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Anyone know when the last printed Tower Hobbies catalog was?

2018




Last catalog is the first book on the bottom row.

Wow, that brings back some memories.

Dangeruss wrote: ↑Wed Sep 06, 2023 4:42 pm 2018




Last catalog is the first book on the bottom row.

Very nice collection, now if you’d be a pal and upload them all to the scans section

MarkyDents wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 8:48 am Very nice collection, now if you’d be a pal and upload them all to the scans section

Ha... I wonder... how long would it take to upload 35 years worth of catalogs???

Vision of Mr. Owl and his Tootsie Pop come to mind

35 years is my guess...

Coelacanth wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 1:59 pm 35 years is my guess...

Ok... THAT... actually made me laugh out loud!

Several years ago I decided I was going to buy various R/C catalogs and publications to be scanned and made available here. The idea behind it was to promote the site as every page would be watermarked. I went a bit overboard and have obtained a massive amount. I'm overwhelmed by the mere thought of tackling it so everything sits in boxes in the basement. I even bought a heavy duty paper guillotine to cut the bindings off. I still need to buy a scanner which I haven't done yet since I can't start anyway until I finish my new computer... That's also been sitting the the basement for the last 3 years.

The reason for this post is to say that I have the majority of '80s and '90s Tower catalogs which will likely be the starting point if I ever get around to doing this.

Dangeruss wrote: ↑Wed Sep 06, 2023 4:42 pm 2018




Last catalog is the first book on the bottom row.

Wow, I so want to flip through the pages of some of these for ol' time sake.

Lowgear wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 4:18 pm I even bought a heavy duty paper guillotine to cut the bindings off.

That's just heartbreaking to think about. Love the idea... just not the... execution.

I look at it as a sacrifice for the greater good. I think most will feel that the end justifies the means. Don't get me wrong though, I wish there was an easier way where I didn't have to scan each page front and back manually on a flatbed scanner. That is a monumental task that will take forever.

I initially thought I could simply cut the bindings off, place the stack of pages in a document scanner, press a button, and it'll blow through them. Then I found out they can't handle the thin (and old) pages without placing them individually in carrier sheets.

I also researched book scanners like the CZUR line for example which seemed promising. I forget what the problem specifically was but I think they were designed more for text only. Plus you have to hold down every page as flat as you possibly can using little page pressers, and then it has to edit them out, and attempt to flatten the pages the rest of the way digitally. It ended up not being any faster than just using a flatbed scanner, and with poorer results.

Lowgear wrote: ↑Fri Sep 08, 2023 4:48 am ... a monumental task that will take forever.

That is a very true statement indeed.

I agree, they really don't make a scanner that allows for expedient transfer of books. Cutting the binding to use a flatbed is still the quickest way which, is kind of shocking in the transfer-everything-to-digital era. Shame they don't make a photo box for magazines like they do for negatives. Click, flip, click, flip, click... wait, did I flip?...

Though, get to thinking about the number of issues you have to transfer and how long each would take from disassembly to scanning, merging, and... yep, still in boxes.

It isn't perfect, but my Samsung Galaxy phone and tablet both have scan functions in the camera settings. It automatically adjusts and crops the page. It does take a little getting used to.

Not ideal for a full catalog but it would work okay for sections.