Paul's Tube Radio Restoration


 

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These beautifully restored radios bring back the memories of times gone by with their wonderful look and  vacuum tube sound.  
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lPaul's Tube Radio Restorations bring life back old vintage radios.

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lEach radio is meticulously restored (not repaired).

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lEnjoy unparalleled classic beauty and years of reliable vacuum tube sound and operation.
bulletElectronic restoration includes: 
bulletReplace all wax/paper, electrolytic, out of tolerance capacitors.
bulletReplace all out of tolerance resistors. 
bulletReplace all deteriorated wire with High voltage rated, vintage reproduction cloth covered wire (cloth where appropriate). 
bulletTest all tubes. 
bulletTest electro-dynamic or permanent magnet speaker. 
bulletRepair ripped speaker cone or re-cone as needed.
bullet Verify circuit against original manufacture’s schematic and restore to original engineered design including any factory published revisions. 
bulletReplace or rebuild other failed parts as needed. 
bulletClean dial scale and repaint indicator.
bulletRestring or replace dial cords
bulletClean and lubricate all controls and tuning mechanisms.  
bulletMeasure voltage and signal test points to verify proper and stable operation. 
bulletCalibrate and align for sensitive reception and accurate dial scale tracking. 
bulletBench tested (burn-in) 8 hours or more to verify proper operation
bulletCabinet Restoration include:
bulletlStrip old finish treatments and dirt if needed.
bulletlRepair and minimize blemishes.
bulletGlue and clamp to Strengthen loose wood joints. 
bulletlApply new finish and/or conditioner.
bulletlTreat with rejuvenating Teague oil where appropriate.
bulletlTreat bakelite with restorers.
bulletlHand rub Paste Wax finish as appropriate.
bulletlReplace speaker grill cloth as needed.
bulletlReplace missing or damaged knobs.

Grebe Syncrophase

   

Philco 20

Zenith Transoceanic

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Grundig Model 5088 USA 

Philco 40-150

Airline

Bendix 64P4

Philco 40-190

Art Deco styling
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RCA 25BP  "Pick Me Up"

  

 

Motorola

Howard

 

Please help your self and take a look around.  I have posted several projects with some details.  It is my intention to share these restoration experiences.  A restoration of a vintage radio is much different than a repair.  

Electronic components go bad with age.  Some components contain liquid electrolytes that dry out.  Others have paper insulators that degrade and create short circuits with age.  Resistor will absorb moisture and decay internally rendering them far out of design tolerance.  And the most obvious would be the missing insulation on the power cord.  A less obvious problem is missing insulation on wires that are concealed under the chassis.  A restoration address all the above aging problems.  

Once a radio is restored and any, pre-existing failures trouble-shot and repaired, the radio may serve another half century of reliable service.

Cabinet restoration is more dependant on the owners opinion and desired look.  A cabinet may remain untouched and the existing patina undisturbed as so it does not loose any collector value.  

Most radios that I collect have been long since been ignored and abused.  Often the protective finish has been chipped or flaked off, water damage may have occurred or it has been dropped and broken.  Stripping and extensive finish and cabinet repairs are typically required.  I commonly restore radios in need of "rescuing" from the land fill.   All pictured finishes have been accomplished by my unless specified otherwise.  

Generally, I like to have an old vintage radio work at or beyond original factory specifications.  And look pleasing too.  All wax/paper capacitors, electrolytic capacitors and most resistors are replaced.  A full electronic alignment is performed.  And the unit is operated (burned-in) for at lease 8 hours.  After the burn-in period any failures are diagnosed and repaired and the electronic alignment is re-performed.  Radios that have extensive decayed wiring, require many hours of precision wire replacement. Often the location of the wire is critical to the proper operation of the radio. 

My most rewarding restorations are the old forgotten heirloom radios that have been discovered by adult children or grandchildren.  Once restored and brought back to life these radios allow the owner to relive the childhood memories and comforts of years past.  

Please enjoy my web site. 

 

 

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