SMP Logo
SM Publications
Silver Salon Forums - The premier site for discussing Silver.
SMP | Silver Salon Forums | SSF - Guidelines | SSF - FAQ | Silver Sales


The Silver Salon Forums
Since 1993
Over 11,793 threads & 64,769 posts !!

General Silver Forum



Silver Salon internal search
or

REGISTER (click here) How to Post Photos


customtitle open  SMP Silver Salon Forums
tlineopen  General Silver Forum
tline3open  Can it be fixed?

Post New Topic  Post A Reply
profile | register | preferences | faq | search

ForumFriend SSFFriend: Email This Page to Someone! next newest topic | next oldest topic
Author Topic:   Can it be fixed?
chase33

Posts: 362
Registered: Feb 2008

iconnumber posted 12-28-2011 07:03 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for chase33     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Hi All

Hope everyone is having a great holiday season!

I have the opprtunity to purchase a pair of candlesticks and need some opinions. They have a sterling top and bottom that are pierced and very ornate (circa 1890-1900). The center section on each is a tapered crystal cylinder with (I think) wheel-cut engraving. Unfortunately, the tops and bottoms have come apart from the crystal cylinders. The cylinders are not broken. Do you think these can be repaired? I know that superglue was tried on one of them and it did seem to hold. So to purchase and repair or just wait? They really are a cool pair of candlesticks that I would love to have but the "damage" kinda scares me.

Any opinions would be greatfully accepted.

Robert

IP: Logged

Marc

Posts: 414
Registered: Jun 2002

iconnumber posted 12-28-2011 07:20 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Marc     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Hi there,

Easily repairable if all that is wrong is what you say.. And if inexpensive, and you like them, they need to be purchased.

IP: Logged

jersey

Posts: 1203
Registered: Feb 2005

iconnumber posted 12-28-2011 08:30 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for jersey     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Hello Robert,

Just my thought, but I would also consider if the manufacturer has a good name. That would influence me.

Jersey

IP: Logged

chase33

Posts: 362
Registered: Feb 2008

iconnumber posted 12-28-2011 09:01 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for chase33     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Yes the manufacturer is Shreve and that is one thing that makes me lean towards buying them.

IP: Logged

jersey

Posts: 1203
Registered: Feb 2005

iconnumber posted 12-28-2011 10:42 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for jersey     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Hello again.

That's great! Now I have another question for you.

Are not the glass insert supposed to separate from the candlesticks?

Maybe I'm not to bright but mine do.
Is this different?

Thank you for your time. I hope I'm not sounding too dumb. Good luck & go with your heart!

BTW
Happy New Year!

IP: Logged

chase33

Posts: 362
Registered: Feb 2008

iconnumber posted 12-28-2011 10:54 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for chase33     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Hi Jersey

No these aren't inserts per se. They are the columns between the silver tops and the silver bases. Looking at them, I would venture to say they were originally "glued" into the bases and tops. I wish I had pictures so that you coould really see how they look.

And Happy New Year to you and everyone else as well.

IP: Logged

jersey

Posts: 1203
Registered: Feb 2005

iconnumber posted 12-28-2011 11:12 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for jersey     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Robert,
Now you have to get them so I can see what they
Look like.....I'm intrigued!....buy, if you feel it's what is
right for you! They sound great!

Jersey

IP: Logged

argentum1

Posts: 602
Registered: Apr 2004

iconnumber posted 12-28-2011 11:41 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for argentum1     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
From what I have seen items such as these usually have a white cementascous material binding them togeather. If I error someone should feel free to correct me.

IP: Logged

agleopar

Posts: 850
Registered: Jun 2004

iconnumber posted 12-30-2011 06:28 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for agleopar     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Most of the time glass is joined to silver with Gypsum plaster, or Plaster of Paris. It is one of the easier repairs!

IP: Logged

chase33

Posts: 362
Registered: Feb 2008

iconnumber posted 12-30-2011 10:00 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for chase33     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
That sounds kinda promising. Is it a repair I can do at home or should I try to find someone to do it for me?

IP: Logged

jersey

Posts: 1203
Registered: Feb 2005

iconnumber posted 01-18-2012 11:01 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for jersey     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Hi Robert !

Did you get the candleholders?

Jersey

IP: Logged

chase33

Posts: 362
Registered: Feb 2008

iconnumber posted 01-19-2012 06:45 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for chase33     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Not yet, still debating about them. They are still waiting on me tho - LOL.

Robert

IP: Logged

Marc

Posts: 414
Registered: Jun 2002

iconnumber posted 01-20-2012 11:26 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Marc     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Hi Chase..

Get a professional to do the repair.. Cheap and easy. Somewhere between $35 and $75. for the pair.

Marc

IP: Logged

agleopar

Posts: 850
Registered: Jun 2004

iconnumber posted 01-21-2012 08:58 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for agleopar     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I think I am with Marc on this even though Plaster of Paris is easy for the most part if it goes wrong it is fairly unforgiving to reverse.

IP: Logged

jersey

Posts: 1203
Registered: Feb 2005

iconnumber posted 01-21-2012 09:59 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for jersey     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
If you have to think this long about it....?

Will another better example come along .....

Your call.....

All the best in your quest!

Jersey

IP: Logged

jersey

Posts: 1203
Registered: Feb 2005

iconnumber posted 01-21-2012 11:44 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for jersey     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
May have info late tomorrow for you ....
Wait if you can

Jersey

IP: Logged

Kimo

Posts: 1627
Registered: Mar 2003

iconnumber posted 01-22-2012 09:25 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Kimo     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Try this. Negotiate a price where the seller is the one who has them professionally repaired to like new condition. If it really is just a quick and cheap fix then the increased price should be minimal. Then buy them.

[This message has been edited by Kimo (edited 01-22-2012).]

IP: Logged

jersey

Posts: 1203
Registered: Feb 2005

iconnumber posted 01-24-2012 07:06 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for jersey     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Hi again!

A message from a friend regarding your fix it problem.

Whoever suggested plaster was barking up the right tree, although I doubt that it would have been Plaster of Paris, which is a very hard plaster which, because it dries very quickly as the result of a strong chemical reaction, produces a good deal of heat as it does so, and forms a very hard surface and body to achieve a strong bond; nor Gypsum Plaster (drywall compound) either, for that matter, which dries very slowly as the water evaporates from the mix, without heating, but it shrinks as it dries, and when dry, although it has a soft body and surface, has a relatively weak bond.

I can't say what the "right" plaster compound would be, but I think it would end up being a relatively slow-drying plaster, one that dries with a chemical reaction but doesn't produce a lot of sudden heat, doesn't shrink, and ends up forming a strong bond and a relatively hard surface, but not one so hard that, the next time repairs are necessary, the repair-person would be more likely to break the glass than to break the plaster.

If you've ever handled blown glass whale oil lamps (usually attributed, rightly or wrongly, to the Boston & Sandwich Glass Company) you will have seen that there is a brass or occasionally pewter collar that is fixed to the glass, and into which the burner can be screwed. That collar was invariably held onto the glass body (the oil font) of the lamp with a plaster material. That is the plaster you want to use, and I think that if one were to look in enough old artisan's recipe (or receipt) books, one would find the right materials and mix. I suspect it will turn out to be a non-hydraulic lime putty, but that's speculation on my part; I've never researched it.

If you are not familiar with an artisan's recipe (or receipt) book it is an 1830 general receipt book....there were many published and many of them can be found online free in a scanned format, but it takes some time to look through them when you are looking for something specific & it then be often difficult to know if the common materials they call for are still commonly available, by that name or any other name.
( He adds it could make for an interesting afternoon ).


He then added...Don't use super Glue to do anything except stick your fingers together. That he says, is the only thing it is good for! (LOL)

I hope I got his message down correctly & I Hope his thoughts may prove to be helpful to you.

Jersey

IP: Logged

chase33

Posts: 362
Registered: Feb 2008

iconnumber posted 01-24-2012 08:15 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for chase33     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Geez and here I thought this topic was dead! How wrong I was! Thanks for everyone's input, tips and suggestions. I will take a few pics this weekend and go from there.

Thanks again for all the information.

Robert

PS If anyone has any other thoughts, please keep posting smile

IP: Logged

middletom

Posts: 467
Registered: May 2004

iconnumber posted 01-26-2012 10:22 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for middletom     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Chase33,
We put hollow handled knives together with a plastic cement made by the Saureisen company. It holds well but should it break the repair of it and the resticking is not the easiest. I don't know if it sticks to glass but it seems to stick to just about everything else. A good repairer would have something along those lines, I would guess.

middletom

IP: Logged

All times are ET

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Administrative Options: Close Topic | Archive/Move | Delete Topic
Post New Topic  Post A Reply
Hop to:


Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.46a


1. Public Silver Forums (open Free membership) - anyone with a valid e-mail address may register. Once you have received your Silver Salon Forum password, and then if you abide by the Silver Salon Forum Guidelines, you may start a thread or post a reply in the New Members' Forum. New Members who show a continued willingness to participate, to completely read and abide by the Guidelines will be allowed to post to the Member Public Forums.
Click here to Register for a Free password

2. Private Silver Salon Forums (invitational or $ donation membership) - The Private Silver Salon Forums require registration and special authorization to view, search, start a thread or to post a reply. Special authorization can be obtained in one of several ways: by Invitation; Annual $ Donation; or via Special Limited Membership. For more details click here (under development).

3. Administrative/Special Private Forums (special membership required) - These forums are reserved for special subjects or administrative discussion. These forums are not open to the public and require special authorization to view or post.


| Home | Order | The Guide to Evaluating Gold & Silver Objects | The Book of Silver
| Update BOS Registration | Silver Library | For Sale | Our Wants List | Silver Dealers | Speakers Bureau |
| Silversmiths | How to set a table | Shows | SMP | Silver News |
copyright © 1993 - 2022 SM Publications
All Rights Reserved.
Legal & Privacy Notices