Frame separation

[Brien]

Sorry for the flood of questions here lately, I pray I'm not trying anyone's patience.

Does anyone know if an RK can be refurbished? I have an RK that is suffering from moderate frame separation. Would this be a no no if it's possible?

[Nigel N]

Hi Brien!!
No problem with any questions! Its great to see people showing an interest in the subject!!!
The majority of RK's that suffer from this problem, are usually later ones, and for later pieces this is not unusual, as the quality control went down the pan in later years!
It may be possible for a jeweller, or skilled person to fill any gaps with silver solder, and then file down the excess to leave a better looking finish, it would never be perfect, but perhaps an improvement!
To do the job properly, a good jeweller probably would be needed as the entire RK would have to be taken apart filed, re-aligned and then soldered back together, but for a later piece, I don't think the work and expense involved would be worth it???
-Nigel

[novara]

Hello,

Don't take it to a jeweller. As the core is painted, when they heat up the medal for the soldering, there is a big chance that you will lose the finish!!!

Buy a Loctite Super Glue GEL (only the GEL). This is a very good adhesive, I repaired many WW1 EK-s with it.

This is not dripping at all, the hole on the nose is very small, you can press out minor "balls" between the two frames. Place these small bubbles in every 4-5 mm, press the frames together and clean the glue with a small piece of fabric (don't use tissue paper).

It will be perfect, I used this many times, even broken loops / hooks can be repaired very nicely as this glue gives you the same strength than another super glue but it is 100 times thicker.

Andrew

[Nigel N]

Hi Andrew!
First, I must say, I am not an expert with a soldering iron, but I have repaired frames this way without any damage to the core paint etc.
If the frames have once been flush fitting, and have genuinely separated, then a thin layer of super glue, and then pressing and holding the frames together until they hold should work fine!!
However, the majority of later S&L RK's and EK's which have gaps in the frame, aren't down to separation as such, they were never together in the first place!
Poor quality of finishing, and poor alignment, meant that many have gaps in the frames, there is no "give" in the frames, and they often cannot be pressed together, as they are held firm in other places around the frame, in these cases, the hole or gap needs to be filled, and no amount of glue and pressure will seal the gap!!
It al depends on the individual piece I guess??
-Nigel

[Tony T-S]

I would use a two part epoxy glue as it can be cut apart again where as the "Super glue" is a pain to separate. Nigel is spot on about gaps. The reason the frames have gaps is because the core doesn't fit within them. The only way to make the whole thing fit properly is to pull the frames apart and start removing excess interior until the core does fit. Then the frames can be joined easily. I would then use the two part epoxy as there aren't too many jewelers with the skills to get the soldering right.

[tony james]

Its your cross to do what you want with it. if mine i would leave it alone as that's the way it was made . think about down the road if you decide to sell it . i don't know about you but if i were buying a piece i would want something that wasn't messed with. save up and buy a early cross .

[Tom B]

IMO I would leave as is ! I would follow Nigels advice

[Brien]

Good advice

Thank you all for your input. For further info the piece in question is a sandblasted non-magnetic "D" Frame.

[Brien]

More pics D

More pics of the D

[Tom B]

More considerable than I thought, but do to the type of RK, I would still leave it the way it is IMO. Tom

[Tony T-S]

If you are worried that it is going to keep separating then the epoxy will hold it together and as I said can easily be cut open again and removed for sale. However, if it's not falling apart the guys are absolutely right, leave it as is.

[Tom B]

I guess it's up to you now !

[Brien]

Advice

I guess for the moment back into the display it goes as is. I was hoping there would be an easy and correct way to fix it. Since I value your opinions and time I'll leave it as it is for now. If I decide later in the future to go ahead at least I'll already have the ideas.

You guys are great!