Here's a pic from service literature:
The set was purchased on eBay and was complete and very clean
This is what the underside of the set looked like prior to restoration:
This is what the top side of the set looks like
And here's a picture after replacement of paper and electrolytic caps
Summary of work performed:
The set fired up right away and worked well! Of all the radios I have restored, it is not unusual to get a set working with only a basic recap.
If this was your set, the restoration charge would have been $120.
To the left is a damaged knob from a Buick 980868 and to the right is a good knob from another set that I am using for a pattern
I mount the knob on a small plexiglass section. I then dip the knob 5 or 6 times in a latex rubber compound.
I remove the hardened mold and then pour a new knob. I use fiberglass resin. Here's the new knob removed from the mold.
A shaft hole is then drilled, followed by drilling and threading for a set screw. The knob is then sanded and painted. The original knob is to the right
The problem with this set was the significantly deteriorated dial drum. This drum is made of thin plastic and was cracked. The cracked plastic was covered in clear tape that wasn't in much better shape. The following picture shows the condition of the drum:
I could have called it done at this point but that dial drum just wouldn't look right in freshly restored 1947 Chevrolet.
The drum was carefully removed, scanned on a flat bed scanner and then re-created using a graphics program. Here's the original and re-created dial scales:
The next challenge was to find something suitable to make a new drum.
(Photo coming soon!)
Now with a new drum at hand, the dial is printed onto a clear adhesive sheet using an ALPS printer. A protective clear plastic is then applied over the dial scale to protect it.
(Photo coming soon!)