The PHILCO Phorum

YAAAA! I just pulled my 19LZ apart to find the heat shield on the power trans was covered in asbestos! So, this morning, I took the shield off and generously laquered the "Killer Asbestos" in place. Unless somebody tries to dig it off, it will remain inert. I think that's the best way to handle asbestos. I don't want the EPA come in with their space suits on and declare my apartment a hazardous area, now do I?

In spite of the hysteria surrounding asbestos I don't think that the quantity found in our old radios is a threat to life and health. I believe that it would take some long term exposure to asbestos, in large amounts, to have any chance of developing an illness, something that radios don't really supply. Encapsulation (painting asbestos with something) is considered an acceptable method to prevent it from flaking apart in most circles, but I don't know if lacquer would have been my first choice around heat I was thinking more of engine enamel or latex paint. It hasn't been something that I worried about but in most instances the manufacturers put it in there for a reason.
Best Regards
Arran

Arran,I believe that you are most assuredly right in that the asbestos encountered in old radios is relatively harmless to us. The people that put that asbestos there, however, may indeed have had illnesses pertaining to it. Mesothelioma is deadly. period.
But it takes PROLONGED exposure to the material to develop cancer, which is what mesothelioma is.
People working in certain industries, such as the heating/furnace and the automotive brakes business before asbestos was found to be a carcinogen, were almost CERTAINLY exposed to deadly amounts.
But, today, the occasional encounter with asbestos is merely anecdotal, and shouldn't be a concern to the public.
You know, Arran, when I sprayed that laquer on that heat shield, I thought your very words. "Hey, even dried laquer is flammable!"
But I also reasoned with my self, thinking, "If I have enough heat from that old transformer to cause a fire, I will have a H**l of a lot more to worry about than fire!". Ha!
Then again, I might go back and spray it with paint meant for a set of headers! LOL

One shouldn't leave vintage electronics, even those that have been restored and safety-modified, to run unattended for long periods. It is just imprudent.

Hi guys,
I think the fumes of the paint you use is more dangerous than the asbestos sheet left alone or encapsulated.

I always use an enamel based paint or enamel clear to cover the sheet. I think lacquer may eventually get brittle and flake off. The enamel and oil baed paints should remain somewhat flexable for a long time. Maybe a coat of 'poly' would actually be best.

The 'engine enamel' may be better than high temp header paint. The high temp stuff dries flat and might be more susceptable to flaking later on. I know it flaked off a set of headers I had once after a while. I believe the engine enamel is good up to about 400 or 500 deg.

Nice set you have there.
Take care, Gary.

Thanks for the compliment, Gary! When I sprayed those sheets of asbestos, I laid on a thick coat that soaked right into the sheets.
Ron says he's only seen one other of these 19LZs that had the police band. Dang, these must be rare as chicken lips!
Chuck is sending me the papers on this. N/A schematics are always too fuzzy and devoid of details. If you never ordered schems from Chuck, DO SO! No kidding, these are the ORIGINAL papers!! Uhhh, PHOTOCOPIES of the originals, heh heh.
Thankfully, there are only 8 bakelite "condensers"in this set. I can't see one of them, it has so much stuff over the top of it.
Come over and help, Gary!