Well, something of a hornet's nest here - pleased you are all enjoying the
debate.

My 'conclusion' thus far:

1) No one actually knows if the capacitors in question contain PCB's
2) If they do, they may or may not be hazardous even in small amounts

3) Therefo

i) I will test the fluid as described in posts
ii) I will treat them as hazardous material in the meantime


Now where did I put my rubber suit?

Bri





"Phil Nelson" wrote in message
...
If it's such harmless stuff, why has it been banned in the US since 1977?
http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/pcb/

To return to his original point -- why would you want to take a risk, if
you can easily and cheaply avoid it?

If you're concerned about authentic appearance, there were postwar metal
bathtub style capacitors which are actually paper caps, not oil filled. I
found some in my Scott Labs 800B, for instance. Get a junker 800B chassis
and scavenge the bathtub cases to restuff, if they look right and that
suits you. You can also buy new or NOS style bathtub caps in a variety of
values and case styles.

Alternatively, you can puncture the old case and drink what's inside, for
all I care. It's a free country :-)

Go in peace,

Phil Nelson