Black plastic to replicate Bakelite

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Black plastic to replicate Bakelite

This topic has 8 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 4 July 2025 at 15:35 by nj111.

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24 June 2025 at 15:30 #804330
Craig Brown
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@craigbrown60096
I make quite a lot of parts for old machinery and equipment. I often have the need to replace Bakelite handles and knobs etc.

Is there a plastic available that comes in black, has good machinability and takes a polish to at least semi gloss, although approaching full gloss would be nice at times?

Acetal/Delrin obviously springs to mind when thinking of a machinable black plastic, but I struggle to get anything that resembles a polish on it. Anybody else had success?

Thanks, Craig
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24 June 2025 at 17:47 #804376
bernard towers
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@bernardtowers37738
If you turn delrin with pcd tips the shine is already there. Ive sent you a pm.
24 June 2025 at 18:44 #804397
MichaelR
Participant
@michaelr
Craig,

There is a post on the site which may help you.

https://www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/topic/polishing-acetal-delrin-and-other-plastics/

MichaelR
24 June 2025 at 19:15 #804399
John Haine
Participant
@johnhaine32865
Try Corian or similar?
24 June 2025 at 22:39 #804438
John Haine
Participant
@johnhaine32865
And just seen a BBC program on National Trust restoration where someone was making “ebony” mouldings using an epoxy putty with black filler to restore a lacquered cabinet – came out very shiny.
25 June 2025 at 08:17 #804456
renardiere7
Participant
@renardiere7
Black Milliput would probably do it.

http://Black Milliput was introduced in response to user demand and can be used for Repairs to antique clocks, Guttering, Ebonised wood, Marble, Slate, Cast iron, Basalt ceramics and black plastic parts in cars (such as bumpers, small handles, buttons and knobs).
25 June 2025 at 08:42 #804459
Roderick Jenkins
Participant
@roderickjenkins93242
My old school clarinet is made from “Ebonite”. A quick google suggests that it is still available and claims that it takes a high polish.

Rod
25 June 2025 at 08:47 #804460
Robert Atkinson 2
Participant
@robertatkinson2
Black acrylic (aka Perspex, Methacrylic, PMMA) would be a good choice.
One oddity about most black acrylic is that it doesn’t block near infrared light. so not good for flags to operate slotted opto switches or light proof enclosures but can be used to hide AV equipment but still allow he remote control to work.

Robert.
4 July 2025 at 15:35 #805904
nj111
Participant
@nj111
Perhaps I can help as at work we are machining transformer cores for offshore wind turbines about 2 metres in diameter. The material is about 50mm thick phenolic sheet – weighs 250kg per sheet. It’s very dark brown in colour and looks very much like Bakelite, and the waste (offcuts) due to shapes required is currently about 800kg every week. Unfortunately this goes to land fill. The pieces are quite large. Might be worth you coming to Gloucestershire to collect as much as you want, it will be free! Nick
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