Cellulose dial straightening. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

yestertech · 23rd Feb 2007, 6:34 pm

Attached is the pic of the dial from my ACT96 - some "tearing" has occured near the slots where the divider bar mounts. I was thinking of heating this in an oven sandwiched between 2 pieces of glass, say, in the hope that I can get the torn areas to lie flat(ter) ready for reassembling onto the bar.

Has anyone successfully done this ?

Ta !
Andy

Ian B · 23rd Feb 2007, 7:54 pm

Hi Andy
I straightened the dial of my AC86 as follows:

Place dial on a piece of thick brown paper on a rigid flat surface, put another piece of brown paper over the top. With an electric iron set to "cotton" using firm pressure keep the iron moving over the dial which should soften slightly and flatten. Immediately place something large, flat and heavy on top (I used 5 or 6 encyclopedias) and leave for a couple of hours to cool.

This won't cure the shrinkage which occurs with age, you'd have to stretch it evenly all round while pliable to do that! So the holes will probably need moving or enlarging slightly.

Good luck!

Ian Blackbourn

23rd Feb 2007, 6:34 pm	#1
yestertech Nonode Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Coulsdon, Surrey, UK. Posts: 2,132	Cellulose dial straightening. Attached is the pic of the dial from my ACT96 - some "tearing" has occured near the slots where the divider bar mounts. I was thinking of heating this in an oven sandwiched between 2 pieces of glass, say, in the hope that I can get the torn areas to lie flat(ter) ready for reassembling onto the bar. Has anyone successfully done this ? Ta ! Andy Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Darren-UK; 12th Sep 2007 at 1:36 pm. Reason: General tidying.

23rd Feb 2007, 7:54 pm	#2
Ian B Hexode Join Date: May 2006 Location: Arlesey, Bedfordshire, UK. Posts: 401	Re: Cellulose dial straightening. Hi Andy I straightened the dial of my AC86 as follows: Place dial on a piece of thick brown paper on a rigid flat surface, put another piece of brown paper over the top. With an electric iron set to "cotton" using firm pressure keep the iron moving over the dial which should soften slightly and flatten. Immediately place something large, flat and heavy on top (I used 5 or 6 encyclopedias) and leave for a couple of hours to cool. This won't cure the shrinkage which occurs with age, you'd have to stretch it evenly all round while pliable to do that! So the holes will probably need moving or enlarging slightly. Good luck! Ian Blackbourn