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  • 1.  Weighted "snakes" for object stabilization

    Posted 06-11-2019 07:23 PM
    Edited by Michael Lorusso 06-11-2019 07:28 PM
    I'm looking for a solid guide or materials/purchase recommendations to create museum "snakes" or bag weights for transporting or in storage to allow objects to rest on.

    Gaylord sells the below, but I think the stockinette might be too loose of a weave, and the poly pellets are not heavy enough. 

    https://www.gaylord.com/New-Products/Preservation-Supplies/Polypropylene-Pellets-%282-lbs-%29/p/7720P
    https://www.gaylord.com/Preservation/Conservation-Supplies/Wrapping%2C-Lining-%26-Support-Materials/Stockinette-Tubing/p/HYB01363

    Any recommendations you provide will be useful! 

    Cheers,
    Michael

    ------------------------------
    Michael Lorusso
    Associate Registrar
    Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College
    Colorado Springs CO
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Weighted "snakes" for object stabilization

    Posted 06-12-2019 10:58 AM

    Michael,

     

    I live by Benchmark Catalog (www.benchmarkcatalog.com).  Here is a link to their weights: https://www.benchmarkcatalog.com/collections/weights .  You may notice that several of Gaylord's products  are called Benchmark... well, this is benchmark.

     

    Hope it helps,

    Scott

     

    S. Scott Scholz

    Chief Curator, NSCDA

    Dumbarton House

    Washington, D.C.  20007

    202.337.2288 x.223

     




    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Weighted "snakes" for object stabilization

    Posted 06-12-2019 11:47 AM

    Hi Michael, 

    I've made my own weights before using Tyvek and polypropylene pellets. I created Tyvek bags using a sewing machine, but if you have a crafty volunteer they could be hand sewn, and customized to whatever shape/size you need. The poly pellets were also available at a chain craft store, and were cheaper than purchasing from Gaylord. Since I am a bit paranoid, I double bagged the pellets in case a seam failed.  

    To add weight to the bags, you could add in glass beads or steel pellets.

    STASHc has a simple tutorial with materials list: http://stashc.com/the-publication/supports/malleable/tyvek-covered-bean-bags/



    ------------------------------
    Sarah Frederick
    Museum Collections Specialist
    Museum of Flight
    Seattle WA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Weighted "snakes" for object stabilization

    Posted 06-12-2019 11:52 AM
    Michael,

    When I worked at the Bakken Museum and Library, we used velvet snakes (designed to look like snakes) filled with steel shot. They were often used for temporary book displays, and the whimsical design was a nice touch. They were made by Mary Britton Clouse: http://bookpaperart.com.

    Juliet Burba

    ------------------------------
    Juliet Burba PhD
    Outreach Historian, Charles Babbage Institute
    University of Minnesota
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Weighted "snakes" for object stabilization

    Posted 06-13-2019 10:54 AM
    A company in California, Inherent Vice Squad
    Linen Cotton Ravioli | Inherent Vice Squad
    sells beautiful high quality weights, as part of their specialty line for museums. The founder and principal, Angela, can modify items for special orders as requested. She is also an amazing resource for information about supplies and thoughtful approaches to collections care challenges.

    ------------------------------
    Sari Uricheck
    Acanthus Conservation
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Weighted "snakes" for object stabilization

    Posted 06-14-2019 05:29 PM
    ​You can hire a seamstress/tailor (or a member of your tech staff) to create sandbags and snakes this way: sew a plain cotton envelope or tube to the shape desired.  Fill a nongassing plastic ziplock bag with non-rusting steel buckshot, ball bearings, clean sand, or small marbles. Seal the bag and insert into cotton cover.  Sew the open edge of the cotton cover to close it.  This is an excellent solution for storage rooms and conservation studios.

    ------------------------------
    Mary L. Levkoff
    Museum Director, Hearst Castle
    Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument
    750 Hearst Castle Road
    San Simeon CA 93452
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Weighted "snakes" for object stabilization

    Posted 06-13-2019 03:06 PM
    Thanks for your comments, all!

    ------------------------------
    Michael Lorusso
    Associate Registrar
    Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College
    Colorado Springs CO
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


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