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Anti-Static Brushes

waynecrider

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I am looking to purchase an anti-static brush to clean my 4x5 and 3x4 film before enlarging and after cutting film down. One has a ground and the other doesn't. Can someone comment on either type and it's abilities.
 

MurrayMinchin

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hypogimp

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I use a Staticmaster brush which works fine as long as the small sealed radioactive source has not decayed. I believe that the source is polonium, which, as an interesting aside, was the material used to fatally poison the Russian in Britain last year. So, as a warning, do not buy many brushes, grind up the sources, and eat it or feed it to someone else! Seriously; there is no health hazzard as long as the brush remains sealed.
 

dslater

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I also have a static master brush - as I remember the polonium insert lasts about 3 months then needs to be replaced.
 

Konical

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Good Evening,

Staticmaster cartridges do need periodic replacement, but the active life of one is well beyond three months. Just check the date when buying.

Konical
 

David A. Goldfarb

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I like the 4" Kinetronics brush, too.
 

dslater

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Good Evening,

Staticmaster cartridges do need periodic replacement, but the active life of one is well beyond three months. Just check the date when buying.

Konical

I did - and the 2 I have bought so far were only good for 3 months - of course who knows how long they were sitting in inventory.
 

Flotsam

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I did - and the 2 I have bought so far were only good for 3 months - of course who knows how long they were sitting in inventory.
I haven't used a Staticmaster in years but this conversation made me curious so I did a quick search and found this: http://www.amstat.com/solutions/staticmaster.html
they indicate that the cartridges should be changed annually.

I don't know how to ensure that you are getting an absolutely fresh one on purchase. They are dated, but what are the chances that you are getting one fresh from the factory?
 
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dslater

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Yes - and since I have to mail-order mine, there's no way for me to check the date before buying. I actually don't use it much anymore - I stick to a squeeze bulb type air blower. I noticed that the static master brush seems to create very fine scratches in the emulsion.