Televel gauge "repair of small chip in Bakalite case ?"

If you use 2 part epoxy ( which is what I’d use ) , use the longest setting time one – usually 24hrs . It sets ” harder ” and more ridgid than the 5 min ones , and so sands better . The others tend to stay a little soft and flexable . You just need to build a little ” dam ” from tape and plastic card to stop the glue running whilst setting .

If you use 2 part epoxy ( which is what I’d use ) , use the longest setting time one – usually 24hrs . It sets ” harder ” and more ridgid than the 5 min ones , and so sands better . The others tend to stay a little soft and flexable . You just need to build a little ” dam ” from tape and plastic card to stop the glue running whilst setting .

A1 ………..

Bakelite is a phenol formaldehyde thermosetting resin.

As pointed out by FA in msg# 2 Bakelite is a thermosetting resin and therefore cannot be remelted. Once set, that is it, the resin will not soften with heat unlike thermoplstic materials such as polythene etc……

Planemike

A1 ………..

Bakelite is a phenol formaldehyde thermosetting resin.

As pointed out by FA in msg# 2 Bakelite is a thermosetting resin and therefore cannot be remelted. Once set, that is it, the resin will not soften with heat unlike thermoplstic materials such as polythene etc……

Planemike

If it was mine, I’d melt some of the Bakelite from the busted cases on the end of a soldering iron, and transfer the molten stuff into the area to be repaired. Wait until it cools off, then sand down with some fine wet & dry paper, and then polish with a metal polish like Solvol…

If it was mine, I’d melt some of the Bakelite from the busted cases on the end of a soldering iron, and transfer the molten stuff into the area to be repaired. Wait until it cools off, then sand down with some fine wet & dry paper, and then polish with a metal polish like Solvol…

Many thanks for all your suggestions. Not sure which one I will try yet, but might trial run some of them on some busted WW2 cases I have.

Cheer’s.
Bob T.

Many thanks for all your suggestions. Not sure which one I will try yet, but might trial run some of them on some busted WW2 cases I have.

Cheer’s.
Bob T.

Have a Spitfire UC selector front plate that is bent and cracked..Hot water to straighten then repair with epoxy?

Have a Spitfire UC selector front plate that is bent and cracked..Hot water to straighten then repair with epoxy?

Sylmasta are a company that supply materials for restoring and repairing ceramic, plastics etc. I would think the best material for Bakelite repairs would be a two part epoxy putty. Sylmasta have several such putties recommended for various purposes. Probably their A+B Coloured Epoxy Putty would suit you.They will even mix it to a particular colour if you wish but I expect that will come at a price.

Micro-Mesh was originally developed for the restoration and repolishing of plastics. It is about the best there is for that purpose but again a bit pricey.

http://sylmasta.com/acatalog/Sylmasta_A_B_Epoxy_Putty_Range.html

http://sylmasta.com/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Micro_Mesh_Finishing_Kits_88.html

Sylmasta are a company that supply materials for restoring and repairing ceramic, plastics etc. I would think the best material for Bakelite repairs would be a two part epoxy putty. Sylmasta have several such putties recommended for various purposes. Probably their A+B Coloured Epoxy Putty would suit you.They will even mix it to a particular colour if you wish but I expect that will come at a price.

Micro-Mesh was originally developed for the restoration and repolishing of plastics. It is about the best there is for that purpose but again a bit pricey.

http://sylmasta.com/acatalog/Sylmasta_A_B_Epoxy_Putty_Range.html

http://sylmasta.com/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Micro_Mesh_Finishing_Kits_88.html

My main repairs are A.M mounting ears that somehow get smashed off,
I use plasticine to make a mold, using a good corner,use the smallest
drill bit I can find and put angled holes about 2mm…if needed. Some
high tensile fine rod put in the holes to help reinforce the area,then
use body filler…locate the gauge squarely over mold.
Trim it up when dry with files and a bit of wet&dry…paint black etc.
Accurate and fast!
Good Luck
Mike

My main repairs are A.M mounting ears that somehow get smashed off,
I use plasticine to make a mold, using a good corner,use the smallest
drill bit I can find and put angled holes about 2mm…if needed. Some
high tensile fine rod put in the holes to help reinforce the area,then
use body filler…locate the gauge squarely over mold.
Trim it up when dry with files and a bit of wet&dry…paint black etc.
Accurate and fast!
Good Luck
Mike

JB Weld do a good range of adhesives there might be something off the shelf for exactly this type of job.

JB Weld do a good range of adhesives there might be something off the shelf for exactly this type of job.

but he has got away with using Araldite resin, mixed with some black paint. .

Should have mentioned that I am a chemist – Araldite is a trade name of a 2 part epoxy resin – as mentioned above.

The epoxy group is in the clear part and the triamine compound is in the smelly darker second part.

but he has got away with using Araldite resin, mixed with some black paint. .

Should have mentioned that I am a chemist – Araldite is a trade name of a 2 part epoxy resin – as mentioned above.

The epoxy group is in the clear part and the triamine compound is in the smelly darker second part.

I’ve had a word with a friend of mine who repairs and restores old radios. He’s restored a number of radios with bakelite cases.

With scratches and other small surface blemishes, he uses 1000g wet n’ dry with plenty of water, over a larger area than the scratch.
Then polishes with T-cut or even better Baco Polish which gives a lovely finish.

Filling chips is a bit more of a problem, but he has got away with using Araldite resin, mixed with some black paint. It’s one of those things you would need to experiment with.

I’ve had a word with a friend of mine who repairs and restores old radios. He’s restored a number of radios with bakelite cases.

With scratches and other small surface blemishes, he uses 1000g wet n’ dry with plenty of water, over a larger area than the scratch.
Then polishes with T-cut or even better Baco Polish which gives a lovely finish.

Filling chips is a bit more of a problem, but he has got away with using Araldite resin, mixed with some black paint. It’s one of those things you would need to experiment with.