To: atm{at}shore.net
From: Dennis Rech 
Reply-To: Dennis Rech 



>>I'm trying to remove a 1980s vintage Meade 12.5" mirror from its
>>melamine/particle board mirror cell. It's glued on with some very tough
>>stuff. I've tried a guitar string (no effect) and a hacksaw blade (sheesh.
>>VERY slow going.) This is not your average RTV silicon, I think, or if it is
>>it's totally dried out and hard as a rock. Anyway it's very strong and
>>pretty dang hard. How do I get this sucker off?

I have had success with using a hot wire to cut dried calking and puttty.
You will have to experiment with running some 12 volt dc electricity
through a piece of nichrome or stainless wire to find the right
temperature. When the wire is just a dull red, it will cut like butter. You
can also heat up your hack saw blade with a torch or put the whole assemble
into the oven and SLOWLY crank up the heat. Most glues will get pretty soft
at 350 or so. I used this method to take apart two 12 inch portholes that
had been epoxied together.

Dennis

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