Stuck DuMont tuner
 

I have my DuMont RA-109 chassis out and have taken the dial scale off, and removed the tuning shaft. I've also popped the fine tuning shaft out. My problem is that I can't get the tuning shaft to turn. It is totally stuck to the dial string tensioner. One part looks to be brass and the dial string tensioner seems to be like a pot metal of some kind. I supposed it swelled. Right now it's soaking in PB Blaster but I'm out of ideas and don't want to break anything. Anyone have this happen to them and know the trick?

Update. I have it freed up. After soaking it in PB Blaster for about an hour, cutting around the gear with a razor blade, prying with a tiny screwdriver, and putting in a vise, it still wouldn't turn. So, I got out the LFH (not the BFH). After about 4 taps, it came loose. It works fine now. I lubed it with 20 weight machine oil, the same thing I use on jukeboxes. I cleaned the tuner which was quite stiff but not froze and lubed the shaft on the end I could get to. It turns easily now.

I did the same thing on my RA-113. The brass looking shaft going through the pot metal was very tight with old grease. Mine is also turning smoothly now. No more worries about breaking the OEM knobs!

Glad you got your tuner loosened up!

Bruce

Amazing how tight that thing was. Now I understand what everybody was warning about. The dial string tensioner is literally frozen on the shaft and if you force it rather than taking it apart and cleaning it, you WILL damage a number of things.