So I'm kinda new in the radio gig. I've pretty much restored three radios. I picked up a Emerson CF 225. i understand these are rare because the bakelite was ore fragile then ever. mine complete except for a large piece out of one side. i was wondering if they make replacement bakelite radio bodies or if I'm just going to have to live with it????

thanks

:So I'm kinda new in the radio gig. I've pretty much restored three radios. I picked up a Emerson CF 225. i understand these are rare because the bakelite was ore fragile then ever. mine complete except for a large piece out of one side. i was wondering if they make replacement bakelite radio bodies or if I'm just going to have to live with it????
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:thanks
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Hey Seth, as far as I know there are no replacement cabinets, You will either have to repair the one You have or find a parts radio with a good cabinet, typically those repaired cabinets are painted to hide the repair, bakelite is not easy to glue, and I cant even suggest what to use.

Just Google search for Bakelite radio repair. I have done Bondo repairs with some success.

That's a cute little radio. Stress cracks in Bakelite can be repaired with JB Weld and hobby putty, sanding, primer...etc... then it has to be painted. Missing panel chunks/pieces are much more difficult to repair, usually not worth the learning curve in the results. usual rule is to buy

That's a cute little radio. Stress cracks in Bakelite can be repaired with JB Weld and hobby putty, sanding, primer...etc... then it has to be painted. Missing panel chunks/pieces are much more difficult to repair, usually not worth the learning curve/time. My usual rule is to buy Bakelite radios only if they are crack-free, unless it is a rare set.

::So I'm kinda new in the radio gig. I've pretty much restored three radios. I picked up a Emerson CF 225. i understand these are rare because the bakelite was ore fragile then ever. mine complete except for a large piece out of one side. i was wondering if they make replacement bakelite radio bodies or if I'm just going to have to live with it????
::
::thanks
::
:Hey Seth, as far as I know there are no replacement cabinets, You will either have to repair the one You have or find a parts radio with a good cabinet, typically those repaired cabinets are painted to hide the repair, bakelite is not easy to glue, and I cant even suggest what to use.
:Bakelite is very easy to repair, but you have to be VERY,VERY careful to get the pieces to line up as perfect as you can. Once they're in place, DO NOT MOVE them. In other words, make sure the clamp is very secure. The glue to use is ----J B WELD----. It is available at local hardware stores,about 6 to 8 Dollars a twin-pak. The epoxy takes about two to three days to harden and is EXTREMELY strong. In fact if you read the back of the pack,some testomonial is stated for even CAR engines. Try it. Also test fit the pieces before you epoxy, because once the bond is set up,Even the TINYEST movement DESTROYS the bond. It is EXTREMELY sensitive to movement until dried. I've used it before and it is almost stronger than the original bakelite.To fix the hole in the side,take a piece of soft plastic. It works well. Use waxed paper on the inside of the cabinet. Over that put a piece of something hard for a backup. Then fill the hole with the epoxy and smooth out the best you can. Don't be concerned if it is a little rough, it is very easily toolable, but EXTREMELY strong. It was used to seal a cracked block in an engine. It has a very high melting point. Next use a sanding type of tool and smooth the best you can. Then paint. Now you won't be kept up at night! I found J B WELD in a small town hardware store.

:::So I'm kinda new in the radio gig. I've pretty much restored three radios. I picked up a Emerson CF 225. i understand these are rare because the bakelite was ore fragile then ever. mine complete except for a large piece out of one side. i was wondering if they make replacement bakelite radio bodies or if I'm just going to have to live with it????
:::
:::thanks
:::
::Hey Seth, as far as I know there are no replacement cabinets, You will either have to repair the one You have or find a parts radio with a good cabinet, typically those repaired cabinets are painted to hide the repair, bakelite is not easy to glue, and I cant even suggest what to use.
::Bakelite is very easy to repair, but you have to be VERY,VERY careful to get the pieces to line up as perfect as you can. Once they're in place, DO NOT MOVE them. In other words, make sure the clamp is very secure. The glue to use is ----J B WELD----. It is available at local hardware stores,about 6 to 8 Dollars a twin-pak. The epoxy takes about two to three days to harden and is EXTREMELY strong. In fact if you read the back of the pack,some testomonial is stated for even CAR engines. Try it. Also test fit the pieces before you epoxy, because once the bond is set up,Even the TINYEST movement DESTROYS the bond. It is EXTREMELY sensitive to movement until dried. I've used it before and it is almost stronger than the original bakelite.To fix the hole in the side,take a piece of soft plastic. It works well. Use waxed paper on the inside of the cabinet. Over that put a piece of something hard for a backup. Then fill the hole with the epoxy and smooth out the best you can. Don't be concerned if it is a little rough, it is very easily toolable, but EXTREMELY strong. It was used to seal a cracked block in an engine. It has a very high melting point. Next use a sanding type of tool and smooth the best you can. Then paint. Now you won't be kept up at night! I found J B WELD in a small town hardware store.
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Thank You Raymond, I do have a few bakelite radios with broken pieces, once I had finished repairing the chassis and was cleaning the cabinet wich was in great shape, till i dropped the dam thing and shattered one of the front corners, oops!!!