Well, the forum continues to add new members slowly, and though we haven’t hit the critical mass that would nurture long-threaded conversations yet, there’s some really quality information being posted there. Special thanks to MimeoKev, who has a wealth of experience, there are now a few posts about how to find good supplies, and avoid the stuff that’s turned to trash.
Here’s a little peek:
Stencils: “Buying new old stock (NOS) mimeograph stencils from eBay, Etsy, Craigslist, or other sources can present a challenge. Stencils have a finite shelf life, and so new old stock stencils are not always useable, even if they come unopened in their original packaging. Storage conditions can also adversely affect the condition of stencils….”
Spirit Masters: “If you‘ve tried buying new old stock spirit master units made between the 1950’s to 1990’s on eBay or through other venues, you might have found your venture soured when you received master units that were so dried out that the carbon would not transfer to the master paper no matter how hard you pressed with your writing implement, no matter how hard you struck the typewriter key, or no matter how heavy you set the impression on your impact printer. Spirit duplicating masters have a finite shelf life that can be as little as a few years, depending on storage conditions….”
Want to ensure success in your vintage-supplies searches? Check out the forum, and sign up and join in while you’re at it!