Drafting Set Mystery Material

Discussion in 'Tools' started by Wakelessfoil, Aug 7, 2020.

  1. Wakelessfoil

    Wakelessfoil New Member

    I work in a machine shop where we deal with many antique tools and machine tools. We recently uncovered this drafting/drawing set and we wish to clean it up a little and restore it to some degree (getting rid of the rust and tarnished look). But the black handles on some of the tools are made of a material that we can’t identify, thus we can’t go forward with restoring the set as we don’t know what kind of chemicals will hurt/degrade the mystery material. It kind of feels like the surface of a birthday candle but less waxy. If anyone has any clue as to what this material could be please help out. Much thanks!
     

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    Wakelessfoil, Aug 7, 2020
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  2. daveydempsey

    daveydempsey Moderator Moderator

    Depending on age it could be Bakelite or
    Cellulose Nitrate.

    I get many of these sets over here.

    When I was at school they were called Technical drawing tools.

    No one buys them, they get recycled.
     
    daveydempsey, Aug 7, 2020
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  3. gregsglass

    gregsglass Well-Known Member

    Hi,
    Try Bakelite sounds like the old fashioned electric pug covers they were usually brown not black.
    greg
     
    gregsglass, Aug 7, 2020
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  4. terry5732

    terry5732 Well-Known Member

    Hard rubber with fiber fill

    There are so many pristine sets out there I cannot see it being worth 'restoring' a cruddy one
     
    terry5732, Aug 7, 2020
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    judy likes this.
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