Hallicrafters T-506 scored

[bandersen]

Originally Posted by Reece

Good job on that veneer repair. 20,000 volts of ignition transformer weight!

LOL - Yeah, I just didn't have any clamps that would work.

Originally Posted by peverett

Banderson, you mentioned the 6SH7 tube in the first part of your video. If you ever need some, I have them. I also have a case of NOS 12SH7 tubes. I think the 12SH7s were originally for some military contract as the box appears to be labeled that way.

Thanks. I was wrong about that. I believe the early version of this sets used them but this one has 6AU6s.
I will be getting back to my GE810 one of these days and I think it does use one or two so I may take you up on that offer.

[PredictaNoob]

I've had great success soaking moldy knobs in a cup of 409 cleaner overnight, then popping them a few times with a pot scrubber brush. Dry them off then hose them down with Son of a Gun or Amorall and I have yet to see the mold return.

[Sam Cogley]

I don't think that white stuff is mold, it seems to be a product of the plastic outgassing as it ages.

[bandersen]

Here's another update.

I'm painting the base feet with some deep red mahogany toner lacquer.




I had thought that the faceplate was nailed on, but it was actually small screws bent at crazy angles. With a little effort and some needle nose pliers, I got it off. Much easier to work on the cabinet now
The faceplate is one big hunk of aluminum with a decorative painted grill on top and photo finish on the bottom.
That black strip was probably overspray from the factory. I'm not going to mess with it. It's barely visible when it's all together.




That photofinish was starting to flake off. So, I carefully clean it with mineral spirits and gave it a few coast of clear semi-gloss lacquer to stabilize it. It turned out well.


Finally, I'm using Deft semi-gloss on the main cabinet. Once that's done, I just need to touch up the black trim around the faceplate.

[bandersen]

Time to clean the screen bezel. The clean plastic insert sits in a groove in the rubber (?) gasket. Some gentle pressure while slowly working around the edge got it out.

I wonder what would work to clean up that gasket ? Something like NuVinyl maybe


The plastic insert was covered with fine scratches and a couple deeper ones. Some Novus products took care of that.

[Sandy G]

Ooooooh, Lawdy, dat's PURDY !!

[bandersen]

Thanks!
I went with ArmorAll on the gasket and it came out great. Unfortunately, my black knobs have started going "funky" already
I'm going to try a 409 dunk followed by ArmorAll as PredictaNoob suggested.

[PredictaNoob]

Originally Posted by bandersen

Thanks!
I went with ArmorAll on the gasket and it came out great. Unfortunately, my black knobs have started going "funky" already
I'm going to try a 409 dunk followed by ArmorAll as PredictaNoob suggested.

This morning, after reading this, I had to run up stairs and double-check the plastic zenith knobs (that look a lot like the ones next to your gasket) that I had 'treated', and to my relief they are still "good to go"! No doo-doo on them of any kind. Phew!

[PredictaNoob]

Also, I broke down and bought the "little brother" to your 506, the T-54. It will get in line behind the Safari, that is waiting in line behind the Predicta I'm knee-deep in now.

On an aside, are you the same banderson who bought/restored a Westinghouse/RCA WR-8 awhile back? I bought one at an online auction and have managed to get myself in a bind as to getting it shipped to me!! I really can be a doofus sometimes.

[bandersen]

Yep, that's me Electrically it's just about done, but there's a lot of veneer to repair and then refinish. I figured I'd better get more practice on refinishing cabinets like this first.

That's a really tall and heavy radio, I hope you can get it shipped somehow.

BTW - If that's the T-54 that sold on eBay yesterday, you outbid me I'm glad it went to someone who will take the time to restore it - it looks to be in rough shape.

[PredictaNoob]

Ha ha!!! Yes, I have to admit that even though I don't care for eBay, I spend way too much many there. That is hilarious that you were bidding on it too! Maybe we should all start coordinating here prior to bidding on things, and save ourselves some money!

[bandersen]

Here we go again with the knobs. The crud floated off after a few hours of soaking.


Here they are after a little ArmorAll. I'll keep a close eye on them. If this doesn't work, I may resort to real bourbon (for the knobs and myself )

Originally Posted by PredictaNoob

Ha ha!!! Yes, I have to admit that even though I don't care for eBay, I spend way too much many there. That is hilarious that you were bidding on it too! Maybe we should all start coordinating here prior to bidding on things, and save ourselves some money!

LOL - I dropped out early so someone else ran up the price. I'll shoot you a PM next time I bid on a set

[Reece]

OK, Bud, you left yourself open for this. We know what was in that biggish shotglass. So that's what fixes cruddy knobs?? Whatsit do to one's tummy?

[bandersen]

Dunno, but I bet 409 window cleaner + knob crud = tummy ache

[bandersen]

I'm finally done with all the toner lacquer. Time to rub out the finish with pumice and rottenstone. That's just some dust here and there on the cabinet


Here's a dry run with the front in place.