Protecting your collection from sudden movements (example: earthquakes, knocks) (1 Viewer)

[jeffs]

Folks, I need help on this one. For the past two years, I have amassed a collection of toy soldiers. One thing I worry is earthquakes and how they can easily destroy my collection. I live in a high rise apartment in Jakarta and as many know, the risks of earthquakes are pretty significant. I'm not worried about buildings toppling over because the epicenter for earthquakes are usually 150+km away from the city but we do get significant shocks. The last one occured about 2 years ago (around 5-6 on the richter here). I attached some pics to give an idea how my figures are arranged. Gluing them to the rio or table is out of the question because I like to move them and rearrange stuff. Please let me know how you guys protect your prized collection, whether from earthquakes or from accidental knocks. This is what I was thinking but not sure if it helps. Please refer to pictures attached.

1) Using plasticine or blu-tack to put on the base of the figures and buildings (would these hold for KC SOOHK buildings?). Will these hold and stick? I'm thinking the grooves on the jetty may cause problems. Will they be easy to clean or leave a permanent mark on the jetties?

2) Adhesive/double-sided tapes on the base of the figures. A bit reluctant because figures might look ugly and spoil the scene.

3) Is there any way to coat the figures so that they become more scratch resistant?

I'm most worried about my SOOHK setup because they are set on a table top, if a building or figure drops to the ground it will be a 1-meter drop which will definitely break them and I don't want this to happen. Help anyone?

 

[TomB]

Folks, I need help on this one. For the past two years, I have amassed a collection of toy soldiers. One thing I worry is earthquakes and how they can easily destroy my collection. I live in a high rise apartment in Jakarta and as many know, the risks of earthquakes are pretty significant. I'm not worried about buildings toppling over because the epicenter for earthquakes are usually 150+km away from the city but we do get significant shocks. The last one occured about 2 years ago (around 5-6 on the richter here). I attached some pics to give an idea how my figures are arranged. Gluing them to the rio or table is out of the question because I like to move them and rearrange stuff. Please let me know how you guys protect your prized collection, whether from earthquakes or from accidental knocks. This is what I was thinking but not sure if it helps. Please refer to pictures attached.

1) Using plasticine or blu-tack to put on the base of the figures and buildings (would these hold for KC SOOHK buildings?). Will these hold and stick? I'm thinking the grooves on the jetty may cause problems. Will they be easy to clean or leave a permanent mark on the jetties?

2) Adhesive/double-sided tapes on the base of the figures. A bit reluctant because figures might look ugly and spoil the scene.

3) Is there any way to coat the figures so that they become more scratch resistant?

I'm most worried about my SOOHK setup because they are set on a table top, if a building or figure drops to the ground it will be a 1-meter drop which will definitely break them and I don't want this to happen. Help anyone?

Terrific collection...great pictures.....Plasticine would help...but you would need a thick base so the base of the figure could sink into it...Warning...dont wet plasticine or it will stain....my only other suggestion ....safety net around edge of table..filled with soft rags or something similar to catch falling objects...sounds silly but it would work......TomB

 

[ucla1967]

Beautiful collection! I use tacky wax for unstable flag bearers, but not on my other figures since I don't want to tack down thousands of figures. Most of mine are in curios which have locked door which tends to keep the figures inside the curios during earthquakes. The curios are attached to the wall studs with earthquake straps. THere is a product called Museum Wax which is suppose to be especially good, and, as the name implies, is used by museums to secure precious works of art.

 

[W T Allison II]

Try Bard's Tacky Wax. It won't stain and washes off easily. I would suggest glass cabinets with the door that slides from side to side on the front of the cabinet which can be locked. You could strap the cabinet to the wall if you are worrying about it toppling. Shelves measure 48" by 12" deep and are adjustable with 3/8ths thickness. Also, helps with the dust. Take a look at my albums for cabinet photos. Cabinet is 6 1/2 feet tall. You have a very nice collection. Hope this helps. Tommy

 

[Arnhemjim]

When I lived in Southern California for almost 4 decades, the majority of the collection were in older lawyer's bookcases (more substantial than newer ones) which were fastened into the studs of the room with long screws. Additionally each hinged glass door of the case was pinned on each side at the bottom with 2" brass screws which could slide in and out of the holes I drilled. Finally each shelf was fully lined with heavy green felt. For those figures displayed on glass shelves (and there were hundreds) I used a spot of Bard's Tacky Wax as recommended. We sustained several major earthquakes during that period, particularly the Sylmar Quake in 1971, the Whittier Quake in the mid-90's, and one close to Upland where we lived in the late 90's. Fortunately with those precautions in place only sustained a very few paint chips, no serious damage. Will say that the potential of earthquakes was one of the reasons we retired to Arizona.

 

[PanzerAce1944]

In addition to the protective measures mentioned I would definately add insurance to cover your collection.

 

[jeffs]

Well, looks like I will have to look for museum wax next time I drop by Singapore. Thank you all for the suggestions!

 

[W T Allison II]

Well, looks like I will have to look for museum wax next time I drop by Singapore. Thank you all for the suggestions!

Jeffs, you can order it from Treefrog. Tommy

 

[Grognard]

I live in the Pacific Northwest where EQ are common (the last one we had was 7.0). Besides the Museum Putty Neutral I use for the figurines, I strapped my curio cabinets to the wall using Quakehold! strap kits. You can buy these items on Amazon.