I restored a Philco 088 Signal Generator and thought I should post the info I have to help anyone else who might want to restore one. My first time posting so we'll see how long it takes me to figure out posting pics, schematics, etc....
Preston Smith
USAF Retired
Chalfont, Pa
(This post was last modified: 06-12-2016, 01:16 PM by Preston Smith.
Edit Reason: Spelling
)
Starting into the physical restoration, I really didn't want to remove the original black paint on the face. The face is some type of brass alloy - I thought it to be possibly brass and copper but I'm not a metallurgist. So I brought out my secret weapon.... KETCHUP! Yep, Ketchup. I put it on a small section of the dial, waited 20 minutes, rubbed if for about 5 minutes with my finger and it worked! I'll let the Chemisty majors out there explain the reason. Here was the first pass:
Preston Smith
USAF Retired
Chalfont, Pa
(This post was last modified: 06-12-2016, 05:49 PM by Preston Smith.
Edit Reason: Syntax
)
The Ketchup did about 80% of the work for me. The remaining work on the face plate was all detailing - some black paint touch up, sanding out some scratches, using copper cleaner on some of the tough spots, and then three coats of clear, semi-gloss lacquer.
The chassis and the components were in good shape. Even had 45V and 22.5V batteries... Haha! Of course, they were dead. I replaced the paper capacitors and replaced the tube with one that had been tested by a thorough person with a calibrated Hickok mutual conductance tester. Lots of Deoxit on all contacts.
I hooked up a slew of Harbor Freight batteries needed to test the generator ( I now have multiple power supplies). It put out a strong signal and I used it to align a Philco radio on my bench. It's a keeper and has a prominent position on the bench...
Preston Smith
USAF Retired
Chalfont, Pa
(This post was last modified: 06-12-2016, 05:47 PM by Preston Smith.
Edit Reason: Syntax
)
(06-12-2016, 05:17 PM)Preston Smith Wrote: I've seen two others Ed!
Starting into the physical restoration, I really didn't want to remove the original black paint on the face. The face is some type of brass alloy - I thought it to be possibly brass and copper but I'm not a metallurgist. So I brought out my secret weapon.... KETCHUP! Yep, Ketchup. I put it on a small section of the dial, waited 20 minutes, rubbed if for about 5 minutes with my finger and it worked! I'll let the Chemisty majors out there explain the reason. Here was the first pass:
At this point I'm trying to separate want and need into two different catagories. They do tend to get confused at times. Ed
I restored an HP200 about 2 years back.....plus a couple of SG8 RF ones.
As for cleaning the brass:
Ketchup is neat.
The secret is the acid.
Same results are obtained using vinegar and salt.
Ketchup is a paste so it does not run, and provides nice cleaning action, and so will the vinegar/salt mix, which is mixed with flour and water, creating the paste that does not run.
So will do the lemon juice. One way is to take half of the lemon, dip it in salt and rub the surface of the brass object to be cleaned. Keep dipping the lemon in salt as needed. Use table salt, it is fine and won't scratch.
PS. After the ketchup has done its work, it needs to be licked off. This creates a gastronomic pleasure along with the aesthetic one from watching a cleaned brass surface
People who do not drink, do not smoke, do not eat red meat will one day feel really stupid lying there and dying from nothing.
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