"Drummers", are a hardy and tenacious lot; and through the years it seems
that the public really likes
to observe such mechanisms when and where they can.  It can be fun stuff;
but you have to be
patient and maintenance is a daily requirement task.

Unfortunately its obviously almost impossible to "share" their records, or
delve into computer keystroke deviations that could be more readily
manipulated and yield all kinds of results; and at the same time
store their records handily.

Yes, I've been there, done that; and perhaps even yet longer with strip
chart recorders with long
"conveyor belt" chart paper modifications.  Those were alittle more
accomodating as the servo power
mechanisms allowed problems with pen and ink monstrosities to minimize the
added weight on the
servo drive/s.  Occasionally, the zipping, whipping servo pen movments noise
was the only seismic audio
quake alarm "system"....if I was around to hear such.  It can be exciting
when "things" are jumping
back and forth!

Its quite a step to go from drums to computers...especially if one has no
experience with such.
However eventually one can pick up all the aspects and then finds that the
computer approach really
offers a greater satisfaction; and best of all, one can build up other
seismometers and add them to
the computer readily....after all, you've wondered about that missing E-W
orientation seismometer
or missing vertical you've not previously had any opportunity to
experience.  The computer allows you
more time and space to partake of other seismic learning discoveries.

Then comes a time when you need to do something with that old and heavy drum
recorder.  I only
tore up one once.  The drum itself is usually the only "high potential"
salvagable item; they often can be
containers for small seismo's, and if I remember right, that one had two
small brass counterweights
inside (too balance rotation originally); which could be used a mass.  The
squarish drum recorder frame itself "could be" a excellent seismometer base
and upright support for misc., attachments.  Of course all this depends on
the individual insight and innovation goals.  More often than not; even if
you want to sell such; you won't find a buyer for the price you may want.
Selling it for metal scrap, is probably a heart rending thing to do; and it
likely won't be worth the time and gas to take it to a metal scrap dealer;
for the little money they may give you for it.  Often; they may not even buy
such; they want it prior broken down into specific metals to save themselves
labor costs and enhance profits.  One might as well do the salvage thing if
you anticipate building a homebrew seismometer....some of that
stuff...."might" work.  On the other hand...I still have the drum shell, but
its not yet been actually used...yet...

Take care, Meredith Lamb





On Sun, Oct 25, 2009 at 10:48 AM, James Allen  wrote:

>  Thanks Chris, Steve, Al, and Meredith for all your help.  I secured some
> very thin capillary tubing and a hypo. needle.  Will test approach and then
> try to cobble together attaching it to the existing stylus on the
> helicorder.  Will let the list know results.  It really is great knowing one
> is not alone on this quest.
> James Allen
> Cerritos, Ca.
>
>
>
>
=A0
"Drummers", are a hardy=A0and tenacious lot; and through the=
 years it seems that the public really likes
to observe such mechanisms when and where they can.=A0 It can be fun s=
tuff; but you have to be
patient and maintenance is a daily requirement task.
=A0
Unfortunately its obviously almost impossible to "share" the=
ir records, or delve into computer keystroke deviations that could be more =
readily manipulated and yield all kinds of results; and at the same time

store their records handily.
=A0
Yes, I've been there, done that; and perhaps even yet longer with =
strip chart recorders with long
"conveyor belt" chart paper modifications.=A0 Those were ali=
ttle more accomodating as the servo power
mechanisms allowed problems with pen and ink monstrosities to minimize=
 the added weight on the
servo drive/s.=A0 Occasionally, the zipping, whipping servo pen movmen=
ts noise was the only seismic audio
quake alarm "system"....if I was around to hear such.=A0 It =
can be=A0exciting when "things" are jumping
back and forth!
=A0
Its quite a step to go from drums to computers...especially if one has=
 no experience with such.
However eventually one can pick up all the aspects and then finds that=
 the computer approach really
offers a greater satisfaction; and best of all, one can build up other=
 seismometers and add them to
the computer readily....after all, you've wondered about that miss=
ing E-W orientation seismometer
or missing vertical you've not previously had any opportunity to e=
xperience.=A0 The computer allows you
more time and space to partake of other seismic learning discoveries.<=
/div>
=A0=A0
Then comes a time when you need to do something with that old and heav=
y drum recorder.=A0 I only
tore up one once.=A0=A0The drum itself is usually the only "high =
potential" salvagable item; they often can be
containers for small seismo's, and if I remember right, that one=
=A0had two small brass counterweights
inside (too balance rotation originally); which could be used a mass.=
=A0 The squarish drum recorder frame itself "could be" a excellen=
t seismometer base and upright support for misc., attachments.=A0 Of course=
 all this depends on the=A0individual insight and innovation goals.=A0 More=
 often than not; even if you want to sell such; you won't find a buyer =
for the price you may want.=A0 Selling it for metal scrap, is probably a he=
art rending thing to do; and it likely won't be worth the time and gas =
to take it to a metal scrap dealer; for the little money=A0they may give yo=
u for it.=A0=A0Often; they may not even buy such; they want it prior broken=
 down into specific metals to save themselves labor costs and enhance profi=
ts.=A0 One might as well do the salvage thing if you anticipate building a =
homebrew seismometer....some of that stuff...."might" work.=A0 On=
 the other hand...I still have the drum shell, but its not yet been actuall=
y used...yet...

=A0
Take care, Meredith Lamb
=A0
=A0=A0 
=A0
=A0
=A0
On Sun, Oct 25, 2009 at 10:48 AM, James Allen <jcallen1@verizo=
n.net> wrote:



Thanks Chris, Steve, Al, and Meredith for all your help.=A0 I secured =
some very thin capillary tubing and a hypo. needle.=A0 Will test approach a=
nd then try to cobble together attaching it to the existing stylus on the h=
elicorder.=A0 Will let the list know results.=A0 It really is great knowing=
 one is not alone on this quest.

James Allen

Cerritos, Ca.



=A0