Ah' the
Altman Binder... got two 3" thick versions of it, mine I compiled and the shop's sent to them before I got there. Has all the various pamphlets, price lists and exploded pictorials for like the last 20 or 30 years.
At times it is useful to have the
binder and especially with it the price list when debating with them... what happened to this part... it used to exist, what is it now? This as opposed to even having the website with most-not all exploded pictorials on it and of them such pictures often updated, such parts diagrams often don't jive with the Excell version of the
current parts parts price list. Catalog also had info on every item, website at times doesn't really have much info about what a part is. That and on the webiste it is often difficult to find stuff especially the little jewels of notes not on the website or at least easy to find such as
bench focus notes.
Binders/catalogs, I still use them almost as much as websites. Depends upon what I'm looking for and how much easier it would be to go
thru a catalog than a website in searching. GE's low
voltage/miniature lamp catalog for instance... try searching for a HPR-52 or #268 lamp on
line.
Lots of catalogs/binders in hard copy and a well inexed weblist are one's best friend. Some things are best or easiest on
line, others best
thru catalog. Looking for some T&B
strain relief part numbers today and some
Hubbell electrical boxes. Much easier by catalog. Even at times if thumbing
thru in looking for something but not finding it as easily on
line, my McMaster hard copy gets pulled out and I can find it.