[GreenKeys] Gum for joining punched tape

[Richard Dillman]

>Hi all. When I was a cable station operator, there were many times when 
>punched tape needed to be joined. The gum was supplied by the cable 
>techs in a small flat tin with a lid. The lid had a small hole punched 
>in it and a short length of wire was inserted to access the gum. I do 
>not know if the gum was a commercial product or a local DIY mix. The gum 
>was ideal for the purpose, just a small amount on the tape, a wipe with 
>both ends to spread it and the ends put together. It could be put thru 
>the transmitter almost right away. I have attempted to use stick type 
>gum which while securing the ends, makes the join too thick and jams the 
>tape in the transmitter. I have also tried liquid glue in a squeeze 
>container but the join fails even if left for a period. Does anyone have 
>a DIY recipe or can recommend a commercial product to do the job.
>TIA
>
>Maurie

I'm not sure about the Baudot tape Maurie, but for the two level Wheatstone Morse tape at KPH it was LePage's mucilage in the bottle with the pig snout applicator.  We have some of the original but it's dried to a solid mass.  So when we started using the "Klein" perferator we needed new bottles of LePage's.  When I called them to place an order they said they'd quit making that long ago and hung up on me.  We finally had to import some from Canada!  Alas, the bottle label looks different but the stuff itself works a treat.  You skooge come on the tape, overlap the ends, move it around a little for alignment and within a moment or two it's dry and ready to put through the keying head.  Nothing else we tried comes even close.  But if anyone else knows of an alternate - or a supply of genuine LePage's - please let me know.

RD

=================================
Richard Dillman, T2-GB-061170
Chief Operator, Coast Station KSM
Maritime Radio Historical Society
http://www.radiomarine.org
=================================

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