Almost every AC/DC radio on eBay is listed as "Bakelite". Most of them, of course, are plastic. The way I try to tell is to tap on each one. The one's I think are Bakelite sound 'deeper' and the plastic one's sound, well, plastic.
What's a good test?
I'm just wondering.
Terry

The classic test is to stick a needle or pin, red hot into an inconspicuous place. If the needle penetrates, it is thermoplastic, else it is bakelite.

:Almost every AC/DC radio on eBay is listed as "Bakelite". Most of them, of course, are plastic. The way I try to tell is to tap on each one. The one's I think are Bakelite sound 'deeper' and the plastic one's sound, well, plastic.
:What's a good test?
:I'm just wondering.
:Terry
:

:The classic test is to stick a needle or pin, red hot into an inconspicuous place. If the needle penetrates, it is thermoplastic, else it is bakelite.

Good advice. I never thought of that. So let me get this straight, push soldering iron straight into top of set, if shop fills with smoke it's plastic.
Ha Ha
:
::Almost every AC/DC radio on eBay is listed as "Bakelite". Most of them, of course, are plastic. The way I try to tell is to tap on each one. The one's I think are Bakelite sound 'deeper' and the plastic one's sound, well, plastic.
::What's a good test?
::I'm just wondering.
::Terry
::
:

:
:Good advice. I never thought of that. So let me get this straight, push soldering iron straight into top of set, if shop fills with smoke it's plastic.
:Ha Ha
::
how about lighter fluid. like i used to do to my gi, joe's HA HA!

Formula 409 on unpainted bakelite will turn your cloth brown.
::
::Good advice. I never thought of that. So let me get this straight, push soldering iron straight into top of set, if shop fills with smoke it's plastic.
::Ha Ha
:::
:how about lighter fluid. like i used to do to my gi, joe's HA HA!
:

Bakelite is thicker, heavier, harder and more brittle than plastic. It employs a filler, plastic does not. This filler is visible and becomes rough when the finish is worn. Bakelite can be black or brown. Bakelite is resistant to lacquer thinner and acetone. Plastic is not.

: Bakelite is thicker, heavier, harder and more brittle than plastic. It employs a filler, plastic does not. This filler is visible and becomes rough when the finish is worn. Bakelite can be black or brown. Bakelite is resistant to lacquer thinner and acetone. Plastic is not.
:
I've also seen Bakelite painted white, in fact I have an RCA that's been painted white with a few dark spots of Bakelite showing through, and a Stromberg Carlson where almost all of the white paint, except the bottom, has worn off.
Terry
Terry