posted on June 13, 2003 01:15:16 PM new
This is how I was told to test but I don't know if it is a valid method. Rub the surface vigorously with your thumb or finger until it gets warm, then smell it. If it smells like rubber or plastic burning it's supposed to be bakelite. As I said, this may not be true. I know I have felt silly smelling the yard sale items.
posted on June 13, 2003 01:21:37 PM newFormula 401 all purpose cleaner reacts with the phenol in Bakelite so that you will get some yellow on a cloth as with Simichrome Polish, a German metal polish that I prefer!
Just used it on a 40's S&P Shaker set with pos results
There is also the HOT WATER test, in which you run scalding hot tap water over the item for a min or 2 and pos Bakelite will have a distinctive smell -- but I smoke, so everything smells to me like Ralphie's DRAGON BREATH!
Ralphie loves Mr Blonde:
"Are you gonna bark all day little doggie, or are you gonna bite?"
http://tinyurl.com/5duz
[ edited by tomwiii on Jun 13, 2003 01:23 PM ]
posted on June 14, 2003 07:58:17 PM new
I went ahead and listed the shakers I wanted to authenticate. I tried the Simichrome and no color came off on the cloth. I don't have Formula 409 and because of a strange brown paint/stain/something that is applied over part of the shaker, I was afraid to run hot water over it. Maybe I am stubborn or in denial, but I still believe they are bakelite. Their Ebay number is 3228978118. Tell me if I am nuts or not.
posted on June 14, 2003 08:03:10 PM new
They're not bakelite and I doubt they are catalin.
Honestly, I think they were carved out of some sort of exotic nut. I don't think it's manmade at all, except for the green plastic on the bottom.
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posted on June 14, 2003 08:15:07 PM new
An exotic nut? Hmmmm. I see what you are saying. They don't look like a nut down inside to me though. If they are nuts, that would explain the big difference in size. I will let you know what I find out. Someone will know just what they are and email me through Ebay.
posted on June 14, 2003 10:00:39 PM new
Yes, please do let us know. Sometimes this long-distance sleuthing is tantalizing with nothing but pictures to go on.
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California voters: Be a part of the first-ever successful gubernatorial recall! Defy media pundits! $21 million of our money is going down the tubes daily because of our incompetent corrupt governor. Visit http://www.recallgraydavis.com to download your recall petition.
