09-15-2007, 10:48 AM
gmccarthy - to answer some of your other questions...
I do not have info on your set's original selling price, sorry.
Yes, it is normal for tube-type electronics to take 30 seconds or so, even up to a full minute, to begin operating.
If your set has its original record changer it probably uses a drive wheel, not a belt. <a href="http://www.west-techservices.com/">West-Tech Services</a> can help you here.
The original finish would have been tinted lacquer. If the cabinet does not appear to need refinishing, you can go over it with Howard's Restore-A-Finish. Available in many antique shops and some hardware stores, it comes in different colors to match the finish your cabinet has. It is my understanding that it will not cause problems if you decide to refinish later, but I make no guarantees. You want to avoid any products that contain silicones if you ever have even the slightest thought of refinishing - the tiniest amount of silicone will cause any new lacquer to fisheye, and it will not ever apply normally.
To clean up white paint speckles, go over the entire cabinet with a hand cleaner such as Go-Jo, BEFORE you use the Howard's product. You may have to use a very fine grade (0000) steel wool with the Go-Jo in order to completely remove the paint specks, but since your set's finish is already dried out from your description, be advised this will probably remove more of the original lacquer as well and you may end up refinishing after all.
And finally, this page - http://www.radioattic.com/radiovalue.php - at the Radio Attic site is my favorite link to collector value, and discusses the subject much better than I can.
I do not have info on your set's original selling price, sorry.
Yes, it is normal for tube-type electronics to take 30 seconds or so, even up to a full minute, to begin operating.
If your set has its original record changer it probably uses a drive wheel, not a belt. <a href="http://www.west-techservices.com/">West-Tech Services</a> can help you here.
The original finish would have been tinted lacquer. If the cabinet does not appear to need refinishing, you can go over it with Howard's Restore-A-Finish. Available in many antique shops and some hardware stores, it comes in different colors to match the finish your cabinet has. It is my understanding that it will not cause problems if you decide to refinish later, but I make no guarantees. You want to avoid any products that contain silicones if you ever have even the slightest thought of refinishing - the tiniest amount of silicone will cause any new lacquer to fisheye, and it will not ever apply normally.
To clean up white paint speckles, go over the entire cabinet with a hand cleaner such as Go-Jo, BEFORE you use the Howard's product. You may have to use a very fine grade (0000) steel wool with the Go-Jo in order to completely remove the paint specks, but since your set's finish is already dried out from your description, be advised this will probably remove more of the original lacquer as well and you may end up refinishing after all.
And finally, this page - http://www.radioattic.com/radiovalue.php - at the Radio Attic site is my favorite link to collector value, and discusses the subject much better than I can.
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Ron Ramirez
Ferdinand IN
