Hi. I'm a ceramics and glass conservator and am looking for a material that I can use as a dowel for the arm of this broken chandelier and wondered if anyone from the mount makers forum had any clever ideas. I have specialist resins that I can use to bond the sections but wanted something that would act as an internal support to give additional strength. The arm is hollow and has a cavity that it approximately 4mm wide. I'm considering using a carbon fibre rod but ideally I would like something that I can shape to follow the curve of the arm which would give a more aesthetic finish. The material would have to be inert, not corrode and would not be too expensive - am I asking too much! Thanks p.s I heard about your forum via a talk that Phil Jell from the British Museum gave to ICON.
What about a clear Polycarbonate rod? There's Polycarbonate plastic rod available that is a slightly smaller diameter (1/8" - 3.175 mm).
https://www.mcmaster.com/7889A92/color~clear/diameter~1-8/
Best,
BJ
Is it possible to use PVA AYAC to form an internal structure? What adhesive are you using for the repairs? Hxtal?
I'm assuming that you'd want a translucent material for the internal rod support. Which does limit options. Thus the PVA idea. Or maybe you can inject a two-part clear epoxy into the arm once it's been adhered with a syringe.
Just thinking out loud for you. What if you took some 6mil Mylar or thicker if you have it and roll it up as a tube. Stick that clear Mylar tube in one of the broken ends of the glass and use your special resin to hold that in place. Once dry you will have a flange protruding that can be inserted into the other broken end. I don't know if this will work but, it will give you more surface area for your special resin to make contact.
Just a thought... thanks for the brain game.