Friday Finds- How I Test for VINTAGE BAKELITE

Hi Friends!

 On Friday I had some time to go THRIFTING !

I went over to GOOD WILL and saw these lovelies....so excited....75 cents each!

I knew right away they were Bakelite-

Looks like plastic-

 BAKELITE was the first plastic made from synthetic components.

 It is a thermo-setting phenol formaldehyde resin, formed from a condensation reaction of phenol with

 formaldehyde. It was developed by the Belgian-American chemist Leo Baekeland in

Yonkers, New York, in 1907.

  It was resistant to heat and would not conduct electricity, so it was a really good insulator—which

made it particularly useful in the automotive and electrical industries emerging in the early 1900s.

You can easily find examples on vintage lamps, toaster handles, and electrical cords.

Later uses were endless, but the most popular is still jewelry.

Note: Although it is thought to be safe, I am not crazy about the formaldehyde-

I would not let children play with this jewelry

because it ends up in the mouth!

I am by no means an expert in any way!

 I'm going to give you a few ways I use to test-

I hope this is helpful to you-

Test by sound-

 Bakelite has a distinct sound. Two bangles will make deep "clunk" instead of a light high pitch

sound.

Test by weight-

Bakelite has a dense feel and heavier than plastic or Celluloid.

Test by smell-

Yes, Bakelite has a distinct odor. Hold object in hand and vigorously rub the same spot with your thumb.

The warming of that spot will release a formaldehyde smell. It will also smell if tested in hot water.

Do not test in water if metal or wood are present. They could become damaged.

Test by sight-

Bakelite- You may say ''I know it when I see it''

Check for nicks and imperfections in carved areas- These are fine!

Pin backings are attached by screws or rivets  not glued!

  

Test by using more than one method !

You can also test with Baking Soda-

Simichrome polish is a popular to test.

You can discreetly check and item before purchasing- always ask permission.

Some say you can use 409 Cleaner to test.....

but....never tried it.

I prefer to use baking soda- It's cheap, safe, easy and I never have to worry about

damaging anything I am testing.

Just add about a Tbsp. to a bowl, and another bowl with a Tbsp. of water

You are also going to need a cotton swab- 1 per item to test.

Wet the cotton swab and dip into the baking soda.

Let's test!

Just rub the swab on the object-

Yes! The cotton swab will turn yellow if it's Bakelite.

My mixed knife collection- Yes!

Some kitchen gadgets- Yes!

Dice- Yes!

some buttons

An Engagement ring box

Yes!

I knew the radio was a yes!

It was a previous purchase at the GOOD WILL. 

It had power but needed some work.

My Dad found some old tubes and fixed this for me.

It works great!

Yes!

Sometimes you can find Bakelite hardware.

My husband refinished this Hoosier cabinet with milk paint we

kept the original hardware because it was Bakelite.

I am still missing one handle.....someday I hope to find one.

Yes!

 It's fun to test....but really who cares!

If you love it, it has value to you.

So have fun THRIFTING!

XO Lisa S