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Post by livingplanet3 on Jul 3, 2021 14:32:55 GMT -8
What size mounting pins have most of you found to be the most commonly used for Lepidoptera, as well as most Coleoptera? I've read a number of articles stating that #2 and #3 pins are the most commonly used for most, with sizes above that really only being needed for somewhat large to very large beetles.
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Post by Adam Cotton on Jul 4, 2021 1:06:50 GMT -8
I use number 5 for most Papilionidae, and number 3 for smaller bodied species. I prefer a strong pin that will not vibrate which can be a problem with very thin pins.
Adam.
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Post by 58chevy on Jul 4, 2021 7:17:25 GMT -8
I use #2 & #3 for most specimens, even large moths. Sometimes I use #1 for small butterflies and #0 for wing spreading. As was mentioned above, very large beetles are the only insects I collect that require larger pins.
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Post by livingplanet3 on Jul 4, 2021 9:27:07 GMT -8
Thank you for the input. It seems that pin size is mostly a matter of personal preference (so long as you're not using a pin that's very obviously too large or too small for a specimen)? There really doesn't seem to be a significant amount of difference in the diameters between #2 & #3, though #4 is clearly thicker than #2. For the majority of Lepidoptera specimens in my collection, which are medium to quite large, #3, #4 & #5 would likely be most appropriate. As for my beetles, I'll definitely need a good number of #6 & #7 for those since I have many large Scarabaeidae, such as Dynastes, Megasoma & Goliathus.
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Post by papiliotheona on Jul 11, 2021 15:52:28 GMT -8
I use #2 for everything from Brephidium exilis on through giant-skippers.
PT
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Post by livingplanet3 on Jul 11, 2021 16:12:25 GMT -8
I use #2 for everything from Brephidium exilis on through giant-skippers. PT Probably the only species in my own collection that would be suited to a #2 pin would be a few specimens of Riodinidae, such as Rhetus spp. |
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Pin sizes?
Jul 11, 2021 17:40:49 GMT -8
via mobile
Post by exoticimports on Jul 11, 2021 17:40:49 GMT -8
My standard is #3. 95% of what I use.
Chuck
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Post by bobw on Jul 12, 2021 0:07:17 GMT -8
I also use no. 3 for everything.
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Post by jshuey on Jul 12, 2021 5:17:35 GMT -8
I use #2 for everything from Brephidium exilis on through giant-skippers. PT Exactly - I even use #2s to move wings and nail them down on the boards. john |
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Pin sizes?
Jul 12, 2021 10:50:01 GMT -8
via mobile
Post by exoticimports on Jul 12, 2021 10:50:01 GMT -8
I use #2 for everything from Brephidium exilis on through giant-skippers. PT Exactly - I even use #2s to move wings and nail them down on the boards. john The prized specimen collectors are in shock! |
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Post by kevinkk on Jul 12, 2021 10:59:51 GMT -8
Well, maybe things DO exist for a reason, but I use only 1 or two pin sizes, and I don't even know what they are offhand.
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Post by papiliotheona on Jul 12, 2021 12:33:34 GMT -8
I prefer #1s for pinning down the glassine around the wings--I often find 2s aren't sharp enough for Bioquip's often very hard wood. The problem is that #1s are very susceptible to becoming "pretzel pins" or turning into "lightning bolts"--again because of BQ's wood.
BT
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Post by kevinkk on Jul 12, 2021 15:47:59 GMT -8
I prefer #1s for pinning down the glassine around the wings--I often find 2s aren't sharp enough for Bioquip's often very hard wood. The problem is that #1s are very susceptible to becoming "pretzel pins" or turning into "lightning bolts"--again because of BQ's wood. BT I haven't had any issues with the adjustable board I bought from Bioquip, I use setting pins most of the time to hold down glassine, or make sure the glass slides don't slide around, and those are thicker and sturdy. I did have to customize my board to hold large winged specimens, and that wood from the craft store is hard, I made the board wider by glueing some removable extensions together, so it could accommodate wide winged material. |
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Post by 58chevy on Jul 13, 2021 6:53:08 GMT -8
I've never used a commercial spreading board (I make mine), but it sounds like they're made of basswood instead of balsa. Balsa is much softer and accepts pins easily. If your board is bending pins, just glue a piece of balsa to the top of the basswood. Balsa is more expensive, but you don't need much of it.
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Post by bobw on Jul 13, 2021 7:15:07 GMT -8
All the setting boards I've seen are made of cork on a plywood base and covered with paper.
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