New to Airtites, install process?

Take the gloves off! No, put them back on!

 

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So, do you store the tubes in another box?

I've found that the red box that comes with SaFlips (if you order them that way) is perfect for storing AirTites. Each box holds 33 of them.

Chris

 

Agree...however, I have made a few exceptions when handling high dollar proofs simply as added insurance. Even then, I still rinse them with acetone after handling before returning them to the holder.

 

Yes I do, that box is called my safe. I've never used the SaFlips so no clue what that box is like.

 

Correction.....it holds 37 of them.

 

Oh, so its pretty similar to any of those boxes that the hard 2X2s come in. Hmm i never really though of using those. I seen the cap-tubes on JPs corner and just went with those, but that looks even more functional for stacking in a safe.

Thanks for the great idea, you may have just converted me!

 

Forget the ring, use direct fit Air-Tites.

 

I have heard pros and cons for this. There was another topic on this board that said in some cases the direct fits were very, very tight, and therefore they were worried about getting the coin out. Another said the direct fits were a bit loose and they were worried about rattling. The foam rings are more forgiving and bit both slightly larger and slightly smaller coins.

The reason I went with the larger H-38 style with rings is I can put all of my coins that I want to protect into the same sized container. I bought a whole box of them, and will buy different sized rings as needed. That's where my mind went anyway.

 

I like the ring type airtites too.

 

Never have had that problem - the 100's of coins I have put in direct fits, fit perfectly. The pluses to direct fits are there is one less substance touching the coin, even though it is claimed the ring is inert, and you can see the edge of the coin.

 

If you have been primarily doing modern coins (state quarters) I am guessing that's why you've never had a direct fit loose/tight issue. Quality control is probably better on modern coins, and they haven't had the opportunity to spread or shrink over time. I do like the way the coin fits in the direct fits, and for some coins (like the presidential dollars that have writing on the side) having the sides visible is definitely a plus.

I do happen to like the way the Walkers look in the black ring inside the capsule though.

 

Primarily unc or high grade coins with little wear. I can see where a worn coin could be a little loose. Not only do edge lettered coins look good in direct fits, but I like the way the reeded or plain edge looks too. I’d be leery about buying a coin in a ring fit where you can’t see one surface of the coin (the edge).

 

I agree as well.

 

tsk tak you could just have said all hail spock instead

tell me grandpa during biblical times when you were collecting when there were no gloves what did you do?

 

Air-Tite Design Allows Ease Of Installation

As a past Design Engineer, I believe that the design is such to allow maximum ease of installation, with minimal chance for contamination, by never having the foam out of the holder.

From my observations, they've delivered the foam in the half having a larger inside diameter so that the foam is allowed to expand diametrically when inserting the coin into the foam inside diameter. This process should relatively eliminate the inside "foam rolling" upon coin insertion. This process generally accommodates coin insertion, with a gloved hand, without contamination.

The half with the smaller diameter can then be placed as an inverted cup over the foam/coin assembly, allowing careful inversion to tuck the foam outside diameter into the smallest half inside diameter.

Upon centering the foam/coin completely into smaller diameter "cup", the larger inside diameter half, inverted "cup" downward, can be carefully squeezed onto the the smaller "cup" upward half. If carefully assembled by squeezing at the diametral center between thumb and the forefinger, excess air should be expelled/removed, a slight sealing vacuum induced, and the coin centered on the foam holder thickness.

Patience is a determining factor for successful assembly of this foam coin enclosure. If impatient, please consider purchasing the enclosure without foam, as assembly with a hammer may result in a distasteful appearance.

JMHO :thumb:

 

Great Suggestions!!

I believe your suggestions to be proper for the novice handling coins, especially always handling the coin by the edge when possible.

I personally wear a glove on my secondary hand to apply very limited pressure when the coin can no longer be addressed by the edge, as in Air-Tite assembly. I generally currently only assemble coins from mint tubes into the holders, and inspect for contamination/damage with a high power optical device before final closure. In the past I observed your recommendations when encapsulating "circulated coins", regardless of state. I'm very concerned about the long term effects of contaminates on ones hands, and haven't observed any damage from gloves when patient even low pressure is applied by same.

I believe your statements about TPG certifiers, and others, not using proper precautions when handling coins, as I've received graded coins with prominent finger-prints, as also apparently experienced by others in this venue: http://www.cointalk.com/t217700/

I just know that an individual receiving my encapsulated product will not experience the frustration of finger-prints, when assembled with patient precautions. I believe proper utilization of tools is important for success, including removal of surface oils/contaminants before unprotected manual handling of coins.

JMHO :bow:

 

Well, there's my mistake. I ordered in bulk and the foam rings came separate. I have been putting the foam ring into the smaller part of the airtite, thus the "foam rolling" that I was describing. I bet if I put the ring into the larger half of the airtite it would work perfectly. That was one combination that I never tried, thank you for the suggestion.

 

Yep, I keep a stash of those little Alcohol wipes & have always cleaned my fingers before handling something precious (like red copper or proof coins). However, didn't Desertgem write at CT once about it actually being better to NOT clean your hands? I believe that he wrote something about more oils being left behind by freshly washed hands than by not-freshly washed hands. :rollling:

I also keep a supply of Nitrile gloves nearby but only use them rarely. I'd like to add that it is very important that folks do not talk, sneeze, cough, or drool over your coins. Also, avoid opening, pouring or storing any open container of carbonated beverages around your coins.

 

So I should put my dog in the back yard then?