What my restorations involve.

Posted by Keith Park on March 21, 2018  •  Comments(0)  • 

Operation: Each chassis and speaker gets a complete cleaning, all tubes are tested and any weak or bad ones are replaced, all electrolytic or Filter capacitors are replaced as well as any other components that need it. All controls and switches are cleaned, bad wiring is replaced and a New Grounded power cord with AC fuse (if not already equipped) is installed on Chassis ground sets and a polarized power cord on transformerless sets. Speaker cones are repaired if necessary and the set is aligned and burned in for a week before completion.

My sets are not “Over-restored” or made “Better than new” nor are they simply recapped and shipped out, each chassis is restored with emphasis on authenticity and preservation and as many of the original parts that are still reliably operational are retained. When possible and practical, new capacitors are mounted in the original housing. This is often the case with filter capacitors and is always the case with the Philco Bakelite blocks, which have the innards, removed and replaced with new capacitors. Upon special request, I may be able to re-tube the set with correct matching manufacturer tubes at additional cost.

Cosmetics: Unless stated that the original finish is retained, each cabinet is stripped with liquid strippers to retain the original patina and color under the finish and any repairs are made and the entire set is finish sanded. Toning Lacquers are used where they were originally, as well as any painted fluting or highlights, Reproduction decals are also used whenever available. Finish is 6-8 coats of hand-rubbed Tung oil that closely approximates the original Lacquers, shellac’s and varnishes. No Urethanes or epoxy use here! The cabinets will look as close as possible to the way they did when they were new.

Pictured Set: (Images on this page) The featured set is a 1929 Brunswick 31S that had been abused in just about every way! 1) It had been re-varnished… yep! The whole thing… chassis and all! 2) It had an attempt at stripping it… with the caustic paste stripper! 3) It had an attempt at sanding it, with an Orbital sander! 4) It had an attempt at gluing it, resulting in everything being glued in the warped position 5) It had been out in the rain at some point It took an obsession by me to restore it… A LOT of work! But it is beautiful and there aren’t that many around!