dial string slippage?

[dsk]

I replaced the dial string on a Zenith radio. It is nice and taught, but it still slips on the bushing attached to the tuning shaft. Everything moves fine if I turn the wheel manually (the big one the string goes around with the springs inside), but the bushing on the shaft just is not grabbing the string. It does require some effort to turn the wheel. Is it a situation where I need to lubricate something or increase the friction on the string? I tried some bow rosin on the string to no avail. What should I do?

[Fisherdude]

I had a similar situation with a National NC-121 shortwave receiver.

There are two things to try.

First, make sure that any bushings or friction points where shafts turn are very lightly lubricated. You definitely don't want any oil to migrate onto the dial string.

Second, you want to make the string not slip on the shaft. You mentioned rosin. I've had good success with violin rosin. Take the small block of rosin, put it in a ziploc bag, and give it a whack with a hammer. Put some of the powder in a small dish with alcohol. When it's dissolved in the alcohol, use a q-tip to dab some of the solution on the string and on the shaft where the string makes contact. Give it a day or two to dry up, and it should work pretty well.

If neither of these make the slippage any better, you may have a dial tension spring that is too weak. If that's the case, you can replace the spring, or retie the knot where the dial string connects with the spring so there's a little more tension.

Hope this helps!

Good luck,
Clay

[dsk]

Thanks Clay. As it turns out, I strung it incorrectly. Once I figured that out, it was fine!

[Fisherdude]

Glad you got it working!

clay