[Nhcoll-l] Blu-tak on specimens

Callomon,Paul prc44 at drexel.edu
Tue Apr 20 08:10:36 EDT 2021


Hi Melissa,

Contrary to its makers' assertions, Blu-tak bleeds oil and stains anything it touches. The same is true of modeling clay, plasticine, putty and anything that remains pliable in air.
We worked on this problem for some while and concluded that the only method for holding specimens that won't leave a residue is a scaleable mechanical holder. You can read about the one we came up with here:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/347950720_A_simple_system_for_holding_mollusk_shells_and_other_small_objects_for_photography
We also use black sand or felt bags full of lead shot to prop larger things up in the desired position. Both work well.


Paul Callomon
Collection Manager, Malacology and General Invertebrates
________________________________
Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia PA 19103-1195, USA
prc44 at drexel.edu<mailto:prc44 at drexel.edu> Tel 215-405-5096 - Fax 215-299-1170





From: Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> On Behalf Of Melissa Holt
Sent: Monday, April 19, 2021 7:57 PM
To: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Blu-tak on specimens


External.
Hi all,
I was looking for some advice on alternatives for blu-tak when used on natural science specimens. I know there is no perfect solution but the scientists at our museum continue to use it and I am hoping there is something better. They use it a lot in housing to keep a specimen in place or during microscopy. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Melissa.


Melissa Holt

Conservator | Collection Care and Conservation

Australian Museum Research Institute

Australian Museum  1 William Street Sydney NSW 2010 Australia
 M 61 449 588 797
(She/her)

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