Quick Tip- Removing stuck wax from a fragile mica diaphragm:

[Player-Tone]

Some advice if you need to remove stuck sealing wax off a mica diaphragm during a rebuild- let the mica disc sit in isopropyl alcohol for a day or two and it will slide right off with light pressure from a cotton swab. I had some sealing wax that I needed to clean off my diaphragm and this works great.

If you try to scrape the wax off dry you risk peeling the fragile mica surface, especially if it is around the center hole where the needle bar attaches.
-In most cases the old wax will probably flake right off anyway, but if not then this is a great way to remove it and it won’t hurt the mica.

[gramophone78]

Another fast and safe way to remove wax from mica is.....just heat the mica with a lighter for a second and wipe with a small piece of paper towel.
Works great and no alcohol to mess with. Don't forget.....mica is fire proof... .

[HisMastersVoice]

Don't forget.....mica is fire proof... .

Indeed, it has been used for toaster elements for over 100 years...

toaster_element.jpg (39.18 KiB) Viewed 1838 times

And for parlor stove windows for around 200 years!

[Henry]

Speaking of parlor stoves, I have a friend who owns a nice cast-iron parlor stove that needs its mica "windows" replaced, and I have been unable to locate a source. Could anyone here point me in the right direction? Thanks in advance.

[HisMastersVoice]

Speaking of parlor stoves, I have a friend who owns a nice cast-iron parlor stove that needs its mica "windows" replaced, and I have been unable to locate a source. Could anyone here point me in the right direction? Thanks in advance.

http://stovemicasupply.com/
http://www.stovemica.com/
http://www.antiquestoves.com/mica/

[Henry]

Wow, many thanks, HMV!!

My son lives in South Bend/Mishawaka, looks like I could dash right up there to stovemicasupply and find what I need, next time I visit. I might even bring the stove door along with and make sure I get the right stuff!

[Ivor-Duncombe]

One can also fold 2 pieces of tissue paper (or roller towel) to obtain 2 rectangular pads of four thicknesses.

Lay the mica diaphragm down on one of them on a clean hard and smooth surface (i.e, not a soft ironing board - one does not want to flex the diaphragm!).

Lay the second pad over the upper surface of the mica and iron this (sandwich) evenly with an electric iron.

After each stroke of the iron carefully lift the uppermost absorbent pad to see whether or not all of the wax has been removed.

Advantages of this method: less stress on the mica piece due to uneven heating and/or overheating. No discolouration of the mica piece due to "cooking" of any surface dust or dirt, or due to impurities in lighter fuel or gas. No solvent is used which could dissolve surface dirt and help to wash discolorant into faults between between mica laminations.

My name is Owen by the way. I'd like to discover yours if and when we engage in conversation. I find real names easier to use and remember!