Slotted Butterfly or Flat Forceps are important in adjusting the spacing of labels on a pin to meet the 3mm minimum spacing. If you move a label up or down you run the risk moving it at an angle and thus friction will make the hole larger and the label will not hold tightly to the pin. This can cause them to rotate out of position making the specimen take up more space than needed or make it harder to read the labels because thee label is hanging at an angle.
Using a slotted forcep can greatly reduce unnecessary wear and tear on labels and allows curation staff to ensure that labels are appropriately spaced so they do not block each other or the specimen. This is especially true now that collections are actively digitizing specimens, which involves transcription of the labels.
Unfortunately, nobody sells slotted forceps. However, it is relatively easy to make your own slotted forceps from a flat forcep (i.e., butterfly or stamp forceps) . Thanks to Michael Wall (SDNHM) for providing specs.
Below is an illustration and description of how to make forceps using a dremel tool.
A. Standard Dremel tool placed in vice. Any Dremel will work, newer units have their own vice grip unit specifically made for a Dremel unit.
B. Close up of reinforced cutting wheel – https://www.amazon.com/Dremel-456-Reinforced-Rotary-Cut-Off/dp/B0006O8RZA/ .
C. Taped forcep ready to cut. You can purchase a couple of different angled1 angled2 flat forceps or a non-angled flat forcep from Amazon, Bioquip or other outlets. They range in price from $5-$10. The angled version is probably more conducive for insect pin label adjustment, to each their own.
D. Forcep before and after being cut.
You can make slotted forceps from flat plastic forceps, but make sure the forceps are warm or they will but into pieces as you run it through. This is still not as nice to use as the metal forceps.
