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Techniques for CollectorsSpecimen "pointers"

26th Apr 2014 22:22 UTCHenry Barwood

Like most micromounters, I've used little sticky arrows to point to specific minerals on a specimen. I've always cut them from tape of some sort. Are there pre-cut pointers available? Now that I've grown older, I seem to have more and more difficulty working with the little things. Any suggestions welcome. Thanks.

27th Apr 2014 00:19 UTCJolyon Ralph Founder

I know that Shannon & Sons do some

27th Apr 2014 00:54 UTCPaul Brandes 🌟 Manager

Henry,

I believe I have seen them at Office Depot as well.

You may want to check there, as well as some of the other office supply or craft stores.

27th Apr 2014 02:42 UTCKeith Compton 🌟 Manager

Hi


Philatelic shops usually have various styles of pointers available

You could also print them onto sticky labels and cut them out rather than use a tape.


Cheers

Keith

27th Apr 2014 17:13 UTCEd Clopton 🌟 Expert

Most self-sticking adhesives like tape and labels deteriorate over time and cease to stick, either falling off spontaneously or becoming easily dislodged and no longer self-sticking for reattachment. A simple triangle cut from paper and affixed with a tiny dot of white glue is perhaps less elegant but more dependable in the long run, epecially for something that may be subject to handling or wrapping/unwrapping years hence.

27th Apr 2014 22:18 UTCDouglas Merson 🌟 Expert

I obtained some from All Spec Industries. They are 1/8 inch by 3/16 inch and come in several colors. I got red, yellow, and green in rolls of 1000 for $3.49 per roll. part numbers are red- 20Z-R, green - 20Z-G, and 20Z-Y.


http://www.all-spec.com/?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=all%20spec%20industries&utm_content=1582843478&utm_campaign=allspecindustries


Search site by the above part numbers.

6th May 2014 06:24 UTCJoseph Taggart

To make small arrows that will stick well on micro specimens, Joe Ruiz has a clever idea. He takes a shaving mirror (although any flat piece of glass will do) and puts a strip of red electrical tape on it. He then uses a razor blade to cut small arrows. Then to attach the arrows to the samples, he takes a pea size lump of mineral tack, puts it on the mirror and rolls it back and forth into a string size/shape strip. Then using a razor he cuts off millimeter lengths of the mineral tack and places an arrow on top of each. Mass producing a number of these, he stores them on the mirror which he keeps next to his microscope. When a small crystal needs to be located on a sample, he lifts off a piece of mineral tack and arrow with a needle or pair of micro tweezers and places it on the sample. If the mineral tack doesn't want to stick at first, push down on the arrow, forcing the mineral tack into closer contact between the sample and the tape arrow.

9th May 2014 02:02 UTCHenry Barwood

Wanted to thank everyone for their excellent suggestions. I did find a supplier of bulk rolls of arrows. They are just a bit large from some applications, but I found that I can cut them in half and create ribbons of mini-pointers. Saves lots of time.

9th May 2014 15:01 UTCRolf Luetcke Expert

I know Joe's specimens well with the little red arrows.

I developed a system a number of years ago. It started with the flat cards in all greeting card sales where the indicator cards that show what the cards are get tossed. They are the perfect thickness and come in many colors. I liked the bright yellow best.

I cut the yellow in strips of the length of the pointers I like and they cut back and forth with scissors to get the little arrows. I use the paper tac to attach them to the specimens with tweezers. It has worked well for me for many years and the arrows are easily removed when necessary without leaving anything behind.

You can vary the color or size of the arrows easily.

Rolf

9th May 2014 16:59 UTCPeter Hinterreiter

Here is a shop you can buy prefabricated arrows. Yesterday I happened to find it.


Peter
 
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