Friday, November 28, 2008

Another Great Anode


I can’t seem to stop creating anodes. I have another anode I really love and it works beautifully. I call it the “Center-Fired” anode. The anode is made from ¾” mild steel and 3/16” mild steel. I highly recommend this unit for those using the smaller power sources.
I use a 1.2 (5.2 cups) liter plastic container with my smaller power source so I need for my anode to be about 4” in length. Different containers will dictate different length anodes. In other words you must choose a container and then cut the anode to fit your container. Look at the illustration I have included with the article and you will see the horizontal mild steel bar is ¾” in diameter.

Please observe the vertical mild steel is 3/16” in diameter. If you are using no more than 800mA then you can use a 1/8”diameter vertical piece. I would try to secure the 3/16” however. The vertical rod must rise above your container by a couple of inches. This will make certain you will not have wire in your solution. In fact, I would bend the top one inch of the vertical back and away form the container using pliers or ViceGrips.

The vertical rod is welded to the horizontal rod and it takes about one zap from a MIG welder to do the job. While making up one unit why not make three or four. This way as the anode collects crud one can have one or more anodes in soak. Remember you must determine the measurements so the unit will fit into your container.

What is so great about this anode? First, you do realize the lead is clipped to the vertical piece. When the unit is cranked up and Zapping you will find the coin closest to the center receives the most activity. I like this. As coins become clean you can adjust the coins needing less Zap towards the ends of the anode. I keep my coins moving about as needed.

If I have a rock-hard encrusted coin(s) then I allow that coin(s) to fire near the center. The cleaner the coin, the more I adjust the coin towards the end of the anode. I hope I did not mislead you into thinking this anode is for the smaller units only. I have used the same kind of anode on larger Zappers and fired 20 coins or so very effectively. This is a very sturdy unit and once cut and welded you will have an anode that will last for years with the proper cleaning.

Once you have an anode cleaned be sure and dip in white vinegar, wash with soap, rinse and dry and put aside. Again, the anode should last for years. It is the Sherman Tank of anodes. Click on the illustration to enlarge. Please feel free to ask questions. God Bless.. Jerry..

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Free: Coin Picture BackUps


Recently two of my friend’s computers crashed. Fortunately they had important data backed up. I have never been one to back up files but the second crash of a friend’s drive got my attention. Shawn, one of our fine members, shared the following site with me and I am passing the information on to our members who want to back up coins pics or other data.

Mozy offers free online backup solutions for the home. One can get a free MozyHome account that allows up to 2GB of online storage. Of course, one can subscribe to more space for less than $5 dollars per month. I like the freebie 2GB. I have done my homework and learned that Mozy is a highly reputable company with state of the art security.

I know nothing about algorithms and password encryption so I have to rely on PC to tell me Mozy is excellent in these departments. Ease of use is of primary importance to me. I was surprised to find that Shawn was correct and that even I was able to download and use without a hitch. You are right so far Shawn. When reviewers begin to talk about elaborate interfaces and the like my eyes begin to glaze over. Suffice it to say the program was easy for me to download and the image appears to be very functional.

I suggest you go to http://mozy.com/ and see for yourself.
If you will share with Mozy that I suggested you take a look they will give me extra space. You will need to know my e-mail and it is as follows: coinstore@comcast.net Perhaps I am being a bit mercenary but I will leave that to your conscious. Either way is great but I will be downloading data that serves our sites. Thank you for reading and please let me know if you use the program and please let me know what you think.. God Bless.. Jerry..

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

When New Is Not Necessarily Better


Have you ever downloaded a “new” version of an older version of software you have known and loved for years only to have it perform poorly or even crash? Wish you had the older version back? Well, help is on the way at oldversion.com.

Downgrade until your heart’s content at oldversion.com which offers almost all revisions of a multitude of common programs such as Internet Explorer, Skype, Google Earth and many more. The programs are free so you can make your selections without any expense.

Please let me know if you try any of the programs and please let me know how you like the results. God Bless.. Jerry..

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Do You Have The Sense To Know Your US Cents?


We had a nice response to our last article concerning the US Cent so we are adding a bit more. I hope you enjoy and we love to get feedback. You can e-mail me at coinstore@comcast.net or you can simply respond online. I hope the following is informative and enlightening.
The cent was made of pure copper from 1793 to 1837.

The cent was made of bronze from 1837 to 1857.

In 1857 the cent was mixed as an alloy of 88% copper and 12% nickel. This continued until 1864.

From 1864 to 1962 the coin was once again changed to bronze.
From 1962 to 1982, the cent's tin content was removed. This resulted in a composition of 95% copper and 5% zinc.

In 1982, the cent's composition was changed to 97.5% zinc and 2.5 % copper and this is what we now call the "clad penny."

Addendum: in 1943, the coin's composition was changed to zinc-coated steel. This change lasted for one year only and was created as a result of the critical use of copper during WWII.

I hope you have enjoyed these little facts and we will appreciate any information you may want to share. God Bless.. Jerry..







Friday, July 18, 2008

A Penny For Your Thoughts


I am seeking the numismatic expertise of members and readers of my blog relative to the US Penny. The penny as currency is pretty much worthless. The copper content of each coin is 1.3 times the value of the coin itself. Environmentalists are calling for a cessation of copper mining. Thus, the outcry to terminate the penny as currency is growing louder.

There are rumors the penny will no longer be minted after 2009. I knew I had a question in here someplace so here it is. Should I begin to buy common rolls of pennies to put back for my grandchildren? If the answer is yes, is there a “better” penny for me to invest in such as the solid copper penny? I have very few US coins and consequently, I am pretty much in the dark.
Please write me at coinstore@comcast.net and advise me if you will. Thank you very much for reading and please bookmark my site. By the way, I hope you like my penny photo.. God Bless.. Jerry..

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Coin Photography: New Lighting Method


I have been working with my coin photography for a long time now and I have been working with lighting in particular. In recent days I have found a “new” method of lighting that I am very pleased with. The coin on the left was photographed using the new lighting technique.

I have a ceiling fan with a light kit attached in the room where I photograph my coins. I removed the light cover from the fan and inserted a fluorescent bulb in the mount and left the cover off. The copy stand I use is about six feet from the bulb. I have shot quite a few photographs over the past few days and I am very pleased with the results.

Of course, one could use wherever ceiling light fixture one has. Mine happens to be the fan with the light kit. Also, I have one window in the room that faces west and I do get some light through the window when I shoot during the day.

The color balance is good and I am very pleased to this point. I am shooting about f/8 at a very slow shutter speed. I have my camera pretty much locked down so I am not concerned with the shutter speed since I am shooting aperture priority. The depth of field seems to be fine. If interested, give it a try and let me know what you think and let me know what kind of results you get. Thank you for reading and God Bless.. Jerry..

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Transition From The Ordinary To Art


The photograph above is of a "Star Gazer" my wife has. I shot the flower several times and made the decision I accomplished what I wanted with this photograph. I attempted to elevate the subject matter to something more than the ordinary. One could apply the term surreal. Look carefully and you begin to see imagery such as a sunrise and small animals. Also, remain loyal to your taste. I do not ask you to like, I only ask for you to appreciate. I believe it is incumbent on the artist to show his/her world to the viewer. I hope you enjoy.. God Bless.. Jerry..