There is considerable play in the mounting of the tuning capacitor on my Model 610. The three grommets that mount the capacitor appear in good shape and I am wondering if I just tighten up the mounting screws that go through the grommets, to remove some of the play, is acceptable.
Harv
I think the mounting screws have shoulders so they just stop when tightened down. No harm in checking them. My 37-62's tuning cap also seems loose to me but I think its by design. The grommets look good also. Its possible the grommets are getting softer with age instead of harder?
They may not be original looking and they are kind of firm but I've used common faucet washers, the conical type, for these condenser supports in many models and makes. I use a pair of them both "pointing" downward at each place; they self-center very easily and give the right height.
You might wonder why the grommets are there. My Philco 60 has them (and I replaced them since they disintegrated), but I wondered why they bothered with grommets, since one of the screw that went through the grommets was also grounded to the chassis. On reading up on microphinics (acoustic mechanical feedback) in equipment, I found out that tuning capacitors were a major cause. The grommets were added to dampen vibrations which might cause feedback.
Jim Cross
Finally took out the original tunning cap grommets on my radio. Strangely, the gromments directly under the tunning cap were in various stages of disintegration but those under the chassis were in good shape. I used Pete's suggestion of using faucet washers as replacements for the top grommets and found that the beveled type were the same height as the originals. Radio is playing fine after the repair and the tunning cap is not moving around as I tune the radio.
I have had great luck with surgical tubing to replace the grommets. I cut each piece slightly longer than the shoulder on the mounting spacers and when compressed while tightening the tubing expands and holds the cap in place. Plus the tubing allows for adjustment up and down for better alignment of the dial.
I purchased my tubing from E-Pay. A few bucks for 10 feet or so. Enough to do more Philcos then I will do in my life-time.
Just one more way to do it!
Dave