What Is This Stuff?

Frisco The Beagle · Post by **Frisco The Beagle** » Sat Mar 13, 2021 8:52 pm

Working on a rescue VV-IV:
What is the material used to seal (?) the cast iron amplifier to the assembly of wood slats? It sorta seems like wax, but is more brittle.

Curt A · Post by **Curt A** » Sat Mar 13, 2021 11:22 pm

Who knows? Scrape it off and use some clear silicone.

gramophoneshane · Post by **gramophoneshane** » Sun Mar 14, 2021 12:14 am

I've come across this before, and it's only a guess but I think it's some sort of hide glue variant because it was water soluble.

Frisco The Beagle · Post by **Frisco The Beagle** » Sun Mar 14, 2021 2:45 pm

Thanks for the info guys!
Yes, I'll probably go back with silicone or something like that.
Thanks again!

VanEpsFan1914 · Post by **VanEpsFan1914** » Sun Mar 14, 2021 9:09 pm

I don't know how I missed this. It's wax--think beeswax. You can get the wax rings people use to install a flush commode, and use that--or make friends with a beekeeper. This stuff is superb for the job & risks no damage to the wood.

Frisco The Beagle · Post by **Frisco The Beagle** » Sun Mar 14, 2021 9:50 pm

Thanks VanEps! Cool idea on a source for replacement material!

Frisco The Beagle · Post by **Frisco The Beagle** » Wed Mar 17, 2021 11:42 am

I went ahead and used wax as suggested by VanEps, and am very happy with the results. I used a putty knife to scrape small amounts of wax off the ring and then forced it into the gap between the cast iron horn and wood slats assembly. The wax ring cost under $3.00 at a local hardware.

Post by **Inigo** » Wed Mar 17, 2021 3:51 pm

Nice work! I did mine once, using paper strips embedded in white polyvinyl glue. The last one I fitted, I cannot remember
What I did... Maybe strips of felt trapped between the wood and metal. This solution of waxing the joint is more elegant.

Post by **poodling around** » Wed Mar 17, 2021 5:23 pm

Frisco The Beagle wrote: ↑Wed Mar 17, 2021 11:42 am I went ahead and used wax as suggested by VanEps, and am very happy with the results. I used a putty knife to scrape small amounts of wax off the ring and then forced it into the gap between the cast iron horn and wood slats assembly. The wax ring cost under $3.00 at a local hardware.20210316_140859.jpg20210316_140916.jpg20210316_140923.jpg20210316_141648.jpg

Very impressive indeed. I will copy this idea I think.

Did you have to heat the beeswax at all I wonder ?

Frisco The Beagle · Post by **Frisco The Beagle** » Wed Mar 17, 2021 10:51 pm

Thank you for the kind words gents!
The wax ring was probably around 60-70 degrees (Fahrenheit) when I was using it, perhaps about as stiff as refrigerated butter. I did not have to heat it at all. It was possible to slice or scrape a small amount with a putty knife and force it into the gap. Very easy to work with!

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