02-19-2018, 12:29 PM
Post any pictures that you might have.
It is true, there are a lot of variables, not the least of which is your collection it's self. There are a lot of radios that I would not spend time/money on - now. I might have 10-20 years ago.
There is also the sliding scale desirability/damage/cost. If this equals less than 0, move on.
I have had chrome chassis re-plated. With nickel or copper plated chassis, I will re-plate them myself. I mention this because the amount of rust on a chassis should be one of the first considerations in the decision process. If you have the urge to paint a normally unpainted/plated chassis, it would be preferable to find a less rusty replacement. Painting looks nice - a lot better than rust, but it is never a good investment time-wise. If the cash value of the project is unimportant, never mind, but, even with people who deny, the value of the radio is a consideration at some point, even if it is the money your kids get out of it. More important, if your time or money is limited (who's isn't) moving on to another project may be preferable. Again, I hear from people who say "its just for fun" then in the next sentence they quote the Pay-Bay price. So consider this prior to starting. Funny thing - too, is that you are probably going to find a better one just as the paint is drying and then you are going to want to rid yourself of the less-perfect unit, and you don't want to throw away all that work ( though I have just thrown away radios I restored 10 - 20 years ago rather than selling them and then feeling bad about it).
And then I thought: It is worse to die with a garage full of unfinished projects. I've seen this happen too often. So get started, whatever you do.
It is true, there are a lot of variables, not the least of which is your collection it's self. There are a lot of radios that I would not spend time/money on - now. I might have 10-20 years ago.
There is also the sliding scale desirability/damage/cost. If this equals less than 0, move on.
I have had chrome chassis re-plated. With nickel or copper plated chassis, I will re-plate them myself. I mention this because the amount of rust on a chassis should be one of the first considerations in the decision process. If you have the urge to paint a normally unpainted/plated chassis, it would be preferable to find a less rusty replacement. Painting looks nice - a lot better than rust, but it is never a good investment time-wise. If the cash value of the project is unimportant, never mind, but, even with people who deny, the value of the radio is a consideration at some point, even if it is the money your kids get out of it. More important, if your time or money is limited (who's isn't) moving on to another project may be preferable. Again, I hear from people who say "its just for fun" then in the next sentence they quote the Pay-Bay price. So consider this prior to starting. Funny thing - too, is that you are probably going to find a better one just as the paint is drying and then you are going to want to rid yourself of the less-perfect unit, and you don't want to throw away all that work ( though I have just thrown away radios I restored 10 - 20 years ago rather than selling them and then feeling bad about it).
And then I thought: It is worse to die with a garage full of unfinished projects. I've seen this happen too often. So get started, whatever you do.
