[meteorite-list] Comments re: membrane boxes from Ron Hartman

From: Walter Branch <branchw_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sun Feb 12 06:36:23 2006
Message-ID: <030001c62fc8$c1656450$6101a8c0_at_BranchFamily>

Hi Ron,

I know this was discussed a few years ago on the list but could you address
which might better for meteorites in terms of curation. If I recall, there
was some concern about the padding used in the non-membrane type boxes being
potentially harmful to meteorites. Thanks

-Walter Branch
________________________
----- Original Message -----
From: "R. N. Hartman" <rhartman04_at_earthlink.net>
To: <meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Saturday, February 11, 2006 11:10 PM
Subject: [meteorite-list] Comments re: membrane boxes from Ron Hartman


> Reply from Ron
>
> I have enjoyed all the free advertising so far on this list, and have
> found
> all the posts of interest. I appreciate healthy debate and the many
> points
> that have been made.
>
> I would like to address two comments regarding one of the previously sent
> posts.
>
> COMMENT 1)<<You can't tell me that stretching that membrane across the
> plastic is so much more difficult than sticking a piece of round foam in a
> jar
> that it costs 3-4 times as much to make???
>
> REPLY: In fact, it is. There is a great deal of hand assembly in this
> process. The membrane is attached by a process almost identical to
> putting
> a new screen on a screen door and trimming it to size. The stretch has to
> be just right for the box to have its shock proof characteristics and for
> the membrane to return to a flat plane when the piece is removed. It
> requires special tooling and semi-automated machinery, and a skilled
> person
> to do the job. We do this ourselves, and it required sending Jim to the
> factory in Europe for a week of special training plus the purchase and
> importing of the equipment. If we did not do part of the manufacturing,
> we
> could not keep our prices lower than everyone elses.
>
> COMMENT 2)<<... and am really annoyed by the
> mold mark in the middle of it-- exactly where a mold mark should NOT be on
> a
> display case>>
>
> REPLY: The box is a patented invention, but was not designed with
> meteorite
> collectors in mind. It was designed for transportation and/or storage of
> delicate parts and to provide shock protection. THE GOOD NEWS: Our #10
> membrane box, 100 x 50 x 16 mm is our own unique box with NO MOLD MARK OR
> MARKINGS. We offer it with a colorless latch. It is the ideal size for
> smal
> pieces. We provide it with colorless latches.
>
> We got into the membrane business a few years ago after reading that a
> number of collectors were looking for the product. There are other
> dealers
> on the web. You can find them by going to Google and typing membrane box
> into the search. We tried them initially. One such dealer sent loose
> boxes
> in a zip-lock bag, so scratched up that half were unusable. Another (and
> I
> talked to their CEO personally) took about 3 months to deliver the micro
> boxes and a third of the boxes were scuffed on one side due to improper
> packing. Most of these places do not keep much of a stock in inventory,
> as
> we try to do. And, we guarantee that our boxes will arrive quickly and
> fully assembled, in perfect condition and ready to use, or we will replace
> them. You don't have to worry about broken plastic cases due to rough
> handling in shipping.
>
> We also offer advise and support about the proper sized for your needs. I
> notice that some other sellers on the web are now including in their ads
> that the membrane boxes are good for meteorites, although I suspect that
> most couldn't recognize a meteorite if they tripped on it!
>
> I will be pleased to respond to any questions or comments.
> RON
> R. N. HARTMAN, Inc.
> METEORITES AND ACCESSORIES
> MEMBRANE SUSPENSION BOXES
> Serving collectors, education and industry worldwide
>
> email:
> info_at_meteorite1.com
> info_at_membranebox.com
>
> visit us on the web at:
> www.meteorite1.com
> www.membranebox.com
>
> Mailing address:
> R. N. Hartman
> 20687-2 Amar Road #400
> Walnut, CA 91789 (U.S.A.)
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From:
> Cc: <meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com>
> Sent: Saturday, February 11, 2006 12:36 PM
> Subject: Re: Re: [meteorite-list] Membrane Boxes
>
>
> On Sat, 11 Feb 2006 13:15:53 -0500, you wrote:
>
>>I find Ron Hartman's pricing very reasonable. Try to beat that by buying
>>from the source in Europe and having them shipped to the US.
>>
>
> The prices are reasonable-- if you are displaying pieces worth a sizable
> multiple of the price of the membrane box. For instance, a $800 lunar in
> a
> $2
> membrane box is no big deal. I tend to collect micromounts, both for
> economic
> and for space reasons. I thought about putting all of mine into membrane
> boxes,
> but I just could not justify paying the price per membrane box when you
> could
> get a gem jar of about the same size for a small fraction of the price.
> The
> gem
> jars are about the same size, about the same amount of material, and about
> the
> same complexity to manufacture, but because only one company is making the
> membrane boxes, there is no competition for them, and therefore inflated,
> monopoly prices. You can't tell me that stretching that membrane across
> the
> plastic is so much more difficult than sticking a piece of round foam in a
> jar
> that it costs 3-4 times as much to make? I only go with a membrane box
> for
> the
> pieces with great interest on both size. My other micro pieces go into
> gem
> jars. Also, I have one of the boxes like this one, and am really annoyed
> by
> the
> mold mark in the middle of it-- exactly where a mold mark should NOT be on
> a
> display case: http://home.earthlink.net/~capricorn89/box23.jpg
> (irrelevant
> side
> note-- I worked in a plastics plant running injection molding machines one
> summer during school, some of the machines the size of rooms. It gives an
> interesting perspecitive on how plastic objects are made).
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Received on Sun 12 Feb 2006 06:37:47 AM PST