Atwater Kent Model 37 Restoration
 

Every time I thought I was close to finishing this project I found something else to do. Now I have to stop and declare it complete (But wait…I can still replace the ST tubes with globes!). Personally I don't like the esthetics Atwater Kent metal cabinets, but they sure did a good job preserving the radios, and the mechanical quality is incredible. I refurbished or replaced defective caps, coils, resistors, rheostat. Then, after a decent clean-up, I retuned the variable condensers and it sounds good. Maybe as good as new.

The set I acquired included a Utah!-brand speaker. I later found an AK model H speaker, which I'm working on now, to accompany the radio.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p...37%2520100.JPG

The cabinet was in good shape, but I did have to strip the lid to bare metal and apply a new wrinkle finish before repainting.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g...37%2520103.JPG

The exposed wiring was so brittle that any manipulation would crumble the insulation, break the fabric cover, and often snap off at the terminals. The schematics showed the original wire colors (I never could have guessed the colors from the old wires), and I managed to match the colors, patterns and, to a limited extent, the diameters. I refinished the steel cover for the power unit, but I'm leaving it out so that I can just lift the lid to display the innards to awe-struck spectators.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9...37%2520105.jpg

Details, details, details. Not for functional improvement, but it's what I do best and I need to compensate for my technical shortcomings.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-P...37%2520110.jpg

I have dozens of issues to address ranging from soldering oxidized wire to replacing horn speaker drivers, but I'll pursue them in future posts.

-Winky

Very nice, and bravo on the details! What was your source for the cloth-covered wire?

Neat-O job, Winkster!

:banana::yes:

Rhode Island Wiring Service, Inc. I have an invoice in front of me, but it doesn't show the website. You can google it.

Specializes in wire for automotive restoration. Wire is sold by the foot with a 10-foot minimum for each type. Orders are taken by phone only. It's not expensive--70 feet of wire (7 patterns) for this project cost $25. But I think the skinniest wire they have is 18-gauge, which doesn't look right in some cases.

Nice job!
I have a 44 which will require twice that much work-which is why I've never gotten around to it yet!

Winky,

You did a fantastic job. :tresbon: :drool:

I have an AK40 that I love that just crapped out. 6GH8cowboy tried to repair it for me but the transformer is shot. If anyone has a replacement available I'd love to resurrect it.

Somethin' VERY special about them old A-K Breadboxes... Got 2 or 3 myself...Good Job !

I have an AK44 parts unit. I don't know if the transformers are the same or not. You might check on nostalgia air and do some research.

If they are interchangeable, you're welcome to the one I have.

Regarding power unit for the Model 40: The service manual covers power units for Models 40, 42, 44, and 52 in a single section. But it also notes that the power units in both Model 40 and Model 44 were modified during their production runs. I'll look through my stuff to see if I can find parts lists for these models.
- Winky

Power Unit Parts Model 40, 44, etc.
 

I assume we're talking about power units rather than RF transformers. Here's the info on power unit parts (from www.atwaterkent).

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7...37%2520200.jpg

There should be some numbers on the power tranny itself that you can check and see if they match. I notice the above table does not list the power transformers.

My AK 60 had a blown power tranny, and years ago a guy on a radio forum sent me a correct replacement all the way from New York, wouldn't even accept payment of the shipping cost. If I had what you need I'd send it just to repay the karma points. Hopefully someone will come up with it.

Thanks to all for the replies/offers.

I spoke with 6GH8cowboy today and he wasn't sure if the power transformers are the same but he's going to check as well. His fear is that the wiring in my AK40 is so crumbly that it might be hard to hook up a replacement. I hope it can be salvaged. A lot of people think that radio is ugly as sin but I love the AK coffins, especially if they work. I've got a 55 in a metal coffin that's almost 100% except for an intermittent putttttttt sound that is probably a bad cap or resistor. 6GH8cowboy did an awesome job on my Radiola 17 and I am listening to that now as I type this. :D