Storing your collection - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

ricard · 21st May 2020, 5:19 am

We've just moved house so my collection of tape recorders is currently packed away in banana boxes, padded with linen and clothes, lining the walls of our bedroom. Unpacking will take time, and I'm wondering how other people here store their collections, all from how to practically access them, to avoiding dust or other damage.

FIXITNOW · 21st May 2020, 7:20 am

Mine are all on open shelves so not free from dust I use a mixture of Ikea Nikilas and Journalist shelving systems .some what old now but often pop up on eBay here in the UK at a good price so still able to find as I add more. they also did glass fronted display cabinets as I have a few and drawers etc

DMcMahon · 21st May 2020, 7:26 pm

I have no system, they haphazardly move around from room to room, in and out of cupboards, in & out of the garage, in & out of the attic, sometimes loose, sometimes boxed, I really need to do something a lot better, really need a much bigger house or a warehouse would be more appropriate

brenellic2000 · 24th May 2020, 7:26 am

The biggest headache for me is not so much storing them (I have over 50 Brenells and a capacious freehold workshop!) but in finding the time, energy, interest (and money!) in using them in rotation to keep them working in fine fettle. As the old adage goes: "Use 'em or lose 'em!". Keeping them well aired but dry, dust and woodworm free is most important.

ricard · 25th May 2020, 6:09 am

Yeah, I can relate the work needed to maintain the machines, I once had the ambition to have one of each of Tandberg's model (not too unreasonable as there have been 35 or 40 or so, depending on how you count all variants), but I realized that maintaining all the 'lesser' ones would take too much energy from the 'premium' ones which were the ones I really liked anyway.

hillmanie · 25th May 2020, 12:54 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMcMahon

I have no system, they haphazardly move around from room to room, in and out of cupboards, in & out of the garage, in & out of the attic, sometimes loose, sometimes boxed, I really need to do something a lot better, really need a much bigger house or a warehouse would be more appropriate

Ah! 'So many treasures, so little space'
(With apologies to little Mae herself)
TT

stevehertz · 25th May 2020, 2:00 pm

I use Chrome shelving, fully adjustable, attractive, moveable and very strong. You can get it in all dimensions from shelving suppliers.

21st May 2020, 5:19 am	#1
ricard Octode Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Lund, Sweden Posts: 1,632	Storing your collection We've just moved house so my collection of tape recorders is currently packed away in banana boxes, padded with linen and clothes, lining the walls of our bedroom. Unpacking will take time, and I'm wondering how other people here store their collections, all from how to practically access them, to avoiding dust or other damage.

21st May 2020, 7:20 am	#2
FIXITNOW Octode Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ely, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 1,975	Re: Storing your collection Mine are all on open shelves so not free from dust I use a mixture of Ikea Nikilas and Journalist shelving systems .some what old now but often pop up on eBay here in the UK at a good price so still able to find as I add more. they also did glass fronted display cabinets as I have a few and drawers etc

21st May 2020, 7:26 pm	#3
DMcMahon Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 6,600	Re: Storing your collection I have no system, they haphazardly move around from room to room, in and out of cupboards, in & out of the garage, in & out of the attic, sometimes loose, sometimes boxed, I really need to do something a lot better, really need a much bigger house or a warehouse would be more appropriate

24th May 2020, 7:26 am	#4
brenellic2000 Octode Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Rye, East Sussex, UK. Posts: 1,647	Re: Storing your collection The biggest headache for me is not so much storing them (I have over 50 Brenells and a capacious freehold workshop!) but in finding the time, energy, interest (and money!) in using them in rotation to keep them working in fine fettle. As the old adage goes: "Use 'em or lose 'em!". Keeping them well aired but dry, dust and woodworm free is most important.

25th May 2020, 6:09 am	#5
ricard Octode Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Lund, Sweden Posts: 1,632	Re: Storing your collection Yeah, I can relate the work needed to maintain the machines, I once had the ambition to have one of each of Tandberg's model (not too unreasonable as there have been 35 or 40 or so, depending on how you count all variants), but I realized that maintaining all the 'lesser' ones would take too much energy from the 'premium' ones which were the ones I really liked anyway.

25th May 2020, 2:00 pm	#7
stevehertz Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 8,830	Re: Storing your collection I use Chrome shelving, fully adjustable, attractive, moveable and very strong. You can get it in all dimensions from shelving suppliers. Attached Thumbnails __________________ A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever..