Ebonite panel straightening - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

thevalveset · 1st Jul 2008, 8:50 pm

Hi restorers,
I have been given a lovely ebonite? (brown and marbelled) 1/4" thick 1920's looking wireless front panel.
However whilst in lovely condition, no cracks or bits missing and all engraving clear as the day it was written.... there is one big problem.
It has been stored under weight which has put a 'permanent wave' in the panel.
Does anyone have experience in flattening ebonite type panel material?
Gentle oven heat between thick aluminium plates maybe?
This is an exciting find as I have enough junk to reproduce the set if I can rescue the panel
Thanks in anticipation......
Dave

mickjjo · 1st Jul 2008, 10:01 pm

Hi Dave and welcome, I think you might be able to flatten your panel using the old trick for dealing with warped 78 RPM records, place the panel between two sheets of glass and leave it out in the sun for a couple of hours. It was certainly hot enough today!

.

Regards, Mick.

thevalveset · 2nd Jul 2008, 7:29 pm

Thanks Mick,
Sounds good.
Similar idea to my thick aluminium plates and the oven... only greener!
I'll give it a try if no one comes up with having managed to do it somehow!
Anyone else got advice/ideas?
In anticipation.....
Dave

1st Jul 2008, 8:50 pm	#1
thevalveset Tetrode Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 73	Ebonite panel straightening Hi restorers, I have been given a lovely ebonite? (brown and marbelled) 1/4" thick 1920's looking wireless front panel. However whilst in lovely condition, no cracks or bits missing and all engraving clear as the day it was written.... there is one big problem. It has been stored under weight which has put a 'permanent wave' in the panel. Does anyone have experience in flattening ebonite type panel material? Gentle oven heat between thick aluminium plates maybe? This is an exciting find as I have enough junk to reproduce the set if I can rescue the panel Thanks in anticipation...... Dave

1st Jul 2008, 10:01 pm	#2
mickjjo Rest in Peace Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Dartford, Kent, UK. Posts: 1,661	Re: Ebonite panel straightening Hi Dave and welcome, I think you might be able to flatten your panel using the old trick for dealing with warped 78 RPM records, place the panel between two sheets of glass and leave it out in the sun for a couple of hours. It was certainly hot enough today! . Regards, Mick. Last edited by mickjjo; 1st Jul 2008 at 10:23 pm.

2nd Jul 2008, 7:29 pm	#3
thevalveset Tetrode Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 73	Re: Ebonite panel straightening Thanks Mick, Sounds good. Similar idea to my thick aluminium plates and the oven... only greener! I'll give it a try if no one comes up with having managed to do it somehow! Anyone else got advice/ideas? In anticipation..... Dave