Pacfica-Crack

Ulcer on the belly of the beast!

View Full Size

Tags:
Albums: Wave Machines

Comment

You need to be a member of Oozing Goo - The Lava Lamp Syndicate to add comments!

Join Oozing Goo - The Lava Lamp Syndicate

Comment by VOXul on December 16, 2014 at 11:25pm: Good to know Analog! I have used it before to remove static from volume nobs and equalizer sliders but never in close proximity to plastic, I will heed that warning.

Comment by VOXul on December 16, 2014 at 10:38pm: On point suggestions gang. At this point I have ordered a tube of solvent cement that will fuse the material back together as suggested. It had also been tipped in a video that I watched, drilling a pilot 'pit' at the end of the crack, about half way through the thickness of the plexi, will potentially aid in stopping the spread and help the solvent channel into the crack causing a capillary action to take place. The condition of this crack should allow for capillary action to take place with no need for a pit.

Keith, that is an excellent idea as well, I have psyched myself up to attempt this solvent weld but things can happen. If it turns into a danger zone or catastrophe I will take that to mind and hunt down a plastics guy in town. I would love to have Hughes fix it up but would prefer to avoid any further transit outside of my control due to the otherwise beautiful condition of the OG lava construction (I am even hoping to save the serialized sticker that you see in the picture). Good looking out guys, I appreciate it and am trying to remain patient with this thing. I want to watch it wave right now but know a rush job will lead to failure and I have rush mode in my head just so I can see the thing boogie!

With the nature of plexi allowing for heat weld/chemical weld I have hope that if the crack were to open up near the plug that SOME process could be put into action to re-construct that area. Whether it be the complete removal of the air dam in order to build a new one or forming a new side to the existing one, plastic-plastic surgery. Essentially it is a mini plexi cylinder that is cut out to the circumference of the main chamber and chemical welded in place. Two holes reside on the main vessel within that chamber, thay were either part of the casting process or machined after the fact. The combination of the air damn and a solid pin of plexi at one end of it, lock the thing in and lets it rock and roll on the base! I believe the dam also prevents the thing from bursting or imploding under extreme temperature changes.

Moving on to the base: It is in amazing condition, even has the little blue strip of plexi in the seam that illuminates from the inside, nice touch Lava. It has a couple quirks though. Due to the leak I can see evidence that it had dripped onto the sound control board as it is stained blue. The electronics have survived and work with no poor contacts or dreaded static. If it acts up, a bit of contact cleaner may fix any noise or poor control issue that may present itself. I hope that this liquid staining on the PCB does not lead to deterioration down the road however, as I know it removed a layer of skin from my hands when I wiped the tube dry. Nothing that a bit of lotion didn't fix though. The spring under the armature has taken on a bit of corrosion, though it does not squeak and still flexes properly, that could be an easy fix if need be. We come to the drive motor. It seems to operate properly under no load. I will call it the up-stroke, when the pin gear reaches its ascent to tip the cradle to the right it does emit a slight clang. This noise may simply vanish though under load as during the down-stroke, while tipping the cradle to the left and against the pressure of the spring, the noise vanishes. We will cross that bridge if it needs attention, haha.

So that is my long winded breakdown of this thing so far. It is awesome to have an amazing group of you guys and gals to show support and offer advice, couldn't do it without you. Though I don't see Hughes on much, credit goes out to him as well for lending an ear during my Facebook rants and rookie questions. He has been helpful on these initial steps and will be crucial in finalization with the fluids that I will require.

One step at a time gang and that second step will begin on Thursday! I hope it does not go as the first step went, that one took months to complete ;)

Comment by Keith on December 16, 2014 at 9:07pm: You might also contact a plastics manufacturer/supplier in your area. They may be able to recommend a fix. Or even repair it.

Comment by Todd Miller on December 16, 2014 at 9:00pm: What material is the 'vessel' made of ?

Acrylic, Lexzan, Plexi or What ever....

Once you identify the composition of the vessel, you may be

able to seal with heat or some type of solvent that will 'fuse/melt

the plastic' together.

Comment by Critter on December 16, 2014 at 8:59pm: Perhaps a low speed dremel to open the area then fill it with an acrylic cement (the stuff that bonds acrylic together).

Comment by VOXul on December 16, 2014 at 8:43pm: The cylinder itself is absolutely gorgeous, no joke it looks like it was just cast. That is the only area that has damage. I planned on needing fluid for it but it did lose more in transit to me. I should be in good shape for a repair IF I am able to get the plug out without causing a loss of that left side joined crack. Trying to figure out a best approach.

Comment by Critter on December 16, 2014 at 8:34pm: Is that only in the end or does it go down the cylinder too?

Comment by VOXul on December 16, 2014 at 5:42pm: It will go under the knife on Thursday, well under the solvent applicator tip at least. Attempt to remove the plug over the weekend. I have to tip it up on end tonight to get a fluid levels image so I can get the data ready for a fluid order. If all goes well with the plug extraction the order will go in for fluids, we won't speak of it not going well

Thank you for the confident cheers gang, Let's DO THIS!

Comment by VOXul on December 16, 2014 at 3:23pm: You and I both! All ups and downs of the process will be on display here. To no DOWNS until it is on the base once again!