Bakelite crack repair - what is best epoxy? - Printable Version

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+--- Thread: Bakelite crack repair - what is best epoxy? (/showthread.php?tid=25271)

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Bakelite crack repair - what is best epoxy? - de371 - 09-23-2024

Starting on a Philco 48-1401 Boomerang radio/phonograph.  It has one crack on the left side running from the speaker opening to and through the front edge.  I will be able to clamp it side to side, but the crack will remain about 1/16" and will need to be filled.

I'd really like to only do this once, so I'm looking for recommendations for the best epoxy and practice to use.

I plan to finish the repair with a patch underneath using some fiberglass cloth covered with the epoxy.

I'd appreciate your feedback.

73

Bob
de371

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RE: Bakelite crack repair - what is best epoxy? - RodB - 09-23-2024

JB Weld. I use the 5 minute for short gaps and 30 minute for longer ones.

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RE: Bakelite crack repair - what is best epoxy? - Arran - 09-23-2024

I always used two part epoxy, the 24 hour cure stuff is stronger, it's also clear, JB Weld is usually grey. I haven't found fiberglass cloth to be necessary for repairing a crack, though it would be with filling a large chip or hole.
Regards
Arran

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RE: Bakelite crack repair - what is best epoxy? - DaleHCook - 09-24-2024

I'm with Arran, but I use even stronger epoxy with a 72 hour cure. It is sold to knife makers for bonding wooden handles to knife tangs, eliminating the need for fasteners.

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RE: Bakelite crack repair - what is best epoxy? - de371 - 09-25-2024

Thanks everyone. I appreciate you sharing your experience and looks like I'll work with the 24 hr two part clear epoxy. The crack is a full break about 4 inches long. The front edge will mate perfectly but there was a loss of bakelite "dust" along the rest of the length which will keep a crack about 1/16" or less. The two part clear should help to fill it in.

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