Cossor 464 Celluloid scale cover - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

M0TAW Tony · 21st Jun 2007, 8:26 pm

Can someone help please:-
The cover over the dial is made of celluloid, its shrunk a bit but its lugs still engage the cabinet. However its got a 3 or 4 small (2-3 mm) cracks on the top and bottom edges towards the middle. This has caused it to adopt a vertical bend. As this has a lip all the way round I cant easily flatten it. Even if I could, it would go back to its bent shape without doing something about the cracks.
I had thought of gluing two pieces of hard wire top and bottom to get the celluloid to hold its (old) shape. What glue should I use - I dont want to end up dissolving it - a replacement might be difficult to comeby and making one to the required shape virtually impossible.
Thanks
Tony

Mike Phelan · 22nd Jun 2007, 8:06 am

Tony
If it is celluloid (cellulose acetate), you can make cement by dissolving shreds of celluloid in acetone (cellulose thinners).
You can get this from Autopaint - franchises all over UK. Unfortunately only in 5 litre cans - maybe it's scrounge time and a visit to the local body shop.

Any effective plastics glue will actually dissolve the parent material, even at just a molecular level, or it would not work.

M0TAW Tony · 23rd Jun 2007, 2:59 pm

Mike
Thank you for the advice - I'll try some heat first to see if I can 'reset' its shape.
Tony

21st Jun 2007, 8:26 pm	#1
M0TAW Tony Pentode Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Telford Posts: 104	Cossor 464 Celluloid scale cover Can someone help please:- The cover over the dial is made of celluloid, its shrunk a bit but its lugs still engage the cabinet. However its got a 3 or 4 small (2-3 mm) cracks on the top and bottom edges towards the middle. This has caused it to adopt a vertical bend. As this has a lip all the way round I cant easily flatten it. Even if I could, it would go back to its bent shape without doing something about the cracks. I had thought of gluing two pieces of hard wire top and bottom to get the celluloid to hold its (old) shape. What glue should I use - I dont want to end up dissolving it - a replacement might be difficult to comeby and making one to the required shape virtually impossible. Thanks Tony

22nd Jun 2007, 8:06 am	#2
Mike Phelan Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Near Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK Posts: 4,609	Re: Cossor 464 Celluloid scale cover Tony If it is celluloid (cellulose acetate), you can make cement by dissolving shreds of celluloid in acetone (cellulose thinners). You can get this from Autopaint - franchises all over UK. Unfortunately only in 5 litre cans - maybe it's scrounge time and a visit to the local body shop. Any effective plastics glue will actually dissolve the parent material, even at just a molecular level, or it would not work. __________________ Mike.

23rd Jun 2007, 2:59 pm	#3
M0TAW Tony Pentode Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Telford Posts: 104	Re: Cossor 464 Celluloid scale cover Mike Thank you for the advice - I'll try some heat first to see if I can 'reset' its shape. Tony