I bought a nice Abstracta jewelry case last year for doing shows.
Unfortunately, I have a hard time getting it together/apart,
especially in the hot weather. The case itself is made of tubing and
at each joint it has a 2/3/4/5 way piece that holds the tubes
together. I have tried WD-40 spray on the inside/outside of the
fittings, but this doesn’t seem to do a great job. If I can’t get it
to fit together properly at the show, it will be unstable and the
panels won’t fit into it correctly. Any tips?
Thanks
Kim Starbard
ps. there is a picture of the unit (1075-03) under jewelry cases for
artists on the abtracta website
The Abstracta loosens up over time. Did you buy the special "hammer"
that they sell with it? I needed that to get joints undone at first.
I also carry a long steel rod that fits loosely into the tubes to
use as an internal hammer to knock small parts off the ends. In a few
years, you will have a problem keeping it together, not getting it
apart. Then, use more corner connecters, or drill and tap small
screws to permanently keep some of your parts together.
You could alter the sloped shoulders of the corner connectors with a
file or sander, if you want them to fit looser now.
I don’t know about Abstracta cases - but if getting things to slip
and slide is what’s wanted then WD-40 ain’t the ticket. Its value as
a lubricant is short-lived especially in hot weather. It is really
designed to drive water from surfaces where it might cause rust.
(“WD” stands for “water displacement” )
For ultimate slipperiness try one of the silicon lube sprays on the
market. There are numerous brands. Use sparingly as they can get
things too slippery.
I once created near disaster on a theatre set with the stuff - It was
a play about some kind of high-tech science fiction future envisioned
by the set designer as a world made of platforms of steel gratings
bolted over steel frames - Lovely in its weird way - but it squeaked
like a cathouse bedspring when actors walked over the surfaces.
Silicon spray lube quieted the noise but the cast nearly broke their
legs en masse until we got the danged stuff off the exposed surfaces.
Did you buy the special "hammer" that they sell with it? I needed
that to get joints undone at first. I also carry a long steel rod
that fits loosely into the tubes to use as an internal hammer to
knock small parts off the ends.
I did buy the special hammer, but a couple connectors managed to get
stuck. I’ll try your suggestion with the long steel rod. That seems
like it will really do the trick. Thank you to everyone for the
suggestions.
I also wanted to say that overall, I had a really good experience
dealing with Abstracta. the customer service was excellent and (even
though I have trouble with set-up/take-down) I love the cases
themselves. They are really striking and professional looking when
all put together.
I also wanted to say that overall, I had a really good experience
dealing with Abstracta. the customer service was excellent and
(even though I have trouble with set-up/take-down) I love the cases
themselves. They are really striking and professional looking when
all put together.
I too, love the look of the cases and am considering them. I think
they are a great professional looking base that you can do a lot
with to add your own style without overloading the buyers with “too
much booth design”. That’s important, especially for jewelry. Good to
know that the customer service is good.