Source for aluminium tubes

    Unipac Supply Company
    P.O. Box 98026
    Pittsburgh, PA 15227,
    412-885-2266

will supply tubes of various sizes and types. They have shipped to
the UK in the past and will continue either surface or Airmail. I
have recommended in the past (and still do) the following two sizes:

    5/8 inch x 4 inch- tin tubes with mastitis tip (very similar to
    the size and shape of the HMG tubes);

    1 x 6 inches- aluminum tubes with nasal tips.

Prices (1994) were $50.00/gross (without shipping) for mastitis tin
tubes; $40.00/gross for the larger aluminum tubes.  Tin or aluminum
are both acceptable for use.  1 gross = 144, so that is still very
cheap.  If it sounds like too many, split an order with a colleague,
or just keep them- they have a long shelf life.  When you call
Unipac, ask for Walter.

Stephen Koob
Department of Conservation and Scientific Research
Freer Gallery of Art
Smithsonian Institution
Washington DC 20560
202-357-4880 x276

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 8:87
                  Distributed: Wednesday, May 3, 1995
                        Message Id: cdl-8-87-005
                                  ***