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NormLeete@... wrote:
Ina message dated 19/05/2006 01:44:15 GMT Daylight Time, easle12@...writes:Asfor OEM partsDear All,OEM parts are goingto get harder to come by. In a related activity, synth restoration, itis becoming apparent that the introduction of 'lead-free' components isbeing used as an excuse to cull many important older devices. Some of theseare in use in instruments in current production! Troubleis, a lot of the electronics industry today is governed by what will bein your next mobile phone... Alsosome components vanish as regulations change, the old Bulgin mains connectoris one of those. Asfor lead-free, I still use 'full-fat' solder. -- Norm________________________________________________________________________
Hi Norm and all,
While not a direct topicof things Mellotronic (this List most
always never is ), you've raised an issue that should be of particular
interest to all .Government regulations annuallywhittle away many of the
things we once held dear, or at least familiar from decades past.
Mostly driven by strictestenvironmental mandates in
every sector of industry/commerce.The std. 40W cool-white fluorescent
tube and 150W outdoor reflectorspotlight vanished in the 1990's
along with hundreds ofother lighting products, when the
"Green Lights" legislationwas enacted in the USA .
Mercury, the stuff science teachers used to roll around in their
palms, and coat copperpennies, is now one of most hazardous
elements known. Sowhy is it still a compound in tooth fillings here ?
The largest site of mercuryspillage in the
world (160 tons) occured in NJ ,near my former hometown .
Because somebody ran UNDERGROUNDtransfer pipes
(made of lead) , whichseeped over the passage of 35 years ??
Lead and asbestos , whenirresponsibly used/disposed
causes untold medical issues. Ever hear the old phrase
"It's a lead-pipe cinch?" Correct gang, that same material
found in old paint, wasonce used globally to deliver our DRINKING
water !Just the word asbestos strikesfear into the heart of homeowners,
whose older homes are major cleanup sites if the material
is discovered in theirheating systems and on exterior coverings.
Explain this to seniorcitizens living alone, who need to sell
their treasured homes forfuture medical/nursing issues .
Seems to me that presentgovt.rules and measures are meant to
offset some horrid blundersof the previous generations.
Without digressing toomuch, ordinary articles once found
in hardware stores andpharmacies(chemists in UK) are now
verboten and have vanishedovernight. Saltpeter,used for medicinal
purposes, is also an elementof gunpowder. If I dare ask for some
today, Homeland Securitywill carry me off as a terrorist, before
I exit the business .As a collector of vintageelectrical items (incl. Trons), these
govt rules have invadedthe very inner sanctum . In 2006, I heard that
the UK has enacted laws that private collectors of vintage
valves and assoc.gear couldbe liable for hazmat fines, due to the
rare metals and chemicalsfound within these items.
As a result, many are beingsold or scrapped before the rules are
enforced. Theserules are being considered for America as well.
Someone please clarifythis for me, in case I misunderstood .
Does that mean someone willknock on my door and haul-away
historic items 75-120 yearsold, destroy them and then fine me for
owning them ?? Think aboutit ,gang. What's next , methane-free
tacos/chili, to protect the ozone layer ?? Not if I can help it, (pffffft ) !BTW, it's gettingmore and more difficult to find replacement
audio control pots in theUSA for Mellotron work. Those used for tone,
volume and pitch for M400models in particular. Models with
2" long shafts are required,to be trimmed for control panel clearance.
Agreed Norm, youwon't find these in your next mobile/camera/PDA
phone .
Still using "full-fat"solder, whole milk, with a mouthfull of amalgam,
and a blastoff recipe forgarlic/pepper steaks, - JK-