View Full Version : Stromberg Carlson 1101 restoration


bandersen
12-02-2011, 02:43 AM
I decided to take a little break from TVs and restore this little AA6 bakelite radio.
I thought it was a model 1200 at first, but when I opened it up I found 6 tubes which makes it an 1101 from 1946 just like this one (http://www.radioatticarchives.com/radio.htm?radio=3191).

The cabinet has a couple scratches and some odd discoloration near the controls but is otherwise sound.

The chassis looks to be all original except for the tubes.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7024/6438659365_5094a7b1e9_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/70039806@N00/6438659365/) http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7163/6438656943_ded1154024_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/70039806@N00/6438656943/) http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7152/6438657343_f9ca886c5f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/70039806@N00/6438657343/) http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7173/6438657821_36a93fa5cd_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/70039806@N00/6438657821/)

There is some discoloration and rust on the dial glass and painted backplate from where the pointer sat on AM 720 for probably decades.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7024/6438656469_d9401a7e2f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/70039806@N00/6438656469/)

The caps have nice Stromberg Carlson labels so i decided to restuff them. I used a heat gun to melt to old cap out and brown hot glue to seal in the new caps.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7156/6438658619_d1399a0807_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/70039806@N00/6438658619/)

bandersen
12-02-2011, 03:40 AM
After the recap, I powered it up and got some weak, garbled audio. Time to investigate...

Eventually, I noticed that one lead to the internal loop antenna had broken lose :rolleyes:

Much better gain now, but it's still garbled. I tested the one mica cap and found it to be shorted.
Replacing it did the trick - great sensitivity, selectivity and it sounds pretty good :music: :banana:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7008/6440583527_09e7ee8a70_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/70039806@N00/6440583527/)

Next, I went through the alignment procedure, and found it didn't really need it.

Finally, I'm going to clean it all up.
I used some glass cleaner and Q-Tips on the glass dial
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7158/6438660047_110feaf14f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/70039806@N00/6438660047/) http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7019/6440581065_f10e68c3ef_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/70039806@N00/6440581065/)

The metal dial backplate was rusty and discolored form the pointer sitting in the same position for so long. I carefully unmounted it and removed the rust with naval jelly. Than a litte sanding and primer. Once that's dry, I'll used some metallic copper paint.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7001/6440578507_789718e0bd_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/70039806@N00/6440578507/) http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7034/6440579825_3ac31ec3d1_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/70039806@N00/6440579825/) http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7031/6440582263_1cb30c612a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/70039806@N00/6440582263/)

I also restuffed and repaired the filter cap.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7156/6445284715_2f00a695cb_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/70039806@N00/6445284715/) http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7022/6445286241_b55d7026ba_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/70039806@N00/6445286241/)

omegaman
12-02-2011, 03:55 PM
Excellent job photo documenting the procedure. Re-stuffing the paper caps is brilliant.

Winky Dink
12-05-2011, 11:59 AM
The history of an old radio is often revealed when you first take out the chassis. It's obvious that this set belonged to, or was repaired by, a Boy Scout.

Reece
12-05-2011, 12:07 PM
OK, WinkyDink, how about dropping the other shoe??? :scratch2:

Winky Dink
12-05-2011, 12:19 PM
Looking at the dial cord, he must have been practicing for his knot-tying merit badge.
- Winky

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QKqVzNO_Bpo/Ttz5lt6CmJI/AAAAAAAAJo4/2hgw_TqtQug/s0/SC%252520knotty.jpg

bandersen
12-05-2011, 03:12 PM
LOL - I hope that cord holds up. I really hate restringing radios.

Reece
12-05-2011, 06:29 PM
Pretty Knasty Knots! Better draw a picture of how the string goes, Bob.

bandersen
12-06-2011, 09:13 PM
Pretty Knasty Knots! Better draw a picture of how the string goes, Bob.

Luckily, I didn't need too. I just carefully laid the dial cord against the chassis while working on the dial.

I think it turned out well.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7164/6445282983_8e27a97917_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/70039806@N00/6445282983/) http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7016/6469215485_3094263136_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/70039806@N00/6469215485/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7149/6469589909_08ce423a9c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/70039806@N00/6469589909/)

Reece
12-07-2011, 07:32 AM
Now that's sharp! Ready for Larrrry Lu-jack! on Double-you ELLLL Esss! :music:

bandersen
12-07-2011, 04:56 PM
Thanks! I wonder what Larry is up to these days ? I haven't heard him on the radio in years.