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

[Walter Branch]

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).
> ______________________________________________
> Meteorite-list mailing list
> Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
> http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
>
>
> --
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.15.6/257 - Release Date: 2/10/2006
>
>
>
>
> -- 
> No virus found in this outgoing message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.15.6/257 - Release Date: 2/10/2006
> ______________________________________________
> Meteorite-list mailing list
> Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
> http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
>