Heating load-deformed die-cast plastic parts will often restore them to their
original shape, but don't overdo the heating. This is true of MANY plastics,
but it doesn't hurt to know something of what you're working on before getting
started. This is primarily true of parts still mostly in their "elastic"
region, though I've been surprised at the results involving what I thought to be
hopelessly deformed parts.
Belts with polyester cord in them will shrink when heated to nearly the boiling
point of water. That's not universally true of all belts, however. In cases
where the belt is made of Styrene Butadiene Rubber or Neoprene this should work
in any case. Otherwise hopelessly stretched polyurethane belts have done the
shrinking bit for me as well, when heated.
Dick
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tony Duell" <ard_at_p850ug1.demon.co.uk>
To: <classiccmp_at_classiccmp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, April 04, 2001 2:33 PM
Subject: Re: Ever take a MicroVax through the car wash??
<snip>
> A word of warning. Do not use the water-boiling device often used to
> prepare water for tea/coffee for boiling belts [1]. If you do, said
> drinks will taste odd for weeks afterwards.
>
> [1] Sometimes, a slack rubber drive belt can be improved by putting it in
> boiling water. This is very much a temporary bodge, but if you don't have
> a spare belt and need the device NOW, it may work until you can get the
> new belt.
>
> -tony
>
>
Received on Wed Apr 04 2001 - 20:55:33 BST