Crosley 173 - Printable Version
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RE: Crosley 173 - Phlogiston - 05-02-2020
This picture may help with understanding the construction of "stick" caps.
Old parts in the lower rt.
New (rebuilt) caps mounted to audio crossover board, top center.
This is out of one of the Strats that I rebuilt.
RE: Crosley 173 - Eliot Ness - 05-04-2020
The caps turned out pretty good Bob
Interesting construction on those little buggers.
RE: Crosley 173 - klondike98 - 05-06-2020
More recapping today, a couple more stick caps that were just singles. Also did a dual 8 uF electrolytic that was housed in a wax coated cardboard box. Here's the sequence of original box, opened up box with the guts out (just a little heat gun action to soften the wax is required) and then the box back together with two new electrolytics stuffed in there.
[Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/91wvrckoaiphx1o/crosley173_18.jpg?raw=1]
RE: Crosley 173 - klondike98 - 05-16-2020
Finished stuffing caps and put the chassis back together. Note I did find a round aluminum cap that approximates the original that was in the chassis for the three electrolytic caps #23, 24 and 25. There is room and a lug for the #25 cap that is no longer in the set because of the modifications made for the permanent magnet speaker but if someone found an original speaker and field coil, it could go back to original (but that will have to be the next guy in line). It still looks like a pig!
[Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/9f3btitquzajz6i/crosley173_19.jpg?raw=1]
I powered up with a dim bulb and there were no direct shorts so a full power up seemed to go ok although I had no sound until I started rotating the tuning cap. Then there was static and I could see some arcing around one of the mounting screws that connects the tuner housing to the chassis and is supposed to be electrically isolated from the chassis. The rubber grommet had failed and need replacing. After that I was able to get our one strong AM station although the sound was not great and there was some scratchyness to it. No sound at all on the short wave band but I only have a 10' wire antenna. Will have to check more and do some alignment. I will also attempt to clean up the chassis a bit more. All-in-all I'm pleased that its at least acting like a radio.
[Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/094hf57jfqu6na3/crosley173_20.jpg?raw=1]
I've started toning the cabinet but ran out of good weather. More of those photos later.
RE: Crosley 173 - OldRestorer - 05-16-2020
Thats a super neat radio Bob!
Looks like a waxy mess,
Kirk
RE: Crosley 173 - klondike98 - 06-07-2020
Alignment improved the radio although there is still some static at times. Since I did not completely strip the chassis I did apply some rust reformer to it to help slow down future rusting. It made it look even more ugly....
[Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/00zso68zbo8yftn/crosley173_23.jpg?raw=1]
I did clean up the back of the set and painted it a gray that was just a little lighter than the original gray coating. I do need to find a period knob for the band switch but that will have to wait until I can get to Kutztown next time.
[Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/9j1nlbkvm5ul6w4/crosley173_22.jpg?raw=1]
It all went back together nicely...
[Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/0gmglxa6476zxwq/crosley173_21.jpg?raw=1]
RE: Crosley 173 - Phlogiston - 06-07-2020
You could probably remove those 2 rusty brackets and replate them separately. I am working on setting up a zinc plating kit, just waiting for the zinc. It does not use any harmful chemicals and could probably be accomplished on the dining room table (not advised - but possible). Though they may have been plated with another material, zinc would look better, preserve the surface and could be removed if desired.
I'll let you know how it comes out.
Nice cabinet.
RE: Crosley 173 - RodB - 06-07-2020
Yes, nice looking cabinet. I'm glad you replaced that morbid grille cloth.
RE: Crosley 173 - klondike98 - 06-07-2020
Thx Russ. Yes I would be interested in how the plating turns out.
Yes, Rod, the original cloth was intact but very dirty. This is a reasonable replica. I don’t recall whether it was from RadioDaze or Richmond Designs. I tend to buy from Kenneth Richmond if I can.
RE: Crosley 173 - NostalgiaRadioTime - 06-07-2020
Nice radio, Bob. I like the cabinet design. And when I saw the knobs, it reminded me of one 'oddball' knob I've had in my knob tray for years. Would this work for your bandswitch knob? It measures just under 1 inch across the flats and about 5/16" thick. Has a set screw for the shaft.
RE: Crosley 173 - klondike98 - 06-07-2020
Greg, that is exactly what I think would go there! I'll PM you.
RE: Crosley 173 - klondike98 - 06-14-2020
The new knob fits perfectly and matches the front! Thank you Greg (NostalgiaRadioTime)!
[Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ams4xgrbtnrdpzz/crosley173_24.jpg?raw=1]
RE: Crosley 173 - Eliot Ness - 06-14-2020
Despite your displeasure with the appearance of the chassis the radio displays well and the back of the set also looks good, especially with the correct knob. Good save Bob
RE: Crosley 173 - klondike98 - 06-14-2020
Its not a silk purse but its no longer a pig...
Thanks John!
RE: Crosley 173 - Phlogiston - 06-14-2020
Bob,
I got the zinc for plating. It was cheap from Amazon (I would include their logo but I think that it is a forum violation - you know - there are kids (and Kirk) here).
I tried a sodium carbonate dielectric solution. I think that it was working but very slow - SO - I changed to acid (about 2 tbs in about 1/2 gallon of warm water). Much faster. Until the solution built up some zinc sulfate (speculation). Then I had to reduce the voltage to get the current inline which Caswell says should be about .14A per sq. in. at a PH. of 5.5. If you go too fast you get a black finish with lots of soot in the solution.
If you go r-e-a-l slow you can get a shinier galvanized look, but going fast ( a couple of minutes for a Zenith IF can) you get a blue-grey finish - - like what you see on a Zenith IF can. So that is what I got.
You can give me a call, or read a book, but I would avoid some of the U-Tube how tos.
P.S. just realized that Zinc sulphate is one of the components of fertilizer. Should have dumped it on the grass.