Japanese ent. equipment?

[Chris Grinter]

Is anyone in Japan, or has access to Japanese entomological suppliers?

Specifically - I saw someone who had returned from Japan with a spreading board box for microlepidoptera. There were 4-5 miniature spreading boards that perfectly fit within a hardwood carrying case. The whole thing was only 9"x12" or even smaller.

I would really love to get one!

Chris
The Skeptical Moth

[nomihoudai]

Hi Chris !

Just in case you don't get any reply for the Japanese ones, I myself use with great pleasure microlepidoptera spreading boards from Entosphinx, it's a Czech company.

From their catalogue, the sizes are: span 3 cm, length 20 cm, groove 2 mm

I attached the pic of them, I do know it is copyright infringuement but I guess it will be ok as I jsut have to tell the people how good these boards are and that I like them =)

Please keep in mind that I do not use them for Microlepidoptera but actually for tiny Geometrids and Arctiidae, like Cisthene subrufa.

You can order them under: www.entosphinx.cz/pins/setting-boards-of-balsa/

Itemnumber 7.10 , the ones made of balsa I don't like that much because they have no space for a conventional 38mm pin. This ones on the other hand do have enough space and the needle is set at 2/3 of height, there is a piece of wood making sure it is always the same height.

Attachments:

[Chris Grinter]

Yes thank you for that link. Those are nice boards - but built for use with standard pins. The Japanese boards I saw were tiny, and for use with minutens...

[nomihoudai]

I have such too, for use with minutens but I don't like them too much.

The problem is they weight nothing, and when you try to raise up a micros wing the whole boards shifts with it. I use the method you use too with the large plastazoate block and I found that one as far to be the best and fastest. ( and cheapest )

[Chris Grinter]

Interesting to hear that, thanks for letting me know! It's hard to resist always wanting to get new equipment...

[dertodesking]

Chris,

I'm afraid that I can't help with your search for these boards but am posting to say how jealous I am of Japanese entomologists - not only do they get the best specimens but it appears that they get the best equipment too!

I suppose it's market forces at play. I was talking to a friend recently who spent some time Japan. He tells me that every town he visited (even the smaller ones) had an entomology store selling equipment, deadstock, livestock etc

Simon

[prillbug2]

I make mine. I cut the edge (1") off of several boards of siding, trim it, then sand it briefly, and then glue and staple the boards to two 12" X 2" boards. The result is: I get anywhere from 5 to six unmovable micro spreading boards capable of handling up to 100 micros. Multiply that by two and you can spread up to 200. That's the solution, not these boards from suppliers. I found them ineffective.
Jeff Prill

[Chris Grinter]

Jeff- the question at hand isn't about getting a spreading board for micros. If I used boards for micros I'd just make them myself (and have). I can slap together a perfectly functional board, but I'm by no means a craftsman. The hardwood case for these mini-boards was really great. Great enough that I'd even consider using boards again for my micros. (if I find it!)

Simon- I agree! Although, I think there is something to be said for us who grow up without. Teaching myself the techniques and building my own gear for years is created many fond memories....(and bad specimens).

[saturniidave]

CHris, is this the kind of thing you mean?
www.watdon.co.uk/the-naturalists/acatalog/Setting_boards.html
Scroll down until you find Setting board travelling cases. They are not cheap but they will take boards the sizes you want though you may have to buy them separately.
Dave

[lepidofrance]

I bought most of my entomological books from a japanese internet entomological supplier. And also some equipment.

Even with the shipping from Japan to France, it's cheaper !

See : kawamo.co.jp/roppon-ashi/index-e.html

Send an email to Mr. Wataru Hibino is very effective:

"Wataru HIBINO((Roppon-Ashi))" <[e-mail]>

[lepidofrance]

And I add that in most cases, received packets are made with great skill and beauty as it takes to tie an obi around a kimono or dial a bouquet of flowers depending esthetics Zen!

[Khalid Fadil]

I've got a friend. He's Chinese, but he goes to Japan quite often and gets all his entomological stuff there. The fact that Japanese have everything is definitely true... and they also have the best and rarest of insects!

[prillbug2]

When I say that spreading boards from suppliers are ineffective, I mean all of them. The solution is to group them together by making them yourself.
Jeff Prill

[downundermoths]

I too deal with Roppon-Ashi for books and journals...Their service is excellent...
Barry

[downundermoths]

...I make all my own settingboards, drying boxes and cabinets... It's an integral and satisfying part of my hobby
Barry