[Geoff]

Question... Should I check voltages first and then align or align and then check voltages?

- Geoff

[morzh]

I usually checkk voltages first. Voltages are characteristics of the schematic functioning properly and unless it is said that a particular voltage depends on alignment, thevoltages should come first and alignment - second.

[Geoff]

Thanks. I'll check voltages first.

- Geoff

[Geoff]

I went ahead and measured the voltages. I used a digital multimeter for all the measurements. I had the radio plugged into my variac and the voltage going to the radio was 117.1 VAC. Here is what I got:

[Image: http://antiqueradios.com/gallery/main.ph...alNumber=2]

I wasn't sure what "AC" meant so I measured both AC and DC voltage for those particular pins.

Could somebody with more experience take a look at these and let me know what you think. Some of the voltages seem a bit high. All capacitors and resistors were replaced.

Thanks,
Geoff

[morzh]

If you use today's DMM to measure voltages you will have higher readings as the Avometers of the days of yore (I bought me recently a Weston) had much lower per volt impedance and so loaded the circuitry which ion case of tubes is fairly high impedance, so the readings were lower.

I specifically bought practically a mint military meter that has a switch between 1kOhms/Volt and 20kOhm/volt. The latter was calledc ""supersensitive" and is probably the one mostly suitable.
1Kohm/Volt is good for alighning tube testers - some procedures explicitly ask for this per-volt resistance.

But in most cases a modern DMM will at least give you an idea if the stage is working correctly - after all, today's DMM's readings are in fact "truer" and you need an old meter just not to thing about the difference.

[Geoff]

It's been awhile since I've posted some pictures of this set. Here is the underside. That's a 1 amp slow-blow fuse connected to the incoming line.

[Image: http://antiqueradios.com/gallery/main.ph...alNumber=2]

Here are some pictures of the top:

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I performed the alignment and everything is coming in loud and clear on the AM band. I was even able to get some weak signals on the shortwave and amateur bands. I probably could have got more but the antenna I was using was only a few feet long. I swapped out the 6U5 tube for a 6E5. For me at least this tube gives a better response opening and closing as I tune in the stations.

[Image: http://antiqueradios.com/gallery/main.ph...alNumber=2]

I've already cleaned up the cabinet and will post some pictures this weekend.

- Geoff

[Ron Ramirez]

Wow, that thing looks like it just came off the assembly line!

[Geoff]

Thanks Ron!

[morzh]

Wanted to warn you Geoff, as I got burned by it: when putting the chassis in, and ESPECIALLY when taking it out (well, if you need to do that again) WATCH the tone control switch.
I broke mine when doing that (and had to glue it as it is a scarcity item) and, as I found out, many other people did the same.

[Geoff]

Thanks for the tip! Yeh, from the rear you need to remove the chassis pulling it straight back, then lifting it up a bit, and then tilt the end of the chassis that has the tone control down as you pull the chassis out. Otherwise you will hit the tone control on the support on the back of the cabinet.

- Geoff

[Geoff]

I cleaned the cabinet with GoJo and I was amazed at how well it worked. I applied it with bare hands and then wiped it off with some clean rags. I then used a damp towel and gave everything a quick wipe down. After that I let the cabinet dry for a couple of days. I then applied Howard's Restor-A-Finish (Walnut) over everything except the shoulders. For the shoulders I used Howard's Restor-A-Finish (Dark Walnut). Although the dark walnut looked darker I did not see a noticable difference once it was applied to the cabinet. I let the Howard's dry for a few weeks and then gave it a coat of paste wax. I was pretty impressed at how the scratches blended out. They are still there, but they don't stand out nearly as much as they did.

Here are some pictures of the cabinet as found:

[Image: http://antiqueradios.com/gallery/main.ph...alNumber=2]

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Here is after the cleaning and Howard's:

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The original bezel looks like it was sprayed with a gold lacquer. Then a mask was applied and black was sprayed along the inside of the area that surrounds the dial and along the outer edges. I did not realize that the entire bezel had been sprayed until I went to polish it. I polished the entire bezel then carefully masked things off so I could spray black paint along the inside that surrounds the bezel. I did not apply black anywhere else. Not 100% original looking but I'm happy with it. If I had it to do over again I would probably just clean it up with some GoJo and leave it as is. Here are some pictures before I polished it. You can see the areas that were originally black.

[Image: http://antiqueradios.com/gallery/main.ph...alNumber=2]

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Too many photos so continued in next post...

[Geoff]

For the inside of the cabinet I had read elsewhere that you could use Behlen Solar-Lux stain, Sea Blue color. I gave it a try and it came out great! The pictures make it look darker than it really is. It's a very close match to the color that was originally there. The dry wood really drank up the stain and I used about 3/4 of the bottle.

[Image: http://antiqueradios.com/gallery/main.ph...alNumber=2]

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I was thinking about spraying the acoustic adapter with gold spray paint. I probably will but not until after the holidays.

Well, it's been a long, long road but it's finally done. Thanks to everyone who helped me out on this!!!

- Geoff

[w4rtc]

Hi
That is one nice job on the chassis you have a lot of patience.
Joe

[Diverted]

Amazing restoration, just beautiful!
You wouldn't happen to have that wiring diagram kicking around anywhere, would you? I have the same set and it's been very, very messed with by a previous owner. I would like to try to wire it and the wiring diagram would be just as much help, if not more, than the schematic in my case. Thank you and again, great work!

Ted[/i]

[morzh]

Ted

I used Riders when restoring mine. It was good enough for me.