ARCHIVED FORUM -- March 2012 to February 2022READ ONLY FORUM
This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
I recently acquired a Beogram 4000 with a broken dust cover. I know that there are aftermarket dust covers available. However, there seem to be no "upgraded" covers, made from Polycarbonate. I know that people have talked about producing them, but is there anyone who actually had one made? If so, would you say it was worth the investment? Is the aluminium trim recessed in the cover, or only stuck on? As always, thank you for your help!
I'm not sure, that I would see polycarbonate as an upgrade, really.Polycarbonate is very resistant to breaking and it doesn't shatter if dropped, but like acryllic it willbuild up stress patterns and eventually crack from stress.It's not at all as rigid as acryllic (unless very thick), a large lid as on the Beogram 4000 would sag and feel cheap as it "flaps around".It scratches and marres far too easily to be practical for this use in my opinion. You can even dent it if not careful.It's not particularly resistant towards solvents in cleaning products.It's also quite costly to produce and work with and it is generally considered to be very slightly toxic. Phosgene and chlorine is used inproduction - neither is any good for us or the environment.Ideally you should wash your hands every time after touching polycarbonate.
Martin
Thank you for your comprehensive answer, Dillen! Any experience when it comes to fit and finish with the aftermarket dust covers?
Beosince98: Thank you for your comprehensive answer, Dillen! Any experience when it comes to fit and finish with the aftermarket dust covers?
Frede (classic audio) can provide correct dust cover https://www.classic-audio.dk/content/classic.php?page=dustcover
Collecting Vintage B&O is not a hobby, its a lifestyle.
I've tried a couple.FIt and finish varies A LOT.
The original dustcovers are cast in one piece. This is an extremely expensive production method unless you need thousands.The aftermarket dustcovers I have seen were all glued together from individual pieces, top, sides etc.The finish of the joints is particularly difficult, because you can see each and every little imperfection, misalignments, bubbles in the glue etc.
Thank you all very much! It is great to see how the B&O community can help! I have contacted a few shops that specialize on building custom. I will keep you in the loop with what I come up with.
After having taken exact measurements of the dust cover, I realized that the side walls are angled (not this: I I, but this / \). Do you think there is a reason for this, or is it a manufacturing error. I can not see a functional or aesthetic reason for doing so. Also, the measurements of my dust cover are not perfect, of by no more than 1mm, which i guess is a manufacturing error. Also, I am quite certain that the dust cover is glued, and not cast in one piece, as the seams are still very much visible.
Dillen: Polycarbonate is very resistant to breaking and it doesn't shatter if dropped, but like acryllic it will build upstress patterns and eventually crack from stress.It's not at all as rigid as acryllic (unless very thick), a large lid as on the Beogram 4000 would feel cheap as it "flaps around".It scratches and marres far too easily to be practical for this use in my opinion. You can even dent it if not careful.It's not particularly resistant towards solvents in cleaning products.It's also quite costly to produce and work with and it is generally considered to be very slightly toxic. Phosgene and chlorine is used inproduction - neither is any good for us or the environment.Ideally you should wash your hands every time after touching polycarbonate. Martin
Polycarbonate is very resistant to breaking and it doesn't shatter if dropped, but like acryllic it will build upstress patterns and eventually crack from stress.It's not at all as rigid as acryllic (unless very thick), a large lid as on the Beogram 4000 would feel cheap as it "flaps around".It scratches and marres far too easily to be practical for this use in my opinion. You can even dent it if not careful.It's not particularly resistant towards solvents in cleaning products.It's also quite costly to produce and work with and it is generally considered to be very slightly toxic. Phosgene and chlorine is used inproduction - neither is any good for us or the environment.Ideally you should wash your hands every time after touching polycarbonate.
Hi Dillen,
I wonder if the same applies to Beocord covers?
I should collect a Beocord 1200 with original cover and I want to refresh it a little. Is there a way of polish it, clean it and care it?From the picture I've seen so far, it looks not broken but yellowish/brownish.
Tank you.
Polishing the Acrylic is possible, indeed. However, with my Beogram, the acrylic has become ever so slightly opaque over the years, which is not possible to fix. Also, some hairline cracks have occurred in various areas.
I should collect a Beocord 1200 with original cover and I want to refresh it a little. Is there a way of polish it, clean it and care it?
From the picture I've seen so far, it looks not broken but yellowish/brownish.
Check here
https://archivedforum2.beoworld.org/forums/t/14600.aspx?PageIndex=2
Hi Søren,
Of course I've been following your threads about your Beocord 1200 with great attention and was planning to get in touch with you as soon as I inspect the mine to come!But I did miss that one. Look like lot of heavy work. I dont know if I'm gonna be able of such meticulous work.
Anyway, can you confirm this is the very same material for beocords cover? Because the first post of Dillen imply that some material are really hard to work with and I know some stories where guys do apparently fantastic jobs reviving plastic things but who start to become opaque or brittle or dry some days after
The BG 1000 cover is still the same as after polishing it a couple of years ago, polishing is kind of boot camp, 3-4 hours of hard work. The BC1200 cover was less damaged and only went through the 3 Novus steps it still has some minor scratches and swirls: The BC 1200 cover feels a little harder to polish than the BG 1000. I dont see any yellowing on either of them
Thats great to hear!
I can't wait until it comes. Scheduled for tomorrow night!
Of course i'll post pics of it: as it's sold as defective I will ll need all good souls to help me make it work again!