Wait, you had to do coffee runs for three years before getting hands on? That's wild to me. I mean, I get that unions have rules and all, but that just sounds like a huge waste of your early career. Honestly, it makes sense your real learning didn't start until way later if you were stuck on paperwork that whole time. The 5,000 hour mark feels about right for most people I've talked to in this trade. Were you at least able to watch people work during those three years or were you totally in the dark?

Bet half the people walking ended up beating the bus there.

Yeah, that part about "the light trap was basically non-existent" hit home. I got a "vintage" stainless steel tank from a random camera shop once, and the lid was definitely some kind of cheap zinc alloy that started flaking after a few uses. @leog68 you're right about the plastic Patterson tanks too. I had one where the ridges wore down and then the reels would just slip around inside, total waste of chemicals. It's crazy how many of these things are out there with zero quality control.

Have you thought about what kind of storage conditions might have caused that glue to dry out in the first place? I had a similar issue with an old Marvel Masterworks volume where the binding just crumbled, and a bookbinder told me heat and low humidity are the real killers for these older glued bindings. He said keeping them in a cooler spot (like a basement, as long as it's dry) can slow down that breakdown a lot. Mine has held up fine since I moved it away from direct sunlight and my radiator, even with normal page turning. Might be worth checking where you store your books before you shell out for another repair.

Actually, Antique Electronic Supply was sold to another company back in 2020 and they don't carry the same inventory they used to. Most of the cloth-covered wire they had is gone now, which is a real shame. I'd check with Radio Daze or even some vintage audio restoration shops for a better chance at the real thing.