'real' music stores I've been in that
carry new music on vinyl.
So, yes, there is plenty of music sold on 33s and 45s in the US. You just
have to go for the right audience.
Glad I didn't get rid of my Technics turntable then, although I have a fair
amount of analog/vinyl recordings on 33, 45 and 78 stashed that I play
occasionally and got some more from my parent's estate last month - records
we played when we were kids eons ago (60's mainly)
5 Sep
5 Sep
8:04 a.m.
On Tue, 3 Sep 2002, Tothwolf wrote:
Some 33s and possibly some 45s are still being made, but AFAIK, they are
not sold in the US market.
Sure they are!
http://www.breakbeatscience.com/
Peace... Sridhar
Go to your local _good_ record store - the type that
does not carry
the major labels, and is often filled with industrial noise, punk, or
something else to scare away customers. Most carry a good selection of
sleeves, liners, labels, boxes, etc.. Prices will mostly be the same,
so it probably is not worth shopping around.
Are records still being made? I aussumed everyone was playing there
old, but very well cared for collections.
4 Sep
4 Sep
5:41 a.m.
Chad Fernandez wrote:
Are records still being made? I aussumed everyone was
playing there
old, but very well cared for collections.
Yes. How ever they are not the $7.95
K-Tel records that we all
remember from the 1980's. Most are limited production Hi-Fi
stuff for people with deep pockets and pricey tube/valve amps.
PS.I may pick up a $5 record changer for use with thrift market
LP's.
8:51 a.m.
Ben Franchuk wrote:
Yes. How ever they are not the $7.95 K-Tel records
that we all
remember from the 1980's. Most are limited production Hi-Fi
stuff for people with deep pockets and pricey tube/valve amps.
PS.I may pick up a $5 record changer for use with thrift market
LP's.
K-Tel Records, there's a name I haven't heard for a lonf time :-)
Both my truntables are form Goodwill, one a Harmon Kardon, the other a
Pioneer. I'm presently cleaning the Pioneer. The Harmon Kardon is on
the closet still.
Chad Fernandez
Michigan, USA
9:14 a.m.
I just traded my parent's old portable (yeah 3ft wide and 52 lbs) tube based
Zenith turntable/player. The new owner is in 7th heaven with it since he has
a collection of the Rat Pack (originals) albums that he hasn't been able to
play in 8 or 10 yrs since his old unit actually caught fire. The Tektronix
454 scope I traded for the turntable sure comes in handy where the turntable
just used space.
I have a few albums with the K-Tel trademark/name on them. The really neat
looking albums/records are the old Columbia Records - the artwork on the
record label alone is a masterpiece.
-----Original Message-----
From: cctalk-admin(a)classiccmp.org [mailto:cctalk-admin@classiccmp.org]On
Behalf Of Chad Fernandez
Sent: Wednesday, September 04, 2002 12:51 PM
To: cctalk(a)classiccmp.org
Subject: Re: OT: dumpster dive and water/mold cleanup
Ben Franchuk wrote:
Yes. How ever they are not the $7.95 K-Tel records
that we all
remember from the 1980's. Most are limited production Hi-Fi
stuff for people with deep pockets and pricey tube/valve amps.
PS.I may pick up a $5 record changer for use with thrift market
LP's.
K-Tel Records, there's a name I haven't heard for a lonf time :-)
Both my truntables are form Goodwill, one a Harmon Kardon, the other a
Pioneer. I'm presently cleaning the Pioneer. The Harmon Kardon is on
the closet still.
Chad Fernandez
Michigan, USA
6:51 p.m.
On Wed, 4 Sep 2002, Chad Fernandez wrote:
Both my truntables are form Goodwill, one a Harmon
Kardon, the other a
Pioneer. I'm presently cleaning the Pioneer. The Harmon Kardon is on
the closet still.
While searching for info on the Dual 1209 turntable I pulled from the
dumpster, I found a site called The Turntable Factory
[http://www.theturntablefactory.com/]. If you need advice or a source for
parts, it might be worthwhile to email them. I've been chatting with them
about a tonearm head for the 1209 (its currently broken due to the way the
turntable landed in the dumpster). I'm a little worried about the cost of
a replacement tonearm head, *if* I'm even able to find one. I may end up
having to fabricate a replacement myself. The old one is cast pot metal.
-Toth
8:24 p.m.
Tothwolf wrote:
While searching for info on the Dual 1209 turntable I
pulled from the
dumpster, I found a site called The Turntable Factory
[http://www.theturntablefactory.com/]. If you need advice or a source for
parts, it might be worthwhile to email them. I've been chatting with them
about a tonearm head for the 1209 (its currently broken due to the way the
turntable landed in the dumpster). I'm a little worried about the cost of
a replacement tonearm head, *if* I'm even able to find one. I may end up
having to fabricate a replacement myself. The old one is cast pot metal.
-Toth
I found that site a few weeks ago, and have it bookmarked :-)
I forgot to mention that I have a Fisher record changer besides the two
turntables from Goodwill. I got the Fisher from friends at church.
They bought her mothers and stepfahters house. The stepfather bought
the Fisher console new in 70, I think. Now I have it :-) I paid very
little :-) It's at my parents house now, so I forgot about it earlier.
It will be at my house..... when I get one!
Chad Fernandez
Michigan, USA
7 Sep
7 Sep
4:47 a.m.
If it's a hollow pot cast metal consider using JB Weld in the hollow
underside with a small coat hanmger wire strip (or 2) within it as a brace.
It will make the unit less valuable if someone noted the underside repair
but if there is no replacement available that's your next best bet since
zinc/pot metal can't be brazed or welded. I did an arm from the steam piston
to the eccentric wheel on a small German steam engine and it worked great
and was hidden so that people didn't see it. When it was assessed I didn't
say a thing and the assessor didn't notice it until she started getting to
the fine detail as where the JB Weld was I had used brush on silver
hammer-finish paint and it blended well enough to cover the remaining JB
Weld as to appear at regular glances as the normal diecast.
I had it assessed for my uncle, the owner of it then and getting up in his
years and not willing to F*** with it but wanted the extra cash to his
estate to be put away for burial expenses. The steam engine brought $750
even with the note that it had been repaired. This was more than the
assessor had planned but then she didn't take into consideration the crowd
at the auction either - Well off Chicago suburban doctors, engineers, etc
that wanted it for the novelty rather than the functionlity, though it
worked as well as the day it was new and was still in it's original heavy
printed cardboard box from pre-WWII 1937 Germany as opposed to W. or E.
Germany. My dad had one identical (all the sons got one that year when they
were kids) and my brother has it now but has made a nice cherry wood and
glass case for it and has put the box away in safe storage.
-> -----Original Message-----
-> From: cctalk-admin(a)classiccmp.org [mailto:cctalk-admin@classiccmp.org]On
-> Behalf Of Tothwolf
-> Sent: Wednesday, September 04, 2002 11:02 PM
-> To: cctalk(a)classiccmp.org
-> Subject: Re: OT: dumpster dive and water/mold cleanup
->
->
-> On Wed, 4 Sep 2002, Chad Fernandez wrote:
->
-> > Both my truntables are form Goodwill, one a Harmon Kardon, the other a
-> > Pioneer. I'm presently cleaning the Pioneer. The Harmon Kardon is on
-> > the closet still.
->
-> While searching for info on the Dual 1209 turntable I pulled from the
-> dumpster, I found a site called The Turntable Factory
-> [http://www.theturntablefactory.com/]. If you need advice or a source for
-> parts, it might be worthwhile to email them. I've been chatting with them
-> about a tonearm head for the 1209 (its currently broken due to
-> the way the
-> turntable landed in the dumpster). I'm a little worried about the cost of
-> a replacement tonearm head, *if* I'm even able to find one. I may end up
-> having to fabricate a replacement myself. The old one is cast pot metal.
->
-> -Toth
->
4 Sep
4 Sep
10:48 a.m.
Hi,
Chad Fernandez <fernande(a)internet1.net> said;
William Donzelli wrote:
Twelve-inchers are still being made, rappers need them, you can't
"scratch" properly with a cd :-) There are also several specialist
labels including one that records direct to disk - no new-fangled
digital or tape...
--
Cheers,
Stan Barr stanb(a)dial.pipex.com
The future was never like this!
Go to your local _good_ record store - the type
that does not carry the
major labels, and is often filled with industrial noise, punk, or
something else to scare away customers. Most carry a good selection of
sleeves, liners, labels, boxes, etc.. Prices will mostly be the same, so
it probably is not worth shopping around.
Are records still being made? I aussumed everyone was playing there
old, but very well cared for collections.
5 Sep
5 Sep
8:04 a.m.
On Wed, 4 Sep 2002, Chad Fernandez wrote:
William Donzelli wrote:
A lot of Electronica, Hip-Hop, and Bhangra records are still being cut for
the DJ market.
Peacae... Sridhar
Go to your local _good_ record store - the type
that does not carry the
major labels, and is often filled with industrial noise, punk, or
something else to scare away customers. Most carry a good selection of
sleeves, liners, labels, boxes, etc.. Prices will mostly be the same, so
it probably is not worth shopping around.
Are records still being made? I aussumed everyone was playing there
old, but very well cared for collections.
3 Sep
3 Sep
7:30 p.m.
Tothwolf wrote:
I don't think any of the vinyl is moldy (yet), but
some of the album
covers probably are. *Thankfully*, AFAIK none of of the records that made
it into the dumpster were Shellac 78 RPM records. I did acquire a large
stack of 78s from the family this last week. Water would have mostly
ruined those, so I think I lucked out. Sadly, about 85% of the 33 1/3
collection was what I pulled from the dumpster.
Shellac 78's? I have some old records, many are 78's. How should I
clean them? Mine have been sitting in my grandmother's garage, and are
a bit gritty. A few of them I washed with dishsoap and water. I
stopped when it was apparent they were 78's.... that I can't play on my
Pioneer turntable.
Does anyone here know of a good place to get record sleeves? I'm on a
limited budget (which is making things quite tough), so I'd like to find
the best price I can. I'm looking for around 200-250 or so 33 1/3 sleeves,
and probably 100-150 sleeves for 78s.
Record sleeves are something I'd like to find as well. I have most of
the old ones, but am unsure if I should use them. As I mentioned
before, all these records area bit gritty. I don't want to sand them
down everytime I remove them from there old sleeve.
One that I found may be worth money, it is a Disney Snow White record
set :-)
Chad Fernandez
Michigan, USA
7:57 p.m.
On Wed, 4 Sep 2002, Chad Fernandez wrote:
It seems most collectors I've read about like to store cleaned records in
new sleeves, and keep the old sleeve in the album with the new one.
It would stand to reason that if you clean a record, you'd want to store
it in a clean sleeve. The really old paper sleeves are more abrasive than
a mylar or rice-paper one too, which tends to add tiny scratches to the
records.
Tothwolf wrote:
I've read it is ok to clean them with distilled water and a mild soap, but
I've also read that water isn't good for them. Had the 78s I got had been
in the dumpster with the 33s, they would have been wet for several days,
which would have quite likely ruined them. Btw, alcohol based cleaners
will completely ruin 78s (they will melt).
I don't think any of the vinyl is moldy
(yet), but some of the album
covers probably are. *Thankfully*, AFAIK none of of the records that
made it into the dumpster were Shellac 78 RPM records. I did acquire a
large stack of 78s from the family this last week. Water would have
mostly ruined those, so I think I lucked out. Sadly, about 85% of the
33 1/3 collection was what I pulled from the dumpster.
Shellac 78's? I have some old records, many are 78's. How should I
clean them? Mine have been sitting in my grandmother's garage, and are
a bit gritty. A few of them I washed with dishsoap and water. I
stopped when it was apparent they were 78's.... that I can't play on my
Pioneer turntable. Does anyone
here know of a good place to get record sleeves? I'm on a
limited budget (which is making things quite tough), so I'd like to
find the best price I can. I'm looking for around 200-250 or so 33 1/3
sleeves, and probably 100-150 sleeves for 78s.
Record sleeves are something I'd like to find as well. I have most of
the old ones, but am unsure if I should use them. As I mentioned
before, all these records area bit gritty. I don't want to sand them
down everytime I remove them from there old sleeve. One that I found may be worth money, it is a Disney
Snow White record
set :-)
Nice. I'll have to take a quick digital photo of the "picture records" I
ended up with.
Btw, is there a dedicated mailing list anywhere for this sort of topic?
It does seem like lots of people here have an interest in old records,
wire recordings (...got some of these and the recorder too), etc, even
though such topics are not exactly computer related.
-Toth
8:17 p.m.
Tothwolf wrote:
It seems most collectors I've read about like to
store cleaned records in
new sleeves, and keep the old sleeve in the album with the new one.
The box that I have gone through had only 2 albums, but many individual
records, in sleeves. Still need to get the other boxes, though.
Btw, is there a dedicated mailing list anywhere for
this sort of topic?
It does seem like lots of people here have an interest in old records,
wire recordings (...got some of these and the recorder too), etc, even
though such topics are not exactly computer related.
I don't know of any lists. I haven't looked. Seems the trend now days
are those silly web forums. I do read a couple of Chevy truck web
forums, but I'd rather have a mailing list anyday. Seems only computer
folks have the know how to do a list :-(
I think most "geeks" have some interest in many forms of geekery :-) I
don't know if I would consider myself a geek, though. I'm not sure I
like the term, besides I leaned towards the "nerd" side in high school,
to some extent.
Chad Fernandez
Michigan, USA
4 Sep
4 Sep
11:39 a.m.
Try rec.music.collecting.vinyl
Btw, is there a dedicated mailing list anywhere for
this sort of topic?
It does seem like lots of people here have an interest in old records,
wire recordings (...got some of these and the recorder too), etc, even
though such topics are not exactly computer related.
-Toth
lgwalker(a)mts.net
bigwalk_ca(a)yahoo.com
3 Sep
3 Sep
8:36 p.m.
Ironically, they also accidentally trashed 1000s and
1000s of photos,
slides, negatives (both plastic and glass plate), and home movies.
The slides and negatives are also subject to mold, since the emulsion is made
of yummy gelatin, and should be left out or hung up to completely dry. The
older ones are likely to be more vulnerable, since modern films typically
contain a fungicide, and I would guess that color film would be more
vulnerable than black-and-white.
I still need advice on unsticking/cleaning the
home movie films, since none were in water tight containers.
Put them in room-temperature flowing water (e.g. a sink or bathtub that has
an overflow drain, with the tap running) for about half an hour. A minute
before you take them out, add a *tiny* amount of dish detergent -- dab your
finger on the spout and rinse it off in the water -- or better, get a bottle
of wetting agent for about $3 from a camera shop and add according to
instructions. Unroll and hang up to dry; probably the easiest cheap way to do
this is on a series of plastic clothes hangers on a shower curtain rail.
Shortly before hanging up the film, run the shower hot for a few minutes to
help keep dust down. Leave to dry at least 12 hours. (Obviously, try this out
first with one relatively unimportant film.)
--
Kevin Schoedel
<schoedel(a)kw.igs.net>
"If I have not seen as far as others,
it is because I am standing in the footprints of giants."
9:54 p.m.
On Wed, 4 Sep 2002, Kevin Schoedel wrote:
Most of the negatives were in plastic pages in binders, but not all. 99%
of those are now back in the possession of the family, so I won't be
having anything else to do with those. I've also already given them most
of the slides. About 75% of those had been in 12-14 filled Kodak 140
carousels, and most didn't get too wet. The rest of the slides were in
small cardboard boxes, though I doubt the family is going to clean them
properly. Also, I think all of the slides use a cardboard mount, so *all*
of them would have to be remounted after cleaning.
Of course, glass plate negatives should *never* be washed. Water will flat
out *ruin* them.
I'm glad wetting agents are inexpensive. I realized a few days ago I left
30+ bottles of concentrated wetting agent in the dumpster, and I tossed
out another half dozen when I was sorting out other stuff.
-Toth
Ironically,
they also accidentally trashed 1000s and 1000s of photos,
slides, negatives (both plastic and glass plate), and home movies.
The slides and negatives are also subject to mold, since the emulsion is
made of yummy gelatin, and should be left out or hung up to completely
dry. The older ones are likely to be more vulnerable, since modern films
typically contain a fungicide, and I would guess that color film would
be more vulnerable than black-and-white. I still need
advice on unsticking/cleaning the home movie films, since
none were in water tight containers.
Put them in room-temperature flowing water (e.g. a sink or bathtub that
has an overflow drain, with the tap running) for about half an hour. A
minute before you take them out, add a *tiny* amount of dish detergent
-- dab your finger on the spout and rinse it off in the water -- or
better, get a bottle of wetting agent for about $3 from a camera shop
and add according to instructions. Unroll and hang up to dry; probably
the easiest cheap way to do this is on a series of plastic clothes
hangers on a shower curtain rail. Shortly before hanging up the film,
run the shower hot for a few minutes to help keep dust down. Leave to
dry at least 12 hours. (Obviously, try this out first with one
relatively unimportant film.)
7965
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