Moron alert...Moron alert... "Bakelite Balls"

I wonder if drilling a hole (not all the way through tho) to "test for brains" would be out of line here?:D
 
Looking at that ad reminded me how much I hate the Comic Sans font.

What the hell is bakelite? Looks like some older cheap balls to me.

For $10 bucks who cares....make some cool gearshit knobs. :D

EDIT: Excercised my google-fu, this from Wikipedia:

Bakelite /ˈbɛkəˌlaɪt/ is a material based on the thermosetting phenol formaldehyde resin, polyoxybenzylmethylenglycolanhydride developed in 1907–1909 by Belgian-American Dr. Leo Baekeland. Formed by the reaction under heat and pressure of phenol (a toxic, colourless crystalline solid) and formaldehyde (a simple organic compound), generally with a wood flour filler, it was the first plastic made from synthetic components. It was used for its electrically nonconductive and heat-resistant properties in radio and telephone casings and electrical insulators, and was also used in such diverse products as kitchenware, jewelery, pipe stems, and children's toys. In 1993 Bakelite was designated an ACS National Historical Chemical Landmark in recognition of its significance as the world's first synthetic plastic.[1]

The retro appeal of old Bakelite products and labor intensive manufacturing has made them quite collectable in recent years.

The name Bakelite was originally a brand, trademark name, but it is currently considered a generic term for all phenolic resin products, though some phenolic products besides Bakelite are brand-named


Still look cheap to me.
 
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Both Aramith and Brunswick Centennial balls are made from Phenolic Resin, not Bakelite. Bakelite was a cheap plastic used to make jewelry and nick-knacks in the 50's or 60's and is somewhat collectable.

I am no expert, but I think that this seller is wrong.

Russ
 
I know they definitely used to make snooker balls out of bakelite at least up here... an old pro was telling me a story about how some of the british players coming out here to play exhibitions would change their style of play a little because of our looser pockets and lighter bakelite balls. I think that was in the 80s.

As for drilling a hole... they should plug it with lead... It would be fun to watch that sucker roll :)
 
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I don't know anything about balls either but just gotta say Chris....thats the funniest thread title I have encountered on AZ, he, he!

I hope to do a Moron Alert thread soon also:D

Rep points for you sir, lifted my day.
 
Could Be Bakelite

TATE said:

Chris

I know Bakelite pool balls were manufactured. I don't know if they made them in Belgium. The seller says they were simichrome tested, if true, they are Bakelite as I have never seen another material pass that test. I've also been around when Bakelite was drilled and the smell is awful, formaldehyde (hope that's in the spell check).

Kevin
 
kvinbrwr said:
Chris

I know Bakelite pool balls were manufactured. I don't know if they made them in Belgium. The seller says they were simichrome tested, if true, they are Bakelite as I have never seen another material pass that test. I've also been around when Bakelite was drilled and the smell is awful, formaldehyde (hope that's in the spell check).

Kevin

I talked to a plastic/phenolic manufacturer several weeks ago. Was told Bakelite was no longer made.
 
40s-50s

Jack Madden said:
I talked to a plastic/phenolic manufacturer several weeks ago. Was told Bakelite was no longer made.

Bakelite was an early plastic that was replaced by better compounds and hasn't been manufactured for 50 years.

Kevin
 
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