Does anyone know of simple guides for identifying materials, I have (somewhere at home) books which identify woods (European use), and textiles (materials and production methods), but I know of nothing which is a simple guide which will help someone with no more technical equipment than a magnet to identify the various irons and steel, aluminium, copper alloy, the various common kinds of plastics, and so on. Ideally, the terms given in the guide would be those in one of the major/commonly used thesauri of material terms - but one can't have everything! With best wishes to all ___ Pat Reynolds - Museums Development Officer - Surrey Museums Consultative Committee - a service jointly funded by the county, district and borough councils [log in to unmask] 130 Goldsworth Road, Woking, Surrey GU12 5LF - 01483 594624 fax 01483 594595