How rough is too rough?

[Tubejunke]

Originally Posted by jr_tech

Model 49-905 or 49-906?

IMHO, all early FM radios are quite collectable... Having a *good* Bakelite cabinet is way more than half the battle.

Actually, it's a 49-906-121 AM-FM. The cabinet is made of plastic unfortunately, but looks great. I just don't know how something this nice could be so darned rusty. Some places no rust at all and then trails of rust going all the way across half of the speaker.

One thing interesting to me is that it has two on/off potentiometers. I haven't investigated yet what they do. Maybe some tech used a switchable pot where just a pot was needed. Obviously I haven't had the chassis out of the cabinet to see if there is wiring going to both switches.

[jr_tech]

Originally Posted by Tubejunke

Actually, it's a 49-906-121 AM-FM. The cabinet is made of plastic unfortunately, but looks great.

I am fairly certain that the set is bakelite, although I have seen it identified as thermo-plastic. Easy to tell with a slightly destructive "melt test" in an inconspicuous area.

Originally Posted by Tubejunke

I just don't know how something this nice could be so darned rusty. Some places no rust at all and then trails of rust going all the way across half of the speaker.

Stuff happens, perhaps mouse pee?

Originally Posted by Tubejunke

One thing interesting to me is that it has two on/off potentiometers. I haven't investigated yet what they do. Maybe some tech used a switchable pot where just a pot was needed. Obviously I haven't had the chassis out of the cabinet to see if there is wiring going to both switches.

Seems likely, there is *no* reason to have a switch on *both* the tone (where it would be in this model) and volume controls.

jr

[DavGoodlin]

Originally Posted by Tubejunke

Actually, it's a 49-906-121 AM-FM. The cabinet is made of plastic unfortunately, but looks great. I just don't know how something this nice could be so darned rusty. Some places no rust at all and then trails of rust going all the way across half of the speaker.

One thing interesting to me is that it has two on/off potentiometers. I haven't investigated yet what they do. Maybe some tech used a switchable pot where just a pot was needed. Obviously I haven't had the chassis out of the cabinet to see if there is wiring going to both switches.

I have a 49-905 that i got for $5. The case is OK and the chassis is even better. I recapped it and now have a dead radio due to a bad IF transformer. Maybe that ratty chassis has the right part for it. Or maybe mine has parts yours needs Usually this means only one gets restored.

[Tubejunke]

Originally Posted by DavGoodlin

I have a 49-905 that i got for $5. The case is OK and the chassis is even better. I recapped it and now have a dead radio due to a bad IF transformer. Maybe that ratty chassis has the right part for it. Or maybe mine has parts yours needs Usually this means only one gets restored.

Well, this is good to hear; in a way. But what should we do? I would like to buy your chassis and simply install my hopefully good IF transformer. On the flip, I am sure that you would like to buy my set with a great case and the needed transformer.

I would part with my set, but I don't really want to 'part it out'. What to do...