MMD readers may remember that in 080331 MMDigest I raised the topic
of possible methods of repairing a warped, early black plastic spool
end.  I mentioned that I intended to try heating one in an oven, on
a flat block of steel with a hole in it for the spool end's shaft.

Well, I tried it a week ago in an oven at about 150 degrees C. [300
F.] and it didn't work.  I ended up with an object that resembled
a chocolate chip cookie made with black flour.  It was even slightly
pliable when it emerged from the oven, as a real cookie is.  It's
surface resembled a cookie, too; all signs of the original shiny
surface were gone.  However, I wasn't tempted to take a bite.

Part of the problem, I think, was that I went and fooled around on
my computer for about forty-five minutes after putting the spool end
into the oven, forgetting all about it.

John Phillips in Hobart, Tasmania