Fixed a BakeLite handle for fun?

[g3bill]

My moms pressure cooker top handle was broken. I tried just super gluing it before with failure. This time took advice from sites and used a slow set epoxy, i used gel epoxy. After it dried I cut a brass tube to fit the screw hole and glued that in place as thats where it split. Got a very thin brass sheet to glue over the crack next to screw hole then a small brass machine screw to glue into a hole I drilled on opposite side of hole to hold the chipped piece in tight. Screw was cut about 1/8" shy then mixed bakelite drillings with gel to fill hole, looks okay and tried it without failure this time
Yes I could have just bought a handle for $5 but always wondered how to do this fix as theres other bakelite items I've had where a part was too old to find.

 

[g3bill]

Came out Okay? The thin brass sheet is on bottom, had to be thin to miss the bottom handle when twisting the lid on. Next project?

 

[goatfarmer]

nice job!

 

[rp2813]

Yeah, "super" glues have their place, but aren't at all reliable when the repaired area will be subjected to stress or strain.

 

As long as the epoxy you used is rated for high temperatures, your repair should last a while.  My go-to adhesive for this type of thing is JB Weld.  The name says it all.  For jobs of a more aesthetic nature, I use 5-minute epoxy for a quick and easy repair.

 

[g3bill]

Thanks Kenny,

I used PC-Super Epoxy which is a slower setting 15 min Gel, and slow setting was recommended else ware for bonding bakeLite. Guess for the heat should have used JB but I really haven't had good luck many times with it? Think i'm ok as theres only two narrow strips of the bakelite touching the metal lid probably by design to keep handle cool. The gel i used is rated for 200 deg plus and doubt those handles get that hot.

 

[goatfarmer]

I've NEVER had any luck with JB Weld. For whatever reason, it doesn't work for me.