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Shown above is a mechanical wind up THORENS Shaver, 1958 and fully working. Moulded in Urea Formaldehyde and made in Switzerland...
I've tried it, and yes it works ...but I still prefer a wet shave !!!
HERE ARE A FEW QUICK TIPS REGARDING
BAKELITE IDENTIFICATION, particularly suitable to jewellery ( thanks are due to some of this information obtained from Gale's
Bakelite Guide ):
* Bakelite as a material has substantial quality and weight, not normally found in today's
plastics.
* Cast, liquid resin was used ( not moulded with phenolic powders ), mould lines or seams do not appear.
Good example is Catalin.
* Bakelite was cast into tubes, rods and sheets, which were drilled, carved and sliced
by skilled machinists.
* Catalin and Bakelite are very similar as they are both composed of phenol and formaldehyde.
The main difference however is that Catalin was a poured liquid and Bakelite was moulded from a granular powder.
More Quick tips .......
HOT WATER TEST: Put the piece under hot tap water, if it smells fishy, carbolic..
it could well be BAKELITE....
Smells like mothballs/Vicks vapour rub ( camphor ) ?.. It's CELLULOID....
Smells like burnt milk ? It's CASEIN/GALALITH - A plastic derived from milk products...
If it smells clean,
or like nothing at all It's LUCITE or ACRYLIC .....
SMELL TEST: ....
Phenolic ( Bakelite ) will
usually give off a distinct smell of carbolic acid when wet or warmed. Friction with your thumb on the dry item for 30 seconds
or so can release this distinctive odour....
Below appears an IDENTIFICATION OF PLASTIC
MATERIALS TABLE.
I have listed the Material/Popular Name/Colour/Clarity along with Characteristics/Form and Typical
Examples :
MATERIAL: HARD RUBBER ( Vulcanite, Ebonite )
Typically Black, but also red and ripple mixtures.
Opaque Hard,gives off sulphurous smell if rubbed.
Turns brown when exposed to light.
Machine fabricated
or moulded.
- Vesta boxes, combs, fountain pens and
jewellery. Pink vulcanite was used for
dentures.
********
MATERIAL : SHELLAC ( Florence compound )
Dark brown,
black or red ochre.
Opaque.
Hard and brittle, smells of sealing wax if melted.
Usually moulded.
Decorative
picture frames, 78 rpm gramaphone records, boxes
and Union cases.
********
MATERIAL : CELLULOSE
NITRATE ( Celluloid, Xylonite )
Any colour, including mottles, pearls and special effects.
Transparent, translucent
or opaque.
Usually very thin sheet. Hollow mouldings may be filled with
plaster to add weight.
Thin covering
on mirror backs and other dressing table items. Fountain pens.
*******
MATERIAL : CASEIN ( Erinoid,
Galalith )
Any colour, including mottles, pearls and special effects.
Usually opaque, but some translucency when
used for mock
tortoiseshell and horn.
Hard. Sometimes smells of formaldehyde when placed in water.
Usually
machined to shape, sometimes hot stamped into shallow shapes. Not moulded.
Coloured knitting needles, buttons and propelling
pencils.
*******
MATERIAL : PHENOLIC MOULDING POWDER ( Bakelite )
Usually brown, red, or green
mottle, or plain black or brown
Opaque.
Hard and brittle. The surface is often discoloured brown and
will mark
a tissue rubbed against it. May smell of carbolic when warmed.
Always moulded into shape.
Radio cabinets, ashtrays
and electrical plugs and sockets.
*******
MATERIAL : CAST PHENOLIC RESIN ( Catalin )
Any colour
is possible, but rarely in white or blue.
Often translucent and marbled, seldom transparent and sometimes opaque.
Hard.
The surface is often discoloured brown and will mark a tissue rubbed against it. May smell of carbolic when warmed.
Usually
cut sections of rod, tube etc. Often carved.
Animal napkin rings and carved bangles. Also Carvacraft deskware and some
American radio cabinets.
*******
MATERIAL : AMINO PLASTICS ( Beatl, Bandalasta, Linga - Longa, Beetleware
and Melamine )
Any plain colour, but also marbled or speckled.
Never transparent, but can be translucent and sometimes
marbled like alabaster. Beetleware may be translucent or opaque. Melamine is opaque.
Hard and brittle like Bakelite,
but amino plastics do not discolour with age.
Always moulded to shape.
Bandalasta and Linga - Longa: colourful marbled
picnic ware. Beetleware: pale coloured electrical plugs and sockets. Melamine tough colourful tableware.
*******
MATERIAL : CELLULOSE ACETATE ( Acetate, Bexoid )
Any colour, usually plain, but occasionally marbled.
Transparent,translucent
or opaque.
Tough and slightly soft, may be flexible in thin sections. Often smells of vinegar, especially when warmed.
Normally moulded.
Films, some spectacle frames, Pedigree dolls and some toys.
*******
MATERIAL
: ACRYLIC RESIN ( Perspex, Plexiglas )
Any colour, but pastel colours were popular.
Transparent,translucent or opaque.
Hard, not brittle. Smooth glass like surface that is easily scratched.
Normally fabricated by hot - shaping from sheet,
but can also be moulded.
Shallow dishes, lamps, clocks, and transparent brooches with carving on rear.
*******
MATERIAL : POLYVINYL CHLORIDE ( PVC, Vinyl )
Any colour.
Transparent, translucent or opaque.
Soft and
very flexible, though modern PVCs can be rigid and tough. Surface may feel tacky.
Leathercloth coatings or moulded.
Flexible
squeaky toys, hollow balls, fashion belts and gramaphone records.
*******
MATERIAL : POLYSTYRENE ( Styrene
)
Any colour. Pearl was popular for a while, as were streaky colour effects.
Transparent, translucent or opaque.
Hard
and brittle, but sometimes toughened. Very tinny metallic ring when tapped.
Usually moulded.
Toys, self assembly models
and cheap give aways.
*******
MATERIAL : POLYETHYLENE ( Polythene, Alkathene )
Any colour.
Generally
translucent, but sometimes opaque.
Soft and flexible. Has greasy feel and can be scratched with fingernail.
Usually
moulded.
Air tight food containers, toys and poppit bead necklaces.
*******
Glossary..Plastics Production .. A to Z.
IT'S BAKELITE YOU KNOW !!!! ( WWW.BAKELITEMAN.COM )
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