#16
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Drifting off topic... I love the antenna rotor control you have sitting on top of it. I picked one up recently and found a rotor to go with it. It works and I plan on replacing my current rotor with it. I loved it when I was a kid.
John |
#17
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Thanks. I don't have a rotor and couldn't put one on my building regardless so I rigged the wiring so it lights up when plugged in. Someday, I plan on making a digital up/down counter with a slow clock connected to the rotor contacts to simulate an actual rotor turning.
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#18
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Does anyone know a supplier of this fabric? I know there's some great radio grille cloth out there, but I haven't seen any with gold strands like this. Otherwise, I'll just leave it alone. There aren't any tears and it looks OK. |
#19
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If you have already tried the usual radio grille cloth sources (AES, grillecloth.com) and struck out, then you'll need to live with what you have. I would be cautious about cleaning the cloth. It gets fragile, as well as faded, over the years. Don't rub it hard. Dabbing may remove some obvious dirt, but it won't restore color that faded out years ago.
As for cleaning the Bakelite cabinet versus polishing it, Bakelite is amazingly tough and resistant to chemicals. I have used old fashioned paint stripper -- the nasty stuff -- to remove paint from Bakelite with no bad effects. The radio shown below looked so nice after stripping that I couldn't bear to repaint in the factory paint color. So use whatever works when cleaning grime. Just don't go crazy with abrasive polishes. Phil Nelson |
#20
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Quote:
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Audiokarma |
#21
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Part III - Cleaning
Thanks for all the advice. I tested out several products and techniques on those broken bakelite scraps. Here's what I came up with.
Here are the knobs that I got with this set plus a channel changer from another. I'm trying to track down two outer, brass knobs and one inner, brown knob. If anyone has some spares, I'd be happy to purchase or trade for them. Those outer knobs polish up very nicely, but be careful not to over polish. They are plated, not solid brass. I have another set where they are down to the base, grey metal. I used Novus #2 plastic cleaner on the knobs. Cleaning out the grid pattern is a real pain. I've used a toothbrush and toothpicks - very tedious! Here's a 'before'picture of the cabinet. It's dirty, faded and has wax and paint splotches. First, I cleaned it using some Dawn dish detergent diluted in warm water. Plus a little mineral spirits on the wax and paint. Next, I'm gently buffing with a slurry of water and Brasso. Throw down some plastic - it's messy. I cleaned off all the Brasso with a clean towel and water and allowed to dry. Next, Novus #2 fine scratch remover. Use this stuff like paste wax. Keep the rag damp while buffing then allow to dry to a haze. Remove it using a clean rag with short, quick strokes. As Mr Miyagi would say "Wax on! Wax Off!" I cleaned the inside too Finally, I use Magnolia Glayzit. Heed the warning on the can - it will turn your floors into a skating rink Here it is partially reassembled. It's not quite as dark as I had hoped for, but I think that's as good as it will get short of using stain. I'm happy with it. Note - the CRT has already been removed. You can read about that here: http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/sho...d.php?t=235317 I've started poking around the chassis and have all the caps and resistors I should need. There are a bunch of bad caps and fried resistors. The guy I bought it from claimed it worked great Coming up: Part IV - replacing bad components. Last edited by bandersen; 06-26-2009 at 06:09 PM. |
#22
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Looks great!! 100% difference! Excellent job my man! Thanks for the detailed cleaning process.
__________________
My TV page and YouTube channel Kyocera R-661, Yamaha RX-V2200 National Panasonic SA-5800 Sansui 1000a, 1000, SAX-200, 5050, 9090DB, 881, SR-636, SC-3000, AT-20 Pioneer SX-939, ER-420, SM-B201 Motorola SK77W-2Z tube console McIntosh MC2205, C26 |
#23
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P.S. I'm practicing re-stuffing caps. using your tips. it's going well, but my Dremel skills need some honing. |
#24
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Here's another tip. A lot of bakelite have little posts that attach to the speaker board using metal clips. These clips are the type that push on and don't come off. I used a Dremel tool with a cut-off wheel to cut a small notch in each one. I think that's easier and safer than trying to pry them off. Most are in good enough shape that they can be reused.
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#25
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That usually means that a pilot light, or the tube heaters, lit up when he turned it on... Not that it works as intended by the manufacturer.
__________________
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Audiokarma |
#26
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So I go to pick up the VT71 and mention that some folks really go nuts for the Predictas and she should ask for more $. She says "Why? It doesn't work even work. Do you want it?". I hesitated and she offered a discount if I took both. So I did Would have really been kicking myself today if I hadn't. That's a great reason to get sets in person - you can haggle. I've knocked 50% of the asking price of some sets. |
#27
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Looking good! Glad this one survived.
My repeated advice-I hope all here will take it. The exception would be a rather small portable: never, never, never,never, never, never,never, never, never,never, never, never,never, never, never,never, never, never,never, never, never,never, never, never,never, never, never,never, never, never,never, never, never,never, never, never,never, never, never,never, never, never,never, never, never,never, never, never,never, never, never,never, never, never,never, never, never,never, never, never,never, never, never,never, never, never,never, never, never,never, never, never,never, never, never,never, never, never,never, never, never,never, never, never,never, never, never,never, never, never,never, never, never,never, never, never,never, never, never, have a TV like this shipped to you, not even from across the street!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't count the sets I have seen posted here and elsewhere that have been totally destroyed. Be patient my friends-they will eventually show up in your backyard, trust me!
__________________
Bryan |
#28
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Loving the progress of this set.
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#29
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Depending on the Grill Cloth material, you might try Carpet Cleaning Solution, diluted.
I took the small, gold speaker cloth from inside my DuMont RA-103 "Chatham", dipped it in this solution, and, within a minute, it had separated from the pressboard backing. I immediately patted the pressboard dry, and left the grillcloth in the solution. You could see the nicotine leeching from the fabric... After 15 minutes, I removed it, rinsed it gently with lukewarm water, and gently patted it dry. Try not to disturb the edges, or it will unravel. Then, I let it air dry. It didn't shrink. I remounted it to the pressboard with spray mount, installed it with the Speaker in the Cabinet, and, it looks fab. I detailed the opening speaker slots with Howard's before the install, so, it all looks great. The fresh Gold fabric peeking from the slots makes it all the worthwhile. Like resetting the Time Clock. Details, details... LJB |
#30
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Awww, man ! You've done a FANTASTIC job on this set...it is UNBELIEVABLE !!!
__________________
Benevolent Despot |
Audiokarma |
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