Page 1 of 2
What Is This Stuff?
Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2021 8:52 pm
by Frisco The Beagle
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.
Re: What Is This Stuff?
Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2021 11:22 pm
by Curt A
Who knows? Scrape it off and use some clear silicone.
Re: What Is This Stuff?
Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2021 12:14 am
by gramophoneshane
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.
Re: What Is This Stuff?
Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2021 2:45 pm
by Frisco The Beagle
Thanks for the info guys!
Yes, I'll probably go back with silicone or something like that.
Thanks again!
Re: What Is This Stuff?
Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2021 9:09 pm
by VanEpsFan1914
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.
Re: What Is This Stuff?
Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2021 9:50 pm
by Frisco The Beagle
Thanks VanEps! Cool idea on a source for replacement material!
Re: What Is This Stuff?
Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2021 11:42 am
by Frisco The Beagle
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.
Re: What Is This Stuff?
Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2021 3:51 pm
by Inigo
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.
Re: What Is This Stuff?
Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2021 5:23 pm
by poodling around
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 ?
Re: What Is This Stuff?
Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2021 10:51 pm
by Frisco The Beagle
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!