Repair/resto question

kahnjar1 · 8th June 2019, 06:04 AM

There is a product on the market here marketed by Selleys called KNEADIT. It's polymer compound which sets HARD. Available from hardware shops.
Very easy to mix and to position. Can be filed, drilled and generally reworked as one would a piece of any metal.
Stu

Bob A · 8th June 2019, 08:09 AM

A quick look for black pitch came up empty. Pine tar can be had, but it's viscous liquid at room temperature.

Jeweler's red pitch is available, in pound quantities, but it seems to have a 110 degree F melting point, which might be a little low for the intended purpose.

Information on raising melting points would be of interest.

Sealing wax is readily available.

Bob A · 8th June 2019, 05:22 PM

Pictures as requested.

A. G. Maisey · 8th June 2019, 10:04 PM

I'd de-mount/re-mount using damar +bees wax + powdered terracotta.

Bob A · 9th June 2019, 04:37 PM

Dismounting might be a bit problematic. The tang extends through a horn end cap and is peened over. (See picture)

Ebay has a lot of damar, in a wide variety of colors. India seems to supply "black" damar; I suspect it's just in a less refined state than the rest. I am led to believe it is synonymous with Benzoin, an incense of which I have a few ounces left over from the 1960s.

I also assume the melting point would be high enough to prevent problems; stuff seems pretty solid.

A. G. Maisey · 10th June 2019, 01:33 PM

Yes Bob, that peened tang would present a problem.

So patch. This jabung mix can be handled with bare hands, you make up the mix, heat it to fluid, then let it cool down until you can pick up a piece that is just warm enough to handle like putty. Roll a little bit, more than sufficient to fill the hole, between your fingers, push it into the hole, then heat up a little piece of steel, something like a nail, grip it with vice grips, and apply the hot steel to the jabung to melt it and let it penetrate the hole. When it is set, but not yet hard, use a bit of sharp wood to cut off the excess, clean up around the fill with mineral turpentine and a hard toothbrush.

Bob A · 10th June 2019, 04:15 PM

Thanks, Alan.

I'm assuming you're referring to the damar/wax/brick dust mixture as jabung? I'm ordering some damar, and I'll experiment with proportions once it gets here.

Sounds rather like fun, actually, and I certainly appreciate the details in your post. Life becomes much smoother when following the tracks of those gone before.

8th June 2019, 05:22 PM	#3
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 415	Pictures as requested. Attached Images

9th June 2019, 04:37 PM	#5
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 415	Dismounting might be a bit problematic. The tang extends through a horn end cap and is peened over. (See picture) Ebay has a lot of damar, in a wide variety of colors. India seems to supply "black" damar; I suspect it's just in a less refined state than the rest. I am led to believe it is synonymous with Benzoin, an incense of which I have a few ounces left over from the 1960s. I also assume the melting point would be high enough to prevent problems; stuff seems pretty solid. Attached Images

8th June 2019, 06:04 AM	#1
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,730	There is a product on the market here marketed by Selleys called KNEADIT. It's polymer compound which sets HARD. Available from hardware shops. Very easy to mix and to position. Can be filed, drilled and generally reworked as one would a piece of any metal. Stu

8th June 2019, 08:09 AM	#2
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 415	A quick look for black pitch came up empty. Pine tar can be had, but it's viscous liquid at room temperature. Jeweler's red pitch is available, in pound quantities, but it seems to have a 110 degree F melting point, which might be a little low for the intended purpose. Information on raising melting points would be of interest. Sealing wax is readily available.

8th June 2019, 10:04 PM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,746	I'd de-mount/re-mount using damar +bees wax + powdered terracotta.

10th June 2019, 01:33 PM	#6
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,746	Yes Bob, that peened tang would present a problem. So patch. This jabung mix can be handled with bare hands, you make up the mix, heat it to fluid, then let it cool down until you can pick up a piece that is just warm enough to handle like putty. Roll a little bit, more than sufficient to fill the hole, between your fingers, push it into the hole, then heat up a little piece of steel, something like a nail, grip it with vice grips, and apply the hot steel to the jabung to melt it and let it penetrate the hole. When it is set, but not yet hard, use a bit of sharp wood to cut off the excess, clean up around the fill with mineral turpentine and a hard toothbrush.

10th June 2019, 04:15 PM	#7
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 415	Thanks, Alan. I'm assuming you're referring to the damar/wax/brick dust mixture as jabung? I'm ordering some damar, and I'll experiment with proportions once it gets here. Sounds rather like fun, actually, and I certainly appreciate the details in your post. Life becomes much smoother when following the tracks of those gone before.