Originating from Denmark this globe has been in the family for over three generations. Unfortunately at some point it was damaged resulting in the globe cracking and splitting. A previous repair attempt had seized the rotating parts.
The task was to return to to a working state so that the client would be able to hand on her grandfather’s globe to her children.
Work done
- Dismantle the globe and assess the work required
- Identify the adhesive used in the previous repair and find a solvent that would soften the adhesive whilst not damaging the components. Iso-propyl alcohol worked albeit very slowly.
- Soften the adhesive. Use a scalpel to remove the softened layers – repeat, repeat, repeat until the adhesive was removed. Clean bearing surfaces
- Bond the cracks in the Southern Hemisphere acrylic hemisphere
- Rebond cracked map print
- Tighten the electrical connections
- 3D print a nut holder for the ‘Arctic’ fixing and a ring to take the screw
- Service and clean the light spot mechanism
- Align and bond the northern to the southern hemisphere
- Design and print a new 3mm wide equator band. Seal paper and then glue around the equator.
- Fix cracks in base and secure the mains cable in position
- Remove snapped plastic lamp fitting screw. Make and fit a brass replacement.
Time to do the job: 30 hrs
After
Hi!
Bit random, but I have the same globe and can’t figure out how to remove the fixture to change the light bulb.
Thanks!
On the globe I repaired you didn’t need to separate the two halves of the globe to remove the bulb holder. In this case the globe had been dropped and was in pieces.
You will need to undo the top fitting. This can be a challenge as sometimes the screw is tight and the whole fitting rotates when you try to unscrew it. It needs to be unscrewed counterclockwise (same direction as a normal screw). Try wedging the fitting so the screw can be freed. Once this screw is removed carefully turn the globe upside down and twist the bottom collar through 90 degrees. The light mechanism should separate from the globe. You may need to adjust the lens arm (that focuses a dot on the inside of the globe) so you can remove the lamp fitting from the inside of the globe. It’s quite tight so gently does it.
I replaced the bulb with an LED pilot lamp which doesn’t get so hot.
Maurice (aka Mo)
Make and Mend
Hi Maurice,
I also need to change the light bulb in one of those. Your reply above was useful for me to get to the old one without damaging the globe, thank you!
Could you point me to the LED you used for yours?
Best wishes,
Carlos
I bought mine in New Zealand from this site:
https://lightbulbman.nz/products/led-pilot-bulbs?_pos=1&_psq=Led+Pilot+Bulb&_ss=e&_v=1.0
You can get similar LED bulbs from AliExpress/Amazon. It would be worth measuring the bulb length in your Globe as some of the bulbs on offer are longer than the standard fitting.
Good luck Carlos 🙂
Hoi Maurice, very useful! I’m having the same problem . I already got the light mechanism out, and indeed, it’s very tight, which makes me worry about getting the thing back in. Is the globe itself ( transparant part) made of acrylic ? I’m not sure what glue to use for it ; the same goes for the plastic sheet with the map printed on it (I don’t know how to glue that one either ) . Thanks for your advice!
Hi David,
As I recall the globe itself is acrylic and therefore an acrylic glue can be used to repair cracks. Be sure to use the glue sparingly. You may be able to use elastic bands to pull the parts together. From what you have said, it sounds as if the map film is fragile so t would avoid using tape.
I believe I used medium viscosity superglue (CA glue), again sparingly, to bond the map to the globe. Working on a small area at a time. Get some polyethylene gloves as the CA glue does not stick to them.
Good luck with your repair.
Maurice
Thank you!
Thanks! I got a similar led bulb (slightly smaller) and works well, even for the lens feature. Here’s to some more years for our globes!
Carlos
My globe needs a new piece to connect the stand to the arc that holds the globe. Where can I find such a thing?
My globe needs a new piece to connect the stand/base to the arc that holds the globe. Where can I find such a thing? Thank you.
Sorry Barbie, i don’t know if spare parts are available.
Mo
Do you know where I can replace a replacement globe for mine?
Hi Meagan,
By globe if you mean the entire outside then I regret that I do not know where, or if, they are available. Sorry and good luck.
If by globe you mean the light, you can use a ‘pilot bulb’ which should be available at hardware stores. In NZ they are available from
https://lightbulbman.nz/products/led-pilot-bulbs?_pos=1&_psq=Led+Pilot+Bulb&_ss=e&_v=1.0
Mo
Can I get a replacement base for my scanglobe x the clips on the half circle that holds the globe have got broken
I’m unaware of anywhere that supplies spare parts for this globe. You may wish to have replica parts 3D printed if you are unable to find a source for parts.
String and spring attachment for function
Spring popped out…string dangling
Hello, my name is Danika and I have the exact same glove that I got my grandmother, in the midst of family arguments my globe was shattered by a family member and I have no clue on how to repair the globe, it means so much to me how much would you want to possibly repair this globe to me it is priceless
I found one of these at goodwill I love it so much. I got the globe off but I can’t get the light bulb out of the fixture, I’m afraid of breaking the base of the lightbulb off in the fixture. Does it pull straight out or turn to get it out? Thank you!
I’m sorry that this is so late to the comments, but is it not possible to change the bulb without taking the globe in halves?
I don’t want to have to break the centre band to get at the bulb for replacement.
Found one at a thrift store and worked great for 2 years then the bulb died.
Hi Steve,
To remove the bulb fitting from the globe you need to undo the screw at the top of the globe. This can be difficult as sometimes the thread gets stuck and the whole fitting rotates. If this is the case you will need to attempt to free the screw using any method you can (other than too much force).
The collar on the bottom fitting needs to be rotated about a 1/4 to 1/2 turn to free the bulb holder which you should be able to move towards the bottom of the globe, then try the following.
There is a small lens that can be positioned anywhere along the longitude axis. When the lamp is on, this produces a spotlight on the globe surface. This needs to be adjusted so that it is pointing North. If I remember correctly this is done with one of discs at the bottom of the globe. You can see the white cord that rotates the globe/lens in this photo – https://i0.wp.com/makeandmend.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/D47035A7-A92C-4C8C-983E-25FD6AE05F1C_1_105_c.jpeg?w=768&ssl=1.
Once that is done it should be relatively easy to pull the whole unit from inside the globe. Some jiggling may be required to give a clear exit path. Do not apply too much force or the globe will crack. Lots of jiggling and gentle pulling.
In the photo you can see that the bulb holder has broken. In this case I had to make a new one.
I recommend you replace the bulb with an LED. An LED won’t get too hot which should help the globe survive long term.
I’m in New Zealand but happy to have an online chat if it would help.
Mo
Make and Mend