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Other Vintage Household Electrical or Electromechanical Items For discussions about other vintage (over 25 years old) electrical and electromechanical household items. See the sticky thread for details. |
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7th May 2018, 3:24 pm | #1 |
Hexode
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, UK.
Posts: 341
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Smiths type 1 electric clock motor housing - repair or replace?
I am currently facing a dilemma as to whether I should replace or attempt to repair the bakelite housing of a Smiths type 1 electric clock movement. As can be seen from my pictures, all the pieces are there and it has already been subject to a past attempt at repair, which has later failed. To the best of my knowledge, bakelite is not a material that responds all that well to gluing.
One particular consideration in respect of outright replacement is that this particular housing belongs to a wall clock, which means that it has a flange, and this is the part that has mostly come away. Within my spares stash, I do have some type 1 movements, but all have the type of housing used for small mantel clocks and which therefore do not have the flange. One particular problem with the repair option is that I will first have the unenviable task of removing the residual glue from the previous repair. I don't know what type of glue was used, although there is some evidence of cyanoacrylate (superglue). Any thoughts from the clock people, please? Many thanks.
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Regards Ian McLaughlin, BVWS member |
7th May 2018, 4:55 pm | #2 |
Hexode
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK.
Posts: 354
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Re: Smiths type 1 electric clock motor housing - repair or replace?
I would try repairing and gluing with epoxy resin glue.
Regards Robin |
8th May 2018, 7:40 am | #3 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Oxford, UK.
Posts: 17,866
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Re: Smiths type 1 electric clock motor housing - repair or replace?
Hello Ian,
I would certainly have a bash at repairing it, though as you say, removing the residual glue might be problematic. You could try warming it, solvents, fibreglass scratch brushes etc. Unlike you, I believe that broken Bakelite edges can be glued very successfully, both with cyanoacrylate and epoxy resins. I've had a couple of very early 1930s Synchonomains ones whose capsules were well and truly smashed, but which went back together very neatly indeed with superglue. N. |
8th May 2018, 7:54 am | #4 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Shropshire, UK.
Posts: 3,051
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Re: Smiths type 1 electric clock motor housing - repair or replace?
If there's sufficient clearance, I'd reinforce the repair with glass fibre mat.
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8th May 2018, 10:02 am | #5 |
Heptode
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, UK.
Posts: 708
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Re: Smiths type 1 electric clock motor housing - repair or replace?
..or maybe use Playdoh etc to make a mould that is of a larger diameter to the unit with the flange stamped into the top then fill the gap between the unit and mould wall with polyurethane potting and then covering the flange impression at the top. Add some suitable grease into the mould to prevent stick and perhaps bury into the mix some extra reinforcing wire around the screw holes.
Last edited by cheerfulcharlie; 8th May 2018 at 10:14 am. |
10th May 2018, 10:18 am | #6 |
Hexode
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, UK.
Posts: 341
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Re: Smiths type 1 electric clock motor housing - repair or replace?
Thank you, gentlemen! Repair of the original housing will shortly commence.
__________________
Regards Ian McLaughlin, BVWS member |
28th May 2018, 11:32 am | #7 |
Hexode
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, UK.
Posts: 341
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Re: Smiths type 1 electric clock motor housing - repair or replace?
I've now painstakingly removed all of the glue from the earlier repair. Cellulose thinners worked very well to soften it, allowing me to carefully scrape the residue away.
Just wanted to seek opinions on which glue to use for the new repair. Nick mentioned cyanoacrylate and epoxy resins earlier in the thread, but I'm sure I've heard mixed reports about the effectiveness of cyanoacrylate for bakelite repair. Otherwise, I'll probably go for one of the slower drying types of epoxy resin, e.g. Araldite 'Standard'.
__________________
Regards Ian McLaughlin, BVWS member |
28th May 2018, 11:50 am | #8 |
Octode
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 1,453
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Re: Smiths type 1 electric clock motor housing - repair or replace?
I've always found CA to work fine but would go for epoxy where the pieces can be kept in alignment while it cures as it has the advantage of filling any small gaps.
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