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Old 23rd Dec 2019, 6:09 pm   #2
David G4EBT
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Cottingham, East Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 5,761
Default Re: Reproduction 'Bakelite' Parts

It’s not just about moulds - the materials, chemistry and processes of the production of Bakelite (’Bakelizing’) involves high temperatures and pressures which go way beyond simply pouring plastic into a mould.

If you want to know whether something is Bakelite or plastic, heat a needle and apply it to an inconspicuous part of the item. If it’s Bakelite, it won’t melt.

This link might be of interest:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakelite

I doubt that there are any radio parts such as knobs or trims for which there would be sufficient demand for any manufacturer to be interested in making them in any material - let alone Bakelite. Requests often appear on the forum for knobs for commonplace radios such as DAC90As (probably because inept would-be restorers try to lever the knobs off as that’s can’t see a grub-screw because they don’t know where to find it), and Roberts, (which lose their ‘brights and are a very poor designs which easily fractures). Such commonplace radios are of little value and a set of knobs would cost more than most would wish to pay. (3-D printed Roberts and Hacker knobs were offered for as time at c £15.00 a set of three, but didn’t seem to attract much, if any, interest).

Suppliers such as Ben Djikman in the Netherlands and others supply excellent replacement knobs, usually for radio which are collectible, of high value, and where £30 plus wouldn’t be an obstacle to restorers. The same applies to reproduction dials and replacement backs. Many profess an interest in such things, but few will pay a realistic price. Professionally made replica DAC90A back panels offered some time ago on the forum at £12.00 each, made on a CNC router remained unsold.
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Last edited by David G4EBT; 23rd Dec 2019 at 6:32 pm.
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