Atwater-Kent 84, restoration. -
morzh - 02-22-2025
This AK84 was bought, I think, last fall.
For a whopping $100.
It has been, according to the seller, restored.
As I go through radios no matter what the seller tells me, and due to the other project (H-speaker coil restoration) going on the back burner, I decided it is time for that patient to be seen.
This is the radio. The condition is rather nice.
The chassis is clean, as often is the case with AK.
The under-chassis is nice too. Clearly some work has been done.
Also the cord is new.
The tubes are good except one 24A tube. It takes a couple of minutes or more to start moving the indicator needle on my 600A Hickok, and slowly, over 2-3 minutes, it gets to 500. Others within a minute of warm-up get above 1000. This gets changed.
The electrolytic caps have been restuffed, which is obvious.
The capacitor can assemblies have been touched, but I am not sure if they were rebuilt. The fact they were touched is betrayed by nice brass screws holding themĀ instead of the rivets.
But the bottom looks nice and so I am not sure if it has new caps inside.
I will unsolder the wires and check the values.
The tuning is a bit tight and rough; the roller that moves the sprocket of the tuner received some plastic piece over it, and this is perhaps why it is.
RE: Atwater-Kent 84, restoration. -
morzh - 02-22-2025
The wires were desoldered from the can, and the capacitors checked. All checked at 0.102 uF, which is correct.
So the can was rebuilt.
I will assume the 3 other cans were rebuilt also.
I do not know what type of electrolytic caps the previous owner used to rebuild the old aluminum cans, but I will give him the benefit of the doubt, and will limit myself to verify the value only.
RE: Atwater-Kent 84, restoration. -
radiorich - 02-22-2025
Hello mike,
What nice looking radio I have one AK in my collection it's a console I have not started restoring it yet .
Was that chassis that clean when you got because it sure is in nice shape and well worth $100. in my book .
there was a AK model Superhetrodyne #944 today at the auction thou.
Sincerely Richard
RE: Atwater-Kent 84, restoration. -
morzh - 02-22-2025
Rich
yes, this is the way I got it. I have just put it on the table and took it apart.
I suspect it even might work, especially when I replace that weak 24A.
I will attempt some power-up tomorrow.
RE: Atwater-Kent 84, restoration. -
GarySP - 02-23-2025
Nice radio, Mike! Here's hoping it was well rebuilt. Take care and BE HEALTHY! Gary
RE: Atwater-Kent 84, restoration. -
radiorich - 02-23-2025
Hello Mike,
Wow ! far as my AK it does work and the cabinet is in nice shape so is my chassis anyway here is a photo of mine !
Sincerely Richard