GE 210 restoration
 

I picked up this GE 210 bakelite AM/FM radio a few months back. It makes a nice companion to the mahogany 212 version.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7390/...bd222c66_z.jpg https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3935/...5d5be7f9_z.jpg

Doh! A little 5 minute epoxy took care of that loose AM loop antenna.
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2948/...89f5180c_z.jpg

After a basic recap, there was hum, weak AM reception and no FM.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3935/...0a8b1942_z.jpg https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2945/...31ced795_z.jpg

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2946/...20af2c46_z.jpg https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2945/...94af5e63_z.jpg

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5605/...b5e9de91_c.jpg

All those issues were caused by weak and shorted tubes. I put a fresh set in and it's playing just great :)
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2946/...897f4425_z.jpg

As for the cabinet, I tried something new this time - a clay car detailing kit. It did a great job of cleaning all the crud off the cabinet including paint splatters. Then, I went over it a few times with Novus #2 and, finally, some Meguiar's cleaner wax.

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2948/...4d951255_c.jpg

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2948/...5c323ff1_z.jpg https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5608/...83ae8043_z.jpg

VINDICATED! :banana:


I knew you'd eventually give the clay-bar suggestion a shot. They're a bit pricey, but you can squish them into all kinds of nooks and crannies that would otherwise take a whole afternoon and most of a box of Q-tips to tackle.



On a mostly unrelated note, if you're willing to PM me your shipping address I have a moderately heavy (30lbs) item that you actually need to bring at least three of your back-burner projects one step closer to eventual completion. Actually, I have 4 of the damned things, but for now you only need the one, and I'll make sure the one I ship is in serviceable condition for the intended application. I'd tell you what it is but that spoils the whole surprise and anticipation theme. I saved them from being sold for scrap, and it does fit in a flat-rate box so all is well in the world. Once the cat is out of the bag on your end, I'll list the others here in the classifieds to any good home willing to pay shipping.

PM sent.

For sure the clay does a good job cleaning, but it does leave the bakelite dull so it needs some polishing after. I find that can leave some residue in the nooks and crannies.

Congratulations! I've just completed some boxsmithing... Even with the Columbus Day holiday tomorrow, I can't see any reason it won't arrive with time to spare for a F.N.R. or F.N.Un-Boxing. At the very least you'll get a chuckle out of the note I included with it, most likely you'll get a very useful (if heavy!) item along with a chuckle or two.

As much as we all know you enjoy sweeping up mountains of foam packing peanuts from inexperienced eBay shippers, they just wouldn't have cut the mustard for this one. I had to put a dash of "outside-the-box" style thinking inside the box. The important bits of the item itself are quite hard to damage in shipping, even for the creative mishandlers of the USPS. It barely fit in one dimension of the box, so I didn't bother trying to wrap it in a hundred feet of bubble-wrap or screw it to a piece of pine. I was more concerned with the overall structural integrity.

For your convenience everything inside the box is already "YouTube-safe." (No names/addresses/criminal confessions/trade-secrets/export-restricted technology/etc...)

http://www.funkengine.net/vk-img/201...-14_0140-2.jpg

Next stop, Chicago!


http://www.funkengine.net/vk-img/201...5/chi-town.png

Cool! Can't wait to open it up :yes:

I WANT ONE!!! I WANT ONE!!!! Wait........ what is it?????? :D

SR

It is heavy. :yes:

*Landing sequence initiated.*
http://www.funkengine.net/vk-img/201.../chi-town2.png

But I'm sure he already has plenty heavy things...As do most of us here.:D

Here is the mystery item unveiled :) It's a Radiola 18 power supply that I'll try to use as a battery eliminator for a couple Philco farm sets I have.

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3953/...01e9c5e4_z.jpg