Tuning Capacitor Gear Trains - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

JHGibson · 20th May 2005, 4:47 pm

The better quality receivers use spring loaded split gears to provide a backlash free drive to the tuning capacitor. After some 50 years, the original lubricant has dried out and needs replacing.
Taking the gear train apart is no problem, but the fun begins when you try to replace the tensioning springs in the gears. Several times the spring has escaped my pliers and flown across the room only to be found after a long hunt. Now I tie a thin sewing thread to the spring and when it escapes I only have to reel in the thread to find it.
John.

Nickthedentist · 20th May 2005, 7:20 pm

What a good idea, John. I lost the spring from my Hacker Mayflower for the best part of an hour like that a few months back

20th May 2005, 4:47 pm	#1
JHGibson Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Salt Spring Island, BC, Canada Posts: 368	Tuning Capacitor Gear Trains The better quality receivers use spring loaded split gears to provide a backlash free drive to the tuning capacitor. After some 50 years, the original lubricant has dried out and needs replacing. Taking the gear train apart is no problem, but the fun begins when you try to replace the tensioning springs in the gears. Several times the spring has escaped my pliers and flown across the room only to be found after a long hunt. Now I tie a thin sewing thread to the spring and when it escapes I only have to reel in the thread to find it. John.

20th May 2005, 7:20 pm	#2
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,861	Re: Tuning Capacitor Gear Trains What a good idea, John. I lost the spring from my Hacker Mayflower for the best part of an hour like that a few months back