[radiotvnut]

Here's an AK 46 console, circa '29, that I recently picked up at the flea market. The cabinet is in decent shape and I think I'll get by with cleaning it, polishing it, and doing some other minor repairs to it. This cabinet actually houses an AC operated model 46 "metal can" table model TRF set (it seems that AK offered console cabinets for housing some of their table models). Here's a youtube video and some pictures of the radio. I think this one will be a nice restoration project.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msFWveGFdC0

[Image: http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff341...K46004.jpg]

[Image: http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff341...K46003.jpg]

[Image: http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff341...K46002.jpg]

[Image: http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff341...K46001.jpg]

[TA Forbes]

GOSH!!!

NICE find. All globe tubes, too! Cabinet looks to be in excellent condition, just dirty.

The early AK sets in the metal cabinet are usually playable, assuming the tubes are verified good. Recommend you bring it up slowly on a variac in order to give the electrolytic caps a decent chance to re-form.

In fact, leaving it at 60V for 30 min or more, then 75V for 30 min, then 100V for 30 min, then apply full house current.

[radiotvnut]

Thanks, this one really is in much better shape than most of what I find around here. In the way of consoles; most of what I find are overpriced '60's/'70's stereo consoles, overpriced '40's/early '50's radio/phono consoles that are often in bad shape, and overpriced older consoles that are usually in bad shape; but, their owners think they are worth a fortune because they are old. I gave $65 for this one; which, I think was a good deal. BTW, the speaker cone is badly damaged; so, a re-cone is going to be in order for the speaker. I'll probably get around to restoring it during the Spring, when it gets a little warmer.

[Radioroslyn]

Have fun unpotting the power supply. Nice set!! I've got a model 40 with the power supply all apart. Just have to replace the paper filter caps and figure out where all those wires go!!
GL
Terry

[radiotvnut]

That power supply unit is the biggest thing I'm dreading about it. Even if the original capacitors are still functioning, I'd feel better about replacing them because I don't want to be listening to the radio and have one of the old caps short and possibly burn up the power transformer. I've already found a schematic and have ordered all the caps and resistors that I'll likely need. From the past AK's that I've worked on, it's been my experience that the glass resistors are either open or way up in value.

[Jayce]

These units are neat. One of the types of radios I could never find around here, oddly.

[TA Forbes]

The older AKs electrolytics are usually OK if you treat them gently at first.

BUT.... if you are up to the task, then like Terry said, have fun un-potting the power supply.

[radiotvnut]

Here are more pictures after I cleaned it up a little:

[Image: http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff341...6002-1.jpg]

[Image: http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff341...6001-1.jpg]

[Radioroslyn]

Very nice looking set. Hope you can get it working as nice as it looks.
GL
Terry

[Jayce]

Now I recognize this style AK. A collector I know has one of these sitting in his back room, but I think one of the legs is broke off and is missing like most AK consoles I find here.

[Arran]

Did you find a plate or stamp indicating who built the cabinet yet? Atwater Kent didn't have a cabinet shop, at least not at that time, so most of their standard issue cabinets were produced either by Red Lion or by Pooley. There was also a fairly large industry supplying aftermarket cabinets in the 1920s through the early 30s, and sometimes they would make cabinets specifically to fit a popular model.
Regards
Arrab

[radiotvnut]

I haven't found a hint of a cabinet maker for this model; but, I'll look closer when I dig this out to restore it.

[Phlogiston]

Besides new caps it is also nice to have all new wire in that PS rather than the crispy stuff that is in there now. I have rebuilt and rewired 40 (3) 42, 44,45, 46, and a 47 all are a little different. Some models have 2 or more different PS. Figure out which one you have before you start.

I later mixed up a batch of paint that was a much better match to the original. This 47 is one of the hardest to do.

   

[radiotvnut]

From what I've read, this power supply uses a seperate filter capacitor assembly.

[Jayce]

Hmm, I meant to ask. Is the speaker in that unit an Electro-Dynamic type? It doesn't look like the usual AK high impedance design I've seen in some of these consoles over the years. Well, in pictures.